OII #14- Thinking of Others

I was at the Kotel recently, and two wonderful things happened to me- making me realize yet again how special the people of Israel are.

First, I was with NBD. For all those who know the Kotel, the only way to get down from the Rova to the Kotel is by the giant stairs (or one could take the outside road, but I was with a guest who wanted the stair view). With a stroller, that feat is nearly impossible.

I started to bump down the stairs, NBD securely strapped in, when a young man stopped. "Can I help you?", he asked in Hebrew. I at first said no, not wanting to bother anyone, but he insisted in such eloquent terms. He just picked up my stroller, with NBD inside, and hurried down the steps as if he was carrying a feather.

I kept thanking him the whole way down, and his answer?
"B'Simcha Gedola (with great happiness)." He has a family of his own and he does this for his own children- so he's used to it! Wow. Such a good deed.

I then went down to the Kotel, and noticed a woman, dressed in heavy clothing, walking around with a water bottle and cups. She stopped by groups of people and offered them a drink. In return, they said a loud and clear Shehakol Ne'heyah B'dvaro. She was offering water to the entire Kotel.

She offered a cold cup to me, and I accepted, responding with the bracha. I then asked her, "What made you think to do something like this- it's such a big Mitzva!" She replied that she was once thirsty at the Kotel, and no one was there to offer her a cold drink. So she decided to take it upon herself to offer this to others.

Mi K'Amcha Yisroel! Who is like Your nation, O' Israel!