Ani Zocher:
Pilgrims' Stories
Poland Seminar 2004,
by Justin Turnofsky, METNY
Here we are standing in Jordan, to think only a second ago I was in the beautiful land of Israel but
now I look over Jordan and it looks like a barren wasteland scarce of life. I soon came to the reality
that we never in fact did leave Israel, we just did the time warp and appeared in the year 1967 when this
land that we were on was still in Jordan. Where I stood, in the middle of an old mine field between the
old border between Israel and Jordan so did many courageous men fighting for their freedom and their land.
The emotions overcoming me as I thought of the miracle, which had occurred here, were indescribable. As I
shut my eyes and listened closely I could hear into the past and feel these brave people’s souls
protecting me. But there was something about this day that made it special as we witnessed an even greater
miracle.
We were with our British tour guide (yes, he made aliyah!) and he pointed out a Palestinian settlement
below us. Out of nowhere we started hearing bells ringing and slowly saw these sheep approaching us.
Slowly but surely their shepherd started to take form and headed in our direction. Fear struck many of us
as we assumed he was an Arab (which he ended up being), but not the type we suspected. He was not a
radical non-peaceful Arab but the exact opposite and surprisingly happy to see us.
However, our Shomrim did not know what to expect from him and started for their guns in the case of
emergency. Now, one of them being his learned self knew some Arabic Hebrew and started to talk to this
Shepherd to see what his deal was. They were conversing for several minutes and we found out that this man
was very peaceful and in fact happy to see a group of Jewish Youths visiting this beautiful land we call
Israel.
Then the miracle happened, something that changed my life forever and taught me a valuable life’s
lesson. Our guard extended his hand to the Shepherd who in return accepted it. These two men though
inherently different are heroes to me as they resemble the struggle for peace. An Arab Palestinian and a
Jewish Israeli, in an act of friendship, this was a miracle to me. As our group learned from this
experience, not all Arabs are bad, in fact most want peaceful relations and covet the day that they can
love their neighbors and not fight with them.
From now on when I read Psalm 23 it will have a new meaning to me. “Adoshem Roi lo echsar- the
Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no
harm, for You are with me. Your staff and Your rod comfort me. You prepare a banquet for me in the
presence of my foes.” I will always remember this miracle that occurred this wonderful day as I have
witnessed the epitome of this Psalm.
This magical moment is one that will live in my heart forever and as I share it with you, I hope you in
return will share it with your family and friends and make the dream of these two paradigms come to be.
This dream is one of the creation of a peaceful and united homeland for all. So don’t be afraid!
Visit Israel today and experience a miracle of your own!
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