The English update issue 164 164 | Page 4
Dear Readers,
I
was not one of those approached or tapped on the shoulder at the Kosel by Reb Meir Schuster, zatzal, who with such a seemingly insignificant gesture, changed lives forever, but I do personally know a number
of people who were. They feel that they owe their very existence, and that
of their husband or wife, children and grandchildren to the determination of this one man to ignite the sparks in Jewish souls.
If you have ever spent time at the Kosel, you’ve seen the endless stream
of people who flow in and out. For some, it’s their first time encountering
the Wall, and you can tell from their tentative approach that they don’t
know what to expect. While we come equipped with our Tehillim and
siddur, some of these newcomers seem to feel self-conscious that they
have come empty-handed.
Sometimes you find an excuse to speak with them, or they may
approach you and ask to be pointed the way to a prayer in a siddur.
You manage to share a few words with them, or even have a heartfelt
conversation in which you both share your spiritual travels.
Sometimes you feel that by speaking you would be a trespasser on the
holy silence that reigns, and you speak only with your eyes. You watch
them and silently cheer them on, understanding that you can’t possibly
know what fills their hearts or how to measure the depths of their
suffering or their need to connect with Hashem.
You can only know intimately your own need that surges at this
incomparable vortex, the Kosel, this gathering place where we are pared
down to our very essence. Here, superficial differences of being rich or
poor, white or black, chareidi or secular, Ashkenazi or Sephardi, native
Israeli or American tourist, young or old, baal teshuva or frum from
birth—all these differences fall away.
Publisher
THE ENGLISH UPDATE
Managing Editor
Varda Branfman
Contributing Writers
Meira Cantor, Yosef Shapiro, Rose Jacobson, Tzirel
Chana, Vardah Littmann, Chana Rubin
Graphics
chayamurik.com
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Daniella Kirsch
Distribution
אפי לקס
054-221-1833
© THE ENGLISH UPDATE, 2012.
THE ENGLISH UPDATE is not responsible for the content or
reliability of the articles, advertisements, book reviews, or
other material, nor the kashrus of products or services.
All political advertisements are the responsibility of and
sponsored by the political parties represented.
Have a beautiful Shabbos.
Varda Branfman
THE ENGLISH UPDATE
[email protected]
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