Today was a very different day than the previous ones. Today we did not see the atrocities of the holocaust, very much the opposite we saw the lost glory of Krakow. The vibrant glorious Jewish community and Torah center of Poland that once existed in this beautiful city. We got to see the Rama's shul that his father built in his honor. We saw the spot where the Rama himself actually prayed and I know everyone felt an sene of awe at that particular spot. It was very special for me to learn with the group the very first Rama in Shulchan Aruch. In his very first comment he writes that one must always put G-d in front of his eyes and constantly feel that he is in G-D's presence. That thought is a very powerful one and one that the Rama feels will encourage us and insure that we are not embarrassed of our faith.
We also got a chance to tour the old cemetery behind the Shul. In the cemetery next to the ancient stones we learnt about the piety and righteousness of several of those that are interred in the cemetery.
After lunch we had a very exciting and informative tour of the Schindler factory. This museum just opened this year and it was very moving to be the first March to visit it.
Another exciting first was to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with a liberator. There were about ten liberators on hand to talk to us. I am sure that all of our students were very moved to hear the personal tales of these brave former soldiers.
Tomorrow we march !!!
Layla Tov
No comments:
Post a Comment