עולה רגל

    I want to express a tremendous Hakoras Hatov to Hashem for the great Z'chut of celebrating the Yom Hakadosh of Yom Kippur and the forthcoming Yom Tov of Succot in עיר הקודש, our Holy Land of Israel.
    The awe inspiring feeling of reciting the Avodah and falling Korim in Yerushlayim gives one the opportunity of re-enacting the entire service as was experienced In the time of the Beit Hamikdash.
    It is difficult to describe my emotions in words as I became so engrossed in the performance of the Mitzvot of the day.  These feelings engulfed my whole being as I davened knowing that I was במקום קדוש. 
Then, to recite קידוש לבנה in Israel was very special.  It appeared to me that the moon in Jerusalem is a different moon, to be expierenced only in Hashem's selected place.
  I am now preparing for the holiday of Succot to fulfill the Mitzvah of Oleh Regel, with my Esrog and Lulav in hand as they did in the time of the Beit Hamikdash.  What greater Spiritual joy can there be?
  I am anticipating the  experience of sitting and eating in the Succah in Yerushlayim directly opposite Ir Dovid, the city where King David had his palace and conducted his affairs on behalf of the Jewish People, and recite the special Tefillah in the Bercaz Hamazon, הרחמן הוא יקים לנו את סוכת דוד הנופלת, "Beseech the Almighty to restore the fallen Succah of King David." We are praying that the monarchy of David be restored and that it will be the time for the Moshiach to herald a period of peace and prosperity and the building of Bayit S'hleishei - bringing about the fulfillment of Hashem returning to His Holy dwelling place once again. Awesome. Very Awesome!!!
     There is no place like Israel, which gives a Jew a true feeling of  connection to all that is Holy and inspirational. Israel is bringing many lost Neshamos back to Yiddishkeit and a Torah way of life, especially for the youth of today. True, we can observe our tradition and the laws of Torah in any part of the world , but there is no place like Yerushalyim to feel the presence of G-D, especially as we stand at the Kotel Hamaravi, glaring up at its top and searching for Hashem to rebuild His glorious house for all Jews to unite once again under the banner of Torah in brotherly love.
 May this year see the" Restoration of the fallen Succah of Dovid "and to herald the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkanu.


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