Jerusalem- No Jews Allowed!

Last week in Israel, we took a walking tour through the Moslem quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. One of the interesting places we saw was the Dome of the Rock, the giant Golden Dome that lies on the Temple Mount, site our Holy Temples. We were denied access to the mosque, because Moslems don’t allow non-Muslims to violate their mosque with their presence. How can they tell if you’re Moslem? Easy. They ask you to recite the 'Shahada'- which you probably have never even heard of unless you’re indeed a Muslim.

Jews too, have a proclamation of faith- that only we are familiar with: 'Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad'. Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One. Its origin has an interesting story:

When our forefather Jacob lay on his death bed surrounded by his sons, the twelve tribes of Israel, he wished to reveal to them the time of the coming of the Messiah, through Divine prophecy. Suddenly, the Divine Spirit left him and he couldn't reveal to them the secret. Suspecting that the Spirit departed because of a lack of faith, he asked if any of his sons, had betrayed their belief in the One G-d. The sons reassured him in unison as they declared: Shma Yisrael (Don’t worry Dad- his name was Israel), Hashem Elokeinu (Your G-d is our G-d), Hashem Echad (We believe in one G-d).

Two weeks ago today, our mission to Israel visited the Holy City of Hebron, where are forefathers are buried: Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. As we stood by the giant tomb of Jacob, we too said in unison the timeless words of Shma Yisrael: As if we too were answering the query of Jacob to his sons- we all declared together, that though we are 4000 years later and 6637 miles away, we too affirm the faith of our fathers: Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!!

May we merit to be shining examples of the sons of Jacob-- showing our forefathers, that even in Palm Beach, we continue their legacy as proud Jews!