Homeless for Awhile

by Chava Docks

Many of you read my article regarding my family's move to our new home, and how Hashem orchestrated every detail, but I didn't tell you what came to my mind during this adventure.

 

Well.....not everything, anyway.

 

It was Shabbat afternoon and I was sitting in the living room of my friend, Ruth's house during the Shabbat day meal. I was beyond exhausted, my nerves frayed and a tad depressed. The move was not going according to plan, and some glitches arose. Not being one of those "roll with the punches" kind of gal, (Basically I border on being a slight OCD, control freak, but please don't tell my secret.)  My mother used to chide me as a child stating that I was not very flexible. She was right. I still am learning that trait of flexibility. It's going to take more time.    

 

Back to Shabbat: While I was waiting on everyone to wash for bread, etc, I picked up my friend's TNACH (Jewish Bible) and randomly open it. I had no real destination, I just wanted to read something. Did I mention that patience isn't my long suit, either? Well, the TNACH fell open to Samuel 2   7:1. It hit me like an avalanche. Let me quote it to you and you decide what struck me:  

 

So, here my family was....moving for the third time since our Aliyah, my children living and eating at different friends' homes, my husband sleeping at different places my dog and I stayed by my friend, my cats stayed with other friends, and while I was immersed in self-pity I was reminded that I wasn't the only one who was homeless. Yes, Gd is everywhere, but we have a Torah commandment to "Build for Me a sanctuary."  It is just as much a commandment as keeping the Shabbat and kosher.  

 

As I am writing this, with immense gratitude to Gd, finally settled  in my beautiful, new home which is much nicer than anywhere I lived before, I am reading news that Har HaBayit (the Temple Mount)  is under siege by angry mobs attacking the police and worshipers with weapons and explosives. Where is all of this anger coming from? The anger has deep spiritual roots. The Temple Mount is not being used the way Gd intended for it to be used: as a home for the Beit HaMikdash, the "House of prayer for ALL nations."  The Temple Mount is in ruins, spiritual and physical.  As we sit in our homes, realize Gd has no permanent dwelling from which HIS healing light can emanate to the entire world, to every human being whom He loves. He gave us, the Jews, a very important job to fulfill;  to bring love, peace, healing, hope and light to a hurting and angry world.  

 

Isn't it time that Gd finally have a permanent dwelling place, too?