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By Sara Gopin, Beis Moshiach Magazine

A Bird’s-Eye View

Last week I flew in to New York from Eretz Yisrael with a stopover in Amman, the capital of Jordan. I usually prefer the convenience of going on a direct flight, but it didn’t work out for me this time. The flight from Tel Aviv to Amman was only about half an hour, and was quite an eye-opener. Since the plane flew at a very low altitude, I had a bird’s-eye view of the country. Apparently there are some greener, more developed, areas, but all I saw from my window was a vast desert, barren of any sign of modern civilization. This was in stark contrast to the colorful, scenic landscape of our blossoming country, Eretz Yisrael. The expression from the Torah that it is a land flowing with milk and honey suddenly took on a picturesque meaning for me that I will never forget.

The airport in Amman was relatively “normal,” and even had Wi-Fi. Most of the women and girls around me were wearing long black or dark brown tunics and were covered from head to toe. There were those with their faces masked too, except for a tiny slit for their eyes, enabling them to see. I wondered if it’s difficult for them, and if they ever complain. The traditional dress code reflects the mentality of this country, whose major tourist attraction is its ruins. Since that ancient period, nothing substantial was ever built.

Inspiration from the Good Card

Almost every time I have a stopover I end up meeting a lost soul, and explaining about Yiddishkeit, or Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach, to someone who knows absolutely nothing. I usually don’t even have to take any initiative, the shlichus just comes. But I must be prepared. When waiting for a connecting flight, people often strike up a conversation with each other to pass the time. For that reason, when traveling I always make sure to have a supply of Jewish material in my purse, especially of the Good Card, which lists the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach.

I boarded the connecting flight in Amman, and had an aisle seat near a young man who was speaking Arabic. I had no interest in conversing with him, and was minding my own business. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be any shlichus coming my way this trip. Yet, deep down, I knew that if this crazy itinerary of traveling through Jordan had come into my head, it must have been for a reason!

Towards the end of the flight I asked the steward for a cup of water, and his reply was, “In my eyes.” I had no idea what that expression meant, so the Arab sitting next to me explained that it was a way of saying okay. He must have realized that I was Jewish, and gave me some kind of blessing. Then I decided to give him the Good Card, which he accepted graciously, and immediately began to read. Afterwards he said, “Among these seven laws I see a prohibition of eating a limb from an animal that’s still alive. This is very important, because we must always be kind to animals. I’m finishing my studies to be a veterinarian in order to heal animals who are sick and suffering.” While putting the Good Card securely in his pocket, he added, “I care very much about preventing all kinds of cruelty in the world, and it’s abominable that people kill each other in the name of religion. I’m a writer too, and in my articles I try to instill a value for human life, which I learned from my parents. My mother is a teacher, and my father is the Minister of Education in my country, Jordan. We all try to influence the people to be good and kind.” It was self-understood that he must publicize the Sheva Mitzvos, and talk to his father about incorporating them into the school curriculum.

Two Periods of Greatness

Apparently I had quite an important shlichus on this trip through Jordan after all! My mission accomplished, I went back to minding my own business, and the Arab did too. But, just as we were landing, he told me, “In my country we say that if you want to have success in business, find a Jewish partner, because Jewish people always bring blessings. They are destined to rise to the greatest heights two times. The first one already happened, in their history, when G-d made them the Chosen People. The second time didn’t happen yet, it’s supposed to happen in the future, according to the writings of the Prophets.”

“Yes, that’s true, and it’s coming very soon,” I replied. “The future Revelation will be incomparably more awesome than the previous one!” I couldn’t resist, and added, “On the Good Card you can see a picture of our King Messiah, the Lubavitcher Rebbe.” From the Arab’s facial expression it was clear that every word I said made perfect sense to him. Despite the low ebbs in our history, even the goyim haven’t lost faith that we’re about to return to the forefront and be the leaders of the nations once again.

In the spirit of the holy days of Chanuka, we rekindle light that illuminates every corner of the globe. This is a foretaste of our Final Redemption, when the Divine truth will be crystal clear to all of mankind. Every inhabitant of the earth will be struck with awe and fear of the Creator, as Elokus permeates the entire world, b’karov b’yomeinu mamash!

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