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The end of week 12 of “Josh’s War” is also my seventh week of miluim (reserves). So buckle up, and follow the theme…
Over the past week, I had four days of miluim protecting my city, but I got permission from my commander to take three days off for work. I had the privilege of guiding the joint mission of OU congregations Beth Shalom (Lawrence NY) and Young Israel (Bel Air FL), run by Yaad Israel.
These 40 people came to show solidarity and kindness, to strengthen, support, work, and heal. They came to exemplify unity, peoplehood, and faith. To donate, give, listen, and love. They accomplished these goals in three packed days – from dawn until late at night. By bus, on foot, and in an armored vehicle. They participated in a full-body experience with heart, body, and soul.
Seven weeks... seven is Judaism’s most common number. (Days of the week/ Pessach/ Succot/ Menorah/ Circumambulation of Jericho/ etc.)
Amongst other things, it represents completion and cohesion of the natural and spiritual. For example: six days of creation and creating + one day of Shabbat. Or as a visual: six sides of a cube (representing the physical created universe) + the unseen center (representing the unseen creator of the universe).
As such, you could call it our most “beautiful” number.
Scientists also have a “beautiful” number: the Golden Ratio – 1.618… - due to its appearance in art, nature, and architecture.
As someone who loves the intertwining of science and Torah, I am not surprised that the Ratio’s first two digits are 1+ 6, which equals seven.
How can I possibly write about completion during a war, and beauty during a war?
Well, I can because I am a Jew, and Jews constantly search for meaning.
We were lucky enough to visit Israel's F15 squadron. These men and women of the IAF have been working around the clock for over 80 days to keep our pilots in the air double the airtime of any other air force in the world. The visible cohesion of these crews gives a sense of completion… and you can feel that completion reverberate through your core as a jet fighter takes off right next to you.
We were lucky enough to meet one of Israel's top pilots who spoke with us about Jewish morality in preventing unnecessary deaths… taking measures no other air force does. The beauty of Yiddishkite reverberates through your soul.
We were able to visit Kibbutz Beeri. These kibbutzim are visibly stunning in ascetic beauty and shine with social cohesion. Standing in this “pastoral war zone” soaked in the blood of over 100 slain members (10% of their population), we were shaken to our core. Nonetheless, Lotan, standing in front of his burnt home’s remains, spoke with vision and strength about rebuilding the kibbutz, its beauty and cohesion, to proportions even bigger and better than before.
We volunteer in the vineyards and olive groves of venture capitalist-turned-farmer, Nadav Jesselson.
I remind the participants that in the event of incoming rockets, we lie face down, prone, on the earth.
Nadav reminds them that they have returned home… Jews returning to Judea – Judah’s tribal territory.
In this week’s Torah portion, Yaakov blesses, “Judah, your brethren will praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies… your eyes shall be red with wine…”
We sense completion in connecting with our ancient God-given lands and beauty by resurrecting a long-wasted landscape.
As you can see, my “seventh week” was indeed imbued with completion, cohesion, and beauty.
And of course, you have the “Only In Israel!” occurrences.
Only in Israel does an atheist kibbutznik talk to an orthodox group about the kabbalistic concept of “Hester Panim” (God hiding His face).
Only in Israel does Rebbitzin Rifki happen to be looking for a grave at Mt. Herzl of a fallen soldier she knew, Dekel Suisa, and I happen to notice a weeping bereaved mother, and happen to suggest to Rifki, who happened to be just there, to hug her, only for her to find out that it is Dekel's mother… and only in Israel, 30 minutes later, our guide in the Hall of Remembrance happens to choose his name out of the over-500 recent KIA…
As the mission commenced, I mentioned that the itinerary was great, but from experience, I anticipate that the most meaningful events will be the unplanned ones.
I know for me it was.
It was a moment of seeing True Hessed / Kindness…
We wanted to give chizuk (strength, healing, and hope) to Yossi (whom I mentioned in the week 4 blog). Yossi was shot as Hamas terrorists infiltrated his city of Sderot. The city is still deserted, and this family too is currently displaced. Last I met Yossi he was being released from the hospital. This time, he and his wife met us in their home. Hearing his story, in situ, was even more powerful.
The logistical problem was that we had lunch delivered here, but I realized that we had nowhere to eat. The original idea of eating in a park was too dangerous due to the 10-second missile-landing zone. Solution: Yossi and Tzofia would host us.
Can you imagine? This would be the first time that this couple would be returning to their deserted home... After two months! And we were asking them to host 40 people!! Chutzpah!
In retrospect, I realized that this was the biggest hessed we inadvertently did. This family are hessed-doers. Due to their predicament, they have only been on the receiving side for 80 days. By our request, we enabled them to regain their pre-war status as hosts and givers.
(My intuitive feeling was validated when I happened to see him today… he approached me and said those exact words!) It forced them to give. It made them feel normal... pre-war normal.
Just before Shabbat, I am harshly reminded that we are still at war. My son Yonatan’s friend and former roommate falls in battle. Again, our family is shaken. My foundations feel the cracks.
And then I think about my fellow Jews who are on their way back to the States, but I feel their chizuk still here, still strong, helping me, helping us, cohere and find life and beauty, once again.
L'Chaim! To Life!