Monday, June 26, 2006

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.


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4 Comments:

Blogger Cynthia Johnston said...

The news coming in from Israel and especially Gaza is frightening. I'm sending you and your beautiful family prayers and best wishes for continued joy and safety.

Talk to you when you come home.

Much love from your pal, Cindy Lou

1:28 AM  
Blogger Puckpan said...

Israel will stop being a frightening place to live when Zionist Jews in whose name the country was founded stop being racist and zenophobic and allow other races, nationalities, and religions to live in Israel in peace (especially the Palestinians who have a claim no that land).

When that happens all of Israel's (self-created) enemies will not be enemies any more because Israel will be their land too.

12:24 PM  
Blogger Sally Swift said...

I allowed this comment to publish because it's always important to shine light on ignorance.

4:58 AM  
Blogger Cynthia Johnston said...

Welcome home, Sally. It was wonderful talking to you this morning. I can't wait to see your next entries. I was astounded to hear how different Israel sounded from your "on the ground" perspective vs what it looks like in the media. If you can bear to watch Fox News you will see why I was worried. Even the Rocky Mountain News had massive conflagration on its front cover yesterday.

Love and light to you, my friend. And thanks for the love and light you shone on me today.

12:23 PM  

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