THE JOURNEY - Entry of Shabbat

18:30 Still Friday

Artileries fired this afternoon. Loud and closed by. We saw smoke also. An update from the city hall reported that it was the IDF firing back at Lebanon for their rocket on Misgav-Am earlier.

(smoke from Hanita)

Another update from the municipality office told us that as long as there is a safe room in the Sinagoug we can gather on Sabbath, and men bearing arms have to bring it with them. Also, a radio with a specific frequency is to be at the meeting place so they can hear a warning or call for arms. Israel's head Rabbi approved it.

For you who read it and don't understand, on Sabbath one does not turn on radios or bring arms to prayers. However, at this time it is allowed for “Pickuach Nefesh” = saving life.

The word in the media and on the street is that it is going to be a long war. It feels like it will stay. We are cleaning our closets and giving away whatever the soldiers can use over here, as well as adding donations of funds time and energy in all areas that we can. Many women are cooking for shabat and serving the soldiers many of whom jump into action without preparations at all. We are praying that the army will catch up soon with the needed items, on all fronts.

At home, we pray a lot; talk to many people via all media types, and make calls when needed. I'm on an antibiotic for an infection but most of my pain disappeared once I paid attention to the nutrition I consume. Like many of our friends, we crave chocolate, drink huge amounts of water, pray a lot and shop sparingly daily. We are both very tired for some unknown reason. Maybe it is the heaviness that seems to engulf us. We haven't seen the American fleet of warships, but we heard a lot about it. Maybe we'll see it at Haifa Port tomorrow as we drive by in the shuttle to the Khila on top of the mountain.

I lighted the candles welcoming the Sabbath to our home and added the memorial candle for the dead. The 40 babies they found with their heads detached prey on my thoughts. Thank God there were no pictures anywhere, my imagination is bad enough. The candle is for the memorial of 1,300 murdered. Long war... God, please return the captive, unite the families, and bring peace.                         

Shabbat Shalom