You should never ever need one, but it's good to have one, just in case. It could save lives .
Mamad (acronym for the hebrew 'merchav mugan' - meaning protective space) is a fortified room with reinforced, cemented walls and ceilings, thick floor, airtight steel door and window. It is supposed to be impenetrable to rockets carrying bombs or chemical/biological stuff. In peace time, it can be used as a storage/study/play room, but not as a kitchen or bathroom.
The law that requires a newly built house/ building /apartment to have a 'mamad', is from year 1993, after the notorious "Gulf War". There are certain regulations with which I am not familiar as I myself don't own a 'mamad'.
The thing is, a five year old boy, was critically injured during one of the recent rocket attacks, ( he later died in hospital-rip), when a shrapnel punctured the window of the 'mamad'. It is considered a rare incident, and it is under investigation.
There were also some people who got injured by falling on their way to the mamad. A 73 year old woman, awaken by the alarm, got quickly off her bed, ran towards the mamad and fell on her head before reaching the mamad. She died a few days laterׂ - rip (perhaps, a light helmet should be considered for prevention of tragic cases like this one.)
Those who don't have that kind of room (like me) are advised to stay in the most inner spot of their home, away from windows and exterior walls.That's what I do upon hearing the siren, and, immediately start ...praying to God asking for protection.
By the way, I became aware of how deadly a fall on the head could be, while following the news about the tragedy of Natasha Richardson, british actress, daughter of the great Vanessa Redgrave, wife of actor Liam Neeson. She fell on her head while skiing in Quebec, Canada, and died in a matter of days in 2009 (rip). I think since then, a helmet has become mandatory on ski slopes.
I'm thankful for all of you in the ceasefire. I hope it holds for many many years.
ReplyDeleteThere are just no guarantees for anyone in anything. So true about falls and head injuries, they can be much harsher than you realize.
I fully agree with every word in your comment, Ann: ceasefire,guarantees, falls and head injuries.
DeleteYou have a good point, Duta. It is much better if you keep your helm close to you, in case you need it. And anything else that you think can protect you from any injuries.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and you are in my prayers.
Small items like the mask and helmet could save lives. We should not ignore them!
DeleteThanks for your prayers, Evi.
I had never heard of a mamad. What a shame that something like this is even necessary.
ReplyDeleteA shame indeed. Sadly, that's our reality, and we must find the best way to cope with it.
DeleteOh! Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if the people therein got on...no more fighting..no hate...peace throughout...?
ReplyDeleteYes...you may call me a dreamer. Sometimes dreams do come true, but I shan't hold my breath for this one to come true.
Please, please do your utmost to remain safe, DUTA. My heart and my best thoughts go out to you.
Peace is the best protection, but it exists only in a utopian world, not in the real one we live in.
DeleteThank you Lee for your thoughts and wishes.
May they all RIP.
ReplyDeleteGoodness me, those mamad gosh people in trouble in them and going to them but I bet they have saved more lives than have been lost.
Take care.
Your bet is correct; the mamad is a life savior despite the few casualties to it, and the tragedy of the boy who was inside it.
DeleteThat was a tragedy about Natasha Richardson. I think any sport/activity that may cause one to fall and hit their head should require a helmet. I know these days the football leagues here are taking hits in the heads more seriously and watching out for concussions and the like.
ReplyDeleteFascinating about the Mamad rooms. Hadn't heard of this before. I guess it could be similar to a storm cellar here where people go during a tornado in parts affected by tornados. It would be really hard to predict where an earthquake would occur and how much damage it could cause but I know those affected by earthquakes are told where is the best place to be during one.
Asking for God's protection during times of rocket launching does not fall on deaf ears. He hears the prayers of all as we trust in Him.
betty
The tragedy of the british actress has done, I think, a lot to bring the helmet into awareness. I used to hear the word 'helmet' only with regards to cyclists. Now, it is also mentioned in various instructions, such as climbing a ladder or a tree.
DeleteAs for the 'mamad', I suppose every country has some model of protective shelter in case of danger and emergency.
Yes, God hears and answers one's prayers for protection.
Very interesting to learn about the Mamad. You have a different way of dealing with things, we tend to get as far from a place as possible but of course you have noowhere to run to. We were in Taba and went into Israel for a day a few years ago and in the shopping centre there was a bomb scare we were surprised everyone was ushered to the basement as in the UK we would have been evacuated. Everyone was very calm while we were terrified in case the potential bomber was standing amongst us. No doubt living in a constant state of war/ceasefires changes your outlook on many things - you are one of the most interesting blogs I follow as you don't gloss things up - a real account is rare these days.
