I NOW LIVE in Eretz Yisroel in a well-insulated religious community. My days are filled with Torah and with mitzvos on a level I never dreamed possible while I still lived in America.

And yet I am troubled at times by a fear that my community is too self-satisfied. When I travel to other parts of the country, I look around and see how much of the Land is not yet filled with Torah. I am pained by evidence that so many of the people of Israel disregard - even disobey - the Almighty's mitzvos so brazenly.

Last week, I traveled to Tel Aviv. I saw the bustle of its central bus station. It did not particularly seem to be part of the Holy Land.

I walked down several streets, past numerous eating-places. None seemed especially acceptable as places for me to eat.

I passed young men, khaki-clad, holding guns. Although they spoke the holy tongue, I could not detect much holiness in their demeanor.

I saw stores and office buildings, and gigantic factories. Scarcely a man among the many workers and storekeepers, all obviously Jews, had his head covered.

As I shook my own head in disapproval and in condemnation, I became aware of a presence beside me. I looked, but no one was there. I continued, completing the errands for which I had come. Throughout the day, I saw things that saddened me. Frequently, I found myself shaking my head in dismay. And all day long, I had the disturbing sense that I was not alone.

That night I returned to my home and to my warm cocoon-like Torah environment. Exhausted, I fell asleep early. And I had a dream.

In it I was transported somehow to another realm, to a dimension outside the ones I knew. I saw before me an other~worldly sight, and heard a monologue that I shall never forget.

Standing there, in some sort of cloud, was an old man. I recognized him, though I can not imagine how. After all, had I ever seen Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev? No, not even a photograph.... Still, I felt certain that this was he. Eyes glowing with love of G-d and man, he began to speak:

"Master of the Universe, I traveled today to the city of Tel Aviv. What a bustling metropolis! What a feast for my eyes! How proud You must be of Your people Israel!"

His face shone so as he spoke that, observing him, I felt a change come over me. Something indefinable about my eyes. I had never worn eyeglasses....

He continued: "The city teems with the sons and daughters of Israel. They inhabit Your beloved Land, building it with such fervency. This despite the fact that they must be untutored in Your Torah. Alas, what a tragic toll the years in exile took on their fathers....

"But they have returned to Your precious Land, so long desolate, and have toiled and labored to construct a vibrant life. I stood in the hub of this wondrous city, where large vehicles came and went, bearing Jewish men and women, girls and boys, to and from this thriving center.

"I feasted my eyes for a while on the multitudes alighting from the vehicles. Then I began to stroll down the roads and byways, to see more of how Your people live in this, their regained homeland.

"So many businesses! So many foods being prepared! Though I doubt that many of the proprietors have been taught Your commandments, l could scarcely find a forbidden food on any counter!

"And the men - they are only boys, really - armed to fight the battles of the Lord. To defend the people of Israel living in the chosen Land. Why should these boys do this? It has always been known that living in the Land entails suffering. What reason do they know why they should choose this difficult Land over one where life can be more easily lived? Indeed, we hear that many do abandon this, their treasured inheritance, to seek their fortune in foreign parts. Yet, look at all these young and less-young men. Not only do they remain here, but they are prepared to give their very lives for the privilege! How surprising that, inadvertently perhaps, since they have yet to learn Your commandments, they have embraced this most cherished one. How great must be Your compassion for these beautiful young people!

"The language that they speak! It has so many new words in it. So many souvenirs of the long years spent among the nations. But still it is clearly recognizable. It is the language of Your holy Torah, of the prophets, of all the holy scriptures. They do not speak of sacred matters, for they do not know what sanctity is. Yet, to discuss all their everyday affairs, this is the language that comes so freely through their lips. With every word uttered in Your holy tongue, unspoken for centuries, they sanctify Your name.

"Many of these people do not signify their submission to Your rule with the customary headcovering. Yet You have enabled them to build a mighty civilization on hallowed ground! For hours and hours I walked. The places of buying and selling, the towers of industry, splendid buildings... as far as the eye could see."

At this point, overcome with emotion, the aged rabbi paused. Then, tears streaming down his face, he addressed himself with renewed fervor to the Heavens.

"Master of the Universe! Has the merit of Your people ever been greater? In recent generations, their ancestors, in frightening numbers, strayed from Your path. Now here are these Jews residing in Your Land, performing such a great mitzva with so little knowledge. At the same time, there are communities of holy and pious children of Israel dwelling in the lands of other nations. Those Jews do indeed strive to serve You with all their souls; they learn Your holy words, and keep the commandments available to them with stringency and devotion. They are heedful of Your precepts, cautious in their rela- tionships with their fellow Jews. And yet, for various reasons, they have not yet ascended to take up residence in this, the Land of Life.

"Both these groups of your children are worthy of Your mercy and of Your attention. I therefore beseech You to grant this request. Something which they all richly deserve, and urgently require.

"Please, Almighty G-d, send it into the hearts of those Jews who have learned Your Torah, but still reside elsewhere, to join these brave Jews who walk the streets of the Land of Israel. Make them see how critically they are needed today in the Land You chose for them. They will seek Out the genuine hunger and thirst for truth surely buried within every Jewish heart. And they will teach these inhabitants of Your sacred lot the profound meaning and value of their presence here. After that, complete Redemption will surely follow, as does the day follow the night."

It was at that moment that I awoke. Indeed, the night was being driven away by the energy of the dawn's light. The message seemed as clear as the day. My perspective was forever altered. My traveling companion had lent me his eyeglasses.

Yisroel Amishav Adopted from To dwell in the Pallace by Tzvia Ehrlich-Klein (ed.), Feldheim Publishers; Yerushalayim, 1991.

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