Close at Heart
One time, when I was in Eretz Yisrael, receiving the public, some people came from as far as Ramat Hagolan in order to receive a blessing in the merit of my ancestors. Ramat Hagolan is located in the northeast of the Land, bordering Syria and Lebanon. These people had to travel a number of hours in order to reach me.
I asked them how long the trip had taken, and they answered, “Approximately five hours.”
“You must live very far away,” I commented.
I expected them to agree with my assertion, adding that the trip was long and laborious, but they surprised me with their answer, “Ramat Hagolan is a part of the sacred Land. That being the case, it is not far at all.”
I contemplated their words, and learned a great lesson.
Eretz Yisrael is one cohesive unit, blessed with all things good. No city is really distant from any other locale. Regarding Eretz Yisrael, we are told (Devarim 11:12) that it is “a Land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out; the eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to its end.” Its inhabitants feel mutual responsibility toward one another. When the residents of one section suffer attacks, the rest of the nation enters into battle mode, ready to defend their fellow Jews. The geographical distance between cities plays no role in this country, for its inhabitants are bound by a strand of spirituality, which will not easily be severed.
