By the time you see this dear readers we will be in Israel.
Having gone to the holy land five time in the past seven years we really had not to planned to make another trip this year.
Actually we planned to remodel the bathroom and kitchen.
But then the war broke out and with three children and two grandchildren there we have to go.
Logically that statement does not make a lick of sense and our bathroom and kitchen really need the remodeling.
Our kids and grandkids are okay and our visit will have virtually no effect on whether or not they remain that way.
Still we have to see them, to hold them and to be in their presence.
Funny how so many people understand.
In fact it is universal.
‘Why you going there, now!?’ is the standard opener.
‘We got three kids and two grandkids there,” is our reply.
‘Oh say no more,’ is the standard closer.
Everyone understands, everyone gets it even those on the other side of the Israeli/Hamas divide even those hard core died in the wool anti-Semites.
It is a common human condition that when in times of stress we seek out family.
It is something so basic to our natures that it was probably around long before we became human.
Of course that means it is more basic that any philosophy, any religion or any of the millions of codes of conduct that have since been invented and some discarded over the millennia.
We actually have to learn how to hate the other and it takes years to truly master the lesson.
But the humans ain’t quitters and some of us learn too well.
Still we believe our instinct to be with our kin in this time of need could perhaps be expanded on.
We are all related, all sons of Adam and daughters of Eve no matter if one believes the first couple were covered in hair or shined like angels.
We are not asking to love ones enemies. People have been asking that for a couple of thousand years and it really has yet to take.
Perhaps we should aim just a little lower: be kind to a stranger.
For even the stranger is loved by someone and loves someone.
He is human after all.