A Lesson in Moving

by Chava Docks

 

My family has been in Israel for two years and we have moved three times. It's easy to become discouraged to constantly being on the move like gypsies. We had trouble with the landlord and were not sure what to do. Do we take legal action or just deal with it for another year? The stress was overwhelming. Do I stand up against injustice and fight or accept it?  I'm not made that way. I fight injustice, so I chose to fight back.  

Doors began to fly open....miracles began to happen. Within a day or two my family found a beautiful apartment with all the updates, pet friendly and a private garden. But, this is only the physical part of the story....there is a spiritual side, too.  

 

The woman who owned the apartment was widowed and ill. She was sad and didn't really want to leave the apartment that she had shared with the love of her life. She had so many memories, friends nearby, and she had fixed up the apartment so beautifully. She was torn. Due to her illness, she had to move out near her children to a strange, new city and start over.  She had no strength to stay on her own anymore. She felt defeated.

 

Her new apartment is not like the one she left behind, but she is trying to be brave and make the most of this difficult change. She must share this new apartment with one of her children thereby giving up more of her freedom and independence. My heart aches for her. Growing old is never easy.

 

The realtor showed her apartment to many people, but she chose me. She felt that I would take care of her home. I liked her immediately and sensed a connection. We held hands and told each other of our fears and agreed to help each other make new lives for ourselves. We felt this would be a team effort. We cried together, sat down and talked about the easiest way to make a difficult transition easier.  

 

She had to do everything on her own, so I agreed to let her leave her stuff in the house for an extra week if she needed, so she wouldn't have any pressure. She agreed to let me use her belongings while my things were still in boxes, until she could get her possessions removed. I offered to send my children over to help her pack, but she didn't want help.  She wanted to feel independent. I understood.

 

It's amazing how Gd works and leads people to each other. We needed a new apartment, she needed good tenants who had compassion and understanding.   

 

This is how the world and humanity is supposed to work.....at least according to the Torah. We are here for each other....to help, not to out do, cheat, compete or suppress each other, but to work together.  This world is full of hurting people, why not work together to relieve each other's burdens? People are angry and in pain. The world is violent, but simple acts of kindness, love and understand can move mountains and relieve burdens.  

 

What can you do to help someone today?