And Then Rabbi Eliyahu Told Us To Place A Hand On Our Neighbor And Give Him A Bracha

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Some moments in life can remain etched in one’s memory simply because of their surrealistic nature. Moments that you would never have imagined could occur, wouldn’t have predicted would happen.

I experienced such a moment at the pro-reform demonstration in Jerusalem on Thursday. The demonstration was publicized as a “million” event, even though the organizers could hardly have hoped for a crowd of that size unless the entire right-wing coalition joined them. This was not to be, as the Lithuanian chareidim, wary of being identified and censured for their support of judicial reform, opted out of joining the demonstration, even as attempts were made to create a gender-separate section for them.

Despite this, the demonstration still promised to be a huge event, and for those government supporters feeling battered and bruised from the media blitz against the proposed reforms, it was an opportunity to affirm the strength of their camp. It is always good to mingle with those who identify with your views, shout slogans and hear the opinions you wish to see espoused. The atmosphere was one of awesome unity, with chareidi, national religious and secular demonstrators all milling around and greeting each other warmly.

One of the first speakers was Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who immediately set the religious tone for the protest, which supported government moves to strengthen religion and Judaism in Israel. Calling on everyone to say Shma Yisrael, Rabbi Eliyahu was moved by the response of hundreds of thousands of voices filling the cold Jerusalem air. He continued, singing Hashem Melech and Ana Hashem in the traditional Sephardic chant, with all the types of demonstrators responding in unison.

And then it happened. Rabbi Eliyahu announced that everyone should put their hands on the person next to him and give them a blessing. Many people in the crowd looked awkwardly at their neighbors, wondering how they would react to a hand placed on their heads. I looked to my left at my chareidi neighbor and he looked at me but none of us reacted. Turning to the right, I saw a secular, baldheaded guy. How would he take to a chareidi placing a hand on his head? Slowly, falteringly, I reached out and placed my hand on him and he reciprocated. We both whispered the bracha which Rabbi Eliyahu dictated to us and wished each other well.

It was a seminal moment, one I will treasure for a long time. I can greet secular people at work but when can I get so close that I receive and give a bracha to them? The uplifting feeling of unity stayed with me even after the event, a warm feeling of fraternity in achieving the goal of maintaining the Jewish and religious character of Israel in the face of those who wish to redefine Israel as a liberal democracy akin to the US. Am Yisrael Chai!