Rafi 2012- 7 years old
Rafi 2015-10 years old
July 2012 and 2015
We are all searching for understanding and inspiration, at least we aspire to this lofty goal. My experiences in Israel are special to me. Israel helps me find my spiritual center, I sort of understand myself better thanks to my connection with Israel. July 2012 we visited the Kotel and experienced the walls great influence. I wrote about that experience for Hakol. I’ve decided to share that post again because of its focus and how it will help me, maybe you’ll like it too. This summer’s visit was different and also special. Through Rafi’s young eyes, I recognize how very difficult it is to make these special connections. Now Rafi is 10, he is still my little man…but not so little!
A typical summer day in Jerusalem, the sky was deep blue and cloudless with the sun bathing the golden wall. The plaza was quiet, there were few afternoon visitors. July 4th is an ordinary day in Israel, Independence Day is special for all Americans and it is also my brother Spencer’s birthday. This day was the last day of Spencer’s mission to work with immigrant children in Beer Shiva through soccer. We were all excited that we were going to see him at the Kotel!
I heard an actor say “who knew that at this age, I would still be growing up?” How true is that? This statement is so comforting to me, it reveals that we have so much to learn, so much to live for and that life’s possibilities remain infinite and the opportunity to improve is always ours. Asking God for inspiration is important, finding motivation is not always so easy.
My son Rafi is seven years old and in school he has learned about the Kotel and other sites in Israel. The more I try, the more difficult it is for me to explain what I saw that day at the wall. Intuitively, Rafi approached the wall and gently placed his small hands firmly on the ancient rocks. He alternately swayed, laid his head against the wall, which is framed by the private prayers of so many pilgrims. Mostly he stood very still hugging the giant stones. I was witnessing my child experiencing an extraordinary spiritual experience. I was excited, I became emotional. I was surprised.
I watched and wondered what was happening. I have never seen my son do this. He is in shul every Shabbat, most of his time is spent “exploring” B’nai Tikvah with his buddies. Rafi and Bashe pray daily in school, but this was different. I was blown away, Rafi seemed to be transported.
After a bit of time I interrupted him, we needed to meet Stacey, Bashe and his uncle. I promised that as soon as Spencer arrived we would go back to the wall with him. Rafi agreed and held me to my word, he needed to pray some more.
He prayed without a siddur and I asked what he was doing…”I’m saying every prayer that I know by heart…I know a lot of prayers!” Later I asked him how much time did had he spent at the Kotel? He replied, “five and a half hours”. He believes that. That is all I asked, his experience was his, I thought asking him to explain any more would intrude and possibly confuse the purity of his experience.
Stacey and I had the opportunity and privilege to travel with our children. It was a most special trip for so many reasons; most of what we did was in and around Jerusalem, where we were staying. We hung out with friends, ate pizza, ice cream and felafel on Ben Yehuda Street, we went to the mall and shopped for Shabbat in the bustling Machaneh Yehudah Market in the center of the city. We rode buses, taxis and the new Jerusalem Light Rail. The Israel Museum was very engaging and the Knesset was more interesting and beautiful than we expected. We loved feeling a part of Israel. The richness of our history is alive in Israel and our pride swells.
Rafi’s moment at the Kotel was what the legendary Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heshel refers to as “Radical Amazement”. Pay attention, cherish these exquisite moments, slow down and you too may become inspired.
Dear God, Draw us Closer
Help us convert our convictions into conduct and our commitments into deeds
Help us to narrow the gap between our principles and our practices,
between our aspirations and our actions
Keep us from blaming others for our faults;
help us to heal the wounds we have thoughtlessly inflicted.
L’shana Tova Tekateivu,
May you be inscribed for a healthy, happy and meaningful New Year
Cantor Bruce Rockman
Beautiful message. Way To Go Rafi!