Monday, December 19, 2005

The PM's Stroke

I presume that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke is big news all over the world. I was on a bus going to Jerusalem after a few refreshing and relaxing hours in the Chamei Yoav spa. It has become a monthly event for me, and I go with the Israel Center.

Soon after we set off, one of the women called to the bus driver and asked him to turn on the radio so we could hear the news. I thought it was strange, because who wants to ruin our lovely mellow moods with the news? Then we heard it!

Special report from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital!
Arik Sharon admitted with signs of a stroke!

Of Course the news report stressed that he was already conscious, upbeat, etc. We were "upbeat," too, though trying hard to control ourselves. Of course we're not like the Gazan Arabs, who had a big celebration.

We discussed the Jewish concepts of reward, punishment, this world and the next. Being a busload of frum women, we were very careful about what we said, trying to censor our thoughts, so they would come out sounding respectable and not go down to the level of "others."

We all die in the end, and we don't know when it will be. The true reward and punishment is in the next world, Olam Haba. That's what we all must remember. And G-d willing, Arik Sharon will do "tshuva," repent and use his power, his charisma for good and not evil.

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