During a visit to the Machaneh Yehuda market,while preparing for Shabbat,I was moved by the diversity of the Land and People of modern day Israel. This small market in Jerusalem,Israel’s capital,was packed with people and produce.
There is every kind of produce being sold here,a testimony to the vitality of Israel’s farms. The fruits and vegetables are vibrant in color and flavor. There is a direct correlation with the return of the descendants of Jacob and the Land coming back to life.
G-d once scattered His Chosen People across the globe,to the four corners of the earth.
The Jewish people were sprinkled among the Nations and as a result the modern day remnant resembles every ethnic group on the planet. The populace in Israel is a melting pot of every national heritage,now with a Jewish bloodline.
Along with this diverse genealogy comes a range of personalities and backgrounds. Modern day Israel is made up of every group from orthodox to secular and all points in between. There are people of every color,size and shape,old and young,male and female.
As diverse as these souls may be they hold one thing in common,a connection to The Land of Israel and The G-d of Israel.
I found someone from virtually every economic level and even though the majority were of Jewish faith they ranged from wide brimmed black hats to small colorful kepot. I heard as many languages as could be imagined among those walking through this shuk in the middle of Jerusalem.
In this day when G-d is in the process of re-gathering the Remnant of Jacob,those once scattered across the earth,this market place is a strong reminder that we serve a covenant keeping G-d.
