Our High Holidays are over; War is still going on.
The Holidays have made me a bit reflective. Here it is:
'We come into this world alone and depart from it alone, although on both occasions, birth and death, there are people around us.
During our lifetime, we ignore this 'alone' thing, by making friends and starting families. In addition, we have holidays that celebrate Life in all its aspects, with good food and especially with warm human gatherings.
Our most important jewish Day, though, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is not a celebration . This is a solemn day which allows us, through fasting and praying, to repent for our sins and ask forgiveness. As a result, we might get a good new year, and with every new good year our soul's journey: birth - life- death, becomes a meaningful one, not just something 'gone with the wind'.
We all go through the same process and journey regardless of our achievements or failures . This should make us more modest and kind to each other. Unfortunately, it does not. 'Conflict' is the name of the game. 'Wickedness' gets to be discovered even among our best friends and closest relatives, causing us great distress.
In our prayers, we ask and hope for our soul to go to Heaven when life ends; our body gets burried, upon our death, into the earth, like all other animals.
Life is everything; we should value and cherish it. We should not take it for granted. Belief in God helps us be good, behave better, save life.
I am glad to see you back. I was worrying about you, and hope you are safe.
ReplyDeleteWe should indeed value and cherish life - ours and that of other people too.
Thank you. Yes, I deeply believe life is above all: above the notions of state, religion, territory, politics.
DeleteI am glad you posted, Duta. I have been thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandi. Writing is a saviour, now that I have to be on the alert for rocket alarms.
DeleteStay safe, Duta. Terrible things are happening in your part of the world. I hope that Israel will emerge more secure than ever. It’s hard to believe that there will ever be peace, so security is the best we can hope for.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. You're right , of course. No peace at the horizon. We'll settle for security, hoping to lead somehow a quiet, decent life.
DeleteIt doesn’t seem too much to ask for, does it?
DeleteSadly, in the Middle East, it appears that anything to ask for is too much.
DeleteYom Kippur was never a celebration, agreed. But this year, as we sat in shule to fast and pray, asking for forgiveness in a _general_ way. The biggest issue THEN re having a good New Year was our families avoiding the terrible pain associated with 3 years of covid.
ReplyDeleteWho knew that a fortnight later, we would be facing massacres in Israel and ugly anti-Semitic marches in the centre of our cities? My son and his family have hidden safely in Tel Aviv shelters, but my in laws in Jerusalem feel even more at risk :(
Melbourne's main railway station has had men in black marching on the platforms doing Nazi salutes. The Jewish Museum in Sydney was surrounded by protesters yelling Gas the Jews.
I haven't got a flat shelter, and it's not for my age to run three sets of stairs to reach the public shelter behind the building. So, I place myself near an inner corner which is far from exterior wall and window, and ...pray to God. until I hear the fall of the rocket somewhere. I've become an expert at sounds of falling rockets:)
DeleteIt's good to read your words. So beautifully written. You are in my prayers. I hope you are well. I don't know if I could last in all the stress, you are under. Thanks so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I"m well, thank God. It is what it is. At my age, the mere sound of the alarm might affect health(cause heart palpitations, and so on).
DeleteThanks for your kind words, Ellie.
I hope you are having a good week and plenty to eat. All the best to your health and emotional well being. It must be an exhausting time. Stay strong!
DeleteSo sweet of you to think of me, dear Ellie!
DeleteYes, these are exausting times, and require strength to stay safe and well. I put my trust in God.
I've been so worried about you, Duta so it's a relief to read that you're safe and still connected. I pray that continues and some form of peace comes.
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you to think of my safety and pray for me. Thanks, Boud.
DeleteStay safe, thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine. Safety and peace is on everyone's mind thesedays. Hard to achieve it, though.
DeleteI am so sorry about what is going on. I was wondering what was happening with you. All the best.
ReplyDeleteQuite a combination - Holidays followed immediately by a bloody attack. It started and is concentrated on the south region. I live in the center; where we get rocket alarms about twice a day. Thanks for your wishes.
DeletePraying for Israel . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, dear Martha.
DeleteSo glad to have you back blogging. I was hoping and praying nothing happened to you. Such horrible senseless killings and devastation. Please stay safe. Janice
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to concentrate on blogging, but for my sanity I must try divert my attention from what's going on right now.
