Two weeks ago, 500 members of our community came together is a magnificent show of support, solidarity and gratitude, at a Shabbat dinner honoring ten severely wounded IDF soldiers and victims of terror. The soldiers shared their stories and the community was able to bond and identify with Israel’s struggles and victims. The evening was extremely moving and memorable.
Noam Nakash, one of the soldiers, shared his story. He served as a company sergeant major at the Nahal Oz army base until a routine evening four years ago when a barrage of rockets was fired from Gaza into Israel. Three mortar shells hit the base, injuring eight soldiers, including Noam who lost a leg. Noam described feeling his leg fly 20 feet in the air, while he was still conscious and aware.
He told us about the intense sense of misery and despair he felt when he woke from surgery. He felt as if his life had ended. He wondered, how can I live like this? Why was I given such suffering? Why can’t I just be like everyone else? But just as those thoughts were swirling through his troubled mind, in walked Kfir Levi.
Kfir was an IDF sniper with the Givati brigade. He was standing guard at the Netzarim yishuv in Gaza when he was hit by a terrorist-fired RPG. For two months he lay unconscious, straddling the narrow fence that bridges this world and the next, often closer to the next.
Since that attack, he has undergone 192 surgeries! His injuries include paralysis to his left hand and leg, loss of his teeth and right eye, and a shattered right hand. His face needed to be completely reconstructed and he now requires a hearing aid.
Two years ago, Kfir was one of our Belev Echad guests. Despite his massive injuries, Kfir manages to put on a smile. When Kfir visited Noam to cheer him up, Noam realized how much worse off Kfir was. Seeing that Kfir was able to continue living happily gave Noam the strength and perseverance he needed to continue his recovery. He even learned to be thankful for his lot.
The last of the Ten Commandments is, “You shall not covet your friend’s house; or his wife, servant, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to him.” In simple English, “Don’t be jealous of your coworker’s house in the Hamptons, your best friend’s wife, your brother’s dream job, your cousin’s bank account, and all the other great things those around you seem to have.
Essentially, the Torah is reminding us to look at the bigger picture. Don’t just see the Hampton beach house; look at it in context of that person’s entire life. You might not be so jealous anymore.
Each of us is given a unique combination of problems, challenges and hardships. There is no one out there without any problems. So, when we see Cousin Steve, who seems to have made it big without much effort or work, G-d’s reminding us, “Don’t forget it’s a package deal.” Look at his problems along with his wealth, and chances are you’ll choose to keep your own little bag of troubles.
Noam, who lost a leg and now requires a prosthetic and a leg brace, had this very realization. Looking at Kfir, he realized, it could have been worse. And that’s when he was finally able to accept and embrace the burden G-d had landed on him.