Not EVERYONE Hates Us

On a day when Israel buried the murdered Jewish victims of a terror hate-attack in France, when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he wouldn't be afraid to use a nuclear bomb [and we know his main targets, G-d forbid], and when Norway was declared the world's most anti-Semitic nation, we Jews might have reason to believe that THE WHOLE WORLD HATES US. 

Well, two incidents in the past two days make me confident to tell you that, "No, the entire world doesn't hate us." In fact, there are some folks around the globe who absolutely love us.

Yesterday a large group of Japanese tourists marched down Rechov Ben Yehuda (Jerusalem's Central Pedestrian Mall) carrying signs and calling out, "Thank you, Israel, for helping us" following last year's earthquake and tsunami. Israel was among the first nations to respond after Japan was hit by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The Japanese must have appreciated Israel's help, because this group was singing their way to the Western Wall, "Am Yisrael Chai," "David Melech Yisrael." They waved to the on-lookers and blew kisses, and called out, "Thank you, Israel!!!"

Then today I received a surprise phone call. I was shocked to hear the very recognizable voice of John, my former cleaning man. John and his partner-in-life Vicky worked in my hometown a decade ago. About eight years ago, they returned to Europe, where he now attends University.

John called to tell me that he saw Efrat's rabbi HaRav Shlomo Riskin in his hometown, and that made him "homesick" for Efrat. He said that he and Vicky think about Efrat day and night, and even in all these years, their love for Israel has never lessened.

He added that in his little European town, there are only two Jewish families, but he said, "They are the nicest people in the entire country." He added, "I just wanted you to know that." I told him that I was very happy to hear that, and I felt especially happy that these two Jewish families had made such a kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d's Name) with their good character traits.

John's telephone call and the Japanese parade came at a perfect time - when I felt very low about the fate of Israel vis-a-vis the rest of the world. Things may be bleak on the international political front, but when it comes to real people, the truth shines. Not only does the entire world not hate us, some of them even love us. Thank G-d.