These are crazy times. There’s no way to know what each day will bring. Sometimes the news is good, and sometimes it’s awful. Often, it’s both. The day Nasrallah was killed felt like a great victory. Even though it happened on Shabbos, word spread quickly. My son had been eager to share the news when he arrived for Shabbos lunch with his family. A secular neighbor in his building had placed an announcement in the elevator so his religious neighbors could hear about what had happened. But we already knew—someone had announced it in shul.
Though we were thrilled by the successful elimination of Nasrallah and other terrorists, we were also warned— dthis victory would not go unanswered by Iran. All week, radio announcements instructed us on what to do if we heard a red alert—whether at home, on the street, in a car, on a bus, or on a train. The instructions emphasized staying calm, as panic has led to injuries in the past.
Due to the security situation, Beit Shemesh was designated a yellow zone on Tuesday afternoon, and the Homefront Command updated its instructions. I’m not used to a three-day Yom Tov anymore, and I didn’t have time to follow the news that day. I stuck to my routine, alternating between shopping and cooking.
In the evening, I placed my Yom Tov brisket in the oven and was preparing to start dinner when my phone rang. I listened to a recorded message from the mayor of Beit Shemesh, warning us that an attack was imminent. He updated us on the latest instructions from the Homefront Command. Not long after, my phone made a sound I had never heard before. It wasn’t the sound of the red alert app I’m “used to.” This time, the Homefront Command sent emergency messages to everyone in the country—even those with kosher phones. My husband and I hurried upstairs to our miklat (safe room). Moments after settling in, the sirens began.
There were several rounds of sirens and booms, and we were instructed to remain inside until further notice. We were also told not to go outside to observe the interceptions, though many ignored this advice. Videos surfaced of shoppers watching the aerial defense display at the local shopping center.
The red alert app’s map was filled with red circles indicating the areas under attack. It was a huge swathe of circles over our small country. I recited Tehillim, checked in with family and friends, and recited more Tehillim. Everyone was in a miklat. My son, now on reserve duty, was in a protected area on his base. Another son received a delivery to his home at the exact moment of the alert. The delivery boy quickly joined my son and his family in their miklat. It was an interesting way to get to know a total stranger.
We stayed in the safe room until we heard the unfamiliar tone again—this time signaling that it was safe to come out. Our defense forces had successfully intercepted 181 ballistic missiles launched by Iran, and miraculously, not one Israeli was harmed. This was one of the many open miracles we have been experiencing lately. Baruch Hashem!
But Wednesday brought bad news. Eight chayalim were killed in southern Lebanon. The three-day Yom Tov felt like an eternity to be disconnected from the news. People davened, ate, and said Tashlich as usual on Rosh HaShanah, but there was a palpable sense of worry in the air. Some young men were called up during davening. One Rav cried during his drashah. The Rav reading the Haftorah in our shul was so overcome with emotion that he could barely get the words out. The “situation” was on everyone’s minds. On Motzaei Rosh HaShanah, the heartbreaking news of more fallen soldiers emerged.
The IDF warns of an impending response to the Iran attack. Our chayalim are heading deeper into Lebanon. We are fighting wars on many fronts right now. We hope and pray that all will be well for us, B’ezrat Hashem.
Please continue to daven for unity, the recovery of the wounded, the release of the hostages, and the success and safe return of all soldiers and security personnel.
G’mar Chasimah Tovah!
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
