Several nights ago, two young men knocked at our door. They carried an official-looking paper and I assumed they wanted a donation to their hesder yeshiva (combining seminary studies with military service).
"No" they exclaimed, "we came to thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"For giving us strength and for giving the Jews all over Israel the strength to carry on the battle for Eretz Yisrael."
"Come in. I want to hear more about this," I said, quite impressed.
The young men of the hesder yeshiva of N'vei Dekalim had decided on their own initiative to speak directly to the people of Gush Katif. So, in twos, they called on each family to compliment them for their bravery in remaining in their homes and communities despite the onslaught of endless bombing.
"How do you people get up in the morning and send your children to school? How do you find the strength to go to morning prayers, go to your jobs, greet each other with a smile and thank G-d for all the goodness he gives you after a night of attacks?
"You must know that not only we, the yeshiva students, admire you, but all of Israel admires you. You give us courage by your behavior and you give the country courage. Israelis, Jews around the world, feel your special spirit and, despite what is happening to you, you are the healthiest people in Israel."
I thanked the young men and told them I was proud of them because they had chosen to study in N'vei Dekalim. I told them that we live with the Shechina, the spirit of the Lord, here in Gush Katif: "He protects us and we in turn protect His land."
I thanked the young men for their visit and then read the lovely letter that they had been holding in their hands.
The next day, I spoke to their Rosh Yeshiva (dean), Rabbi Gavrieli. I told the rabbi how I was impressed by his young men and the fact that they had taken it upon themselves to bring these kind words to our people.
I also recalled that the hesder program itself, which has produced some of the most dedicated soldiers in the IDF, is under attack by the government, fearful of its moral influence.
That night, I went to bed with a smile on my face. Someone had said, "Thank you."
At 2:00am, I was awoken by the sounds of explosions. A barrage of mortars and rockets shook our house and rattled the windows. Another, and another, and another, and soon I lost count. The sounds of the missile attacks were terrifying.
Where was our army? Why was there no response? I heard the sound of machinegun fire for a second or two and then no more. Some flares ascended and quickly fell to the earth. A few tracer bullets were sighted as their red glow beamed across the skyline. The explosions continued. We did not sleep that night.
That same afternoon, we had watched, with knowing trepidation, as our prime minister shook hands with Mahmoud Abbas and began the process of putting our security in the hands of our enemies. Hamas immediately swore they would not abide by any agreement. That night, using the weaponry accumulated during the latest "cease-fire", they bombarded our communities.
The banner headline in the largest Israeli daily, Yediot Acharonot, read: "Peace is Here!"
I hoped that the young men who had visited were safe.
And we got up in the morning, said our prayers, and thanked G-d for His chesed, loving kindness. There had been some property damage, but no injuries or deaths. Our people sent their children to school and we went to work. Another day had begun. We greeted each other with a smile.
The government stated they would give Mr. Abbas another chance. Some of our people protested and were jailed.
"No" they exclaimed, "we came to thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"For giving us strength and for giving the Jews all over Israel the strength to carry on the battle for Eretz Yisrael."
"Come in. I want to hear more about this," I said, quite impressed.
The young men of the hesder yeshiva of N'vei Dekalim had decided on their own initiative to speak directly to the people of Gush Katif. So, in twos, they called on each family to compliment them for their bravery in remaining in their homes and communities despite the onslaught of endless bombing.
"How do you people get up in the morning and send your children to school? How do you find the strength to go to morning prayers, go to your jobs, greet each other with a smile and thank G-d for all the goodness he gives you after a night of attacks?
"You must know that not only we, the yeshiva students, admire you, but all of Israel admires you. You give us courage by your behavior and you give the country courage. Israelis, Jews around the world, feel your special spirit and, despite what is happening to you, you are the healthiest people in Israel."
I thanked the young men and told them I was proud of them because they had chosen to study in N'vei Dekalim. I told them that we live with the Shechina, the spirit of the Lord, here in Gush Katif: "He protects us and we in turn protect His land."
I thanked the young men for their visit and then read the lovely letter that they had been holding in their hands.
The next day, I spoke to their Rosh Yeshiva (dean), Rabbi Gavrieli. I told the rabbi how I was impressed by his young men and the fact that they had taken it upon themselves to bring these kind words to our people.
I also recalled that the hesder program itself, which has produced some of the most dedicated soldiers in the IDF, is under attack by the government, fearful of its moral influence.
That night, I went to bed with a smile on my face. Someone had said, "Thank you."
At 2:00am, I was awoken by the sounds of explosions. A barrage of mortars and rockets shook our house and rattled the windows. Another, and another, and another, and soon I lost count. The sounds of the missile attacks were terrifying.
Where was our army? Why was there no response? I heard the sound of machinegun fire for a second or two and then no more. Some flares ascended and quickly fell to the earth. A few tracer bullets were sighted as their red glow beamed across the skyline. The explosions continued. We did not sleep that night.
That same afternoon, we had watched, with knowing trepidation, as our prime minister shook hands with Mahmoud Abbas and began the process of putting our security in the hands of our enemies. Hamas immediately swore they would not abide by any agreement. That night, using the weaponry accumulated during the latest "cease-fire", they bombarded our communities.
The banner headline in the largest Israeli daily, Yediot Acharonot, read: "Peace is Here!"
I hoped that the young men who had visited were safe.
And we got up in the morning, said our prayers, and thanked G-d for His chesed, loving kindness. There had been some property damage, but no injuries or deaths. Our people sent their children to school and we went to work. Another day had begun. We greeted each other with a smile.
The government stated they would give Mr. Abbas another chance. Some of our people protested and were jailed.