The Nation of Light

"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; Though I am fallen, I shall arise; Though I sit in darkness, the LORD is a light unto me."(Micah 7:8)
This prophecy continues to ring more and more true on a daily basis in Israel, especially during the recent horrific wave of terror. Throughout our long history we have been murdered, beaten and exiled but we grieve and then we dust ourselves off, get up and  rebuild to make this world a better place.Where there is darkness, the Jewish Nation brings light, for without the darkness, there can be no light.

Last night, I had the honour to attend the most awe-inspiring and moving wedding that I have ever been to. That of Sarah Tchiya Litman and Ariel Beigel, a beautiful young couple who was meant to get married 2 weeks ago, until Sarah's father, Rabbi Yaakov Litman Z"L (may his memory be blessed) and her 18 year old brother Netanel Z"L(may his memory be blessed), were murdered by Arab terrorists on their way to celebrate with Ariel, their future son and brother-in-law. They were on their way to his Shabbat Chattan (the Sabbath before a young man gets married). Sarah Techiya, her mother and their family sat shiva and the young couple decided not to delay the wedding, but rather to make it happen the week she got up from Shiva. The young couple made an announcement to the entire Nation of Israel  via social media and invited all of us to join them on their beautiful day. I'm pretty sure I'm not exaggerating when I say there were at least 10 000 people there. Jews of every stripe and color, from all over Israel and all over the world went to great lengths to be able to be there, celebrating this holy union with the young couple. People from Cincinnati, Montreal  and communities all over Israel took buses, trains and airplanes in order to do the tremendous mitzvah of "L'Sameach Chattan V'Kallah" (bringing joy to a bride and groom).
There were thousands of people outside the hall, singing and dancing, trying to make their way in to dance with the bride and groom...It was like there were dozens of weddings happening all around the grounds of The Conference Center simultaneosly. Hubby and I didn't manage to get into the hall , as we had a bus to catch and the line going in was enormous, but it didn't even matter. Apparently, at one point during the evening, the manager of the hall just got on the mic and tearfully announced that the hall was way beyond capacity, asking everyone who already danced to leave so that the thousands waiting outside could come in.

Meanwhile, outside, people were singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. The love and the achdut(unity) in the crowd were palpable. At one point, with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I looked up to the heavens and thought to myself"Ribono Shel Olam (Master of the Universe)...Look at us!!! Look at how much we love each other!!! Look at how much we love YOU!!! Let us be this way for eternity!!! I don't want this feeling to ever end!".

And this is the Nation of Israel.Our enemies want to destroy us... To send us into the sea. But they don't realize yet, that the more they try destroying us, the more empowered, strong and united we become. Despite the unthinkable tragedies that we've endured throughout the ages, and despite our enemies who try to extinguish the light that lies within us, we are a Nation made of Light and we will live on forever!!!!

May the beautiful new couple, Sarah Techiya and Ariel Beigel continue to shine their strength, resilience, light and deep love onto their Nation.

Am Yisrael Chai!!! 

With Love,
Cigal