In Ashdod, the tangerine trees are starting to blossom, but up on Mount Hermon, there's still snow. If you walk up the mountain, and you think you're alone, you might encounter a happy little snow troll like the one pictured above.
Sometimes, you just have to grab a backpack and cut loose. What could be better than a day of personal prayer up in the foothills of Mount Hermon with your buddy's sheep dog? My friend Koby is a cattle farmer in the Golan, and his dog Brandy knows the trails like the back of his paw. Here's a picture of Brody and Brandy backpacking Breslever style, for the purpose of hitbodedut, finding a wonderful and inspiring setting to pour my heart out to Hashem.
The greatest thing any of us can do for the Jewish people right now, and especially for our brothers and sisters here in the Holy Land, is to devote as much of our time and energy to personal prayer and self evaluation. In my prayers, I tell Hashem about how wonderful the Jewish people are. I talk about the dedication of Hashem's chosen to Torah, to the Land of Israel, and to Hashem Himself. Despite the fact that many of us are the children of Holocaust survivors whose faith has been tested to the hilt, we don't budge from our steadfast emuna. I call Hashem's attention to the marvelous families in Hevron, Kiriat Arba, Gush Etzion, Eli, Tekoa and Ophra, as well as the Jews of Sderot. In all these communities, there are Jews learning and praying around the clock even though they've paid the ultimate price of their own blood for the privilege of serving Hashem in the holy Land of Israel. I had in my pocket a little Ashdod phone directory of the religious community; half of it are phone numbers of gamachim, benevolent aid societies for anything from baby pacifiers to used furniture for needy young couples. Everyone here is involved in some sort of chesed, voluntary work and lovingkindness for the community. This prayer up in the mountains went on for hours. When I finished, I had a big smile on my face. You know why?
All we have to do is strengthen our emuna, repent for what we know is wrong, and like the Lubavitcher Rebbe zatza'l once side, "to shine our buttons." That's not hard, is it? It's enough to arouse the limitless Divine compassion that Hashem has for His beloved people Israel. Sure, we face difficult challenges, but when the smoke clears, we'll be in the winner's circle greeting Moshiach, soon, G-d willing. I felt that in my heart.
I can't describe how much I love my beloved homeland. The rocks and the pine trees whisper in your ear and tell you how to pray to Hashem. It's unbelievable. You're invited to come see for yourself.
The Hermon River flowing into the Banias, which is also the source of the Jordan River. A Heaven on earth.
