With the sky of Ashdod on fire under double-daily barrages of Grad missiles from Gaza, many people – including rabbis and spiritual guides – sought refuge in Bnai Brak, Jerusalem, and other points north far away from the missiles’ deadly range. On one particular day, a steady stream of phone calls kept me busy from morning until night. People were asking for “wartime” advice, both practical halachas and ways of coping. “Are we allowed to keep our radio on during Shabbat?” “What do I do if the Red Alert siren goes off when I’m in the middle of ritual immersion in the mikva?” “How can I calm my three-year old down?” “My eight year-old has been wetting his bed for the last six nights, what can I do?” These are a few of the many questions that were thrown my way. Maybe someday I’ll have the time to write them down...
The sky of Ashdod on fire under double-daily barrages of Grad missiles, photo by Rabbi Lazer Brody
Yet, the most significant question I received that day was from a young man named Itzik who was debating whether to leave Ashdod or not, and to fly north like many other birds looking for a milder, no-missile climate. From one standpoint, he was afraid to remain in Ashdod. On the other hand, he had a guilty conscience, as if he’s deserting his battle station. Itzik therefore wanted me to agree that because of the danger he had to leave Ashdod, and thereby put his guilty conscience at rest:
Itzik: Isn’t this a pikuach nefesh [life-threatening] situation, Rabbi? Doesn’t halacha [religious law] require me to leave Ashdod?
LB: Itzik, if you’re afraid, then do what makes you feel comfortable. But sorry, religious law doesn’t require you to leave Ashdod.
Itzik: But it’s dangerous here.
LB: The roads in Israel are more dangerous than Ashdod. One person was killed here this week by a missile, but eight people died in traffic accidents this week. So, you’re really safer staying here than you are driving around the country.
Itzik: But Rabbi, I can take the bus - I don’t have to drive. I have a brother in Jerusalem with a big apartment…
LB: Jerusalem is more dangerous than Ashdod! All over the city, the Arabs are rioting, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails. The police are sending a few thousand reinforcements…
Itzik: Then I’ll go to Bnai Brak. It’s nice and quiet. We can stay with my mother in law.
LB: You think you’re safer under one roof with your mother-in-law? Many people would prefer the missiles from Gaza…
Itzik: OK, I agree that my mother-in-law is not the best idea. But my wife has a sister in Hatzor up north…
LB: Two years ago, the Hizbolla bombed Hatzor and they all sought refuge with us in Ashdod. Who says the northern border won’t ignite at any minute? And then where do you go?
Itzik: I’ll rent an apartment in Natanya.
LB: Natanya is a favorite target for suicide bombers. And where do you get the money to continue paying your mortgage here in Ashdod and to rent an apartment in Natanya? And what will you do there? Do you have a job? A place to learn?
Itzik: You’re right. If I have to dip into my savings to rent a place in Natanya, I might as well fly to New York. My grandparents are in New York City.
LB: New York! And what about 9/11? More people were killed there in five minutes that in ten years of terror over here.
Itzik: Well, there are Jews in other parts of the USA. The rabbi from Chabad in New Orleans was my brother’s chevruta [learning partner] in yeshiva…
LB: Have you forgotten about Katrina? New Orleans is hurricane alley…
Itzik: Then I’ll go out west to Seattle.
LB: Some Muslim extremist bombed the Jewish Community Center there not long ago.
Itzik: The heck with the USA. I’ll save money on the plane tickets and for half the price, I’ll take my wife and kids to London. There’s a tremendous religious community in London – Golder’s Green, Hemdon, Stamford Hill…
LB: What about the subway bombings in London? Here on the streets of Ashdod, you don’t rub shoulders with Palestinians, but you’ll meet plenty of them on the streets of London.
Itzik: Then I’ll go to Paris.
LB: Excuse me, Itzik – have of Paris has already moved to Ashdod. Take a walk down the Riviera [Ashdod’s exclusive seaside condo development]; 90% are French speakers that have their businesses to Israel. Paris nowadays is just as dangerous as Jenin.
Itzik: Then I’ll go to the Far East…
LB: What about the earthquakes, the typhoons, and the tsunamis?
Itzik: Well, plenty of Israelis go to India?
LB: Itzik, get a hold on yourself! Haven’t you heard about Mumbai?
Itzik (sighs deeply and pauses): Then there’s nowhere to go?
LB: That’s the whole point, my friend. Yona the Prophet learned the hard way that you can’t run away from Hashem. Hashem want’s us to strengthen our faith right here where we are. Somewhere else, we might have more difficult trials and tribulations. Hashem does the best for every one of us. If He put you in Ashdod, I suggest that you stay put. When you look at the world through eyes of Emuna, there’s no place to hide from Hashem.
Itzik: Hmmm. I guess you’ve got a point there. Are there any wartime discounts of The Garden of Emuna?
LB: You were willing to spend thousands of dollars in plane tickets or rented apartments, and what’s worrying you is saving five bucks on The Garden of Emuna? Emuna should be worth millions to you. Look how much wear and tear it saves on your nervous system.
Itzik: You’re right, Rabbi. Can I come over now and pick up a copy?
LB: Sure thing. And, if you’re willing to do some volunteer work, you can help us answer phone calls, particularly the ones from the folks that want to leave town. Now you know what to tell them.
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