Write To Life     by Elana Horwitz

originally published in Hamodia

Re: 56 Comments for Independence Day

To the editor:

On 5 Iyar, Hamodia published an article entitled "56 Comments for Independence Day". The author writes that "we observant Jews" feel that the State of Israel must make a cheshbon hanefesh, and proceeds to list 56 arguments detailing what is wrong with life in Eretz Yisroel today.

Funny that complaint # 47 reads, "the media focuses on the negative while ignoring the many positive things that still happen".

In the spirit of the Torah's ways of pleasantness, I feel that it is proper for Hamodia's writers to convey a sense of gratitude. The mitzvah of hakaras hatov enables us to focus on all the good that we have. Why not try to improve our daily situation with optimism and a positive approach - towards Eretz Yisroel as it is today, Hakadosh Boruch Hu who gives us tools to use wisely, and our fellow Jews?

The author asserts that "observant Jews were here long before the establishment of the state and are not here because of the state". In truth, a very small percentage of Jews were able to survive in the fearsome conditions that prevailed in Eretz Yisroel before the state. Honestly, how many of us would, or could, remain here under hostile, foreign rule?

I hope to continue to read quality articles of honesty and positivity that make Hamodia so refreshing to bring into our Charedi home.

Elana Horwitz
Ra’anana