Shabbat was hard, my mother-in-law called and divided up the Psalms amongst the family; we knew from Amo that the operation was meant to start anytime now. We also knew that by the time Shabbat was out, we probably would not be able to reach Avraham Meir. We were in Detroit for Shabbat, celebrating with my brother and sister-in-law the birth and circumcision of their baby boy. Shabbat was hard; the talk at the Shabbat table was, of course: did they go in, will they go in, should they go in… Obviously the only thing on our minds and in our prayers was that they should all be well.
I come home from synagogue on Shabbat afternoon, and my sister tells me that my cell was ringing while I was away. Now my mind started to work... Well, Amo knows I wouldn't answer the phone even if I saw his number on caller ID, so why would he call? Or maybe it wasn't him at all? Maybe it was him knowing I wouldn't answer, but he still want to leave a message… and why would he call anyhow?
Well, for now, the only thing we can do is say Psalms and pray.
On Shabbat afternoon my cousin Davy came over to my parents' house. His two brothers-in-law are in the Golani brigade and his wife had been in touch with her family and knew that they went in. He said they already hit 30 terrorists and no reported casualties.
Now the reality hit home they had gone on Saturday night Israeli time.
Amo, I hope you're okay... You're out there in the dark, you told me about an area that needed to be conquered first by foot, have you passed that? Is there resistance? Hey, you're such a kid how can you be out there with all the guns and fighters in the dark, in the bush. How do you have this strength? You surprise me Avraham Meir, I always knew you were Mr. Tough Guy, but I never took it for real, I still say I can take you out. But you're there, you're on the ground, one of the first guys in.
I said to my wife Chani, "I hate to sound like one of those who have to learn only when it hits home, but if we don't learn even then, we missed the opportunity. How many mothers, siblings, brothers-in-laws have gone through this? Now I feel their pain."
And although one side of me says, "Get Amo on the first plane home!", another side says, "He is doing what is right and should never leave. Once and for all a stop has to come to this, a time when parents will no longer worry, a time without these terrorist firing rockets at families. Go get them get rid of these terrorist so more mothers can sleep at night. May G‑d be with you."
We now needed to wait a few more hours until the end of Shabbat to hear the news or get online, but we knew it's for real. Chani took out her Psalms and started praying. We all shared the concern that G‑d protect our boys and keep them all safe.
As soon as Shabbat was out, I ran downstairs to check my cell. Turns out it was someone from Toronto who was having some serious issues with his teenaged son. Not to diminish the crisis, but to some degree I was relieved...
