Within all the bad news, the sufferings of the war in Israel, there are some beautiful moments of Ahavat Yisrael (loving your fellow) and amazing unity among all parts of our nation. Here are some interesting facts from this past week:
* 30 thousand people came to participate in the funeral of a "lone" soldier, (who had immigrated to Israel without his family,) whom they have never met nor did they know his family. An evening prior to this in Haifa, 20 thousand attended the funeral of a soldier with a similar background.
* A Jewish doctor from Luzern (yes, from our city) decided to fly to Israel to volunteer his help in treating the wounded. * The medical team at the Shiba hospital feels the need to ask the public to slow down the visits of citizens who are simply coming to strengthen the wounded soldiers.
*Even during a siren and being in a non sheltered operating room, didn't hold back the doctors of that same hospital from continuing the operation on a Palestinian baby who has been brought to Israel for treatment.
*A field hospital with the best IDF equipment was set up near the border with Gaza to help the wounded and woman who need to give birth from Gaza. Unfortunately, it is still empty as the Gaza residents are the last thing which the Hamas terror organization cares about.
All this reminds me of the famous saying by Golda Meir: "Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.".
May this Shabbat bring protection and safety to our brethren in Israel and around the world.
Light the Shabbat candle for the safety of our soldiers and our Holy Land. Candle lighting time in Luzern 20:52.
Rivky and the children join me in wishing A Shabbat Shalom To Everyone!
Rabbi Chaim
ב"ה