November 20

Judith in Ramot (Jerusalem) tells us about her trip to the Kotel.

Dear All,

I felt that I was in need of spiritual solace so I decided to go pray and meditate at our Holy Wall, the remnant of our holiest Temple. Thousands of years ago our ancestors made their pilgrimages, faithfully, to feel closer to the Almighty. Today, all that is left of that once glorious edifice are the outer perimeter walls, of which only a small area is accessible at which to pray.

For thousands of years we have yearned to return to this Holy Site. The faithful continue to pray twice a day for the return of Jerusalem to its previous majesty, so even to make a trip to visit this bit of Wall has always given me a sense of excitement and anticipation. I can see the throngs of pilgrims with their children and their animals in a hubbub of festivity, dressed in their holiday finery, waiting for their turn to witness the glory of the sacrificial ceremonies. The plaza smells like one huge picnic bar-b-que and the air is mixed with the perfumes of spices and the Ketoret (incense offering). The sounds of the multitude and the music of the Levite tribe all blend into a wonderful celebration of the senses and the holiness of the occasion!

So, with this in mind, I got on the(shatterproof windows) bus that goes from the ultra-orthodox neighborhood of Har Nof (View Mountain) to the Western Wall, with the anticipation of seeing the usual gathering of pious Jews, visitors, Bar mitzvah celebrants and tour groups. We wound through the various Jerusalem neighborhoods, some modern, some centuries old. The population on the bus dwindled at each bus stop. Normally, by the time the bus has completed half its route the bus is so full that it can barely hold the passengers. Today, by the time we were on the last leg of the trip, there were three passengers remaining, myself and two other women.

I approached the security gate where each visitor has their bags checked for weapons. Normally there is a long line of people waiting to be checked. Today, I was the only one. Quickly I went to the Kotel (Wall) plaza. I have been privileged to live here for the last 24 years and in all the very many times I have ever been to visit the Kotel, I have NEVER EVER seen the plaza so empty and desolate! I have been to the Kotel in the middle of the night. I have been to the Kotel in the pouring rain. I have been to the Kotel in the heat of the day when the temperature reaches 40! Today the Kotel was DESERTED! No tourists, no groups, no bar mitzvah celebrants, no school trips, no pilgrims. There was a handful of men, not even a minyan (quorum).

There were about twenty or so pious women. There were many security personnel, police, border guard and soldiers. Father in Heaven, WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE????

There was a beggar woman who scattered a bag of crumbs for the birds that live within the crevices of the WALL. There were more birds than humans!

I cried and prayed for the people who are too frightened to come to pray. I cried and prayed for all the individuals who are poisoned by the negative publicity. I cried and prayed for all those who do not trust in the Protection of God. I cried for the embarrassment of the abandoned Wall. I cried for its loneliness.

On my way back to the bus, a feeling of sadness and depression engulfs me. Is there no hope? What can I do to help change the situation. Just then my eyes beheld the MOST ENCOURAGING SIGN that the words of the prophets of yore are coming true. Two young men in their twenties, with full protective gear: walkie talkie, bulletproof vest and guns in their holsters are escorting a group of about twenty very young nursery children returning to their homes in David's City, a Jewish enclave at the foot of the ancient walls of the Temple. THIS , MY FRIENDS, IS THE ANSWER.!!!!! WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING THE PROMISE OF THIS WEEKS TORAH (BIBLE) PORTION , the promise that God made to Avraham. "To you will I give this Land, form its length to its breadth , for a heritage, forever!"

As I write these words the most terrible news is coming over the radio. In Gush Katif, at the border of the Gaza strip,a bus full of women and children was brutally attacked with a remote control bomb as they were on their way to school!

Two adults were murdered, one a young woman of thirty six, mother to four children, the other is a young father,age 34, who leaves behind six children, the youngest of whom is 5 months young! Their funerals will take place in a few short hours. Nine others were injured, three adults and six children. Three of these children are of the same family. Their grandfather is in the hospital waiting for his grandchildren to come out of the operating rooms. One of the children is the granddaughter who will be Bat Mitzvah next month. Her 9 year old sister and 7 year old brother are also in surgery, one is in serious condition. all the injured are expected to need hospitalization and extended therapy as a result of their damage.

The radio announcers, with their poison pens and disinformation, are trying to console us and give us the 'good news' that the bus was bullet proof so ONLY this 'limited' number of people were maimed, (the bus was NOT bombproof i.e. the floor and roof are not reinforced that is why ALL the injured have lower limb injuries). THESE ARE NOT NUMBERS!!! These are holy people of AM YISRAEL, the Jewish Nation.

Do what they might, with GOD'S HELP WE ARE HERE TO STAY. That my dear family and friends is the answer!

The politicians are too blinded to see that this is NOT about politics. It is the ancient war of RELIGION. We, the Jewish nation, who for centuries have prayed for our redemption and the gift of living in our homeland, are drugged into thinking that this is a twenty-first century gentleman's disagreement. This is about Jews and Moslems, not Israelis and Palestinians! We were given the PROMISE and they are JEALOUS!

When we come to Israel, to visit, to study, better yet , to live, we will be actualizing God's promise to His Chosen People.

You ask is it safe?

Every day there are HUNDREDS of miracles taking place in this Promised Land. I will personally be honored to show them to you. When the politicians let the army do their job, it is better. When we pray, it is better. When we will have Am Yisrael in the Land of Israel it will be MUCH BETTER.

With the blessings of Peace from the city , land, and people that yearn for peace,

I remain sincerely yours,
Judith