Treading on ancient cobblestone roads, one enters the imposing Sha’ar Yafo, Jaffa Gate, into Jerusalem of Old. The sun shimmers off the stone walls, enveloping you in gold: the fabled Yerushalayim shel Zahav, Jerusalem of Gold. Within these magnificent walls live thousands of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. For the past few years, I have been privileged to know one special family, originally from America, who requested to remain anonymous. I will call them Family L.
During one of the first few times I visited Family L., I was struck by an amazing poster hanging in their living room, depicting gorgeous pictures and verses from the medieval poet in Spain, Rav Yehuda Halevi, whose lofty words are encapsulated in the poem named, “Tzion Halo Tishali.”
As I was admiring the poster, Mrs. L. graciously shared with me the message she feels it contains. Upon moving to Eretz Yisrael, she and her husband began their life in Yerushalayim. However, after 12 years, that wasn’t enough for this one-of-a-kind family. Rabbi L. had begun learning about the tremendous zechut of dwelling in Yerushalayim of Old. Then and there, he made up his mind to move to the Old City so as to be as close as possible to the palace of Hashem, the place where the Shechina (the Divine Presence) rests to a greater degree.
I marveled at the tremendous gift Mrs. L. and her family receive by living in the Old City. Rivka appreciates the gift and at the same time understands well the responsibility, which is really incumbent upon each one of us as well. She explains the importance of living up to the words in Tehillim, “Ur’aiy betuv Yerushalayim,” to see and pay attention only – and always – to the good of Yerushalayim.
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Why is it that people get disgruntled and complain about all kinds of things? An obvious answer is that they have endured negative experiences. Reality has not measured up to their expectations, or their challenges are hard to handle with a positive attitude. Surely, however, when it comes to our perception and speech about Eretz Hakedosha, we must be super careful to only highlight Her good, which is so abundant, as Mrs. L. explains that Hashem made 10 measures of beauty, and Yerushalayim took nine. It is our choice to change our mindset to focus purely on the good of Eretz Yisrael. How? “When you love a family member, you focus on the good,” she says. “So, too, when we see what’s behind Eretz Yisrael, that it’s Hashem’s home, then we love the Land.”
In short, when someone edures a negative experience, no one can deny that. However, it is within our choice where to put our focus. We see how much love our Sages have felt for Eretz Yisrael from certain episodes listed in the Gemara. For example, Rav Ami and Rav Assi always made sure to live in comfort in Eretz Yisrael so that no complaints would arise about the weather or climate conditions. Rashi, in another instance, explains that Rav Chanina would smooth out the roads of Eretz Yisrael so that no one would complain about the highways.
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It is hard for us to imagine the primitive lifestyle in former times because nowadays we live in relative luxury. Washing machines have replaced laundry tubs and scrub boards, faucets have replaced drawing water from wells and lugging it home, cars have replaced horses and donkeys, etc. When we view our modern way of life, we can be thankful for all we have – and we can be more forgiving when things don’t go our way, such as customer service that doesn’t meet our standards. One of my favorite reminders when encountering complaints about bureaucracy or customer service here in Israel is to remember that Israel has been a State for only 71 years. In truth, looking at the big picture, we see the Land thriving and getting better and better in so many ways. Focusing on the good that we have now and sharing positive experiences creates a wonderful attitude towards our beloved Homeland.
Mrs. L. relates that a relative of hers once wanted to board from the back of a bus that was making its first stop on the route. Since the driver saw that there was no one around to help the struggling woman with her carriage, he turned off the motor and got out to help her. I myself have experienced many kind bus drivers, too. One time, I was going to the zoo and missed my stop. Aware that the next stop was much farther out of my way, I approached the driver and explained my situation. I was so relieved when, moments later, he stopped the bus on the side of the road and told me to get off so that I wouldn’t have to walk too far to reach the zoo.
Bureaucracy is a fun topic of conversation as people relate all the frustrating incidents that have happened to them. But why not just retell the positive experiences that come our way? I am fortunate that, in the almost four years since I made aliyah, I have, baruch Hashem, seen a lot of chesed in my bureaucratic encounters. One instance was when I went to switch my American drivers license to an Israeli one. I entered the correct office, expecting a long wait. To my surprise, one of the workers was so organized in handling the large number of people waiting their turn that she was able to efficiently minimize the waiting time. To my delight, when my turn came, she took my documents and told me to return in 15 minutes, when I could collect the next document I needed right then and there, instead of having to return a different day to pick it up!
Another wonderful experience I had with bureaucracy was when I went to file what is called te’um mas, which is basically coordination of income tax when one has more than one job. Before arriving at the office, I carefully prepared the required documents and packed everything neatly together. When my turn came in the government office, I was told that, because I was still a new olah, it would be helpful for me to also present another card that is received upon making aliyah. I had not brought this card with me and was a bit annoyed that I would now have to come back to the office a second time. The kind man understood and graciously offered to give me his contact information so I could send a copy of my card electronically. Oh boy, did I leave that building feeling so happy and grateful that I had met such a humane soul!
One thing I only started to appreciate after my bus card got lost was the Rav-Kav system. Rav-Kav is the name of the bus card that is used on the buses and trains. Formerly, you would buy thin paper bus cards from the bus driver, and every time you rode the bus, the driver would punch a hole in the card. Well, the system got smarter over time, and the Rav-Kav is now used to buy rides before boarding buses. (What a relief for the multitasking drivers!) All you do is insert the card or hold it up to a machine inside the bus for every ride taken. The day I lost my bus card, I almost went into a panic. I got myself to the Central Bus Station and went to the proper office to buy a new card, uncertain of the exact process. When I was told that all the rides I had paid for were saved in the system and all I needed was to pay a few shekels to buy a new card, which would then be loaded with all my saved rides, I was so joyful! Plus, my original Rav-Kav card was eventually found and returned to me, another act of chesed on the part of some unknown individual.
Yet another aspect of life that I appreciate in Israel is the medical system. For one thing, premium rates are ridiculously low when compared to American rates.Another thing is that you are covered regardless of pre-existing conditions. In Israel, you can choose from one of four nationwide health plans, known as kupot cholim. One great advantage is that, if you are visiting or moving to a different city, you can almost always find a health care clinic a short distance away. Of course, you have to learn and navigate the system and find doctors you like and trust, but that is always a personal decision regardless of which country you live in. I find, also, that the moked, the central calling center, where you can make doctor appointments and request helpful information, has great customer service. The people answering the calls are pleasant and are patient in directing me to what I need. Three cheers for my kupah, Me’uchedet!
In this week’s haftorah, the reading of the Prophets, the Navi Yeshaya brings words of reassurance to the traumatized exiled Jewish nation by speaking directly to the Land of Israel, and promising that in the final Redemption, there will be no more exiles or desolation of the Land. This beautifully moving prophecy begins with comparing the Land of Israel to a barren woman. It directs the Land to rejoice because her precious children are returning to her boundaries in the time of Redemption. As we are about to enter the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, let us include in our prayers that we may speedily behold this prophecy unfold. And while still in galut, exile, let us remain faithful to Eretz Yisrael by recounting only her goodness and her blessings.
