For Educators and Parents: Lessons from a Summer War
For Educators and Parents: Lessons from a Summer War

Everyone learned and took away different things from the extraordinary events of the difficult and challenging summer we just experienced. With your permission, I would like to share a few of my own feelings. Some may be familiar to you; others less so. I will also suggest several related topics for classroom or Shabbat table discussions.

1. Unity and action

The most noteworthy aspect – and the one which garnered the most attention – was the way every sector of society rallied around Am Yisrael and the IDF. In fact, I am not sure that we have yet fully grasped the scope and the depth of this support.

Two such stories caught my attention: During the war, an IDF reserves battalion was sent up North to relieve a unit of regular conscripts, who were needed on the frontlines. In general, as anyone who has ever served in the reserves – especially during an emergency situation – knows, adult soldiers cannot wait to be released and to be allowed to return to their normal lives. And yet, in this case, when the reservists heard that the regular conscripts were being sent back to their sector directly from the battlefield, the reservists all volunteered to stay another week - so that the conscripts could enjoy some well-needed rest and relaxation.

The second story took place in an absorption center in a southern town which is largely populated by new immigrants from Ethiopia. At their own initiative, these immigrants – most of whom are in dire financial straits - donated 6,000 NIS from their own pockets to buy presents for the soldiers. Moreover, the gifts were not designated for soldiers whom they knew personally, but rather for “our soldiers” in the broadest sense of the term.

A suggested question for discussion: Who is the “real” Am Yisrael? Is the real Am Yisrael the one which is characterized by our normal dose of infighting and all-too-often bitter arguments, but which, during the war, deviated atypically and momentarily from its true self? Or perhaps the opposite is correct, and the real Am Yisrael is actually the one we encountered in the summer? Do we belong to a wonderful, loving, and ideological nation, whose unique attributes are not always apparent but nevertheless always exist? The many implications of this distinction are connected to our faith in Am Yisrael’s unique stature and in our ability to help it endure and emerge, b’ezrat Hashem, even in our everyday lives.

2. A Sober Look

With the war apparently over, many have spoken of the importance of doing what we can to continue the summer’s achdut (unity and cohesiveness). Realistically, however, we must admit that chances are that we will eventually fall back into our old patterns, and that some of the infighting will not only return but may even increase. Yet, there is no need to despair. This is the way of the world, and we must be thankful that during the summer, we were privileged to observe society’s underlying strength, and that b’ezrat Hashem, we will slowly but surely bring it back again.

This can be compared to a group of hikers walking through a deep canyon. At some point, they start to feel as if they have been wandering aimlessly for ages and that there is no end in sight. Sensing their despondency, their guide leads them to the top of a nearby mountain. Suddenly, they are able to look back and see how far they have come and to look forward and see how close they are to their final destination. Afterwards, they are able to resume their march through the canyon, invigorated and energized by what they saw from the mountain top. We too have now returned to our daily routines, but we draw strength and inspiration from our brief encounter with this nation’s invincibility. We now know who we are and where we are headed.

3. Kim’a kim’a

There are those who admit that Am Yisrael shook off its dust and revealed its long-hidden strengths - on the frontlines and in civilian life. Nevertheless, they are frustrated that this display of Israeli fortitude was incomplete and that, in their opinion, Am Yisrael hesitated and “didn’t finish the job.” But we must realize that the Geulah (Redemption) comes “kim’a kim’a” (“bit by bit”) - even in this context. Therefore, we must rejoice that we are that much closer, and we must accept that things cannot happen as suddenly or as quickly as we would like. Change happens gradually – even under these circumstances - and requires patience and diligence as well as forbearance and faith.

4. “My brothers I do seek” (Breishit 37:16)

Some of our students tend to believe that “we religious Jews” are the best, the most ideological, and to a great extent, the only ones who truly care about the State of Israel; and that everyone else is… busy with other things.

What did the recent war teach us about different types of Jews - about Russian immigrants and about secular Israelis from Tel Aviv? About kibbutznikim from the North and about the residents of poorer neighborhoods in the South? Not to mention all the different types of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for each other. What can we conclude about their stereotypes and stigmas, and what is our role going forward?

5. The Hundred Year War

Jewish history books written during the Messianic era about our own time will omit names like “Protective Edge,” “Cast Lead,” or “Pillar of Defense,” which will simply be considered part of the “Hundred Year War of Independence,” or even more simply, the “Great War of Independence.” We must take a broad look at current events, and we must understand that through the battles and the difficulties, we are coming home - to our land and especially to ourselves. Even during the war, new olim continued to arrive here - not just from anti-Semitic France but even from the United States and Canada. The Geulah process continues to grow and develop, and we all grow and develop along with it.

6. Homework

The classroom or home discussion should conclude with the question: “What can I personally take away from this past summer in general and from this discussion in particular?” Have the participants think about what they learned about themselves in terms of faith, the power of prayer, and so on.

In addition, suggest that they resolve (either privately or perhaps sharing some of their responses with the group): “In light of my experiences this past summer, what changes do I want to make during the upcoming year?” This exercise sets the tone for the new year and helps establish specific goals for growth and development - both on a personal level and on a national level.

Instead of focusing on the question of how Am Yisrael must change in order to avoid the pitfalls of the past, let us concentrate on what we want and need to change personally - for our own sakes and for the sake of the nation as a whole.

“Bless us, our Father, all of us as one.”

(From the daily Amidah prayer)

May the old year and its curses end; may the new year and its blessings begin.

Best wishes for a shanah tovah and a fruitful, productive school year,