Blood: This Day In Yeshiva History- January 3 (with a current twist)

I meant to write this last night but I met up with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. Priorities, Priorities... Here's what I wrote in my journal:

"Big Day today. Magen David Edom came today to the yeshiva for us to donate blood. I donated for the first time in my life. It made me feel great too. My mom talked to me about it beforehand and she really encouraged me to do it. She said that she'd done it several times and more importantly, it was donated blood that help prolong Bubby's life. That gave me even greater incentive to participate."
Bubby is the Yiddish name for grandmother. My Bubby passed away a little over a year at the time - Nov 2004. I actually forgot about this detail about the whole experience, but nonetheless it's noteworthy to recall because of how important she was to me and it gives me great joy to simply bring her up in conversation.

But here's the current twist: My dad showed me this article he was emailed on Wednesday. The article was entitled "Filthy Jewish Blood".
http://www.ou.org/shabbat_shalom/article/bogner_filthy_jewish_blood/
Talk about an attention catching title. I won't spoil it, but it basically discusses the under-reported practice of Jewish humanitarianism - TO THE PALESTINIANS IN GAZA.

That's right. To the same place they just sent ground troops last night. I can't help but wonder if the roles were reversed, would the Palestinians consider a similar practice?

When I look back to when I gave blood that day, I thought about how much of a service to the country I was doing by giving my blood to those who need it. I thought of victims of terror attacks, hospital patients, soldiers in combat... pretty much anyone who'd be in need in blood to keep on living. Like my Bubby.

But to Palestinians in Gaza?
Wouldn't that seem a little counterproductive?

The other day I posted an article written by my friend who discussed her experiences as a medic who had to care for an actual terrorist. She mentioned that regardless of who or why, human life should be protected and preserved if means to do so are available. Human dignity shouldn't be compromised regardless of the situation. The article makes that very clear in a very creative manner by asking you to put yourself in the shoes of an Israeli solider facing the body of wounded Palestinian who just tried to kill you.

But the article goes on to another point. The articles mentions how in addition to humanitarian relief, several trucks of blood were sent in from Jordan.

Jordan? Why blood from there? Didn't I just give blood? Didn't I just mention that regardless of who it is and why, human dignity comes first? What's the story here?

It turns out my blood isn't good enough...

The article explains:

"The truth is, just as Israel has had to come to terms with a Red Diamond as its medical symbol abroad (since the International Red Cross made it clear that the Red Star of David is offensive to too much of the world), we have also somehow had to make peace with the fact that even our blood is considered sub-human and filthy by the very people with whom we are supposed to be making peace."

I'm going to leave at that. I've posted the link of the article above. But here it is again:
http://www.ou.org/shabbat_shalom/article/bogner_filthy_jewish_blood/
It's no coincidence that this article came out almost a few years after I blood @ my yeshiva in Israel.

Let me know what you think.

Holidays + Work + Tevy = The Wrong Perspective

It's been a full week since the holidays finished (with the exception of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan- the beginning of the month of Cheshvan from Tuesday night to Thursday afternoon) and things seem to be back to normal, whatever normal may be. Whether its school, work or whatever one spends their time usually doing, the routine is back in full swing.

From my perspective, I've finally caught up from missing 7 days of holidays over the past month. During that span of time I've had to make up 3 big assignments, cram for a test, and deal with the craziness of that Canadian election. I'll admit it's been tough trying to manage my time accordingly and give proper focus to the work amidst the holiday rush but I try my best not to complain. I shouldn't have to make excuses (or even call the holidays as excuses) for getting my work done efficiently and submitted on time.

But something occurred to me as the final holiday, Simchat Torah, was coming to an end. It was a realization that the holidays were finally over. Even though I had a mountain of work to do once I got home, I took some time to reflect over this year's holiday experience. Of course it was meaningful and full of joy, but I felt like I could've done more.
More as in:
- time spent preparing for the holidays, such as learning customs and helping out the family
- time spent getting work out of the way so it wouldn't impede on properly preparing and observing the holidays.

I could say more, but I think you get the picture. As much as I didn't want it to be this way, I couldn't help but have the idea that it was the holidays getting in the way of work and everything else I needed to take care of. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE OPPOSITE!

My work got in the way of the holidays -that's the right perspective to have. Though I know he takes care of me, I should have amped up my trust in G-d, especially during these times. And he did take care of me. More than I than I know it and more than I expected (though I shouldn't expect it).

I think everyone can learn from this concept regardless of the situation. We need to get our priorities straight when rationalizing our time and resources, and by doing so, we can get more done and appreciate more of what's around us.

In the meantime, stay tuned for some of things that I actually had to deal with during that span of time, such as my interview and experience with recently elected Member of Parliament for Thornhill, Peter Kent - who as yesterday was also named Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Cabinet as Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas). Let's hop he can still keep to his commitments in Thornhill in addition to his new responsibilities in Thornhill.

(and of course whatever is going on now)