As I write this, we are in the midst of an insane series of events. My head is reeling when I think of it all, and there is no way of knowing what will happen next.
What cataclysmic event is on its way?
April began with the Biblical Feast of Passover, and that is always a wonderful time. While we all work very hard cleaning the house, preparing the food and welcoming our many guests, the holiday is one of joy and thanksgiving, for God’s salvation of our people thousands of years ago and for the miracles that we continue to experience each and every day.
Just following Passover, we commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day and heard the testimonies of those Holocaust survivors who are still amongst us. A sober reminder that antisemitism has been with us for a very long time.
Just two weeks after Passover, each year, we commemorate and celebrate—we remember the fallen soldiers who fought to protect us in Israel’s many wars as well as the victims of Arab terror who were murdered by those who are still trying to destroy the entire Jewish people, every single living Jew. And then we celebrate our independence, the rebirth of our nation as a modern country reconstituted in our ancient homeland. This year, those two days were loaded with emotions of every kind.
In January 2024, my nephew Amichai Oster fell in battle in Gaza as he fought to protect his people and his family. Since then, my whole family has personally experienced the tragedy of so many fallen soldiers, who fell in battles forced upon us by murderous, evil people, who will stop at nothing to destroy Israel. And this war that began on 7 October 2023, has been like no other war in our history. The horrible massacres of that terrible day, the ongoing savagery against our hostages, the terrible accusations against Israel of genocide, war crimes and similar—there doesn’t seem to be an end to any of it!
“Twenty thousand dunams of forest were burned to ash. And it looks as if most of these fires were arson—a different form of terrorism, but just as dangerous as bombs and guns.”
This year, the memorial ceremony at the Karnei Shomron cemetery was truly heartbreaking. We stood there, bending our heads in respect, praying to God, singing, listening to the words of the orphans and widows. We stood around the graves of the nine brave soldiers from Karnei Shomron who fell in this horrible war. Nine men in the space of just a year and a half from a town of just 11,000 people. Terrible!
And then the news began to trickle in. Fires were spotted in various forested areas between Bet Shemesh and Jerusalem. Just one week earlier, we had experienced similar fires, but it did not take that long to bring them under control. My mother and brother-in- law left the cemetery to return to Shoresh, where my mother lives in a senior residential complex. As they neared the moshav, fires were roaring on either side of the road, threatening to reach their car. They just escaped the flames and spent hours looking for a safe place to be until they got home. Later that night, my mother was evacuated, together with 400 senior citizens, many in wheelchairs or using walkers.
And all along, the fires continued to burn. Twenty thousand dunams of forest were burned to ash. And it looks as if most of these fires were arson—a different form of terrorism, but just as dangerous as bombs and guns. Thank God no one was killed and only a few were lightly injured. But even as the fires continued to rage, Palestinian social media encouraged ongoing arson and attacks against Jews.
The fires were not controlled until the following morning. But all the Independence Celebrations of the evening before were cancelled. Even those areas far away from the fires had to cancel their celebrations because there were not enough police and fire officers to protect large gatherings— they were all fighting fires and protecting citizens threatened by the fires. We had looked forward to a release from the mourning, to the opportunity to celebrate the miracles even as we remembered our fallen. We went to the synagogue and sang prayers of Thanksgiving for the miracle of the State of Israel. But instead of heading to the town centre for fireworks and celebrations, we went home and remained glued to the television, hoping that the fires would end soon.
The following morning we returned to our Independence Day Celebrations, prayers, feasts and the traditional barbecues. The fires had been controlled but there was something else in the air —a sobering atmosphere that reminded us that nothing can be taken for granted. At any moment, things can change, new crises can emerge, new dangers can arise.
We celebrated Shabbat, interrupted by the standard Houthi missile that was intercepted on time. But then on Sunday morning, a supersonic missile hit Ben Gurion Airport, landing in a field just outside the terminal. It was a miracle that no one was seriously hurt. Most of the foreign airlines have cancelled their flights for the coming days, and it is not at all clear if and when they will return.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of emergency draft notices were issued in anticipation of a huge offensive in Gaza. More uncertainty. My son went off to war for the fourth time since 7 October, and it is only a matter of time until my other son is called up.
As we look ahead, we have no idea what will happen next. What we will experience tomorrow, next week or next month. By the time this article is published, so much will have changed again. The ongoing roller coaster of our lives is frightening. But there is one certainty that gives us great comfort and helps us look forward with confidence and calm. We know that God will not abandon us. That no matter how difficult the process, we are in the process of redemption. A process that will conclude with the fulfilment of God’s promises:
“And many peoples shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3).
One day, the evil will be gone. The entire world will worship the one God of Israel. You are from the nations, and you believe and accept God’s word.
May His word reach the entire world quickly. May we all rejoice in the complete redemption. Amen.
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