Hundreds of families who were evacuated from their homes in the north of the country stayed at the Sophia Hotel in the center of Tiberias over the past weekend. Despite the current ceasefire, the state gave the evacuees a weekend of respite from the ongoing tension, but what was supposed to be a regular weekend of 'leisure' turned into a powerful demonstration of the sanctification of God - a direct continuation of the extensive activity of a year and a half, during the previous round of war, and in the follow-up activity.
The story began when a plan was hatched by a large secular organization for activities for the families of the evacuees during their short stay at the hotel. Various production entities wanted to bring performances and entertainment to the hotel in the midst of the holy Sabbath.
But the producers failed to take into account one crucial fact: these evacuees are not "guests for a moment." These are families who participated in the intensive activity throughout the entire period of the "Iron Swords" war - nearly a year and a half, and are accompanied to this day by the "Tzohar" outreach organization - a branch of Belza Hasidism.
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Every week, three times in the middle of the week and again every Shabbat, the 'Zohar' teams made sure to bring the evacuated hotels spiritually empowering content, food for the soul, and deep-rooted Jewish support. The deep connection to Judaism that had been ingrained in them over the long period was what made them immediately realize that something was wrong here.
When the evacuees heard about the intention to hold performances on Shabbat, they took the initiative to appeal to the management of 'Tzohar', crying out: "It is impossible that in our name and with the budget allocated to us, they will desecrate the Shabbat in the hotel. We want the uplifting content that we know and love.".
The organization's management understood the magnitude of the situation. Within a few hours, a group of activists were recruited to join the mission. Through intensive work with the relevant authorities, the problematic program of performances was canceled. In its place, the organization produced a Shabbat filled with rich, close-knit, and strengthening Jewish content, just as the evacuees had been accustomed to throughout the months of the war.
The highlight was the arrival of the special guest – Rabbi Meir Gol, a beloved figure who accompanies the evacuees with encouragement from previous rounds of fighting. Rabbi Gol swept the audience with stirring conversations, and at the height of Shabbat, the unique gathering "We Brought Shabbat Shalom Aleichem" took place, which lasted long hours into the night in open and uplifting discourse.
The evacuees, who left Shabbat feeling elated, thanked the organization's staff for their steadfast stance.
The organization's management stated with satisfaction: "Instead of feeling like strangers on Shabbat with performances that do not fit the spirit of Israel, the evacuees felt at home. This activity is a direct continuation of a year and a half of daily work in the field. We see the utmost importance in providing a spiritual response, and the connection to the roots is what gives the evacuees the real strength to move on.".
The chairman of the Tzohar organization, Rabbi Menachem Klein, who also came especially for Shabbat, concluded: This Shabbat in Tiberias proved once again that the seeds sown throughout the months of war have sprouted into holiness. The public is thirsty for tradition, and when there is someone to serve them this living water – the light always wins.
