The Miracle People: A Muslim Imam’s Astonishing Tribute to Israel

From Aish.com here:

Hassen Chalghoumi is the imam of the municipal Drancy mosque in Seine-Saint-Denis, near Paris. He is a moderate who is an outspoken friend of the Jewish people. He wrote the following:

I, the son of Ishmael, an Imam, a Muslim, a man of peace, hereby offer my sincere testimony about this extraordinary people:

I must admit, I believe in religions and in miracles. But there is something about this people — the people of Israel — that truly feels like a living miracle.

A people whom the Pharaohs tried to erase 3,000 years ago… and failed.

A people whom the Babylonians tried to destroy 2,500 years ago… and failed.

A people whom the Romans wanted to annihilate 2,000 years ago… and failed.

A people the Nazis tried to exterminate 80 years ago… and could not wipe out.

A people whom the Arabs fought in five wars to erase from the map… and failed.

This is a small people in number, but possessing a unique strength — a divine blessing. Wherever they place their hand, they succeed: in finance, commerce, science, philosophy, literature… A desert land they turned into a paradise, without oil or gas, but with freedom, democracy, intelligence, and willpower.

This is a people who gave the world Einstein, Newton, Kafka, Karl Marx, Nietzsche, Spinoza, Freud… and many others who left a mark on humanity.

There are realities that neither reason nor logic can explain.

There is only one word for it: Miracle.

For two and a half years, this people has been fighting on five fronts.

They said Israel would tire, that it was on the verge of collapse… yet once again, it surprises the world by opening a new front against an Iranian enemy feared by many, even among Arab regimes.

This people, though small in number, possesses the courage of nobles, the wisdom of prophets, the patience of righteous men, and the determination of survivors.

How could it be otherwise, when they are the descendants of Abraham, Solomon, David, Moses, Jacob, Joseph… and 1,523 prophets and emissaries from among their offspring?

This is the people who brought monotheism and faith in one God to the world.

A people driven by a thirst for life, work, innovation, and continuity — for over 4,000 years.

Truly, I can find no other word to describe them than: The Miracle People.

If the Arabs had clear vision, they would choose to align with this people, learn from them, collaborate with them… perhaps they would absorb their knowledge, wisdom, and dignity.

Hassan Chalghoumi
Imam

Find it here…

שלח: פירוש יפה של הרב מאיר אליהו שליט”א

מסוף הפרשה:

והיה לכם לציצת וראיתם אתו וזכרתם את כל מצות יהוה ועשיתם אתם ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם אשר אתם זנים אחריהם.

מדברי הרב מאיר אליהו שליט”א בשיעור:

לכאו’ קשה, למה הקדים הלב לעיניים? אדרבא, עין רואה ולב חומד. וי”ל, שראיה לפי תומו לאנסו אין בה שום חטא, ולכן החטא מתחיל בלב.

דפח”ח.

Shlomo Wrubel: Aliyaversary (as written for my friends in the exile)

Baruch Shehecheyanu!

Tomorrow (Monday), the 20th of Sivan, as per the Hebrew calendar, marks my first Aliyah anniversary, also known as the “Aliyaversary.” On this day last year, I proudly, excitedly, and nervously landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, and with my new teudat oleh in hand, made my way to Yerushalayim It Hakodesh. One year ago, I said so-long to my many years of dwelling in the exile; one year ago, I made the leap from just yearning for Tzion to actually dwelling in Tzion.

As most of you are likely aware of the many years I spent yearning for Tzion, you also know that I have always actively engaged in many projects related to the Holy Land as well. Whether the projects revolved around political ideologies or religious philosophy, I am forever dedicated to the cause. Finally, thousands of hours of volunteer work later, Hashem said that it was the time, and so He granted my freedom.

In my farewell speech last year, I underscored that “Eretz Yisrael nikness b’yisurim—Eretz Yisrael is acquired with hardships.” In many ways this still holds quite true for my current situation, but I am quite sure that at this point these are yissurim shel ahavah—hardships that Hashem has inflicts upon the righteous. Baruch Hashem, I am healthy, can serve Hashem without pain or other obstacles, and have an extremely loving and supportive family both back in the U.S. and here in Israel who continue to make sure I have what I need for both emotional and financial support.

And for those who have advised me or even hinted to me to “come back” to the exile, I will quote Rabbi Meir Kahane, H”yd:

“It all goes back to our sages’ comment in Berachot 5a: ‘G-d gave Israel three fine gifts and all solely via suffering: Torah, Eretz Yisrael, and the World-to-Come.’ A person’s whole life is a test to see whether he will accept the yoke of Heaven and the mitzvot. There is nothing precious that does not exact a heavy price of him who wishes to acquire it. Eretz Yisrael, a precious gift requires self-sacrifice, as befits a tool of the Chosen People.” (Or Hara’ayon: The Jewish Idea, p. 569)

With the winds of war blowing quite rapidly here on the eastern front and as the missiles from Iran, yemach shemam, rain on us while I type this, every day, every hour, I become an even stronger believer that we are indeed in the atchalta degeulah. Now, I am not going stand here and preach to an empty room of nonbelievers—I did that for many years—I am just going to reiterate this to exemplify the notion that seeing the everyday miracles of Hashem’s defensive shield over this Land reinforce and strengthen my beliefs, and so it should yours as well.

With gratitude to Hashem Yisbarach, I am home, and with His blessings, I will remain home in the Holy Land where we all belong.