New Hebrew Words

I learnt a new word in Hebrew this week.  Nehereg.  It means to be killed.  I also learnt Nertzach.  To be murdered.  Earlier I learnt the words Chotef - kidnapped, Yoreh - shoot.

Thankfully, I also learnt the words Magen - protect, Mayeret - shoot down; and maybe most importantly, Kipat HaBarzel - the Iron Dome.

As you can probably tell, all these words were learnt while talking about the current situation in Israel.  It's a sad situation, and one which I don't think will improve as long as Hamas is in power in the Gaza strip.  There can't be lasting peace when one side has the destruction of the other side as their main goal.  I am grateful that I'm on the side that invests money into protecting its people.  The side that isn't almost entirely targeting civilians.  The side, that when it learns of an imminent attack, will evacuate innocents as opposed to congregating them.

I am currently in one of the safest places in Israel.  I have only had to run for a bomb shelter once while I've been here.  I know that my friends both further south and further north have had to go numerous times.  It is only through the grace of God, preparations by the Israeli government, and the soldiers in the IDF that many more people haven't died.

I hope that the situation in Gaza will resolve soon.  That Hamas will be removed from power, and that there will be leadership for the Palestinians that care more about Palestinian lives than Israeli deaths.

I wish to everyone a peaceful and quiet week.

Shabbat Shalom!