ReplyDeleteI feel very flattered by the last sentences of your comment. Thank you very much, Betty.
DeleteIt's true, we have nowhere to run to. As for your experience at the shopping center, time is crucial , so the basement was probably the only solution available.
I like how you went from the "massive" problem to being vulnerable to the most innocent matter of getting out of bed during one of these crisis. You have seen so much and been through so much and have kept your cool. Here's hoping you have a good summer and beyond full of peace.
ReplyDeleteComing from you, a skillful writer, it is a compliment.
DeleteWell, we have to keep cool in order to survive.
Thank you, for your good wishes, Ellie.
I hope you are having a good weekend. Oh, I think you have the better writing skills. Thank you so much. Thanks for being here.
DeleteThanks for the compliment. It's a real compliment as I'm not in the writing field. My blog is where I practice my writing skills.
DeleteYou, on the other hand, are much younger and I believe a great writing career lies ahead of you.
Can we hope that one day there might peace in the region? It has not been achievable since all the way back to before the state of Israel was formally an entity, so it seems doubtful. In the meantime you may pray to your god and they to theirs, with the same predictable outcomes. Deaths will occur on both sides. Both sides will claim victory. Both sides will claim rectitude. Both sides will claim that god is on their side. Wait a few more months, or a couple of years and we will go through this again.
ReplyDeleteNo, we cannot hope for peace (can you hope for reconciliation with the natives in your Canada? Wait a couple of years...), and Yes, I pray to my God.
DeleteI believe there's a spark of God in everyone of us, and I pray to my personal spark. I don't share a God with the others.
I live in fear of a head fall. And for Rick on his bike (fortunately, he wears a helmet but that doesn't stop a closed head injury.)
ReplyDeleteI am grateful you are safe and hope you stay that way. This whole situation is heartbreaking. I know peace seems so unlikely. I can't imagine living under that stress. I really can't. Please keep that helmet close and stay safe.
I used to ride an adult tricycle,so I have a helmet which I keep close for all sorts of chores in the house.The house can be a dangerous place and I fear slipping/falling.
DeleteThank you for your kind words, Jeanie.
helm is a very good item it is lifesaver in many situations...
ReplyDeleteTrue, Kathy. A helmet is a vital item as it protects our head. It is indeed a lifesaver in certain professions and situations.
DeleteYes, I remember that with Natasha! What a tragedy, too bad but good about helmets now. A mamad is new to me but a good thing for the area you live in. The ceasefire is wonderful, it's a shame that this has been going on for years and years. I just don't understand why we can't all be different and still live peacefully... Take care and be safe!
ReplyDeleteThe words 'ski' and 'helmet' always remind me of Natasha's tragedy.
DeleteYes, it's a shame how we live from one ceasefire to another, but what can we do?
If they consider you colonialists, foreigners that have occupied their land,there's nothing to be done. Sooner or later, they'll start to terrorize you.
That's something that americans,canadians, australians don't get it yet; they speak about reconciliation with the natives.. .
Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing 😍😍
Regards:)
I'm glad. Thank you so much.
DeleteAll the Best to you!
I've thought of you often over the past few weeks, ever since this most recent crises, and wondered how you were. If you were safe. How you were coping with the turmoil. Prayers for peace.
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you, Debra. Thanks for thinking about me..
DeleteThank God, I'm OK. There's ceasefire now. Hopefully, it'll go on indefinitely.
Thanks for the prayers; they help.
Hi Duta, Thank you for sharing about mamad. You are very brave. Praise God to hear the ceasefire and I agreein your hope and prayer in the comment above for it to go on indefinitely. Continued prayers for the peace of Israel and we also pray that all of Israel will know the Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom, Salvation, Yeshua. In Him, we are one^^ Jew and Gentile, Greek and Jew, Arab and Jew, all brothers and sisters in Him. A true miracle will it be, and may His Peace be upon all Israel and may hearts of hate turn to Love , and all repent and the swords be turned into plowshares. !! Love in Yeshua, xoxoShabbat Shalom! ❤️
ReplyDeleteHi Shayndel. There's no bravery here - just trying to cope with the situation. We're considered colonialists who robbed the palestinians of their land.
DeleteIt's amazing that all the other 'colonialists' in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand - countries with a substantial native population - criticize Israel without understanding they're next in line. Our neighbors are teaching them how to terrorize the colonialists.
Thanks for the prayers, Shayndel.
Shabbath Shalom!
My son and his family lives in Tel Aviv and my husband's brother and his family lives in Petach Tikva. Brother-in-law rang every second day, giving us the details on the health and safety of the family, but I still didn't sleep.
