Visiting An Army Base in Israel

I shared with the students that over the winter break I had the great opportunity and privilege to visit an Israeli Army base. The plan was for the visitors (us) to serve the the Chayalim hot dogs and chicken nuggets for a snack at around 8 PM.  We arrived at the base not sure what to expect since we had never been on a real army base before. These soldiers were the real deal. The night before some of them had a completed a mission in a town nearby, and they shared with us that in a few hours they would be going out on a another mission.  The base was nothing special. Cement floors and metal barracks. We started grilling the Hot dogs,chicken nuggets and preparing drinks for the soldiers. The soldiers male and female walked up to our station and we served them. They thanked us for bringing them a great treat and we thanked them for all that they do for Israel. We shared with them that we are so thankful to them for protecting the land we love. They are the reason that we can visit Israel and return to live in Israel.  At the end of the night, the tally way 150 Hot dogs, 20 boxes of nuggets, or schnitzel, as they called it and 20 bottles of Soda and Iced tea.  As we were packing up the highest ranking officer on this base approached us and shared with us two points that I will never forget.
One, the visit meant a lot to them. They get cards or gifts sometimes from people but for us to visit them on their base, on their home away from home was really special. He said "The hot dogs and the schnitzel was nice but the feeling of warmth in their hearts was more satisfying then any food. The second thing he shared with us was that every time they go out on a mission the entire group, religious or non religious, says Tefilat Hadarech. The prayer for a person going on a dangerous trip. He said the army knows that their success is in a large part due to God looking out for them.

This was a great experience for me and my family. May Hashem bless the soldiers of the Israeli army and guard and protect them.... and lest us say thank you and Amen. 

Being Grateful Every Time

Recently in Parshat Beshalach, the Jewish People were fleeing Egypt and came to a road block. Well, literally they came to a water block. They had the Red Sea in front of them.  They could not cross with their families and all their possessions. Behind them were the Egyptians led by the Pharaoh himself. The Egyptians realized they made a huge mistake in allowing the Jewish People to leave and now they wanted to capture them and bring them back. God instructs Moshe to tell the people, do not fear I will save you. He commands Moshe to raises his hand and the sea splits. The Jews walked through the dry land to the other side. The Egyptians run in after them but the walls of water come crashing down on them.   (Look at a new website AlHaorah.org for some great paintings of these event)
WOW! What an event to read about but how much more so what an event to witness. At that point the Jewish People must have been on a super high.  However, the very next section of the narrative we find the Jewish People complaining about water and then soon after about food. Rashi and others explain that they were not recognizing how much good God had done for them. The were being ungrateful כפוי טובה in Hebrew. They were not able to say thank you about all the good that had just happened, they were just thinking of the next difficulty.

I shared with the students that in our lives we have a lot of people that care about us and do "good" for us. Our parents, families, teachers, and friends do many things to help daily. We become so accustomed to their assistance and good nature that we begin to expect it. We forget to acknowledge them with a "thank you". each time something is done for us because we expect  it from them.  This is what I think was happening to the Jewish People. They were so accustomed to God doing "good" for them they were forgetting to say than you and appreciate all that had been done.

We need to thank and show gratitude for the people that help each time. Each time our parents make dinner or us say thank you. Each time we have clean clothing in our room say thank you. Each time a teacher shows you how to understand a new concept say thank you. Each time your friend helps you say thank you.  If we take this approach we will be learning to be grateful every time and we will lead a more content and happy life.