I heard the word “gilgul” and searched Hasidic texts to find the meaning: reincarnation, transmigration, a soul returning to complete the mission. The message came very distinctly, “You are going to Jerusalem.” This was not my plan or desire, but it was G-d’s plan for me to go and search out my roots.
I traveled to Israel on November 5, 1995. This was an incredibly significant time, for it was the day of the assassination of the Prime Minister. I must admit that I knew nothing of Israeli politics or the Arab conflicts. All of Israel was shaken to its core, along with the rest of the world who had hoped for peace. There was great turmoil when I arrived, with many tears and tension.
In case you are not familiar with the Oslo accords, it was an agreement signed in 1993 between Rabin and Arafat brokered by Bill Clinton and the state department, which was a complete failure. President Clinton promised the Palestinians land and economic prosperity for peace, and the Arabs were happy because they got their land back to the ‘67 borders. Still, Israel was not—a total capitulation by the Israeli government to promote a false sense of security. The assassination was believed to be from a right-wing Israeli extremist. Some thought it was a result of the dissension within the government against the agreement. There was also some speculation that Rabin came to his senses and was about to pull out when terrorist attacks increased, risking the security of Israeli citizens. The Arabs reacted to the building of settlements with acts of violence. Neither side trusted the other to fulfill their promises.
I was in the midst of a significant historical event and instead of just reading about it I got to experience every aspect. I began to learn about my ancestral home and who I was. I became aware of the land they were fighting for and its significance. I spoke with people from both sides to get their views. I have since realized that G-d has a plan for Israel, written in the Five Books of Moses. I believe this plan will win out in the end. My world expanded as I became a part of something bigger than myself. I planted my roots in Israeli soil, for it is the home of my ancestors.
No longer on the fence, I left Israel knowing more of who I was and which side of the fence I was on. The right side.