ReplyDeleteHi, Hels
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Hopefully, you feel better now that there's ceasefire, and things are quiet now.
Wishing you the very Best! Be well and safe!
Sabbath Shalom!
You've survived this traumatic rocket bombardment and other attacks over the recent weeks with dignity and calm. Everyone hopes the ceasefire continues for as long as possible and that President Biden can find a permanent solution to this endless problem. It has been going on for too many decades.
ReplyDeleteI remember the sirens wailing every night and being dragged out of bed into the cold damp Anderson shelter in the back garden, built ny my Dad, using the curved and straight corrugated galvanised steel panels, partly sunk into the earth. I doubt that they would save us if hit directly, but we trusted them.
During the Blitz we lived in South London and we, like you, Duta, had little option to do anything but accept the situation. It got much more terrifying when the V1 pilotless bombs, (the Buzz bombs) began, as we could hear their guttural engine as they descended. Even worse terror came with the V2 rockets; you never heard these monsters as they flew faster than the speed of sound. But you knew when they landed!
Britain was saved by the USA. Without their help we would have been totally defeated. I sincerely hope you get their help in your war.
Hi, Philip. It's good to hear from you. Hopefully you and your family are OK.
DeleteAnyway, I'm always glad to get a comment from you. Your words are always wise and interesting.
The USA is our main friend and ally, but they've got troubles of their own. I like your honesty about USA's part in Britain's victory during the war.
Head trauma can be awful and I remember the ski sloe incident too, so sad.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, we know what would prevent head trauma, but life is dynamic, and we tend to ignore or disregard vital things.
DeleteThe case of Natasha was heartbreaking. She was young, successful, mother of two boys, married to a charming actor(RIP).
Sad you have to build a Mamad, worse you have to use it and even worse that it doesn't always protect.
ReplyDeleteThese are difficult times. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Stay safe.
You've summed it up beautifully in just one sentence, Marja!
DeleteThanks for your thoughts and prayers.
My husband slipped by the pool a year ago and had a concussion. Sometimes an accident is just around the corner. I hope for you that Hamas keeps calm and you don't have to run to a safe place anymore. But you know what Hamas is like.
ReplyDeleteNice to tell: we Dutch do not wear helmets on our bicycles. Because cycling is not an intrinsically dangerous activity - it's the road environment that is dangerous, and the Dutch have created a safe cycling environment (bikers have their own pathways).
Have a good day.
Exactly -"just around the corner".
DeleteHopefully, your hubby is OK now.
Slipping and falling can be dangerous at any age. Kudos to the Dutch for creating a safe cycling environment!
Have a great Sunday, Duta. I hope the Egyptian proposal about mutual cease fire without any precondition will be work.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Thanks, Evi. I see you're more informed than me. I know Egypt is trying to play mediator in the Gaza conflict, but I haven't heard yet of any official agreement.
DeleteHave a wonderful new week!
I had never heard of a Mamad until I read your post, and I agree with what Marja said. 'Sad you have to build a Mamad, worse you have to use it and even worse that it doesn't always protect.'
ReplyDeleteOnce again you are living through most difficult times. I do hope that one day there will be peace in the region.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay safe Duta.
All the best Jan
ן'm glad you've noticed Marja's comment. I like it too. Well, she writes poetry in english, which is not her native language; (she's Dutch).Not everyone is capable of expressing oneself like she is.
DeleteThanks for your prayers, Jan.
I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about all of this! It's all so sad! Please take care of you!!! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWell, we are accused of having stolen the land of the palestinians. If you live in Canada, sooner or later you'll be accused of having stolen the land of the natives. So, take care!
DeleteIt's sad what is happening and I pray for your safety dear Duta. I've heard people call those Safe Rooms, we don't have anything like that in our house, luckily I live in a small town, but it's still scary. Recently two prisoners escaped from a local prison about 8 miles from our small town and they headed into our town. One was captured later that morning and the other is still on the lose, although I'm sure he's fled out area, but myself and my mother were terrified, closing up the house and not even letting in fresh air.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, Alicia. Yes, Safe Room, Secure Room, fortified Room - all are adequate descriptive terms. I've got no such room as I live in an old building.
DeleteHopefully, the other prisoner is caught too. I can well imagine you and your mother's terrified state.
It's so sad that this is something that has to even be planned. I've not heard about this before. Praying for your safety!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. Well, every place has its dangers. The whole world is a dangerous place. Thank God, it's more or less quiet now, some sort of ceasefire that could last years, God willing.
Delete