About the War and Loving Israel

Time for a reality check. I have to be honest. This war took a toll on me. And I bet it also did on you in some way or another.

I was really shocked at the missile that fell in Beit Shemesh because it was so close to home.

I have been working all my life to get out of this victim mentality, and I feel like us living in Israel and really all Jews, have turned into victims. Victims of the world's hatred, antisemitism, victims of missiles from our enemies. Victims of psychopaths who have too much control over our lives.

We are such victims. 

And yet, we LIVE in ISRAEL. We are back in our homeland, and I want to tell you something, we are doing pretty good. Yeah, we have our shares of problems and it’s not easy building a life here. Like in a way that sometimes makes you mad because it doesn’t have to be this way if we had more respect for each other, but these annoyances are small in comparison to what we get from living here.

We are the characters in the prophecy of the Jews returning to their land. We aren’t doing other people a favor by living here. We are doing ourselves a favor, because this land is infused with gifts of holiness and simple, humble, radiant beauty.

It might not be the place for every Jew to live, but it’s a home for every Jew. This land waited for us for 2,000 years. Hashem made it stay desolate and not respond to anyone else, saving it for us. He prepared it all for us because he loves us, thinks about us, and cares about us. 

We think we are victims to the Holocaust too. We built this country on holocaust ideology, stepping into the victim role, that we were gassed and burned and we can do whatever we want now, including hating and being violent to the certain residents who live around us. 

It took me years to realize that how unhealthy my connection to the holocaust was, possibly because I was named after my great aunt who died in it,  and I’m not saying that we can’t mourn the loss, but do we have to live in it constantly, and build our lives around the past?

Certain media outlets want us to keep feeling bad for ourselves because it keeps us in the victim narrative, which ultimately leads us to excusing behaviors that are inexcusable. When we are victims, we blame others for our problems, and you know what? We are actually right. A victim is not insane or making anything up and we may be in a difficult position because of things that we had no control over.

But it’s a miserable place to hang out in. I like to hang out in a place where I feel I have control to do something about it. 

We don’t have to live in that holocaust mentality. We are so traumatized that we think it’s going to happen again, but look around you. Is it really like that? I think we are just wrapped up in the news and stories that then affect our perception of reality.

I think life is so much better than we think it is.

And again, I’m not saying we don’t have issues. As an Integrative wellness coach, I am exposed to many health issues.

Anyone in the health care, teaching, coaching, and therapy world is exposed to problems. Every parent and caretaker knows the struggle of hunger, tears, pain, and exhaustion. But that is what it means to be human.

Problems were always human since the day we came around. There’s an opinion that says that Adam’s hands were closed and people didn’t have fingers until Noach was born. Try preparing food like that. Difficulties, problems and wars always existed. 

The difference is that today we have extended exposure to everything that’s going on all over the world, and we can get lost in it if we let it. We can get lost in the fear and forget about the good stuff, the blessings.

I love that I get to watch the building of this land right in front of my eyes and I consider it a privilege. I do not like the beeping and banging noises, but I know that it is worth it, and thank Hashem for headphones and earplugs.

I love that I can travel to the coolest places within just a few hours.

I love that the life and culture here is built around our beloved holidays. 

I love that it gets so quiet and peaceful in my neighborhood on Shabbos.

I love that the roads and parks are filled with children and older people.

I love that we have built in friends and neighbors in apartment city living.

I love the trees, grass, and homes in the moshavim.

I love that it takes time for packages to come, and we get to appreciate and savor the wait.

I love that my children speak two languages, and that they know our ancient language of the Torah.

I love that you can find a community with people who speak your language and feel at home.

I love that we have a thriving book and print industry.

I love that the Torah I learn here is like drinking sweet water.

I love the dry air of the hot summers.

I love that my children use public transportation and are surrounded by their people.

I love that the sky is lower here, and it feels like Hashem is so so close.

I love that it’s the land in which Hashem watches with scrutiny, and how I can feel that even when there are missiles, He’s holding them and protecting us all.

I love how the sirens remind me of the great shofar that we’ll hear when Mashiach is here.

I love that there are more Jews in Israel now than the rest of the world, so we’ve reached a point of no return.

I love the schools and the education my children receive from their dedicated teachers and staff.

I love that my husband works in a company focused on inclusivity and diversity with all kinds of cultures, religions and observance levels working together.

I love the early childhood care system, the private ganim, maonim, and registered ganim and the loving women who work in them.

I love that having children is a value.

I love the fresh produce, and the delicious taste of an Israeli salad with parsley, purple onion and techina (supper idea).

I love that Geula is so close and you can hear it, feel it, smell it, see it, and taste it.

I love my country, and it’s not because anyone’s forcing me to or convincing me that I deserve anything. It’s because it’s simply Hashem’s palace, and a land that we get to keep more mitzvos and feel close to G-d.