To support the peace bearer:
Twenty years ago, a religiously observant patient asked me whether I believed. I looked at her, and realized that she was referring to something very deep. “Yes, I believe” was my reply; and then rushed on to qualify “but I’m not sure that I believe exactly in what you believe….” “That really is not important” she said. “I didn’t ask you whether you believe in God or are religiously observant – but when a person has nothing in which he believes, he loses his way. Belief gives us the strength to continue on our path despite difficult circumstances which sometimes arise.”
Last Thursday, I met with a friend, who shares the same path, Rabbi Yaakov Nagan. Yaakov meets Palestinians on a weekly basis and together they study the Way of the World through Jewish eyes, and also through Muslim, Christian and any other, that can connect us all to a greater Oneness.
Yaakov joined me to meet two friends of mine – one from a refugee camp, Al Fawar, who emotionally moved to host us in his home. He spoke about the importance of close human relationship and the need to create a language which would bring us closer and enable us to live here together, in harmony. He raised the idea of a creating a space which would enable Jews and Palestinians to meet one another and to transform the "other" to "brother". We parted from him and continued onwards into a magical Wadi where Abu Saafi and his family live.
After exchanging introductions and greetings, Abu Saafi requested permission to wait for him for a few minutes so he can pray. Rabbi Yaakov didn’t hesitate and immediately asked whether he could join in prayer. Abu Saafi gladly spread out two prayer rugs, one for himself and one for the other son of Abraham. I had the privilege of standing on the side and seeing how every obstacle dissolves in the moment of prayer. How without a common language they prayed, both of them, to “God who is both Allah and Great (=aKbar)”. Since then I, too, believe that God and Allah are the answer!
To support the peace bearer:
The Prayer for Peace – Rabbi Nachman from Braslov. Lord of Peace King who brings peace to all beings May the wish be before thee To erase all wars and blood spilling from this world And spread a great and beautiful peace over the world And not have man turn sword unto man And to know no more war. Help and bless us all That we may always be worthy to know a part of peace And may there be a true and great peace Between every man and his friend, between man and his wife And may there be no dissention, even in their hearts, between every human being. And may every person love peace and wage peace Truly and even be at peace in their hearts, And not to hold onto any dissention at all Even not against those who differ and dissent from us And may we not shame anyone in this world From small to big And may we truly be worthy of the goodwill and love for our Neighbour, as are you In every heart, body, soul and means. And may happen be as is written And I gave peace to the world and all surroundings, Nothing to fear and removed all evil from the earth And no sword shall enter your world God of Peace, we have been blessed with Peace.
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