YK Tzeirei HaShluchim 5774: The Old, the New, and the really really old stuff.

Over shabbos and motzi shabbos we got to see everything ירושלים: From the oldest shuls to the most modern facilities. This city definitely has a lot to offer.

Group Photo overlooking the כותל

It all started with שבת מברכים תהלים and a trip to mikva (we actually got directions to the mikva from 2 Chareidim eating ice cream in the street) and then it was time to daven. At first I actually thought (hoped) that we would daven by our place (I know that every step walked in ירושלים is a mitzva or something... just have me in mind) but instead we walked to the כותל. It was a bit of a shock to see that the outside area by the כותל was almost completely empty, I guess these people really do daven early. We davened under the tunnel area by the כותל, and it actually kinda reminded me of 770 (the heimishe atmosphere I mean). It lasted until about 2 pm, at which point we went back for our meal/farbrengen.

The meal was even better than expected (they remembered the gefilte fish) and we were even surprised with a guest appearance from Rabbi Duchman, the CEO of Colel Chabad and one of the foremost orators of our time, everyone was immensely glad to here what he had to say. Rabbi Duchman told of the importance to say תהלים right where we were actually eating (near the קבר of דוד המלך) and also about how important ארץ ישראל was to the Rebbe. He definitely lit up our shabbos meal.

After the meal/farbrengen we were given time to learn the maamar בעל פה and rest a little (I mean a little), then it was time to tour. Yes you heard that right.. tour. We were greeted with our very own Gili who was more than prepared to show us around The Old City of ירושלים. We dropped off our hats and jackets by the Tzemach Tzedek Shul and from there followed Gili on an educational stroll of the land. He showed us 100, 500, and even 900 year old shuls, and explained exactly which parts were from the original building.
After about an hour of touring The Old City it was time to daven mincha by the Tzemach Tzedek Shul. From there we went back to the Diaspora Yeshiva for snacks and Rambam.

We hadn't been back for maybe half an hour when it was time to turn around and head towards the כותל for mariv and pictures. After mariv we had a couple minutes to take pictures (with the cameras that our staff brought after shabbos was over) while the group photo was being set up. When they finished taking the photo we were given the Motzi Shabbos options: Pantry Packers or the Wall Tours.

In case you don't know, pantry packers is a part of colel chabad that specializes in hands-on food distribution. It is a wonderful state-of-the-art complex where people volunteer to pack up food for those in need. The Old City Walls don't really need explaining. We were able to choose which one we wanted. The adventurous amongst us chose The Walls and the more hands-on type chose Pantry Packers. From what I understand both groups had a lot of fun (Pantry Packers helped 400 families, The Wall people probably saw 2000 year old rocks). It wasn't until 11 pm that we were back in the Diaspora Yeshiva for a Melava Malka with pizza (right next to the קבר of דוד המלך) and then bed time. After a day like that I slept like a baby.