The Sum of Their Fears

I have long forgotten what he’s collecting for. But over the years he’s been coming to the shul every year between Succos and Chanukah we’ve become friends. At Minchah though he looked very different from his normal jovial self. He looked pale shaken and worried.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“What’s the matter? I’m leaving tomorrow! I must get home!” He was incredulous at my question.

I didn’t understand. “Why are you leaving? What happened?”

“Why am I leaving? Don’t you listen to the news? My family is in Ashkelon. They’re traumatized by the incessant sirens which seem timed to inflict the greatest psychological fear possible. The siren sounds as the children are just falling asleep and my wife is forced to wake them and rush them to the crowded bomb shelters. That’s what’s wrong.”