For Love of the Land

At my Israeli bank, they serve ice cream to the tellers during the Nine Days, because no one is fleishigs then. Only in Israel.

We pray that this year the ice cream will be unnecessary, that the flickers of warm Yiddishkeit — in all of us — flare into the blaze that will cancel Tishah B’Av mourning.

While we’re still in galus, we grapple with how to approach and appreciate Eretz Yisrael. The days of desperate yearning and treacherous journeys are gone; where does that leave us?

Home Is Where the Heart Is

We want to move to Eretz Yisrael, but have been advised by our rav that it’s not right for our family at this point. I know the decision is correct, but I’m so sad about it. I’m unmotivated to do things like expand my house, or even apply for a promotion at work. It all feels empty when this isn’t where I want to be.