In life we all make choices. We choose what time to get up in the morning. We choose what to wear. Some choose whether or not to daven, whether or not to carpool, take the car or the bus. We worry over whether or not one type of yogurt for breakfast might have more sugar or too much fat. We can’t decide if we want orange juice with pulp or without. Every second of every day we are busy deciding.
Who should we marry—is he too loud? Is he too introspective? How will he act with children? What will she look like in five years if she is already slightly on the puffy side? Is she anorexic? She seems so thin. She might be too close to her family. Would she leave with me to Israel to fulfill my wish in life?
What school should we send our children to? This one is too frum; that one is too lenient. That one has more professional days than the other.
The choices throughout life go on and on. They never seem to end. Some in the beginning may seem simple, and others, as life continues on, can become much more complicated.
Today we watched the excitement of a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight arriving at Ben Gurion Airport. As the young and old deplaned we envied them. The variance in age amazed us. Every time we see this event taking place, Nina has tears running down her cheeks and we feel totally in awe of those who have made this critical decision. Parents with little and big children. On this particular flight there were six sets of twins, 70 lone soldiers, 26 medical professionals and many others from all over the United States and Canada. The oldest oleh on this flight is 79 years old.
Why are more of us not making this choice? We know that it is not easy. When we discussed this possibility many years ago, Nina was convinced that her parents would “kill her” if we were to make such a move. In later years, we had Naama to be concerned about. We are sure that many of the same concerns are facing those who make the choice today to make that phone call to Nefesh B’Nefesh.
How easy can it be to pick up one’s entire life and start again? Yet, where else do we really belong but in Israel? We look back at our reasons for not making the plunge and regret that we were not stronger in our commitment. There will never be a time when it is not the right time to make such a life-altering decision. We have heard them all. “We should have gone when our kids were younger; they don’t have the correct job opportunities for our field; I am so afraid of my boys going into the army; my aging parents need me.” There is no question that all of these concerns are valid and worrisome. We lived our lives with the same concerns and yet cannot believe that those who were on that flight yesterday did not, in many ways, have at least as many doubts as to whether or not their decision was valid. There is never a perfect time for anything in life.
We have learned that now is the best time for most things. Procrastination and worry does nothing to add to the quality of life. Kol hakavod to those who were on that plane yesterday and to the thousands of others who have made their choice to live in Israel. Going home should be natural for all of us.
How sad it is that many, including ourselves, will one day go home in a box. How much more meaningful it would have been to have brought up our children in their true homeland. Hatzlacha to all who have made aliyah this summer and in the future. We salute you.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
