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The The Good Our Eyes Have Seen
by Naomi Ragen
I have been writing about all the difficulties, but now I want to write you
about all the truly wonderful things that I have seen and heard in the last few
days.
I have seen soldiers sent to tear people from their homes welcomed like
brothers. I have seen soldiers act like Jewish brothers and sisters, crying with
those they were ordered to evict. I have seen soldiers and those evicted praying
together, singing together, hugging each other.
All over the world, everyone has seen how Jews behave even in the worst of
circumstances.
Yes, there was violence. Young men who physically fought and attacked the
oncoming troops sent to remove them from the roof of their synagogue. But there
were no serious injuries on either side. And they were universally condemned for
raising their hands to their brothers in uniform.
I have seen dozens of volunteers, maybe hundreds, going to the hotels and other
sites where shell-shocked deportees arrived, many with small children, without
diapers, or changes of clothing. Meals were organized. My neighbor's boys
started day camps for the kids.
Toys and snacks were distributed. Shampoos, men's white shirts were piled up for
the Sabbath. Laundry was collected by volunteers and washed and returned. Whole
communities collected funds and items to contribute. Hot lines were set up for
people to volunteer their time, money, supplies, homes, meals...whatever our
brothers and sisters from Gush Katif need in this terrible hour.
A reader writes me now: "My 15-year old daughter went to Ashkelon yesterday to
help the residents of Ganei Tal rebuild hothouses. The trip was organized by
Bnei Akiva and included a bus from Raanana."
This past Shabbat, Rabbi Benjamin Ish-Shalom, a renown Jerusalem Rabbi, and a
member of our congregation, got up to speak. It was the Sabbath of Comfort, that
traditionally follows the 9th of Av. He told us the following: Why was Rachel
chosen to plead to God for the return of the Jewish People after the Exile? The
Talmud story is that all the patriarchs and matriarchs wanted that honor. But
Rachel argued the following: You know that Jacob loved me above everyone. And I
loved him. Seven years he worked for me, and I waited. When the time came for
our marriage, my father decided to give him my sister instead. Despite the
terrible injustice done to me, I overcame my jealousy and did not hate my
sister. I cooperated with her and taught her all the secret signs so that she
wouldn't be humiliated. But you God, look how jealous You are of false,
worthless Gods that you punish my children with exile.
And God said: I will listen to Rachel.
We should have no bad feelings in our hearts towards our fellow Jews, Rabbi Ish
Shalom told us. We should not forget what our eyes have seen. All the things our
eyes have seen, and from that place we should go forward as one family to build
our nation in strength and love and commitment.
Even the left-leaning television reporters seem suddenly overwhelmed by the
strength and love of the settlers as the last settlement, Netzarim, is
destroyed. These settlers are right in the middle of Gaza. They need constant
army protection, and have become very close with the soldiers assigned to
protect them. There will be no violence in Netzarim. Soldiers and settlers will
pray together for the last time in the synagogue, whose striking Menorah has
already been taken down from the roof, and will be carried out with them, a
reminder.
God bless the Jewish people who will care for each other, no matter the
incompetence of their politicians and civil servants.
Amen.
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