The Promised Land

"Prayers go up and blessings come down." Yiddish Proverb

It's not time yet for my yearly visit to our family in Israel. But we're going anyway. Because we've got two "simchas" to celebrate. (A simcha is a very happy, blessed event.) Actually, come to think of it, we're celebrating 4 simchas.

This is the family, you'll remember, with 10 kids. The first three daughters are married. Daughter number 1 just had daughter number 3. Daughter number 3 just had child number 2, daughter number 1.

Try to keep up. I know, it's a challenge.

Kid number 4, also known as Son Number 1 is getting married. And kid number 8, known as Son Number 2 will become a bar mitzvah. All in the span of 2 weeks.

Yeah. Wow.

And yes, Israel's a dangerous place these days. But let's face it, when is Israel NOT a dangerous place?

So we gird our loins, pack our best duds and hop on the plane.

Our family and friends are living in harm's way halfway across the world, doing their part to populate The Promised Land for the rest of us.

The least we can do is celebrate the beauty in their lives. And make it a part of ours.

As always, reports from the Middle East to follow. After the jet lag, the baby kissing, the Sabbath and maybe even the wedding.

A blessing on your house: it should be as happy, loving and fruitful as theirs.