Gilad Shalit

Jonah asked me yesterday while eating a snack of grapes if Gilad Shalit is still alive.

I said, I believe so. He said how do you know? I said, because as far as Israeli intelligence is aware, he is still alive. He told me that he sees lots of signs and stickers that say "גלעד עדיין חי". Translation: Gilad is still alive.

Jonah: "Do they give him food in jail?"
Natalie: "Yes."
Jonah: "Why?"
Natalie: "If they didn't, he would die."
Jonah: "Do they give him water to drink?"
Natalie: "Yes. If they didn't, he would die."
Jonah: "Is it kosher food?"
Natalie: "Probably not. However, Arabs also don't eat pig like Jewish people. So they keep a certain kind of kosher. So at least they don't give him pig. And in these circumstances, Hashem (G-d) understands. It is more important for Gilad to eat and drink whatever they give him and stay alive than for him to keep kosher."
Jonah: "But they hate Israel. So why do they keep kosher?"
Natalie: Who hates Israel?"
Jonah: "Arabs."
Natalie" "Not all Arabs hate Israel. We've talked about this before. Not all Arabs hate Israel and not all Arabs are bad. Some of them live in Israel. And some of them would rather live in Israel with an Israeli government than live in a place with an Arab government. But yes, the ones that have Gilad Shalit are bad."

Jonah: "I hope he comes home soon."
Natalie: "Me too. I really hope so. He has been gone for 5 years. On Shabbat, it is 5 years. That's a long time. He needs to come home."
Jonah: "I hope he comes home tomorrow."
Natalie: "Me too. Wouldn't that be great news to wake up to? Gilad Shalit came home!! Everyone would be so happy! And his family would be so thankful."
Jonah: "If I could, I would rescue him. I would take a big tractor or something and drive right over there and just take him out and save him. I really wish I could do that. I wish I could save him....."
Natalie: The best thing you can do right now is daven to Hashem (pray to G-d) and tell him how much you want Gilad Shalit to come home and how everyone is waiting for him. Right now we can't do anything to save him, but Hashem is in charge so tomorrow when you go to school and daven, say and extra special prayer for Gilad to come home."
Jonah: When we go see Bubbe and Zayde in Jerusalem, can they take us to the Kotel?
Natalie: Maybe.
Jonah: Oh good, I really want to put a petek (note) in the wall asking Hashem to bring Gilad Shalit home. I was really sad because I forgot to do that at my siddur party. I meant to bring a petek to put in the wall but I forgot and I had a paper but I didn't have a pen. My friend Ili reminded me, because he brought a petek from home. But I forgot.... so maybe I can go back and remember to do that next time."

Intense.... may we all wake up to the fantastic news that Gilad Shalit was brought home safe and sound.

Amen.