Ordinary Life

I received an email from my friend in Israel who, like everyone there, is experiencing the conundrum of whether to stay glued to the news or try to conduct her life as normal. Indeed, she found it "refreshing reading (my) email with the details and troubles of day to day life."

How does one conduct one's life activities when one is threatened with annihilation at any moment? How does one function when experiencing a threat to one's survival and the resultant, overwhelming anxiety?

We tune out much of the unknown in order to function. When the threat to our existence becomes evident, it takes superhuman effort to keep moving and not become paralyzed with fear.

At these moments we may realize that ordinary life is so full of hidden miracles that we don't realize what it takes to sustain our world. From the air-conditioning to the internet, we experience ease of existence. I remember growing up without either. In hot weather we slept outside on the fire-escape of our apartment building. And, if we wanted to shop, we had to visit the store in person. Now we can live comfortably without ever leaving our homes.

Technology aside, ordinary life means the miracle of health and interpersonal relationships. We have opportunities to work, take our children places and travel, all the while relying on G-d's presence to protect us.

When disaster strikes, man-made or "natural," we yearn for the commonplace once again.

May G-d bring a speedy end to this war.