Miracles and more miracles

Miracles and more miraclesSept 21, 2008

A block landed next to her and literally bounced over her, leaving her unharmed.
OK, with everything that's going on, let's get off the politics for a minute and talk about bigger and better things.

Around this time of the year, as we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, new year,  many thoughts run through your head.  With so many issues facing us, it's easy to forget about all the good, all the positive, and speaking from Hebron, the wondrous miracles that are so much a part of our everyday lives that we almost take them for granted. 

It was just this time of the year, eight years ago, when the Oslo War started (called by others, the 2nd Intifada). I cannot begin to count the number of bullet holes in people's homes and cars, that 'missed by an inch.' And those could conceivably be measured. But what about people walking down the street who were fired upon - sometimes they never even know just how close those bullets came to hitting them. 

As so it's been, over the years. Never a dull moment, but also, never a moment without a miracle.

So too it was today.

Here, at Beit Hadassah, where I live, there is a big courtyard outside. Part of the area contains a large playground for the kids. On the other side are a couple of swings and benches. On most nice days, in the afternoon, while the kids are playing on their side, the mothers and babies are on the other side, sitting, chatting and enjoying the afternoon weather. 

Today was no exception. Lots of women and babies were relaxing downstairs, when suddenly stone blocks started raining down on them. The Beit Hadassah building is connected to the street outside by a large stone bridge which stretches above the courtyard. For some unknown reason, huge stone blocks from the side of the bridge broke off and fell, exactly where all the women and babies were. One woman, miraculously, had just taken here six month old son out of his carriage when, boom, a stone block landed where he had been lying, only seconds before. Another woman's six-month old was lying on the ground. A block landed next to her and literally bounced over her, leaving her unharmed. Talk about miracles. Wow!

Other stones landed on the path to a family's apartment. Fortunately, no one was walking there at the time. 

This is one small example of what we have to be thankful for, as we approach the new year. Sometimes you see the miracles and sometimes you don't, but they are always with us, and we have much to be thankful for. 

Perhaps in Hebron these kinds of miracles are more tangible than elsewhere. I know that there is a G-d in heaven who looks down at us wherever we are, watching over and protecting us. And despite all the problems, we must never forget to show gratitude for all the good He does for us, and to take joy that we have the privilege to be here, doing what we're doing, in the holy city of Hebron.