Lessons:
When I had young children in school I taught them to never raise a fist first. Never. It was forbidden in my home. It was forbidden in school. It was forbidden everywhere. I also taught them that if someone strikes you first, you hit back with a vengeance. You may not agree with my parenting lessons. Lord knows the school didn’t, and the first time we got called into the Principal’s office because my child hit back, I wasn’t sure if the Principal was lecturing me or my son. Regardless, I feel it was the right lesson, and I would not teach my children any differently today. These lessons seem more important now than ever. My opinion does not matter, but I do not believe a cease fire is the right step at this time. Daily terrorist attacks are still happening here. Yesterday at a checkpoint outside of Jerusalem. Today near Hebron. Our moshav (village) had an intrusion last week. We cannot live this way. Gaza must be eradicated of Hamas once and for all.
Shabbos (Sabbath) is almost upon us here, and by the time you see this we will be singing, eating and maybe even drinking a glass of wine….or two. My favorite part of the week. We shut everything down…..phones, television (not that I watch anyway), work, transportation and so on. The air raid sirens may go off, we may hear booms in the background, but it is still the Sabbath. We will rest and take time out from the absolutely chaotic past six days. It is the fourth commandment. By my estimation, it must be fairly important to the One Above. Last Shabbos my granddaughters were here. The three-year-old runs around the house shouting, “There is a siren. Rockets. Go to the safe room.” It’s a new game she plays. When she says this we all have to run into my son’s bedroom which doubles as the bomb shelter. On one hand, I love to watch her. On the other hand, I find it deeply upsetting that this is the “game” we have to play at this stage of her life. We don’t want to scare our children so we do the best we can to make the bomb shelters inviting and not to scream when there is danger. Panic and fear do not help when a missile is about to strike so the best thing one can do is to remain calm, and all of the teachers in the schools understand the necessity of this lesson.
Before the Sabbath today we delivered one folding table, 100 light bulbs, 700 challahs (bread), 240 Sabbath meals, 85 cakes, some boots, an array of tools and lots of items for warmth as the weather is getting colder. One car went north to the Lebanese border, the other went south. I drove the car south with my friend Allen. He and I discussed our children and G-d’s take on all of this craziness. Of course, neither of us knows how G-d feels, but it was good to discuss it. We had differing views, but we both have very strong faith. Allen came here for about six weeks with his family to show support for Israel, and they are living with us now that the families from the south have moved out. He’s a calm individual that tells it like it is, and he’s a good friend. It’s nice to have him here with us even if he does drink red win with a straw. Nobody is perfect.
As we left a small village where Hamas terrorized everyone on October 7th, we stopped to let the dog go to the bathroom. Two young ladies were sitting in a car not far from us. I walked over to them and waved to ensure they would not feel threatened. As I approached the car, I put out my hands to show them I had challahs (traditional Jewish bread for the Sabbath). “Khee,” I said meaning, “Take.” They smiled and got out of the car to thank me and to see my dog. One of them asked, “Why are you here?” It was a closed location most civilians cannot access. I explained we are a part of People for Israel, and we bring food and supplies to those in need while also offering transportation to anyone that needs. She said to me, “Did you see what happened here?” I told her I had not seen firsthand, but I knew many of the details from our work and from our children. She replied, “You are better off. You would not want to see.” I gave her a hint of a smile to say I understood and that I felt her pain. She did not walk away. “I smelled it,” she told me. “It was horrible. You can still smell it. Six weeks later. The smell of death.” I wanted to hug her, but I refrained as we had just met. I could see she was in a lot of pain. I did not ask about her story, but I’ve heard it many times. Each one a little different but still the same. Then she thanked me for all we are doing. I hardly deserve any thanks. “You are the heroes,” I told her.
I should not be crying six weeks after the attack, but it feels like this never-ending funeral. I cannot help myself.
Back in the car Allen tells me his daughter has lost five friends including one yesterday……a former student of hers. I think about the lessons we taught our children, and the lessons we are learning today. Some are the same, some are different. All are painful. So very painful.
Today’s Pictures:
If you know of individuals that are able to help our efforts, here is the link: https://secure.cardknox.com/peopleforisrael. Please join our FB group (information on the website), have us speak to your church, synagogue or civic group and believe me…..prayers are still needed. Needed in a BIG way. We are incredibly grateful for your support and praying all of this will come to an end soon.
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David
David at People for Israel
USA: +1.201.801.6440
Israel: +972.52.705.6300
david@peopleforisrael.com
www.peopleforisrael.com
Since October 7, 2023
