We've stockpiled a few nice stories highlighting the
quality of life in this heavenly city. Hopefully, the message
will make a ripple effect and also provide good `publicity'
Up There, where it counts, in writing all of our brethren
world-wide for a good new year.
Bus Drivers Also Do Them
Last week as I was waiting near a bus stop in Yerusholayim
for a bus to Kiryat Sefer, a boy of around nine asked me to
take him across the road. At that age, they don't like to
ask, but it was a dangerous crossing [which had had its
victims, heaven forfend] and he was a good boy to do so.
However, I saw my intercity bus in the distance and knew that
I would miss it if I took him over.
On the other hand, if I didn't cross him over and chas
vesholom something happened...
So, never mind the bus. After that moment's hesitation, I
crossed in front of the stationary bus, taking my time, to
guide him over, and praised him for asking. To my amazement,
the bus was still there when I came back to my side of the
road. I thanked the driver, who had obviously waited, and he
answered, "Do you think you are the only one who is
zoche to do mitzvot?"
[Our next letter comes from Manchester, from B.
Loebenstein.]
After having read so many interesting articles in the Yated,
I have decided to try and also write something. Being Swiss,
I lacked the confidence, but here I go.
Just a while ago, my mother visited my sister who lives in
Yerusholayim.
While she was there, she needed to change some foreign money
by a changer down the road. When she returned to her
daughter, she put the money in a safe place and forgot about
it for a few days.
It was only when she took out the sum that she realized that
it was short some. Was it his mistake? Errors do happen. She
made her way back down the street to where the changer lived,
and soon reached the shops. There he was, seemingly waiting
for her, for as soon as he spied her, he began waving wildly
and motioning to her to come.
He told her that only after she had gone, had he realized
that the note she had handed him was much larger than he had
first thought. He had been coming back every day since and
looking out for my mother so that he could pay her back what
he owed.
And another by L.M.W., familiar to Yated readers.
A Lost and Found Story - One of Unrecorded Thousands,
Occurring Perhaps Monthly
Olim Chadashim alighted in Bnei Brak, delighted to reach the
Holy Land. Inspired, excited, determined to make the most of
their move, they immediately took a ride on the 400 bus to
the holiest site in our land before the New Year began.
Suddenly they notice: Mom's wallet is gone. No familiar faces
in sight, they mount a few flights at the end of the Kotel
plaza, and arrive at the office of the Rabbi of the Wall.
The man at the desk, Mr. Rachamim, true to his name, offers
to accept a stranger's check in exchange for cash, for
carfare back.
Arriving home, their first stop is the Ramat Gan police. Bnei
Brak does not have its own station. Believe it or not,
140,000 plus live peaceabley with no depot and could probably
set a record for Guiness. Police officers shrug -- No wallet
today, lady.
When Mom gets home, there's a great commotion. A man they'd
never seen before had just knocked at the door and returned
the wallet, cash and cards intact.
A fine Jew had found the purse on the bus, arrived in
Jerusalem, and got on the phone. He found someone going back
to Bnei Brak who brought the wallet door-to-door delivery.
He claimed that he had not done anything more than
expected.
Another jewel in the crown of our King. And in the crown of
our people.
[Wishing all of Klal Yisroel a Kesiva Vachasima Tov
and may we all see the good of Yerusholayim with the coming
of Moshiach, speedily this year! We will be very happy to
receive similar short inspiring accounts of human interest.
Write to Weinbach at Panim Meirot 1 or FAX 02-538-7998.]
