It was too good to be true... We in Israel finally had some headlines that we could be proud of. Col. Ilan Ramon, an Israeli fighter pilot who had flown missions during the Yom Kippur War and had participated in the destruction of Iraq's nuclear reactor, blasted off into space with kosher food, a prayer book and mezuzah in hand. He also had in his heart an intention to keep Shabbat. Yep, the whole world read about it and heard him say, ?I feel I am representing all Jews and all Israelis. I am a kind of proof that even with all of the hard times, we can go on.? Talk about the ?right stuff?!
But, alas, it seems that the ?road to hell is paved with good intentions? - just ask the media, as they lie in wait under every rock along the path. And Ilan Ramon is, after all, only human and a bit of a space cadet at that. On Saturday night, the news coming off the international wire was, ?Israel's First Astronaut Busy, Forgets Sabbath?. I nearly gagged on my breakfast as I read it again in screaming morning headlines. Col. Ilan Ramon was so busy with all the experiments that he ?didn't even have the chance to think about the Sabbath.?
The truth is, Col. Ramon, that I?m not really too upset about you missing Shabbat in space. I imagine there are varying rabbinic opinions and questions with regard to how, when and if one needs to observe the Sabbath in outer space. Besides, it?s easy for a secular Jew to forget things like the holiness of the seventh day of creation. I remember how I first struggled with Shabbat observance. And, after all these years, my family and I still manage to inadvertently chalk up numerous violations in that weekly 25-hour period. We?re still learning. And we in Israel are still proud of our first astronaut and his good intentions. We wish you a successful mission and safe trip home. But, it?s just those headlines that I find so embarrassing. So please, Col. Ramon, if the dehydrated ham and eggs looks and smells better than your kosher fare, do me a favor - summon up the strength of a true hero and stick with the concentrated cholent. No more headlines, please!
Next Shabbat, if it helps to bring you down to earth and remember, try thinking about Rabbi Netanel Ozeri, 34 years old and and father of five. While you were working in space, he was gunned down by terrorists in front of his children and guests as he was sitting at his Shabbat table.
And while you?re up there, Col. Ramon, do me a favor and take a picture of the earth - I want to see if it?s more tilted on its axis than usual. It sure does feel like it.
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Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.
But, alas, it seems that the ?road to hell is paved with good intentions? - just ask the media, as they lie in wait under every rock along the path. And Ilan Ramon is, after all, only human and a bit of a space cadet at that. On Saturday night, the news coming off the international wire was, ?Israel's First Astronaut Busy, Forgets Sabbath?. I nearly gagged on my breakfast as I read it again in screaming morning headlines. Col. Ilan Ramon was so busy with all the experiments that he ?didn't even have the chance to think about the Sabbath.?
The truth is, Col. Ramon, that I?m not really too upset about you missing Shabbat in space. I imagine there are varying rabbinic opinions and questions with regard to how, when and if one needs to observe the Sabbath in outer space. Besides, it?s easy for a secular Jew to forget things like the holiness of the seventh day of creation. I remember how I first struggled with Shabbat observance. And, after all these years, my family and I still manage to inadvertently chalk up numerous violations in that weekly 25-hour period. We?re still learning. And we in Israel are still proud of our first astronaut and his good intentions. We wish you a successful mission and safe trip home. But, it?s just those headlines that I find so embarrassing. So please, Col. Ramon, if the dehydrated ham and eggs looks and smells better than your kosher fare, do me a favor - summon up the strength of a true hero and stick with the concentrated cholent. No more headlines, please!
Next Shabbat, if it helps to bring you down to earth and remember, try thinking about Rabbi Netanel Ozeri, 34 years old and and father of five. While you were working in space, he was gunned down by terrorists in front of his children and guests as he was sitting at his Shabbat table.
And while you?re up there, Col. Ramon, do me a favor and take a picture of the earth - I want to see if it?s more tilted on its axis than usual. It sure does feel like it.
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Ellen Horowitz, a painter and writer, lives on the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.