Familiarity with Israel can alter one’s perspective on life.

Do Israelis have any idea of the ways that those of us in the diaspora can be and are affected by our visits to Eretz Israel ?

Once the initial euphoria of the first few visits has worn off, one is left with an ever increasing sense that events in Israel will always have an impact on those of us living outside her borders.

The constant barrage of horrific news stories and dramatic political events are one thing. However, it is the small daily occurrences which inform our world view. We can never be the same again.

Saving the hard copies of the newspapers that I buy on every trip, I read them over and over upon my return, frequently gleaning new ‘facts’ on every reading.

Just recently I cut my thumb with a carving knife and after spending over 5 hours in the hospital emergency rooms had to have some stitches put in. When asked did I want freezing I said ‘no thank you’ fearful of even more delays.

As the small curved needle was being repeatedly pushed through my flesh, I thought ‘ this is really painful maybe I should have opted for the freezing ‘ ! Then almost immediately I realized that for many Israeli’s who have survived terrorist attacks such a minor wound could only pale in comparision !

With such an understanding of what citizens in another country are experiencing one is able to provide, if even in a small way, a more balanced perspective on current events to one’s friends and in so doing ‘set the record straight ‘ .

Though perhaps not of earth shattering import, how such things transpire may reflect a sense of G-d’s will as it relates to Israel.