DeleteThanks, Janice for your kind words.
Such a relief to see that you're okay, Duta. I've been checking to see if you have a new post or have responded to comments. God Bless you, Duta...stay safe.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I'm ok, thank God. Hoping there should be some kind of cease fire, but who knows, it might even escalate .
DeleteThanks , Bica, for your blessings.
I'm so thankful to see this. I've been worried about you. Praying for you and all those around you. We stand with Israel.
ReplyDeleteI highly appreciate your kind, encouraging words, and prayers, Mari.
DeleteThank you for posting. I think of you, and another blogger who lives in Tel Aviv. My heart hurts for the people of Israel and I pray for an end to the violence. May God protect and keep you in his care.
ReplyDeleteI'm against violence of any kind, but reality's becoming more and more violent these days.
DeleteThank you, Lorrie, for yor prayers and good wishes.
How do you fast in Yom Kippur? I am not a Jew, but a big fan of fasting..stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of fasting generally, but I believe in repentance through fasting on this holy day. So not to eat and drink one day is not the end of the world , but can get you a cleaner conscience, and a better year.
DeleteThanks Angie for your comment.
Welcome back, it's so good to see a post from you.
ReplyDeleteBe safe as things are not so good in this world.
Hi, Margaret. Hopefully, I'll be able to post under the present, stressful conditions. You're right about the world; things are not so good wherever one looks at.
DeleteThanks for welcoming me.
💞
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot , Mariette.
ReplyDeleteYou have been on my mind since the news broke about the attack. I pray you and your family stay safe and there is a quick resolution to this war.
ReplyDeleteI wish there's a quick ceasefire , but I doubt it. Anyway, thank you Marie Smith for your prayers.
DeleteIt's good to hear from you again, Duta. I truly think that the human race may destroy itself one day- maybe not yet, but we already have the power to. I continue to think of you and I thank you for a peek into what you are going through right now.
ReplyDelete`Alana, I definitely agree with your view on the ability of the human race to destroy itself. It might happen one day.
DeleteThank you for thinking about me, and my present cicumstances.
I'm so glad to see a post fro you, Duta. I have been so very concerned about your welfare. I don't know enough about where you are or where the major tragedies of this war are taking place to know if you are in a safe zone or one more dangerous but in any event, I hope you and all your family members and friends are safe. I really valued your meditation above and your thoughts. Sending all prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteThe dangerous zone is in the south of the country at the border with Gaza strip where there's a fierce battle going on against the Hamas terror organization.
DeleteI live in the center of the country which gets mainly rockets that sometimes explode causing damage and loss of life.
For an elderly person, even the mere alarm can affect health.
Thanks Jeanie for your prayers.
I, too, am relieved and happy to see your post, DUTA. Constantly, you've been on my mind, and in my heart. My thoughts are with you...may you and your loved ones remain safe, and secure during this most worrying, dangerous time.
ReplyDeleteIt's a cruel, sad world we live in. I will never understand why there is so much hate; so much violence...so much constant sorrow...
Please feel the warmth of my hugs and my most sincere thoughts, DUTA.
Your words, Lee, are heartwarming.
DeleteYes, we do live in a cruel world. Can you imagine babies with cut off heads? I cannot.
Thanks for your hugs and thoughts.
You have been in my thoughts in recent days, so I was pleased to read this post from you.
ReplyDeletePlease stay as safe as you can.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
Life is not without risk, but one doesn't expect that kind of risk. Alhough I haven\t got an inner shelter, I feel more secure at home. Going out to buy some food might find you lying down on the street with hands on the head to avoid a possibly falling rocket.
DeleteThank you, Jan, for your good wishes.
Welcome back, Duta, and many thanks for your comment and well wishes for our trip. They were much appreciated. Thank you for sharing that you are safe from the raging war. I pray it continues to be that way but am saddened by the ongoing conflict and needless loss of lives.
ReplyDeleteYour country's what we call " a friend in need is a friend indeed". USA is a great friend and ally! I wish she would "adopt" us as I'm afraid we won't survive in the long run.
DeleteHave a wonderful, safe trip to Europe, and thanks for the comment.
You have been in my thoughts since this war started. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteCatarina dear, I feel very moved by, and thankful to you for keeping me in your thoughts and pray for my safety.
