SHABBAT SHALOM -- PINCHAS -- MY HEART IS IN THE SOUTH, AND I AM IN - TopicsExpress



          

SHABBAT SHALOM -- PINCHAS -- MY HEART IS IN THE SOUTH, AND I AM IN JERUSALEM It was preternaturally quiet this Friday morning as I stepped into the bright yet soothing sunshine. Each sound -- the sudden caw of the grackles, the sweetness of the violin as if on cue, suddenly sounded as I entered the road, and the eruption of a car alarm, quickly silenced, brought me and those around me to a flash of attention -- you could see all eyes dart in discordant unison, casing the sidewalk for the quickest shelter, as the hair on my neck raised to greet each unexpected noise. There is a wariness on the street to be sure -- yet life continues apace. If anything, there is even a bit more concern in regular interactions -- gentle humanity underscored as flowers and wine are bought, with a smile, for Shabbat. There is a news crawl on the television channels -- there is an app called Red Alert -- regular programming is punctuated by the latest updates -- one can keep track in real time, of the missiles and rockets launched across Israel. Just in the last 45 minutes, I see four missiles wantonly launched against civilian targets in the south. Yes -- for us in Jerusalem, one has absorbed a couple of sirens, hears the explosions (and perhaps sees the wisps of smoke as the Iron Dome destroys missiles midair), and then, please God, continues in routine. In the south, life is lived more tenuously, perhaps in a bomb shelter (miklat). Children singing songs about preparedness, which are meant to give comfort -- to normalize these disruptions and dangers, assimilating them into daily life -- youtube/watch?v=1LG2Qkcn7iM The gratitude that I have for the Iron Dome defense system is profound. Amid the casual breeziness of Israeli society, there is precision. This system, largely funded by the USA, helps millions of citizens breath a touch more easily. The respect that I have for members of the IDF -- and the Security Forces -- youth, just a bit older than my oldest, who give of themselves and disrupt their lives in order for cafes to be open, children to sweetly run in the parks, and for a sense of disciplined calm to permeate, has no words worthy of my description. I was walking a bit in the Arab Quarter in the Old City yesterday -- Jew and Arab, truly live side by side -- and life went on -- I pray with all of my might that deep yet painful conversations are yet to be had that can positively change this paradigm and this whirlwind -- that decision-makers and leaders are guided by a heart filled with awe-filled connection to their populace, and that children are given a place of privilege. May mendacious rhetoric and empty slogans be stopped -- may narratives be opened to complexity -- and may we all, without harsh judgment, admit that faults and limitations exist everywhere, amid the regular sounds of the day. May all of our children have the gift of seeing the bright sunshine, and feel the coolness of evening on their cheek -- may all of our children feel the caress of a loving hand, and a society that reminds them that they are valued and wanted. And as Shabbat arrives, may a hudna (ceasefire) present, that can bring better days ahead. May we continue to thrive, in all of our places, and place our hearts, even just a bit, in the south, as the sun descends. Shabbat Shalom.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 13:58:36 +0000

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