What an amazing people we are. Just four weeks ago, who didn’t shed a tear at the vile, disgusting murder of the six hostages who were just seconds away from being rescued by the IDF? And fast forward to today, when we all watched the Israeli programming on Motzei Shabbat that began with the news anchor celebrating the elimination of Nasrallah, and witnessed the clapping and singing and sheer pride and happiness on the faces of the newscasters. With the New Year beginning shortly, we pray and think constantly of what the fate of the other hostages will be, and when this crazy war will come to an end. I am amazed when I see interviews with some of the released hostages. I cannot believe their resilience and fortitude. Cpl. Ori Megidish, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and later rescued from captivity in the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defense Forces, returned to active duty. It has to be a special grit that Israelis are imbued with. If only we all knew the recipe.
As we embark on this new year, with each of us begging Hashem to help end this war and bring the hostages home, what have we as Americans learned from this painful experience? For one thing, I hope we realize that this is not our real home. Circumstances in every community have shown us that things are not much different in the U.S. than they were during the scourge of the war declared by Hitler on the Jews of Eastern Europe.
Some could say that the writing is on the wall.
Yet there are many other lessons which we should be learning from this disastrous past year of pain and sorrow among our brothers and sisters in Israel. I think we need to put into proper perspective what we believe are some of our “world shattering” issues: those within the confines of our homes, within our families and within our communities. Maybe it should not be as important what color the dresses are at a wedding? Maybe every family that is receiving from Tomchei Shabbos could receive flowers as well for the coming chagim instead of people spending a fortune on them at a simcha? Maybe the agonizing time spent on how many courses should be served at each Yom Tov meal could be simplified: Instead of six, three? Maybe it is not necessary to serve chicken as well as meat? Maybe on Yom Tov after eating a major meal at lunch we could whittle down our meal in the evening to something less extravagant with far fewer courses? Everyone would probably enjoy it that much more! Maybe it should not matter that our in-laws invited their other children instead of us for a meal? Maybe there is a reason why they spend more time with one child than the other.
Maybe local shuls should be more welcoming to different types of people. Let us always remember that anyone who is born from a Jewish mother, no matter which lifestyle they choose, is Jewish. Maybe it is time for us to be more encouraging of our children to play with the neighbors’ kids even though they are not shomer Shabbat. And to carry it a step further, if a Jewish child in this community does not go to a Jewish school, that does not mean in any way that they should be excluded by neighboring children when it comes to parties and groups in shul. Maybe when a new person attends a shul for the first time he should automatically be greeted by someone who is familiar with the regulars.
Would it not be wonderful after this year of despair if we took it upon ourselves to change our behaviors just slightly in order to honor the memories of the tzadikim who were killed in Israel and those who are still either hostages, families of hostages or those living under the constant threat of being invaded once again with rockets etc? This should be much easier for those who find it difficult to constantly receive appeals for worthwhile causes in Israel. Changing our own personal behavior might be the best gift we can give our families and communities for the coming year. I just received an appeal for the group from Shlomit that is still living in the Kings Hotel in Jerusalem, displaced from their homes up North since last January when we spent time with them. Chaval—so many tragedies. It is easier to send money, for most, than to change our own behavior. Perhaps now is the time for those who can do both, and for those who cannot, for the sake of everyone, try to work on yourself.
Wishing everyone a peaceful, healthy and satisfying new year. Thank you to so many who read these articles and are in touch. They are directly from my heart. Shana Tova U’metukah.
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].
