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With renewed violence from Gaza, last week was filled with
emotions for everyone in Israel. I too was glued to the internet, TV and
Twitter and when Radio Galgalatz intercepted programming every few minutes to
warn of incoming rockets, we were all gripped with fear, even if we did not
have to run for shelter.
emotions for everyone in Israel. I too was glued to the internet, TV and
Twitter and when Radio Galgalatz intercepted programming every few minutes to
warn of incoming rockets, we were all gripped with fear, even if we did not
have to run for shelter.
When the ceasefire was announced, I felt relief, doubt and
confusion. And with this lull, my soldier son was granted his first leave to
come home for Shabbat. Although we had not seen him in four days, it felt like it
had been months. I simply wanted him to relax
and sleep. I wanted to do his laundry, to make him his favorite food and to hug
him.
confusion. And with this lull, my soldier son was granted his first leave to
come home for Shabbat. Although we had not seen him in four days, it felt like it
had been months. I simply wanted him to relax
and sleep. I wanted to do his laundry, to make him his favorite food and to hug
him.
From our hurried conversations during the week, I knew basic
training was no picnic. I could hear the shock in his voice, knew of his aching
muscles, and his frustration. Deep inside, I panicked. What had I done by bringing
him from Canada to Israel? Instead of being woken up and commanded to run outside,
stand in formation in a cold, dark night, change into uniform, go back to bed
only to get out, up, out, dressed and undressed again and again and again, he could
have been lounging in a Starbucks somewhere, studying for university mid-terms.
training was no picnic. I could hear the shock in his voice, knew of his aching
muscles, and his frustration. Deep inside, I panicked. What had I done by bringing
him from Canada to Israel? Instead of being woken up and commanded to run outside,
stand in formation in a cold, dark night, change into uniform, go back to bed
only to get out, up, out, dressed and undressed again and again and again, he could
have been lounging in a Starbucks somewhere, studying for university mid-terms.
I thought about him every hour of the day and anxiously awaited
those brief phone calls before he went to sleep. But when he called on Thursday
evening, I detected a change in his voice. He sounded confident, proud and
stronger. Yes, he had a good day and yes, we would see him tomorrow.
those brief phone calls before he went to sleep. But when he called on Thursday
evening, I detected a change in his voice. He sounded confident, proud and
stronger. Yes, he had a good day and yes, we would see him tomorrow.
When we excitedly ran to meet him at the bus stop, I saw a
soldier sitting on a bench, elbows resting wearily on knees. “My son,” I
gasped, barely recognizing him. As he stood up in those black boots, he seemed
taller than when I had last seen him, some four days ago. He gave us a big grin
and a warm hug.
soldier sitting on a bench, elbows resting wearily on knees. “My son,” I
gasped, barely recognizing him. As he stood up in those black boots, he seemed
taller than when I had last seen him, some four days ago. He gave us a big grin
and a warm hug.
In Israel, a soldier commands respect and is part of
something greater, as if he treads on a special red carpet. In synagogue on
Saturday, he was given an aliyah and a special blessing. Our rabbi honored him
with words of strength and the community congratulated him on his new
role.
something greater, as if he treads on a special red carpet. In synagogue on
Saturday, he was given an aliyah and a special blessing. Our rabbi honored him
with words of strength and the community congratulated him on his new
role.
This will be a hard, long road. Every parent knows this all too well. But to
see our children shine, flourish and give of themselves to be part of something
greater is a privilege. Early Sunday morning, when he leaped out of bed,
eagerly put on his uniform, and tucked his woolen beret into his shoulder lapel
with a flourish, I felt confident that being in Israel really is the best thing
for him.
see our children shine, flourish and give of themselves to be part of something
greater is a privilege. Early Sunday morning, when he leaped out of bed,
eagerly put on his uniform, and tucked his woolen beret into his shoulder lapel
with a flourish, I felt confident that being in Israel really is the best thing
for him.
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