This Jerusalem Day, on the Train Home
56 years ago, during the 6 Day War, 3 mighty Arab countries invaded young and tiny Israel. Israelis braced themselves for a second Holocaust, just 3 decades after the first left 6 million Jews murdered. But 56 years ago, instead of an Arab victory, and dead Jews filling the mass graves that had been prepared in public parks, Hashem made a history-altering miracle for the Jewish nation and the world.
For the first time in almost 2000 years, the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the cities and places where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs lived and prayed were returned to Jewish rule.
Today tens of thousands of Israelis came to Israel’s capitol to celebrate Jerusalem Day, the anniversary of that great miracle.
Josh and I hosted a tourist group this evening, so I only got downtown around 9:30 PM, at which point I discovered the festivities were already over. A bit disappointed, I headed back home.
When I squeezed myself onto the light rail, I didn’t even have to hold on to steady myself. I was held up by the tight crowd all around me.
And I closed my eyes and suddenly remembered Jews crowded tightly together in a very different train. Shudder.
And at that moment, the whole train began singing a song from Hallel, the ultimate Jewish prayer of thanksgiving. And I opened my eyes and remembered that I wasn’t on that train. I was on this train. As different as the miracles of 56 years ago. As different as the miracles of today.
BEAUTIFUL, THANK G!D!