Eid al Adcha
Ishmael and Isaac, marrying one woman, and a proud father….
And everything else is already here ….
Just before my son, Anadad, and I were about to go out with a loaded van Jonathan, my neighbour, called and asked whether I would like to take a sofa to the neighbours across the fence. We went over to him, loaded up the sofa, and then he said that he would like to join us sometime. “Every Thursday – you are welcome”, I said.
“Actually, why not today?” asked Jonathan and within 5 minutes were all in the car for a full and crowded day. Most of the people we visited were fasting but were very happy with our visit.
Somehow today’s topic, "Binding of Ishmael”, came up almost everywhere. Jonathan, who turned out to be familiar with the story from both sides, shared and participated in the story telling. Listening from the side, and not familiar with the small details, it sounded to me as almost the same story as the binding of Isaac. I thought to myself: what if Isaac and Ishmael were the same person and the two traditions simply call their hero by a different name …?
The truth is that it does not matter whether it’s one or two; that day, for a moment, we were one. One with the other, one with the environment and with everything that is.
Several of the places, which we visited, I was visiting for the first time since the Corona had begun. There were places that had sealed themselves during the corona time, and had even set up their own checkpoints to make sure that no one outside of the village would enter.
In one of the villages, where their home had been demolished several months ago, children, women, men and youngsters, known here as “Shabab”, sat together. The conversation flowed and there was much joking, especially when the issue of becoming engaged to more than one woman arose. Beyond the joke, there is the saying that it is good to be with one woman. The woman who was present, on the one hand said that she doesn’t care, but on the other hand was not so happy to share her husband with another woman. The issue of jealousy was raised and I was surprised to learn that the “Shabab” who was soon to be married, does not want more than one woman and does not want many children.
In another cave, we were greeted with shouts of joy and even there the marriage to more than one woman was the theme. Here the woman present was more assertive and clearer in her position. When we left, Imad praised me in front of my some, Anadad, and told him that he has a great father. I told Imad that just for my son to hear this from someone else, made it worth coming to visit today….
Two weeks earlier, I had visited a Bedouin village. There, I was told about a strange phenomenon of Palestinians who come to work in Israel, being robbed by masked men wearing police uniforms and carrying weapons. Everyone was sure that they were not soldiers, because when they heard the police, they would run away.
Very astonished, I reported this to the police; an investigation began and yesterday I received a report that they had stopped the quintet. Unfortunately, they were indeed border policeman who took advantage of their position to make easy money ….
Despite all their difficulties, the Palestinians continue to look at the full half of the glass, grateful for what there is, and accepting with understanding difficulties of various kinds. Their “muscles” of patience and forbearance are well developed and I watch with respect and admiration at how they maintain optimism, faith and hope even when there is almost no light at the end of the tunnel. The times of corona are extremely challenging. Many of the people who earned a living working in Israel are not going to work now and poverty is gnawing at everyone.
Perhaps, thanks to the corona, we will gain days of recognition, consideration and caring for the other. We can see how we are all here together, and if we help one another – really help, we can bring sanity to life on earth and dissolve the ancient hatred and labels that we are comfortable attaching to the other.
A reminder: Anyone who wants to join me – the invitation is open!
For those who want to support from afar, any help can encourage more people to believe in peace and to create good neighborly relations – together on earth.
Thank you and thank to Bernice to polish my English
Eyal
P.S
During the Corona period and due to livelihood constraints, we started projects to support the livelihood of the residents of the area. The first one is a second-hand store. Everything we are throwing away due to lack of use: clothes, housewares, toys, small furniture can be sold for a few shekels to the residents and thus allows a livelihood to Salem and his family. If you have things you do not need I would be happy if you pass them on to me. The second project is the Peace Stand of the residents of Mount Hebron - products (hyssop, olive oil, tissues, wine, honey, tahini and more) produced by Palestinian and Jewish residents that are joining together to help promoting peace, tolerance and caring for each other and on the way to generate livelihood for the local residents. This venture is still in its infancy and I hope to announce it soon.
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