I'm back...
steve0mania
Posts: 3,422 Member
Ha ha, I'm not back to WW (though one can argue whether any of us really leave, kinda like Hotel California), but I'm back from a trip to Israel.
It was an amazing trip on so many levels, with a mixture of joy, sorrow, resilience, strength, struggle, triumph, etc.
We spent a lot of time with our daughter in Jerusalem, we had the experience of running from a missile siren and to see/hear Iron Dome in action at the Kotel (the Western Wall), we did some volunteering (mostly packing produce for distribution...the vast majority of the workforce is limited by the war, with military-age men mostly serving [and women too], and many women working to keep their families running without their spouses), we did a couple of day trips, we visited Hostage Square, and (I hate to admit) we ate like there was no tomorrow. In my defense, I considered it a once (or at least rarely) in a lifetime experience of being able to eat at so many kosher restaurants, food stands, diners, etc.
On a good note, I came back 1 pound lighter! That's probably not "really" my weight, and it'll take a couple of days to see where I actually landed.
In any case, it was such an amazing and meaningful trip and I'm sad that it's over.
I hope you all are doing well!
Am Yisrael Chai!
It was an amazing trip on so many levels, with a mixture of joy, sorrow, resilience, strength, struggle, triumph, etc.
We spent a lot of time with our daughter in Jerusalem, we had the experience of running from a missile siren and to see/hear Iron Dome in action at the Kotel (the Western Wall), we did some volunteering (mostly packing produce for distribution...the vast majority of the workforce is limited by the war, with military-age men mostly serving [and women too], and many women working to keep their families running without their spouses), we did a couple of day trips, we visited Hostage Square, and (I hate to admit) we ate like there was no tomorrow. In my defense, I considered it a once (or at least rarely) in a lifetime experience of being able to eat at so many kosher restaurants, food stands, diners, etc.
On a good note, I came back 1 pound lighter! That's probably not "really" my weight, and it'll take a couple of days to see where I actually landed.
In any case, it was such an amazing and meaningful trip and I'm sad that it's over.
I hope you all are doing well!
Am Yisrael Chai!
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Replies
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I can only imagine what Israel is like now. I was there in 2019 when it was peaceful. Having family there would make it so more intense. Welcome home.1
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It's always good to see you here, Steve. Welcome home!2
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I’m delighted you got to be part of that. I’m recalling a book where a character who agree to testify against someone said they were privileged because they were getting to live out their principles. Many of us can articulate our principles, but by going to Israel when and where you did and doing the things you did, you’re really living your principles and beliefs.
Had to laugh at the side benefit of kosher restaurants everywhere. 👍🏻2 -
...they were privileged because they were getting to live out their principles.
Thanks Charlie. Being able to live out one's principles is important and I do strive for that. At the same time, I think a big driving force for me has always been trying to avoid hypocrisy. Indeed, that's one of the reasons I came to be increasingly observant in my Judaism. I was finding it hypocritical that my prayers and my actions were not aligned. I'm certainly not perfectly aligned now, but at least I want to have those things aligned. It's a work-in-progress.3 -
steve0mania wrote: »...they were privileged because they were getting to live out their principles.
Thanks Charlie. Being able to live out one's principles is important and I do strive for that. At the same time, I think a big driving force for me has always been trying to avoid hypocrisy. Indeed, that's one of the reasons I came to be increasingly observant in my Judaism. I was finding it hypocritical that my prayers and my actions were not aligned. I'm certainly not perfectly aligned now, but at least I want to have those things aligned. It's a work-in-progress.
Steve, I think most of us, who are striving for spiritual perfection are also works-in-progress. I believe none of us is perfect, so that, our respectful, "Ones", can make us perfect in their time. We should continue to strive, and that way become "closer" to their respectful expectations.
Don't know if I worded that correctly, but, if I offended anyone, I am sorry.1 -
So glad you're back home and safe Steve. I'm certain that was a trip to be remembered for awhile.1
