Day 59 - Tradition

Day 59 - Monday 12 July 2010

For Hundreds of years when they were in existence, the Jews of Israel had the tradition of going to the Temple for the Shalosh Regallim, but also for the service on Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the Month.

My cousins in Israel have the tradition to go and pray Shacharit (the morning prayer) at the Kotel every Rosh Chodesh. I to want to attempt to uphold this tradition - started by my Jewish ancestors thousands years ago. I may not be able to go every month, but it is the thought and attempt that counts.

It is said that we must visit the Kotel and the sight of the Temple mount, to remember Jerusalem at least once a month, and if not, we must tear our clothes and repent once more at the sight of the destroyed temple; this is my way of attempting to keep this promise. The promise that every Groom recites at his wedding,

אם אשכחך ירושלים, תשכח ימיני; תדבק לשוני לחכי אם לא אזכרכי, אִם לֹא אַעֲלֶה אֶת יְרוּשָׁלִַם עַל רֹאשׁ שִׂמְחָתִי
(תהילים פרק קלז)1

The promise the Jews sang on their way into the exile;

עַל נַהֲרוֹת, בָּבֶל--שָׁם יָשַׁבְנוּ, גַּם-בָּכִינוּ: בְּזָכְרֵנוּ, אֶת-צִיּוֹן (תהילים פרק קלז)1

So that one day they would merit to sing;

ויש-תקוה לאחריתך, נאם-יהוה; ושבו בנים, לגבולם (ירמיהי פרק לא)טו

It was a cool feeling going to pray there - it's only the second time I've gone back for Tfilla since making Aliyah. But to me, it was more than just prayer, it was really reconnecting with the divine presence of this beautiful land.

=)