One Shabbat

(I posted 'One Shabbat a little more than a year ago, and at the time I was sure that soon it would be outdated. Unfortunately, it is just as relevant today as it was a year ago.)

When I started this blog a month or so ago, I swore to myself that I would not deal with politics or busy myself and my readers with the ongoing conflict that is almost a way of life in this little country.

But it seems callous to carry on as if all is well, when not far from here are thousands of innocent people that live in fear and misery on a daily basis.

I know it's not realistic to expect a solution; I know there is too much pain and hatred in this corner of the world to think that it can disappear overnight.

So I ask for this: one Shabbat.

One Shabbat that the Hamas will forget their anger and think of a more constructive way to express themselves, because they can't build a life for their people by destroying homes in Israel.

One Shabbat that the army will send all the soldiers in Gaza home to their families, because I know that for one or two or more of those families it will be the last Shabbat they spend with a beloved son.

One Shabbat that supplies of food and medicine and electricity and water will be allowed to flow freely to the thousands of Palestinians that greet every evening in darkness and wonder where they will find their next meal.

One Shabbat that the families on the Israeli side of the fence will get a good night's sleep without fear of dozing off and never waking up.

One Shabbat that Gilad Shalit's family will receive a sign of life from his captors.

That's all I ask for;

One Shabbat of peace.