171004
4th October
2017
Chag Sameach, Moadim le
Simcha.
Today I wanted to make
you laugh, to tell you about the tap tap tap tap tap of frantic succah building,
long into the night after Yom Kippur; I wanted to describe the beautiful
decorations made by our grandchildren, in Israel, Britain and New York; I really
wanted you to know that our pomegranate tree has loads of sweet juicy fruits
this year but somehow my brain can't reach that happy place – not after the
diabolical insanity that hit Las Vegas.
I have been trying to think of how to express
my sorrow and distress at what happened in Las Vegas. The sheer magnitude of
the horror and evil are beyond imagination and certainly beyond my
understanding. Clearly my heart goes out to the city, the families and the
people, but so much more.
One question keeps running through my mind -
not why did he do it, perhaps we will never know - my question is - how,
on G-ds good earth, did a man manage to buy, acquire and accumulate dozens of
weapons. Not just weapons but automatic rifles adapted with "bump
stock" to increase the speed of firing!!
There is a saying in the theatre -"If
there is a gun in the first act then someone will die in the second"
Guns are death not freedom and nothing will
convince me otherwise.
Natural disasters are natural – albeit horrific
but other than taking cover or building strong homes there is nothing we could
do to prevent the fatal destruction – guns are not natural…………..
If I hear one more person say that security
checks are an insult to one's freedom I will shout! I do not live in a police
state, as if having one's handbag checked outside public places and shopping
malls is an insult to freedom. Honestly, grow up!!!! I can walk freely wherever
I wish without fear, yet here in Israel where there is a relatively limited
danger of attack, only soldiers and police have automatic weapons; no private
individual is allowed more than one gun and in order to achieve that must go
through psychological testing, training and have a clear police record.
Growing up in the UK where even the
"Bobby" on the beat doesn't carry a gun it is anathema to me.
So you see, the horror of Las Vegas has taken
over my brain.
We must not dwell too much because Sukkot is a
joyous harvest celebration and people of
all nations will be in Jerusalem for the Tabernacles Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8WLRNEDWg
I am about to go to see Rachel, Igal and the
children and inspect their huge Succah – which grows exponentially each year!!!
Saturday night is Igal's birthday (Happy birthday Igal) and all the big Rabbis
of the Jerusalem area come to visit the Succah to pay their respects to the
young man who does so much Chessed. Rachel has been cooking for days of course
but each and every one of them will have a feast – and the children will be a
big help.
Up and over Har Shmuel – Samuel's Mount – past
Samuels Tomb carefully glancing right over the phenomenal panorama of Jerusalem
all the way to the sea. Coming home the car will be redolent with the aroma of
Rachel's freshly baked Challot which will adorn our table tonight. Zvi's bags
are packed as he leaves tomorrow night for Mexico to see old friends from the
Yiddische Schule where he spent his teenage years and to speak to various
communities. He will also be in San Diego to speak so if you want to hear his
mellifluous tones – check out where he will be.
I will not be home alone – I am going to check
out Gideon, Stephanie, Sammy, Olivia and Zachary's Succah!! I will dance on
Simchat torah with my beautiful grandchildren and I will meet the new family
member for the first time – Maple the dog!!!
I wish you a safe and joyous Succot filled
with delicious fruit and waving palm branches with willow and myrtle and the
Citron (the Lulav and Etrog). May your Succah (Tabernacle) always be filled
with friends and family
One song keeps running through my head – Pete Seeger's
Where Have All the Flowers Gone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZa3KtkVpQ
Not for Sukkot but for Las Vegas and every country that threatens another
To lift our spirits a beautiful Sukkot song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXx5Wp3GcSE
With love from glorious Jerusalem
Sheila
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