The Queen of Nahariya by Nir Shaulian
(Translation by JewishMOM.com)
After a few long months serving and a few months back home, yesterday I was called back for just one day of training for the upcoming military operation in the North.
I arrived at the train station in Nahariya and waited for a friend to pick me up. It was a hot day and I didn’t want to stand in the sun for too long, so I took the opportunity to walk around and see the city.
Many months ago, we were the unit that defended Nahariya [ just 4 miles from the Lebanese border]. And I was interested to see what was left from those days and the little stands people set up all over with free food for the soldiers.
Sure enough, a food-truck with free food for soldiers was still standing.
I took out a bottle of water, put in my earphones and started searching for a place to sit in the shade.
“Excuse me, sir?” I heard quietly through the earphones
An elderly lady with a wide brim hat and a grandma-like handbag was approaching me
I was already planning to say that I didn’t have any cash on me and that I might be able to transfer her some money on my phone, all the while planning the best way to cut this encounter short.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“Get me?”
“I want to get you something to eat from this bakery.”
“No, no thank you Ma’am, I just came from home, I don’t need anything.”
“Ok, so I’ll give you money.”
“No, there’s no need…”
She took out her wallet and pulled out 2 bills, 100 each.
“No please, I absolutely cannot take this”
“Don’t insult me, I’m asking you to take it”
“Ma’am really, I can’t take this” but then I realized that maybe this is how she wanted to take part, to contribute.
I couldn’t finish my train of thought because she kept insisting until she finally took my hands, kissed them and quickly stuffed the bills into my palms.
“I don’t have any children; you are like a son to me. Please take this, don’t feel uncomfortable, don’t insult me”
“Who are you?” I asked with tears in my eyes
“Malka, I told you, I don’t have kids of my own, you are all like my children, may God protect you”
“But Malka, truly I don’t need this, give it to someone who…” but then I saw her getting upset, so I added “You know what? I’m meeting a few soldiers here soon, I’ll treat them to lunch and…”
“More soldiers? Then I’ll give you some more!” and she reached for her purse again.
This time I had to stop her
“You really moved me, Ma’am, please, pray for us!”
And she moved on, walking away with that hat of hers, swallowed up in the streets of Nahariya, like she was just any other grandma.
And maybe she was.
During Maariv prayer, she appeared before me again, just as I said “Ohev Et Amo Israel” [Who loves His people Israel] and it was clear to me that Hashem loves us.
How can you not, when you have someone like Malka from Nahariya. And there are so very many of them.
And if He loves, I do too.
And if we all love, then we will surely win. Please God.