Today, something happened that helped me understand what Israel is really about.

For the first time since making aliyah, I decided to walk from my apartment to my friend’s home in Jerusalem. It’s only about a ten-minute walk, but sometimes the smallest moments reveal something much bigger.

About halfway there, three little girls stopped me.

They had set up a small stand on the sidewalk selling lemonade, Oreo cookies, homemade cookies, and friendship bracelets. With great seriousness, they explained their prices.

“Lemonade is five shekels. Oreos are three. These cookies are two. And the friendship bracelets are five.”

They were clearly very proud of their little business.

Then one of them added something that made me pause.

“And all the proceeds go to the chayalim.”

Without thinking, I said out loud, “Well, for that cause, I’m absolutely in.”

I chose a friendship bracelet and a cookie. Seven shekels total. But instead, I handed them thirty-five shekels.

“I’ll take these two,” I told them, “but the rest is for the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)