There is a special prayer said in many synagogues for the health and welfare of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Like many things that are part of a routine, sometimes you forget to really think about the inner meaning of the activity.
The major purpose of our visit to Israel now was to attend the wedding of the cousin of the NFO. It took place on New Year's Eve in Jerusalem with approx. 750 people in attendance.
During the ceremony, the Rabbi paused the traditional service and read the prayer for the welfare of the IDF.
It really hit home.
Here we were in Jerusalem, arguably the most spiritual place in the world.
In a room where over 50% of the attendees had served or are currently serving in the IDF and where every single person knows someone on the front lines in the war with Hamas...both military and civilian.
The thought that only 1 hour away there were people putting their lives on the line...literally...so that we could sing and dance at this wedding was pretty humbling.
It gave one a sense of appreciation for the "price of liberty."
And the juxtaposition of emotion was intense. We were celebrating raucously, with legitimate cause and 1 hour south, others were in bomb shelters.
Just another day in the Middle East.