The fact is, if we compare the families of the settlers to those of people with similar qualities who live behind the Green Line, the settler families are much larger. Self-sacrifice in settling the Land strengthens one’s life. Usually, in this world, this is manifested by an increase in the number of children and grandchildren, in Torah and mitzvot, in spiritual creativeness.
People die from accidents and illnesses, and from various self-destructive behaviors. Many of them can’t find love and don’t raise families. Global suffering is great. Someone who flees the nation’s mission because of the dangers it entails usually finds himself faced with other, bigger and more difficult, dangers or risks.
Fortunate is the person whose suffering has value, for through these trials and tribulations he is purified and refined, and his life flows in its proper path.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed is dean of Yeshiva Har Bracha (www.yhb.org.il), located in the Samarian mountains near Shechem.
