Page 3 - HaMizrachi Pesach 5782 USA

FROM THE
Editor

ast November, just three with it, her confidence after doing well Miriam’s sons possessed her spirit.
months after we made Aliyah, on her first Bagrut (Matriculation) After Uriel was killed in 1998, she
a well-meaning friend in New test, and that time her sister found found a note in his drawer. Uriel wrote,
LJersey asked me: “Have your the right words to order an iced coffee “With all the thorns and barbs that
kids adjusted yet?” Taken aback, I (the slushy kind, obviously) in Hebrew. have scratched my body, you could put
was reminded of the regular feature We celebrate those moments! together a three-foot hedge. But these
in MAD magazine called “Snappy aren’t just ordinary thorns – they’re
Answers to Stupid Questions.” What I But the longer we live here, the more I thorns from the Land of Israel, and
wanted to answer was: “Adjusted? Are realize that there is another source of whoever lives in this country must
you insane? I just brought my high strength and inspiration available to my know how to accept these thorns with
school and middle school daughters daughters. For they are part of a nation love.” (Ibid., p.340)
across the ocean on Aliyah. It’s a that is blessed with incredible role
miracle they don’t hate me every day!” models of strength and courage, with As we navigate the mundane travails
Of course, what I actually said was: women who teach the rest of us how to of Aliyah, the awesome sacrifice and
“Adjusted yet? Umm… not exactly. It’s overcome – women like Miriam Peretz. strength of the Peretz family reminds
a process.” We all know of her sacrifice; how could me – and my daughters – that we are
far stronger than we realize. If Miriam
Adolescence anywhere can be we not? Two of her sons, Uriel and can laugh, if Miriam can overcome, if
challenging, and Aliyah has a way of Eliraz, gave their lives to protect us; Miriam can make room in her heart
intensifying those challenges. New her husband, Eliezer, died of a broken for others, so can we.
schools, trying to make new friends, all heart. And yet, somehow, she continues
while sitting through class after class in to live, lead and inspire our nation. This Pesach, may we merit to see the
rapid-fire Hebrew – it’s enough to drive “Our spirit is strong, and even if I hurt final redemption that will, once and
an adult crazy, let alone teenage girls and cry over the deaths of my sons and for all, heal our broken hearts, wipe
still searching for their own identities. my husband Eliezer, I am not broken. away our tears and reunite us with all
The Rabbis say that the Land of Israel You can’t break a spirit. It grows those we love – in joy!
is a gift that is only acquired through stronger and takes on new forms of
suffering; clearly, they also tried to giving and dedication, of connection to
learn geometry in Hebrew!
this land and our heritage. Out of the Elie Mischel
Fortunately, there are also plenty of darkness that visited our family and
small victories. My older daughter’s many other families in Israel, every
joy in learning to take the bus to day I choose to spread light.” (Miriam’s Rabbi Elie Mischel
Jerusalem and the freedom that comes Song, p.335) Editor

(PHOTO: DOV KRAM)

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