Words of a Brand New Oleh

By Shmuel Amos Mann

As I entered the Holy City (Jerusalem) many things went through my mind; like, how many times have I said “next year in Jerusalem” and how many times have I prayed towards this very place I am entering! How many times have I prayed for the peace of Jerusalem, and how many tears have I cried for its inhabitants? Now that I entered the walls of this city I wondered if I was even worthy to set foot here! How many Jews have drempt of making Aliyah, or coming to Jerusalem at least once in their life, and never had the chance or ability to? My mind spun in circles as I exited the bus and entered another world. It was Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the miracle month of Nisan 5769! One of the most Holy months on the Jewish calendar! This is the month of Passover, or Pesach (the time of the year we Jews remember the deliverance from Egypt), and the beginning of Sefira (the starting point of counting the Omer from Pesach to Shavuot- defined by the Torah as the period during which special offerings are to be brought to the Temple) on the 2nd day of Pesach.

The first thing that was on my mind was to get to the Kotel (the Western Wailing Wall) as fast as possible. The most Holy wall in the world! This wall is the only standing remnant of the Temple Mount finished over 2,000 years ago. It is the foundation wall that Jews pray towards, and we place our prayers between the stones with paper, voices and tears. As I made my way to the wall, walking among many other Jews and gentiles gazing at the holiness of the structure, I slowed my steps. I took a few steps and stopped. Took a few more and stopped again. I had my prayer book in hand, my Tehillim (Psalms), but I had forgotten to bring my prayer shall with me! Was I prepared to be here? Was my heart in line? Should I ask to borrow a tallit (prayer shall)? No. I had to move on. No time to ask questions. Just get closer. I took ten more steps. I looked down at the Holy stones beneath my feet. Who had stood on these very same stones I was touching with the soles of my shoes? Am I worthy to stand where they had? I looked up to the wall. I whispered a prayer and asked for courage, for strength…for forgiveness of anything I have done wrong before.

I took a few more steps. It seemed like hours I had been making my way to this wall, when actually it has taken a lifetime. I took courage and moved forward. I came within 20 feet of the wall and stopped. So many rabbis and people were walking around, praying, davening to Hashem (Master and Creator of all). Young boys and fathers were singing and dancing for their Bar Mitzvahs. Rabbis carrying Torah scrolls around, but all I could hear were the stones crying out. I closed my eyes and smelled the holy dirt, stone and air. I walked forward. I looked and didn’t see an opening for there were too many people praying against the stones.

Should I turn back? A lump came to my throat. I said another prayer. What should I say? What could I say? A rabbi moved from his spot and I couldn’t make myself to take his holy spot. I felt warmth of the sun on my back and an unseen hand seemed to gently push me towards the stone in front of me. I was at the base of the most revered and holy place on this earth. I looked down at my prayer book. My hands were shaking and I couldn’t hold my tears in any longer. I was home. I felt my ancestors standing there with me! I began to empty my soul. No one in my family has ever made it here! How many have tried? How many knew this was their home, and how many denied it? It didn’t matter anymore. By my coming I brought everyone home.

The first Psalms I read at the wall was Psalms 9. Then I read Psalms 21, and 16. I felt my hand go forward and brace against the stone. As I touched the wall I could feel the millions of tears that flowed onto these very stones! I blessed everyone in my life who has blessed me. I blessed Hashem. I began to read Psalms 20, 16, and 139. I couldn’t see the pages any longer. I put my hands down and leaned my forehead against the wall that has supported so many people seeking to lean on G-d for guidance and strength in times of strife and affliction. I called out to Hashem now for my life and how to live righteously. I told Him that I am home. I have come home. I stood at the wall until I poured out my spirit. Even without words to say, I felt Hashem heard my heart and cries those few moments at the Wall. He heals and He revives those who come to Him with open hearts and eager minds to learn His Torah and to walk in its path.

AUSTRALIYAH - A new campaign

Here are some of the new stickers I made to get those folks from Down-Under to get right-side-up on Aliyah to Israel now!



Baruch Kitay, formerly of Darwin, is going back to visit this Pesach, and he is bringing the new stickers to Australia. I am sure he will be bringing back Jews with him when he returns. 

From Facebook

Yishai,

Saw you on tuesday night live from jerusalem...also big fan of israelnationalradio, which I believe you run- I can't stand Ha'aretz.

I am Jewish, 19 years old, from Houston, Texas, and I want to make aliyah soon!
Ryan

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Hi Yishai,

I arrived here 3pm Israel time, and I had an Israeli dinner with 6 other Israelis celebrating my arrival!! What a day!!! Blessed and joyful all around! Hard flight, but made it in one piece. Landing in Germany, we flew in beneath the clouds. Hovering above the ground at 600 feet I could see the greyness of the land. It was filled with snow. The first glimpse of the ground gave me goose bumps...old old train tracks still in the ground for miles and miles. Were those by chance the same tracks that carried the Jews to the camps, I thought? Listening to the PA with the pilot and crew speak in German gave my heart a skip. Why was I going back to Germany, (even for just a layover) when it was so hard for so many Jews to leave?? After we landed I rushed to my next flight since the last one was late. That gave me no time to think about what had happend not so many years ago where I was standing. When I borded the next plane to fly to Israel, the plane was filled solid with Jews from every corner of Europe and the world!!! There were orthodox rabbis, student teen girls dressed in the most current European fashion, professors and mothers. All Jews. No one questioned what they believed. No one was there to condemn them. We were greeted with both German and English announcements wishing us a happy and safe flight to Tel Aviv...our HOMELAND!!! What joy I felt seeing so many Jews leaving...so easily.. the land that we died in so horribly trying to leave 60 years ago. The next three hours didn't go by fast enough. Even though the pilot made record time in just 3.5 hours!!! Coming in from off the Mederanian Sea, I saw the gold lining of Tel Aviv and Haifa shorelines! I couldn't help but begin crying and singing 'Behold how good and how pleasent it is to live and dwell together in unity.'

Tomorrow I take a bus to Jerusalem! I am tired. I will write more later!!

Shalom,
Shmuel

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Shalom Yishai,

Keep up the good work.I download the Podcasts daily and listen to you all on Israel National Radio. You are helping me defend Israel here in Ireland.Its not easy, the gov is left wing and Pro Palestinan.But I support Israel, and don't believe in a Palestine.

I hope G-d blesses Israel with more children,and more people making aliyah.

Keep up the great work.You keep our hearts warm.

Barack Obama is a distant relative of mine.He is hoping to visit his Irish Ancestoral home soon and I will hopefully meet him. Trust me. I will tell him my opinion: He is a wolf in sheeps clothes.Very dangerous.So too is that awful freak Hillary Clinton. My father always hated her. As I grow up I am becoming more like my father. He is hugely Pro Israeli.

Keep well and G-d bless.
Barry