This year our home was invaded by fire ants. For those not familiar with fire ants, when they bite, you tend to feel it for quite some time. After trying this and that, we realized that I needed to bring over an exterminator. As he was shpritzing around, he told me how business was being affected by the war, since he and his coworkers are all in the reserves, serving on the Lebanese border. I told him that I actually wanted to sign up, since I figured serving on the border was easier than being at home with seven kids, and he laughed and said, "It's true! … we often joke that we're on vacation when we're there and not at home." In fact, he "complained" that he gained 8 kilograms in the first few months from all the donated food that the country sent!
I then asked him what soldiers, in general, think about the constant protests in Tel Aviv. He stopped working, looked me in the eye and said, "They are only weakening the country." He continued, "And what's going on about the draft and the Ultra-Orthodox?" at that point, I readied myself for a possible lecture, "… is complete nonsense! For every one Ultra-Orthodox man who doesn't go in, three from Tel Aviv don't go in! The only reason they are making a big deal out of it, is that the focus should be on the Ultra-Orthodox and not on them! That place is full of the 'Sophisticatim' and people who hate the army because they feel 'above it'…"
Now, I've seen the numbers myself, which he ended up quoting, so I know it's true. But there's something about hearing it from somebody completely secular who serves on the front line.
As we were standing there, me with my kippa and tzitzis, where I spend my day learning, and him with a shaved head, who serves as a combat solider, I could not help thinking about my theory to save to country. Take all 120 snakes who are sitting in the Knesset, religious, non-religious, Arab, whatever… and send them to Gaza. They are all troublemakers who sow discontent for their own political purposes. Then hold elections with only one new rule. The center of the country, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, etc… are allowed to elect a total of five members to represent them. The other 115 must come from the north and south. Because, it seems to me, only we know how to speak to each other with respect and honesty. When you live in the center, you tend to live with "your own kind." The further away from the center of the country, the more you are forced to live with a mix of people, share similar experiences and share the same danger. And most of all, you learn how to deal with each other in a respectful way.
This week's parsha opens up with the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the bringing of the season's first fruits. For those who read the parsha, you will notice that the words sound vaguely familiar. That's because they are used in a large section of the Pesach Hagaddah.
One of the main points of this mitzvah is thanking Hashem for the goodness He has given us. That is why we bring the first and the best of our fruits and we recite these psukim, giving Him not only praise, but also thanks.
There is a pervasive mentality that the younger generation seems to have. It's prevalent in Israel as well as the States. In Hebrew it's called "Megiah Li," which is loosely translated as "I deserve it." It's mind-boggling what children and young adults are DEMANDING, not dreaming of, but actually demanding/expecting that they receive from their parents, in-laws, or society in general. And personally, I don't know how any parent can respect their adult children when they have such an attitude. In fact, I know of a few cases where, unfortunately, it has affected the relationship. Yes, the parent has love for their children, but respect and pride seem to be missing.
We have been trying to raise our children not to have that attitude, and it's difficult. In most cases, raising your children in a way which is completely contrary to how many of their friends are raised, can lead to bigger problems, so one has to do it thoughtfully and carefully, with a lot of davening. Either way, we try our best to raise them to be responsible for themselves rather than expecting from others. I tell them that in the future, I want to WANT to help them, but I don't want to feel that I HAVE TO.
And in one area, we have seen the fruits of this. Every time we do something for them, whether it be a trip, or a present, or something else out of the normal realm of life, each child will thank us multiple times. And this thanking is certainly not out of rote, but a true expression of thanks.
And when that happens, there is an inner desire from us, to do more "extras" for them. It's just a natural reaction.
A couple of months ago, one rocket landed in the Golan killing 12 Druze children. It was a horrific attack, and everybody agreed that they were not specifically targeted. It just "happened." Yet, for nearly a year now, we have had thousands of rockets fired at us on a daily basis, yet the casualties have been surprisingly low. Yes, unfortunately, 80,000 are still homeless. People have no idea what physical, mental, and spiritual damage is happening right now. However, it is still something of note, that despite everything, we have seen miracle after miracle. Iran's failed attack. Hezbollah's many "mass attacks." The recent two-day "Beeper" operation that knocked out thousands of Hezbollah's fighters. Things that seem only to occur in movies.
Heck, just last week, I was walking with the kids, and we saw an Iron Dome missile fly over our heads intercepting either a rocket or a suicide drone. We watched the whole thing happen. No sirens went off, and if you were not looking or were in a noisy area where you could not hear the explosion, you would have had no idea that something just happened.
Most people don't know that a large attack on Route 6, Israel's north-south highway was recently averted. Or how many terrorists are being caught being smuggled into the country. Or how a tunnel stockpiled with weapons was discovered in Nazareth. You probably didn't hear of the teenagers who were armed with homemade explosives and were about to start attacking cars near the entrance to where we live.
Day after day, there are miracles after miracles. Yes, unfortunately, there have been casualties as well, but looking at the bigger picture, one is forced to admit, that it very easily could be far, far worse.
My most excellent proof-reader in Haifa (who wishes to remain anonymous) wants to add:
It's written in Tehillim (117): "Praise the Lord, all nations, laud Him, all peoples. For His kindness has overwhelmed us, and the truth of the Lord is eternal…." Why do "all people", need to praise Hashem and not just Jews? Because our enemies know more than we do how much they have planned to hurt and destroy us, and yet were thwarted without our knowledge.
We should constantly remind ourselves about these open and hidden miracles that take place every day and give proper thanks for them. Hopefully, with our recognition of the good that is being done for us, He will continue to give us more. Because, quite frankly, we all need it.
With that, I leave you with wishes for a wonderful and quiet Shabbos.