The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Chevron, the city of the Avon and the Imahos- The Patriarchs and the MatriarchsAs I entered this place of Kedusha which was packed with young women in heartfelt prayer to find their soul-mate and I observed old and young beseeching He who hears our Tefillos to grant them the salvation they so desperately need, I was deeply moved.

As I entered one of the most revered sights in Judaism, i could not help but notice the heavy presence of modern day Maccabees present defending our home land.

They were wearing heavy equipment and were alert and at task for one purpose and one purpose only, to protect me and my family and thousands like me who want to Daven in peace and security at the resting places of Avrohom and Sorah, and Yakov and Leah, and Rivka and Yitzchok.

It was so clear to me that without their presence I would be no different than a Jew in Kiev in 1905 or a Jew is Warsaw in 1941.

But, I was not in Kiev or Passaic, or Warsaw, I was in Chevron and I knew that Hashem in His kindness allowed me and my entire family to daven feeling safe.

I was not reliant on a non-Jewish guard who may or not protect me in times of need, there was no paid employee looking to make a few extra dollars while he moonlights as a guard drinking coffee at the Shul.

These were my brothers and sisters who were guarding me.

My own flesh and my own blood.

It was with them I put my trust in Hashem, for it is with them that Hashem has performed miracles as in the times of the Maccabees.

After davening at the Maaras HaMachpelah I took my children and grandchildren and we enjoyed a Chanuka meal at the local eatery adjacent to the holy burial ground.

I was quickly alerted to two soldiers enjoying a well deserved lunch break.

I leaped to my feet and grabbed them and thanked them and told the proprietor, “Whatever these holy soldiers order in on me. In fact any soldiers who enter now are my guests!”

Is there a limit on gratitude?

I was honored and privileged to be able in my own small way to show Hokoras HaTov to those who allow me to daven and eat and enjoy my family in Shalom.

I am attaching a picture of me and the soldiers who I was privileged to show some small semblance of gratitude.

I must add on that we at the Shul are embarking on our first ever on-line fundraising effort to renovate that which the Gemara informs us in Massechta Brochus (8a) is the most important of needs which one should daven for, namely having the most basic of amenities in close proximity.

We are in the midst of transforming the original 1950s fixtures of the Shul into modern 21st century amenities.

Our line appeal will be taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, December 28th and 29th.

However, donations are always welcome

Visit http://causematch.com/ahavasisrael

or

go directly to the Shul website at AhavasIsrael.org to help us rejuvenate and renovate the Ahavas as a place we can all be proud of!

Wishing you all a Happy Chanukah!