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It is interesting that tzaros bring out the best in the Jewish Nation. The political climate in Israel was breaking us asunder. With the unexpected attacks and murder of hundreds of men, women, and children by Arab terrorists from Gaza on Simchas Torah, Israel was forced to enter a full-fledged war. No soldier or reserve soldier refused the call-up because other soldiers in his unit hold different political views than him. Suddenly, political views seem so unimportant. Israeli civilians have galvanized to create many and diverse projects to help soldiers, their families, and anyone who is need of help.

On Shabbos Shemini Atzeres as news set in of the horrors in Eretz Yisrael, the New York Police Department wasted no time in arranging plans locally should a need arise. Unprecedented times call for extraordinary measures. At 4 p.m. on Yom Tov, I joined over 70 New York City Jewish community leaders to learn of updates on the situation in Israel and of concerns around New York. Commissioner Caban was delighted to learn that a security plan was in place in every region of the city to hastily get a message out to the community should there be a dire situation during Yom Tov. The security personnel present knew the communities they serve inside and out and would be able to coordinate an appropriate plan if necessary.

It was nearly 24 years ago to the day when the third episode of the hit television show The West Wing aired, entitled “A Proportional Response.” In the episode, the President is conferring with the Joint Chiefs on how to retaliate against a terrorist action in the Middle East. Bartlett asks the question: “What’s the virtue of the proportional response?” His military commanders have no answer except, “It’s what we do.”

Yaniv

This is Yaniv Sarudi. Eyewitness account: Yaniv picked up 9 fleeing and wounded people in his regular car along the way as they were being attacked by terrorists in southern Israel. He drove them to an IDF base, but that base was under Hamas control. He kept driving under constant fire and waited with the injured two more hours until IDF special forces arrived. He died from his injuries but saved 8 lives.

This article is reprinted with permission from Times of Israel

 It is hard to fall asleep at night.

It is even harder to wake up in the morning.

On the ground in Eretz Yisrael and currently unable to return to Queens due to the circumstances, Yaakov Serle, on behalf of his wife Atara, shared their story with Rabbi Peretz Eichler on his weekly radio show. The following is a transcription.