Old City, Tekoa and Tzfat

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Old City of Jerusalem, enjoying views from the rooftops and down at the Kotel (the Wailing or Western Wall). I am always amazed and moved to be a part of someone's first visit to this most holy Jewish site. To see the Kotel through their eyes, through their tears, reminds me of the flood of emotions I had when I first stood here. Jews around the world pray facing Israel. Jews in Israel, pray facing Jerusalem, and those in Jerusalem face the Wall. Their prayers come where we are standing. It is quite moving. This time too, there were dozens upon dozens of soldiers training, learning the history of their land and their people, and saying their prayers too. No doubt, each of us, soldiers and civilians, tourists and natives said a prayer for peace.

This morning, we visited Tekoa, a village between Bethlehem and Moav (Jordan) where Valerie Brown Seidner, a Nashvillian who made aliyah several years ago, lives. Valerie is the daughter of members of our community, Jimmy and Bernita. Valerie and her children invited us into their home with an amazing amount of Southern and Israeli hospitality. Never mind we just ate breakfast, the food and treats were flowing! Valerie shared with us aspects of her community and the love and support they have experienced in their "Mayberry-like" lifestyle inside this Jewish village. Not everyone in this settlement is religious; in fact, they like the diversity of having secular and religious Jews, natives, those who made aliyah, and guests. We had a lovely visit with Valerie and her children, and her neighbors too.

One couple who live near Valerie shared with us the story of their family's tragedy, when their 13-year-old son was murdered by Palestinians when he and a friend were exploring the nearby countryside. Through their grief they found a new purpose. They have created a camp that runs three or four times a year, for Israeli children who are survivors of those who were lost by acts of terrorism. Children from all over Israel who lost fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters, gather together in a sleep-away camp-like experience and work through their struggle. It is an true example of resilience of the soul.

After Tekoa we traveled north to Tzfat (Safed), the city of mysticism where kabbalah was created and spread. This is not Madonna's Kabbalah for sure - it is a life-style based on Torah, its teachings and values, where things are not always what they seem. Our wonderful tour guide Sharon told us to cross our arms across our chest. Then we were told to cross them the other way (putting the opposite arm over the one tucked under). This is how we who do not practice Kabbalah are to understand the way it is understood in Tzfat - it is a different way of looking at the world, perhaps uncomfortable at first, but it is simply another way.

One teaching we learned was that the four letter name for God (Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay) can be understood and realized through giving tzedakah. The Yud, a small letter, like a small beginning, is represented by a simple coin. The Hay, with the numerical value of five, is like a fist with five fingers grasping that coin. The Vav, a straight letter, is represented by an outstretched arm, delivering the tzedakah, and the final Hay is the hand that receives the just donation. We can realize God through this act of giving tzedakah.

We are now in Kfar Blum, in the north of Israel, getting ready for a day of hiking and learning in a nature reserve and taking a jeep ride in the Golan. The pictures above are of Valerie and her children, us at the Kotel, soldiers praying, and of course, our mascot -Cole Yehudah - our best traveler!