You Know More Hebrew Words Than You Think
2 min read
In the eyes of our enemy, and in the eyes of God, we are the same.
I used to see only our differences.
You with your black hat. Me with my sun hat.
You with your long dress. Me in my pants.
You with your wig. Me with my blonde highlights.
You with your prayer book. Me with my novel.
You with not even a sip on Yom Kippur. Me trying, but often failing by mid-day.
You with your tallit. Me with my pashmina wrap to cover my shoulders.
You chanting from the Torah. Me fumbling with my broken Hebrew.
You living in our homeland. Me longing to visit for the very first time.
You with the confidence of knowing you belong. Me often feeling like an outsider.
So many differences, and yet, just the same.
The same pain and fears.
The same enemy.
The same generational trauma.
The same history.
The same ancestral homeland.
The same beautiful ancient prayers.
The same hopes and dreams for our people.
The same joy.
The same God.
The same Jewish soul.
I suppose I have our enemy to thank for opening my eyes to our sameness. How ironic.
In the eyes of our enemy, and in the eyes of God, we are the same.
Different, yet the same. The same.
-Heather Kafetz
Beautifully said, and yes it's true, we are all brothers and sisters and should all love each other. Part of love is to care enough about one's loved one that when you see them unwittingly on a path that will end in bitterness, to lovingly alert them and try to help them to see the pitfalls on their path. But yes, the first step is unconditional existential love.
Beautifully written article.
I have been forwarding this to all my “not yet observant” family members. My Father Oleh Hashalom was a Chozer B’twshuva so many of my first cousins are secular wonderful warm hearted and giving Jews. I Always would tell the that despite our differences in Jewish practice how much I cared deeply for them. They are my family after all. This beautiful article brought these sentiments home
Thank you Ms Khaifetz
This is a huge Kiddush Hadhem
That really hit home for me.
October 7 2023 has made me even more aware of my Jewish ancestry and my support for Israel. The world's political leaders have forgotten the atrocities that occurred on that day. We must never forget.
Your words are inspiring! Thank you for all your insight. Thank you for being you! Love
So beautifully stated, YES, WE ARE ALL THE SAME!! MI K'AMCHA YISROEL!!
Thank you for this beautiful poem from the heart.
Yes, we all different...yet the same. Gd bless you and your family.
WONDERFUL!!!
Beautiful. This made me cry. We are brothers and sisters. Please, everyone go and visit Israel. You have to see it and the miracle in the desert that is only 75 years in the making. I pray everyday now for peace in our indigenous land and the safety for our IDF soldiers. We are together. Am Yisrael Chai ❤️🇮🇱🇺🇸
Yes we are all one family, one people with beautiful differences but the same soul. Lovely essay. Thank you.
Beautiful description of our differences but yet the oneness of the Jewish people.
Beautifully written, thank you
Well said
We knew we were the same; it was just aesthetics and we knew that too but we were too... shy... to say anything.We never hated you at all.We just didn't know you.
It took a common enemy to break the ice.
And all our hearts.
We had to lose so many to find out we are a family🤔
Never Again.
I really enjoyed it!
Beautiful