When I left for a week long trip to China, I decided to keep a diary for the duration of my journey. I received a blessing from my rabbi, just two hours ago – a blessing for success in my business dealings, without having to make any spiritual compromises. A Jew's existence is sustained by spiritual forces – the Torah and our observance of it, and a wandering Jew must always keep in mind what is most important in life, no matter where he finds himself.

I got to the airport, and received a few suspicious looks, on account of my Chareidi appearance. Perhaps the affair involving the smuggling of illegal substances is still fresh in everyone's minds (but maybe I am over reacting). The clerk asked me the usual questions: Did you pack yourself? Have you always kept your luggage in sight? Has anyone given you a package? Do you know why I am asking you these questions? Finally I was on my way.

The Chabad emissary greeted me, and handed me a copy of the pamphlet "D'var Hamalchut", a pamphlet which became a crucial item to have along throughout my travels.

"Mincha, Mincha!" – A Jew at the Chabad booth calls out in an American chassidishe accent. We managed to gather a group of 11 men from different communities/ethnic groups/religious affiliations, to pray together. Everyone answered "amen yehiye Shamaya raba", and everyone knew how to say in unison, "Baruch Hu v'baruch Shemo".

There is something very moving about leaving Israel. Suddenly, everybody feels like brothers. And that occurs while we are still standing firmly on the ground of Eretz Yisrael. It is impossible to describe the intensity of that sensation in a foreign country, but we will touch on that point later in this diary, b'ezrat Hashem.

Back to Chabad. Adjacent to the beis knesset, after we finished davening Mincha, I found myself making myself a cup of coffee. In the little Chabad corner, someone had taken the time to set up a table with hot and cold drinks, and cookies. Thank you very much, whoever you are.

Wait…I just heard an announcement saying my flight departure is delayed. I have to go find out if the delay will cause me to miss my connecting flight. Tomorrow is Shabbos, and a lengthy delay will be stressful, to say the least. Goodbye, until I have time to write again.

[picture caption: "Chabad House" at Ben Gurion airport – a full refrigerator]

Kitchen in "Chabad House" in Ben Gurion Airport	צלם