Is It Convenient?

The meaning of convenient: easy to use, saves effort, suits one’s  needs, causing minimal difficulty and trouble.

There were  so many directions that I could take this post.

We often look for that which is more convenient, but we do not always make things that we should – a priority.

When I was raising children even if we had to carpool to different Jewish schools, we did it. Even if educating our children in Jewish schools meant spending more money for education and less on cars and homes, so we did. The Jewish Educational foundation was the priority.

Sadly, I often see today many place  convenience first , somehow missing out on the core priority. Since October 7th, all Jews have become  much more aware of the need to connect, however often  more  as an intellectual cultural sometimes spiritual.

To  truly observe means changing the convenience and the priority.

Let’s observe our Homeland, Israel, Eretz Yisrael, There is nothing convenient for them ,  especially in the past 2.5 years. Fighting Gaza – Hamas, Yemen-Houitis,Lebanon -Hezbolla, Iran – IRCG…/.& Rabid Global Antisemiticism . There is absolutely nothing convenient about this. There is no time at all for Israelis to even contemplate convenience. They understand all too well that fighting off evil, tyranny, and hatred is a priority. that defending our existence is a priority. They are setting this priority for all Jews- it is for all of us.

WE CANNOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED .

In Israel families lives are disrupted daily  affecting the elderly, children ,soldiers jobs,etc.

Globally  we are in need for more and more increased security.

It astonished me when I read that even though it was so exhausting for weeks on end since the beginning of march, the Israelis said: Yes it is hard, very inconvenient, But just finish the job. Priority – you bet- Amazing.

I am reminded of a personal story, while growing up in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

My parents tzl opened up their home for so many beautiful things;  challah baking, Torah classes, stories about life in Israel and fighting in the 1948 war of Independence. Shabbat meals as well.

They became very close with a family there. They were asked if they could meet a young girl who was in Public school and teach her and inspire her and the family to put her in the Jewish day school. so they did, they prepared her, they worked with the family, and eventually this girl and all her siblings attended the Jewish days school and beyond.

Eventually the  girls parents who became very very dear friends of my parents who , also became observant and moved to Israel for their retirement. 3 out of 4 of their children made Aliyah before them, all four remained observant and raised observant children.

The  father , our parents friend and formerly their family physician was once asked: why did you decide to become observant. He responded : when I was in Allentown, we would often eat a Shabbat meal by the Munks and Rabbi Munk would always walk us to the car would give me a hug, smile  wish me a shabbat shalom and  tell me -you are always welcome. He never judged me, and I felt that if he could make this type of effort How could I not , How could I not make my effort. How could I not become observant.

I wrote an article probably 5 or more years ago called ; Anonymity, in this post talked about how  outside of Israel we need to make the effort to be connected, this is an even greater priority today. And to remain anonymous, well that is not a reality. So let us unify, lets be more connected than ever before.. add a new mitzvah, bake a challah,  host or attend a shabbat meal, attend synagogue, get more involved in the  Jewish community, connect with someone from the community and Israel.

Zachor Yemot Olam Bing Shnot Dor Va Dor Sheal Amichai Veyagedcha Zekenecha V’Yomru Lecha

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of ages past, Ask your parent who will inform you, your elders who will tell you.

Look back; it was not always convenient

Look forward – there lies the priority.

Amein