So, how is Jerusalem ?

B"H

Many readers ask me this question. How is Jerusalem and how do you live there ?

For Jerusalemites, this kind of question might sound boring, as we live here and don't even think about it. We just do it and live here. Unfortunately, I have to say that many times we forget to appreciate what we have. We live in the "Holy City" and are able to be Jewish. No one has to justify himself of being Jewish, as we usually have to abroad.

The majority of Jews still lives in the Diaspora, and the vast majority of US - Jewry has never ever visited Israel. Isn't that a shame ? Finally the Jews have their own state and who is not interested ? The Jews themselves. And I am not talking here about some Neturei Karta ideas but about ordinary Jews who are obviously much better off abroad than in Israel.
But not even coming for a visit ?
Well, many people say, Israel is too dangerous for us.
So, what about us ? What about us Israelis ?
Are we not in danger ? And why are we here ?
What I heard about LA ?
You shouldn't walk downtown LA but take a cab or the underground. to me this sounds like I am getting mugged or killed after a five minutes walk. What is more dangerous ? Israel or downtown LA ?

Don't worry, you are not being blown up five minutes after leaving Ben Gurion Airport. In fact, there is hardly anything to see of terrorism. Unless you are planning a Kassam - Rocket visit to Sderot. I myself haven't been to Sderot but would definitely recommend going there. Maybe I should push myself going there as well.

Jerusalem seems to be peaceful. However, I don't visit the Eastern part with its Palestinian population. A few years, the bus I took got stoned near Damascus Gate. Nothing happened, as the windows were made of plastic, and the bus driver just kept on going.

Believe it or not, Jerusalem is actually very save and you can walk anywhere. Walk, as we don't have an underground but might have a tram in another few years. Taxis are everywhere but be aware of getting cheated sometimes.

The good stories never seem to be so interesting. People are used to sensations and love to hear scandals. Maybe I sound boring when I explain that Jerusalem is a great place with great people. Lots to see, lots to experience and every day is different. You never know what the new day will bring. Jerusalem is unpredictable.

If you want terrorism and suffering, just like on CNN:
A friend of mine, Diana Campuzano, was in the Ben Yehudah shopping mall when some suicide bombers decided to blow up themselves. She is from New York and got badly injured but made it.

An acquaintance of mine, Channah Nachenberg, was in the famous SBARRO - pizzeria when it was blown up on August 9, 2001.

And myself ? I was in another suicide bomb on Dec. 1, 2001. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the middle of the Ben Yehudah mall. Not to forget mentioning the car bomb which went off. We were just running into one direction and right in front of us, a car blew up.

Is it this you are afraid of ?
For a long time, we Jerusalemites have learned how to deal with our fears. The crazy thing is that we never give up. Maybe due to religion or maybe simply because of joy of life.

Tomorrow night, we will be celebrating Purim and no other Jewish holiday reminds us more of the suffering of the Jewish people. Suffering throughout history and in any place of the world. Not only in Jerusalem.

And if you are religious, you will definitely learn to appreciate Jerusalem very quickly. Hardly any other place in the world can offer such a variety of Jewish life. Hundreds of synagogues, hundreds of different groups, hundreds of Shiurim (religious lectures) and the Temple Mount (Har HaBait). Okay, there are New York or Chicago. So what ? We have the Kotel (Western Wall) and the whole Shechinah (G - d's presents).

If you are a Zionist or not, let me still remind you of one thing:
The first ashkenazi chief rabbi, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook, said that the air in Israel is something special and makes wise. The Talmud claims the same.

The air in Jerusalem might be too hot and polluted; but if you take a deep breath - you can feel the difference.
In case you won't die of pollution. Just kidding.

However, I don't want to end without a nice little chassidic story:
Once a certain Chassid returned to his country. He had been to Jerusalem and was now telling his Rebbe that in Jerusalem everything is great; the streets are made out of marble, the houses are out of gold, everything is full of diamonds.
The Rebbe got curious and shortly after visited Jerusalem. But he only saw dirt, it smelled and garbage was everywhere. Disappointed he went home and asked the Chassid where he saw all the marble, gold and diamonds. There was nothing.
The Chassid was stunned and asked: "But it was there. Didn't you see it ?"
The Rebbe thought for a while and locked himself up into his room in order to meditate. "How could it have happened that he missed out the real beauty of Jerusalem ?"