The Battle Cry That Pierced My Heart

My first born child, my pride and joy, my son named to honor my father, my Sadok: He was called to join the IDF as all our boys are in Israel when they come of age. My son was not like many of the boys I met in my neighborhood who were filled with machismo, wanting eagerly to fill their post in, hopefully, some elite unit. He was an American boy who loathed the outdoors, hiking and heat and wasn’t thrilled about army service, to say the least. He went with a sense of resignation, responsibility and obligation. When he walked away from us at Givat Hatachmoshet into the hands of Tzahal I could barely breathe. If he had gone with fire in his heart and soul to be a warrior and defender of our country I’d have felt differently. I would be more at ease knowing that this was the path he had chosen and I’d be able to take solace in that. It’s very difficult having  your son in a life threatening position in the army knowing that it is against his will. I am helpless to protect him from harm and I am kept in the dark regarding many of his activities. I partially breathe until I receive his call, only then to exhale for the little bit I get to talk to or be with him. I rely heavily on G-d and pray and hope everyday he and all our boys will be safe.

Now, in the heat of this ongoing war with this insane terror regime called Hamas, I freeze. All our lives have taken a more cautious, fearful turn as we continually brace ourselves for the incoming rockets, boulders hurled at our vehicles and opportunist Arab fanatics in the streets. We want the insanity to end  NOW. I hear the sound of battle cries from friends, neighbors, and strangers in their blogs and articles. They are evermore agitated and annoyed that we sit and wait and don’t storm Gaza and attack where and when they believe we should.

I understand their frustration. I am frustrated and tired of this too, but I worry at what cost? If I knew that we could stop Hamas and bring peace to our people I’d join in the battle cry. I am not so sure as are the others. Hamas and the other groups like them will not stop, not until they have driven us into the sea and taken our land. They will fight as long as they have a breath in their body, an ongoing war until either, heaven forbid, they accomplish their goal or the Messiah arrives.

In the meantime, I trust the army and the government that they are putting forth their best effort to contend with the situation. Why do ordinary citizens think they care more than those in the military or the government?  We need to be aware that we are not privy to all the information. We should have some faith in the ones who do. We need to be united in our front and back our country.

I beg of everyone, before you so fervently cry out for war, think of my one and only Sadok and the rest of our soldiers, who have names, families and futures waiting for them at home. Please think of them as the person you love most, about to be placed in harms way. If so, would you be a bit more thoughtful and cautious sending them out? I hope and pray that G-d continues to shield us from harm and Hamas continues to self destruct and that we make the right decisions, whatever they may be, so we may have a peaceful future.