Yehuda, I just read your column on my flight - it perfectly captures many of the thoughts and emotions I've been thinking about and feeling in the weeks and days leading up to today. Looking forward to being together soon!
This may seem way out of whack but I associated to Miss Maudie in To Kill A Mockingbird, a book I memorized as an anxious insomniac teen so many years ago.
I believe I read in one of your prior sustacks this book meant a lot to you too.
After Atticus loses the trial Miss Maudie tries to explain to his children that some people are called upon to do the things that are hard and must be done. I took that as the hard things meaning as against the grain. That's how I think of our people. And right now there are more of those among us like you who take on the hard things with an admirable humble ambivalence and utter commitment all at once.
Perhaps this is the way it was for us at Sinai, at the time of the first exile, so many other times throughout history...and now again, whatever that means going forward.
So beautiful to read this, Yehuda. You are always an inspiration, so truthful, so authentic, so moving, so real. Thank you from the depths of my heart. May the time in Israel this trip be a blessed one.
Yehuda, one thought that came to my mind while reading your column was that being in Israel is grounding, especially for those of us who live in hyperbole and existential dread. The understated normalcy one sees there, despite everything, brings stuff into proportion.
Yehuda, I just read your column on my flight - it perfectly captures many of the thoughts and emotions I've been thinking about and feeling in the weeks and days leading up to today. Looking forward to being together soon!
This may seem way out of whack but I associated to Miss Maudie in To Kill A Mockingbird, a book I memorized as an anxious insomniac teen so many years ago.
I believe I read in one of your prior sustacks this book meant a lot to you too.
After Atticus loses the trial Miss Maudie tries to explain to his children that some people are called upon to do the things that are hard and must be done. I took that as the hard things meaning as against the grain. That's how I think of our people. And right now there are more of those among us like you who take on the hard things with an admirable humble ambivalence and utter commitment all at once.
Perhaps this is the way it was for us at Sinai, at the time of the first exile, so many other times throughout history...and now again, whatever that means going forward.
Yehuda, You express yourself so well. I appreciate your words and I sincerely appreciate you. I hope we get to see you when you're here in Israel.
So beautiful to read this, Yehuda. You are always an inspiration, so truthful, so authentic, so moving, so real. Thank you from the depths of my heart. May the time in Israel this trip be a blessed one.
Yehuda, one thought that came to my mind while reading your column was that being in Israel is grounding, especially for those of us who live in hyperbole and existential dread. The understated normalcy one sees there, despite everything, brings stuff into proportion.
I’m there much of the summer maybe see you there
My flight is tomorrow. So excited.