Getting Used to Reality
We tend to get used to our reality without realizing it and without being sensitive to it.
If Rashi or the Rambam saw a huge, multi-ton metal bird flying in the air, they would probably think they were dreaming. Today, if a two year-old child saw the same thing they would either say "Plane!" or ignore it because of all the other planes they had seen in their life.
If Rashi or the Rambam saw a soldier in uniform, they would run away in fear. If you stopped them and showed them Hebrew writing – Tzahal - on their uniforms, they would definitely think they were dreaming. Show them the gun, made by Jewish engineers or the plane made and flown by Jews and now the envy of the world, they would think you were crazy. Today, if a two year-old child saw the same thing they would say "Abba!"
If Rashi or the Rambam had the chance to vote in an election, they would probably wonder what an election was. Tell them that they had an opportunity to vote for their own leader and they would think they were dreaming. Tell them that they had an opportunity to vote for a Jewish leader in a Jewish State and they would think you were dreaming!
I had that opportunity last week. Rashi and the Rambam would never believe me, or would give all their money in the world to have the chance to do what I did: getting to the polling place, showing my ID, placing a piece of paper with a political party on it in an envelope, thanking the volunteers and leaving.... safely.
I was not necessarily happy with the results of the elections, but the fact that there were elections in the first place... I couldn't be happier.
I am trying not to become insensitive to my reality, especially when it my reality is a dream.
If Rashi or the Rambam saw a huge, multi-ton metal bird flying in the air, they would probably think they were dreaming. Today, if a two year-old child saw the same thing they would either say "Plane!" or ignore it because of all the other planes they had seen in their life.
If Rashi or the Rambam saw a soldier in uniform, they would run away in fear. If you stopped them and showed them Hebrew writing – Tzahal - on their uniforms, they would definitely think they were dreaming. Show them the gun, made by Jewish engineers or the plane made and flown by Jews and now the envy of the world, they would think you were crazy. Today, if a two year-old child saw the same thing they would say "Abba!"
If Rashi or the Rambam had the chance to vote in an election, they would probably wonder what an election was. Tell them that they had an opportunity to vote for their own leader and they would think they were dreaming. Tell them that they had an opportunity to vote for a Jewish leader in a Jewish State and they would think you were dreaming!
I had that opportunity last week. Rashi and the Rambam would never believe me, or would give all their money in the world to have the chance to do what I did: getting to the polling place, showing my ID, placing a piece of paper with a political party on it in an envelope, thanking the volunteers and leaving.... safely.
I was not necessarily happy with the results of the elections, but the fact that there were elections in the first place... I couldn't be happier.
I am trying not to become insensitive to my reality, especially when it my reality is a dream.
posted by T.Y.I.I. at
Sunday, April 02, 2006
4 Comments:
shavuah tov moreh-derech
i see you don't usually answer your comments, so i'm sorry to bother you, the blog,etc. i just had to tell you that this post is outstanding! it would make a powerful opening of a book about living in eretz yisrael, or something else. it's too good to not be read by a wide audience.
I guess you willed it.
You reminded me of the story (that I heard from rabbi Abba Bronspiegel many years ago):
A man travels from Europe to America. He writes to his relatives that he's become president of his Shul. They can't imagine what this means, so they reply: "Just be good to the Jews."
Chag Kosher VeSameach
We miss you. Time for an update. Give us some killer lines.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home