Reflections From Israel #1

It's been a week - a very eventful week - since Malkie and I arrived in Israel (Mazel Tov to the Feldman family who invited us to their family Bar-Mitzvah!).
We've had a profoundly meaningful seven days in the Holiest place on earth.
So, as I watch the sun rise over the Old City of Jerusalem, I wonder what I could possibly share with friends back home who are probably planning their New Year's eve, not particularly thinking about Israel and may have never actually been here.
While everyone should try to visit this Eternal City (we really need to arrange a community trip!), most of us will ultimately - until the Moshiach arrives - live our lives outside Israel.
The one word which comes to my mind is 'Inspiration', which the dictionary defines as "stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity".
That's Israel.
In my week here, I've seen how Israel can extract spiritual consciousness and Jewish identity where people didn't know it existed. I've seen people moved to tears and spurred to dance even as they couldn't say why. I've heard people express the feeling of 'coming home', to a place thousands of miles from their respective houses.
I've seen the soul show its beautiful face, and it's more captivating than the sunrise.
I've seen the Jew within the Jew. It exists. And it's beautiful to behold.
We all have a holy space deep inside our psyches that is our personal Jerusalem. It's a place where we feel whole, balanced and connected.
Jerusalem on the map is a place that brings out your Jewish best. Jerusalem in your soul, which you can visit with some quiet prayer and thought, is a state of mind which can do the same.
Take some time today to visit your Jerusalem. Make a commitment to strengthening your Jewish identity on the road ahead.
Then act on it.
Build your Eternal City.

Rabbi Mendy Herson