Pure Air
I spent one summer in the European countryside. What views! Tall, snow-capped mountains stood gracefully above lush, green foliage. Sparkling streams flowed all around. The scenery was breathtaking. I tangibly felt the beauty of Creation, and echoed the words of David Hamelech: “How abundant are Your works, Hashem!” (Tehillim 103:24).
- Wonders of Creation – The Alps
As I stood on the stunning mountainside, gazing at the works of Hashem, which testify to the existence of a Creator Who manages the world each and every moment, a distinguished Jew approached me. He told me that he had heard it said in the name of one of the Admorim of Belz that Hashem brings pure air to the entire world from the holy city, Yerushalayim.
This set me thinking. Why did Hashem create all this splendor outside Eretz Yisrael? And what is the purpose of bringing the wonderful air from Yerushalayim?
Hashem knew that, with the passage of time, His sons would be exiled far from their homeland. In order to reinforce their emunah, He bestowed upon them wonders of Creation, which attest to His existence in every location on the globe. Knowing that Bnei Yisrael need pure air for their health, He brought some of the air of Yerushalayim, the air that makes one wise, to distant countries. In this manner, Am Yisrael bask in the holiness of Eretz Yisrael, even while enjoying the fresh air of the European mountains.
- With HaGaon HaTzaddik, the Admor of Belz, shlita
