Wasn’t it Kalev who had done the same? Wasn’t it Kalev who cried to our forefathers and foremothers in Chevron to have the strength to fight for Eretz Yisrael and not be swayed by silly “public opinion” or “consensus”? Here was one of Kalev’s children asking him for the same.
I suddenly noticed, as these thoughts filled my head, that I was crying. I looked around and saw that I wasn’t alone. I put my head down and begged Kalev to beseech Hashem for the Katif refugees. I begged Kalev to use his influence above to help prevent further calamities. But most of all I asked for chizuk – chizuk to do what’s right, chizuk to help me never forget how dear this land is to me, chizuk to raise my children to feel the same.
As I stood, I had a strange feeling. I felt as if I were taking part of Kalev with me. I was suddenly happy, optimistic and full of hope. I joined my friend and we strode back to where the bus had dropped us off; only this time we decided to walk. We walked back to our car in high spirits, greeting all the soldiers along the way, and headed home.
Why am I telling you all this? I’m not sure. Some inner urge, perhaps, to share the chizuk I received. That, as well as my desire to remind everyone that our past, present, and future pass through the Shomron.