SMAT: The Speedy Moshiach Arrival Team - Chapter 10: A Discovery in the Woods

Recap: Avremi and his father meet on mivtzaim a Russian Jew who never had a Bar Mitzva.

Avremi:

Yeeeeessss! It's finally Thursday! Today is Mr. Leon's celebration. It's been three weeks now that we've been working together to make him a bar mitzva.

We hung up a decorated sign, "Welcome to the Bar Mitzva," at the entrance to the shul.

"Avremi," said Mendy, who was in charge of arranging the candies on the tables, "give me the bag of candies, please."

We wanted every guest to have his own bag. We prepared one for Leon too, putting his bag on the chair of honor where he would be sitting. Rabbi Lissinsky arranged for a new pair of tefillin for him and today he will get to put on his very own pair of tefillin.

Shmuli's uncles helped with another surprise that will come soon. Everyone will be very excited! Each person had an important role to play; we wanted him to feel special. I've never seen such devoted volunteering. Tanchum came over to me, holding a list of the special guests.

"Why are there two extra chairs?" he asked in confusion. We hardly included anybody in the upcoming surprise. I shrugged as though I didn't know and quickly changed the topic.

"Do you want a candy?"

Tanchum took the candy and went on his way. I breathed in relief. Soon, everyone would know why, I said to myself. My father left to pick up Leon from the train. After waiting and great anticipation, my mother whispered to me from the other side of the mechitza, "They're here!"

When they entered, we clapped and threw candies in the air. Leon blushed but looked happy.

"Quiet, please. We're about to begin."

It was time for the aliya to the Torah.

"They're not here..." I whispered to Shmuli and then the door suddenly opened.

"They're here," Shmuli whispered back with a big smile.

When they walked in, they said something in Russian. Michoel, the neighbor who understands Russian, shouted, "They are relatives of the bar mitzva!"

"Welcome," said the Rav. "Come in, we are about to begin. Honored guests and dear R' Leon, we decided to surprise you and with Hashem's help we were able to locate two relatives of yours. They've been living in the state for some years already."

Leon and his relatives were thrilled and hugged one another. There wasn't a dry eye... It was an amazing moment. Everyone cheered and clapped and began singing, "Sheyibaneh Beis HaMikdash." I'm so happy that I joined my father that day for Mivtza Tefillin! By divine providence, we found ourselves in the right place at the right time.

Leon went over to my father after the Torah reading. "From now on, I will put tefillin on every day. I found relatives and friends for life. I now realize the meaning of, 'Love your fellow like yourself.' I thank Hashem and you, my friends, for everything."

The speech that he delivered concluded the event which everyone agreed, including the SMAT Team, was perfect. My father joined us at the table and proudly said to everyone, "Yasher koach Avremi. Thanks to your fantastic idea, we brought a Jew to the observance of such important mitzvos. It is never too late! You and your friends are real Chassidim. I am sure that many neshamos in Heaven danced today in joy, thanks to you."

I gave my father a big hug.

"Thank you Hashem for such a special child like you," he added with shining eyes.

Shmuli:

After Leon's moving event, we were back to our routine but then we had a refreshing surprise. My older cousin, Nachum, returned from 770, I mean the real 770 where he was learning in Yeshiva, and came to visit. It's always wonderful because he likes to hike and so do I. In the afternoon, we went on a walk with Nachum and the entire family. We walked through paths and gardens until we came to a big woods. I asked my mother whether we could stop a bit and enjoy the shade.

I went over to a tree which looked particularly interesting. It wasn't too high and its branches were wide. I climbed up and sat down. I closed my eyes and sank into thought. Then I suddenly heard whispering. I looked down and saw two children sitting under the tree. They hadn't noticed that I was directly above them.

I managed to understand just one thing. They were planning some activity. I didn't move so I wouldn't make a sound. I tried to see who they were. Since I've recovered, I am careful about getting hurt, but it wasn't simple. Suddenly, I heard my mother calling me, "Shmuli, where are you?"

I was afraid they would look up, so I covered myself with a leafy branch and waved to my mother so she wouldn't worry.

One of the children under me was holding something small. Slowly and quietly I took out the small telescope from the detective kit that was in my pocket, and I saw that one was holding a magnifying glass and the other had white gloves on. What was that about?

They continued talking and were concentrating on some task. I heard something about an experiment they would do and about a room whose location I did not understand. It was hard to hear them. Uh oh. This time, my mother's voice sounded closer. The children finally decided to get up and go. I still hadn't managed to figure out who they were but my mother suddenly said, "Daniel, how are you, sweetie?" He smiled and waved at her and then went off with his friend.

Daniel?! Stunned, I came down from the tree and began thinking about the next step.

Daniel:

Micha's family moved to our neighborhood recently. His father got a job along with my father at the city council and he is in my class. We easily became friends. Our parents are also good friends. It's been a while now that I've been following Shmuli's group, the SMAT Team. I've observed their activities from near and far and have been inspired by them.

I made a lot of effort and gave lots of hints so they would realize that I want to join their group. I know that I can contribute from my talents toward the success of their projects. I was bashful to ask them directly about joining and they didn't get my hints.

A few days ago, on one of my surveillance jaunts they went to the clubhouse in the building where Micha lives. What divine providence! I thought. But suddenly, out of nowhere, Micha surprised me from behind.

"Daniel, what's happening? What are you doing?"

I had no choice and revealed to him my secret mission. His reaction astonished me.

"I'm willing to help you join the SMAT Team."

He went home with me and I told him about the clubhouse that the boys found and maybe it would be possible to help them make progress. The idea he raised was perfect! We sat together and worked out all the details.

Shmuli:

"Pay attention, friends: we have a new mission!" I said as soon as we gathered in the big schoolyard during recess. In the morning I had told them that attendance was mandatory. I recounted what had taken place in the woods.

"Wow! That's some news!" said Mendy. "What did the boy with Daniel look like?" asked Tanchum.

"He had short, brown, curly hair, is average height and he's thin. Have any of you seen him before?"

They said no.

"In any case, we need to make investigating Daniel top priority and find out why he is constantly following us, who his new friend is, and what their plans are. I think we will find answers. Today, at five o'clock, let's work on our plans."

"Let's decide on a place before we meet," said Avremi.

The bell rang for the end of recess. As we walked quickly to class, I added, "Maybe this will be able to stop all of the following around."

to be continued...