Someone else -- I can't remember who it was -- said it very nicely. When you notice Hashem's gifts and acknowledge them, it is as if He says, "You liked that? Wait till you see this! I've got a lot more to show you, since you're interested..."
Living in the Holy Land -- within the "local call zone" of all that kedusha (holiness) -- it feels as if there are even more opportunities to notice little gifts of hashgacha (G-d's involvement in each and every moment of our lives).
I was in Jerusalem the other day to do some banking. (I never get tired of remembering that I do my mundane life tasks in the holiest city on the planet. And in response to that little twinge I just caused in your neshama, Shprintz, I'm still davening for you to be doing the same. Very soon.)
Behind the Central Bus Station is a short cut that takes me down some steps, into an alley, and onto Yafo Street. In that alley is a little apartment behind a green gate. I notice there has been some mini-landscaping done in the yard, and they've put up a couple of interesting signs.
I must admit to a failing caused by laziness. In all my years of learning Torah, I have mostly studied in English. So while I know that "lo tignov" is "don't steal" from the Ten Commandments, I wasn't too sure about the other one. (Yes, I know you figured it out already; but wait for me.)
I asked a Sephardi gentleman who was passing by to decipher the sign for me. (This is another miracle of the Holy Land. Since we are family, it is not quite so extraordinary to stop apparent strangers on the street and ask them questions beyond the usual directions. Asking them advice is not even that odd. Receiving life-altering answers is common. Even when you don't ask.)
He didn't feel qualified to answer. This was because he didn't have English, and didn't realize how easy it would be to tell it to me in simple Hebrew (like he probably told his kids and grandkids many times. Later, I felt sorry for him for his missed opportunity).
I had a great morning, getting tasks accomplished and visiting with favorite "regulars" along the way. Then, with a few minutes to spare before my bus home arrived, I visited one of my favorite bookstores. "Divrei Shir (Words of Song)" is a really lovely little bookstore, situated on the third floor of the bus station (conveniently near the bus platforms). I was browsing for a book by Emunah Alon, who writes children's books in Hebrew that I can (mostly) understand.
Suddenly I noticed that Rav Shlomo Aviner has published a number of children's books! (I should not have been surprised. "Prolific" and "Aviner" are right near each other in the dictionary.) One in particular caught my eye, perhaps because it wasn't the usual extremely slim picture book, and I wanted to challenge myself. I picked it up and opened it at random. To my delight, I could read the story, only needing to guess at the meaning of a few words.
And that went so well... I shuffled through a few more pages... Mah pitom! I discovered a story that seemed very relevant to this very day.
In easy Hebrew (sorry about your missed opportunity, sweet old Sephardi guy), I learned the meaning of my word.
I could have stumbled upon this book any number of times that I visited this store.
But Hashem often doesn't work that way. He so very often speaks directly to us, if we will simply open the book.
I love being a Jew. And I love living in Israel.
Don't forget Tefilat Sh'lah Hakadosh for your children today: http://matzav.com/a-parents-tefillah-from-the-shelah-to-be-recited-today-2 Chodesh tov!
