In Deepest Humility

I have been writing and publishing for more than 50 years. During that span of time I have received hundreds of responses from readers, many complimentary and often some critical. That is the way of journalists and authors and is to be expected. My expressions are not always popular especially when I write my views about the political and religious conflicts here in Israel.

But today has brought me and my family more happiness than we have known in a long time.

I received two messages from my esteemed editor, Miriam Herschlag, informing me that there have been more than seven thousand responses on the TIMES OF ISRAEL Facebook website to my recent article “Miracle on Dan Bus #4”.

Dear readers, I am very overwhelmed by your beautiful comments. I never anticipated that my article would touch so many hearts.

I generally write from life experiences and from long ago memories still remembered.

Israel was a very different country in 1951 and people were not ashamed to express or to demonstrate their emotions.

Since then, we have become a nation of “tough guys” who keep our emotions hidden within the recesses of our hearts. Mainly on unfortunate occasions of national calamity do we see fellow citizens weeping in public. Tears are shed both for joyous occasions and regrettably for very sad ones.

Today, my tears are shed in response to my gratitude for so many who commented both on Facebook and also on the comment area following my story.

In deepest humility I thank you for your warm words of appreciation. At my age (83) they are a very welcome gift.

In 1967 my first (and only) book was published. It was called POEMS AND POETS OF ISRAEL: SELECTED MASTERPIECES. In it, I tried to show the love of Zion expressed in the poetry of Jews from the medieval to the modern period.

Obviously, a book of that nature never met the best-seller list. That had never been my intention. Rather it was my wish to bring our love of Zion and Jerusalem to the attention of readers who could not read the poetry in the original Hebrew language.

We are a nation of gifted writers, novelists, historians, and poets. Sadly, many of the finest works are not translated into foreign languages and the published works remain the property of Israeli readers only.

My wish has always been to share my thoughts, feelings and emotions. On occasion, some readers speaking “dugri” have advised me to keep my thoughts to myself. But if I did that I could not be a journalist whose mission must be to enlighten readers and to allow them to think and to judge for themselves.

I am exceedingly grateful to Miriam, my wonderful editor, for sharing with me today the delightful news of more than seven thousand readers who enjoyed my article. It has made a day in my life a very special and joyous one.

Todah raba. Thank you, dear readers. And God bless you all.