The Gulf War ended right before Purim. “Layhudim hayta orah v’simcha v’sasson We didn’t need those bags to hold our mask boxes anymore. They turned into cosmetic cases or lunch bags. I myself still use one as a small, lightweight carry-on.
Fifteen years after the Gulf War, missiles are once again raining down on Israel’s cities and towns. Taking leave of our son, my husband blessed him as Avraham Avinu was blessed. “Shmonah y’mei mila” – eight is the day of brit mila, and in return for fulfilling that covenant, Avraham was promised all the land of Canaan. “Lmaan asher yitzaveh et banavvshamru et derech Hashem – and because His children have been commanded and keep the ways of Hashem, we ask God that our son, along with all the other sons and captive soldiers of Israel, will return home safely.
The Six-Day war brought us victory right before Chag Hashavuot. The Gulf War ended before Purim. This war doesn’t even have a name yet, and Tisha b’Av looms ahead so ominously. We’ve been promised, however, that Tisha b’Av, a day of fast and mourning for so many generations, will evolve into a festival for Israel.
May we be worthy in our time to see the eighth day of Av bring us from eival to a yom tov on the ninth day, from a day of mourning to a holiday to be celebrated with children, grandchildren and loved ones, in every home in every city, in Israel and throughout the world
Hopefully, a victorious end to the war will turn Tzav Shmonah, Command #8, into a festival, especially for our soldiers and those cooped up for days and nights in underground shelters. On that day, sasson v’simcha yimatzei ba, joy and happiness will be found therein, along with gratitude and cheer to the Almighty.