SHALOM, CHAVER
Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi
I saw your double today walking through the doors of the city am: pm, and I whispered, shalom, chaver.
He had the same crevices on his face, just like yours, wrinkles, due not just to age, but the ravages of sun and sea and so many years of smoking. He had the same sloping posture, moving slowly, deliberately, and the same watery blue eyes, framing that stoic face. His lips were curved like yours, forming the slightest smile and when he said,“ I believe …” I could have sworn it was you.
I knew it had to be your double, but still I wanted to get close, just to sense your quiet dignity again, just to be near your power again, just to feel your hope again.
On this day, July 13th and the 17th of Tammuz, as we remember the breach of Jerusalem’ s walls before the destruction of the Second Temple, I am thinking of Jerusalem-born Yitzhak Rabin and how his leadership is missed.
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