It was an ordinary Tuesday night. Shimon had come home from
kollel, and was helping me put the children in for the
night.
Life is good here in Yerushalayim. We're very happy in our
apartment and our community where there's a wonderful blend
of Israelis and Americans. We are currently here from the
United States so that Shimon can continue his Torah learning
in a vibrant strong setting.
Suddenly, I heard a loud tumult in the hallway. The voices
started sounding more like frantic screams. Curiously, I went
to the door and called out, "What's going on?"
A hysterical scream pierced the hallway, "There's a fire in
the building!"
I shrieked. "Shimon, grab the kids and run!"
Just get out fast! We started going out of the building when
I caught sight of little Itamar Nahem descending from his
apartment on the third floor. He was crying and holding a
small box of matches. Smoke started pouring out of the window
of the third floor.
We all stood at the entrance of the building. "What
happened?" I asked.
Esther answered me. It seems that little Itamar Nahem had
gotten hold of a box of matches while his mother Mazal was in
the other room for a few moments. And when she came out, his
kippa was already burning . . .
Mazal knew that she had to get out. "I don't know how I got
out," she said. "It was Hashem that saved us all."
Mazal found her way down the staircase and now we all stood
there trembling and shivering in the cool Jerusalem night.
Big crackling flames leaped from the window. This was for
real! Mrs. Nahem stood there huddling over her two children.
Rabbi Nahem was davening in shul. I guess this
wasn't what he was expecting to return to when he would come
home that night.
It seemed like eternity, but boruch Hashem the firemen
arrived. Within a few moments the fire was out.
Did you ever watch a fire? It's definitely not an everyday
occurrence. And especially not, when one is zoche to
see the tremendous Hashgochas Hashem that guided each
and every one of us to safety; to life.
I couldn't stop shaking. One neighbor offered blankets,
another invited us in to stay there until it would be safe to
return home. About 1 1\2 hours later, 6 of the 8 families
went home. The home on the fourth floor had gotten
considerable smoke damage. It reminded me of ancient
dungeons. Picture frames, light fixtures, and many other
items were totally ruined and melted. Mrs. P's door was
basically left hanging on a half-burned door frame. And the
Nahems? Well, Shimon told me that it was hard to see, since
there was no electricity, but it looked pretty dark and
empty.
Currently, the Nahems are left without a home. All their
personal belongings were transformed into heaps of ashes.
This outstanding young couple has so beautifully accepted the
rotzon Hashem.
"Boruch Hashem that we are alive, and not up there," Mazal
says pointing towards the heavens above.
They keep telling themselves how grateful they are to be
alive and that their job is to accept the rotzon of
Hashem, besimcha. They're right, of course. Yet, it's
easy for us to say it.
Look around yourself now as you're reading this article, and
try to imagine what it would be like if you went away one
day, and upon returning were told that all of your
belongings; pots, dishes, furniture, appliances,
seforim, silver, etc. are gone -- destroyed!
They desperately need our help to set themselves back up
again. These quiet, special people would rather give to
others instead, but now they need our help for the basics. An
apartment to live in; a stove to cook food upon, beds to
sleep on. Open your hearts to help out this poor family!
Please send your generous tax-deductible donation to: "Yad
Chen" c\o Katzman, Sanhedria Murchevet 109/15, Jerusalem,
Israel 97707.
For further info. please contact: Rabbi Zahne (02-581- 8762).
May Hashem bentsch you and yours that you never
experience any difficult times.
P.S. Remember your fire safety rules!
* Keep all matches, lighters (including those used for
hadlokas neiros) out of children's reach! (Even with
chairs)
* If applicable, keep a key in the door (or next to the door)
at all times! Never take it out! Make an extra copy and use
that key when locking the door from the outside.
* Go through fire safety rules with your family.
* Get a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors etc. and install
them!
* Keep all dangerous items out of reach! (Incl. bleach, Saint
Moritz, etc.)
