Someone came to Hillel and asked him to teach him the Torah while standing on one foot. In my weekly class, Rebbetzin Dina Schoonmaker quoted the Chasam Sofer, who explained what the man meant by his question. The man was asking what would keep him stable when he stood on just one foot. What is the remedy when there are fluctuations in life and things are difficult? Hillel told the man that whatever you hate, you shouldn’t do to others. Strengthening the mitzvos “bein adam l’chaveiro,” between man and his fellow man, will stabilize you. We are living in difficult times. But we see many examples of people thinking past their own needs and looking to help others.
While Ohav Givaty, a musical artist, served in the reserves, people asked him to run a workshop for children evacuated from the Gaza Envelope. Ohav was happy to help children who had seen unspeakable horror use music as an outlet for their pain. Terrorists had entered their homes. Their relatives were murdered. Ohav traveled to Eilat, where many of the evacuated families and their children have been residing since the start of the war. With his guidance, the children picked three well-known Israeli songs and remade them. They also wrote their own words to a song. They recorded their songs in a recording studio, and Ohav will produce a mini-album.
A psychological helpline was opened for employers of reservists who were recently discharged from their service in the war and have now returned to their jobs. The helpline helps employers identify workers who are suffering from mental distress. This will enable the reservists to get the emotional support they need even if they don’t ask for it or even realize that they need the help.
Engineers Without Borders-Israel is working with the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Center to create rehabilitative solutions for the homes of those wounded in the war. Prior to the discharge of a patient from long-term hospital care at their facility, the staff informs Engineers Without Borders-Israel of the specific accessibility needs of the patient. The engineers then work with the community to install handholds, ramps, and panic buttons in their homes. They lower shelves, provide solutions for prolonged sheltering in bomb shelters, and even help provide minor home adaptations for those who keep Shabbos.
Israeli students typically receive their report cards on Tu BiSh’vat. With children from the North and South scattered throughout the country, report cards might have been just another thing that these children would have to do without. However, the Chemed Rambam Elementary School of Kiryat Shemona decided to take the opportunity to strengthen their students during this difficult time. They arranged for a reunion of the teachers and students to take place at the Yeshivat Bnei Akiva in Netanya. In addition to engaging in enjoyable activities and eating pizza, the students davened for the welfare and safe return of the hostages. They then released 136 yellow balloons into the air.
Each student was given a resilience kit, which contained a comfort blanket to envelop them with love, an ecological planting kit in honor of Tu BiSh’vat, so that they will all grow and get stronger, a compass that will show them the way back to their homes in the North, and an Iron Swords War Hero certificate (instead of report cards), which expressed appreciation for their faith and courage during this difficult time.
Wives of reservists serving in the Armored Corps published a book of songs called, “Children with Armor,” which describes their experiences through the eyes of children of chayalim serving in the current war.
With the understanding that every individual’s handwriting is unique and a reflection of his personality, “Ot Chayim” commemorates those who were murdered or fell in the war, by turning their handwriting into a font, free for public use. Designers volunteer to create these fonts so that the uniqueness of those who are no longer with us will continue to shine in the world and be remembered.
Injured chayalim and survivors of the massacre are being treated in the rehabilitation department of Tel HaShomer Medical Center. They often receive visitors who come to cheer them up. A kallah recently came to visit the department on her wedding day. She understood the potency of the brachos that she gives on the day of her wedding. Instead of focusing on herself and her preparations, she went to Tel HaShomer to give brachos to the patients.
In addition to all the acts of chesed that we see everywhere we look, the amount of T’hilim that is being said all over the world is astounding. Meetings between chayalim and those who davened for them have been publicized. One such reunion took place recently when reserve soldier Yosef Green returned home from the front because his wife was due to give birth. On his way home, Yosef stopped off at Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, and surprised Raphael Shahrabani, a Downs syndrome boy who had been davening for Yosef’s safe return since the beginning of the war. Yosef’s connection with Raphael began several years ago when Yosef’s sister did Sherut Leumi (National Service) at Shalva. She became very connected to Raphael and brought him home for Shabbos many times. Raphael became part of the family and was even a flower boy at her wedding. The Greens are convinced that Raphael’s t’filos are what kept Yosef alive during the war. The first thing Yosef did after being discharged was to stop off at Shalva to thank Raphael for his t’filos. Yosef Green is none other than the nephew of our own Yaakov Serle.
Please continue to daven for the recovery of the wounded, the release of the remaining hostages, and the success and safe return of all chayalim and security personnel.
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