DeleteBoa tarde Duta. Conte com minhas orações. Deus é com Israel, você e sua família.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luiz, for your assurance that God and your prayers are on our side helping to survive the terrible situation.
DeleteI have been thinking of you often in the last few days and am glad to read in your comments that you are not near the border with the Gaza strip. Nonetheless these are frightening and uncertain times, I hope you will be safe and there will be peace in the region soon. Betty
ReplyDeleteI highly appreciate , Betty, your comment, as I know you've taken a break from blogging.
DeleteMay your hope of peace in the region come true!
Hola, amiga Duta. Me he alegrado mucho al ver que has vuelto a publicar porque es señal de que te encuentras bien y espero que tus seres queridos también, ese es mi deseo.
ReplyDeletePero sobre todo que llegue la paz pronto, porque no tiene sentido el que sigan muriendo personas inocentes por ambos bandos, por lo que se necesita que los mandatarios cambien radicalmente las formas de pensar, y vuelva a ellos la cordura y la sensatez. porque si no esto va a ir para largo, que Dios no lo quiera.
Cuidaros mucho, y si sigues publicando, a finales de este mes te dedicaré un artículo que tenía previsto hacerlo antes, pero como cerraste el blog temporalmente por las fiestas, lo suspendí ya que voy a poner un enlace en el mismo, para mis seguidores te visiten.
Un fuerte abrazo.
Well, Manuel, things don't look good here. It might take months to achieve some sort of cease fire, as there are no leaders, only stupid/evil politicians.
DeleteI try to resume blogging so as to keep my sanity, and not think about war and rockets, of which I'm quite afraid.
Thanks a lot, Manuel, for thinking of me and wishing me well.
You have been in my thoughts as this war goes on so I am glad that you are back and alright.
ReplyDeleteI hope the war won't escalate and an agreement will soon be reached. But no one knows anything for sure. My resuming blogging depends on the situation. It's hard to concentrate on reading and writing while getting missile alarms.
DeleteThank you Mary for keeping me in your thoughts.
It's good to see you here, Duta, and to know that for now you're safe - and I hope it stays like this. I have been closely following the news from Israel and Gaza and am horrified. I doubt there will ever be any peace in that region, and the price is paid by innocent people on both sides, as usual.
ReplyDeleteThe deeds were indeed horrific (babies with cut off heads!). Sadly, real peace cannot be achieved in this barbaric region.
DeleteThanks ,Carola, for your kind words.
Wise and peaceful words spoken Wish you lots of love light and strength in these difficult days
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased ,Marja, with your referring to the words in my post as "wise and peaceful".
DeleteThanks for the wishes of light and strength for me.
It's good to see your post. It's a shame that the events in your part of the world are causing lots of innocent lives to be lost from their loved ones. There must be some kind of solution so more lives can be saved. We hope and pray that something can be done to stop the escalation of this war. You are in my prayers, please stay safe and have hope that the situation will improve.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a shame. At present, things look hopeless, but God might interfere and put an end to fighting.
DeleteThanks ,Bill ,for your prayers and kind words.
Boa tarde de sexta-feira e bom final de semana Duta. Deus é com vocês nessa batalha.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luiz, for your encouraging words.
DeletePraying for peace
ReplyDeleteMay God answer your prayer, Ashok! It's my prayer too.
Deletei hate conflicts between nations... this is so sad that innocent people die because of some orders
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this, Kathy. The last conflicts in the world, could escalate and lead to a World War 3. It could involve nuclear weapons , and that's the end of it.
DeleteThis is powerful, Duta. Thank you for sharing it. I am very thankful that you are back and you are safe. I hope all is well with you. I just stopped by to say Hi and to wish you well.
ReplyDeleteHi Dell. I highly appreciate your comment. Many thanks to you for wishing me well.
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rajani Rehana
DeleteDuta, I was too busy watching the news and keeping an eye on everything and forgot to check if you had written new blogs. Not good of me. So glad I saw both of your blogs. Right now, I'm praying for you.
ReplyDelete
DeleteThanks Arietha for the prayers. We badly need them. Blogging is of help , but my mind is wandering to the bloody events going on around me, so it's hard to concentrate on reading and writing.