Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 23 oC, warm, sunny and slightly overcast.
I do not know much about the Jewish religion, culture, and Israel. However, I do understand that the Jews are considered as the persecuted race.
Throughout all the known history, the Jewish people have been persecuted in some form or another. The most recently known was the Holocaust during the Second World War, where more than four million Jewish people were slaughtered and executed: men, women, and children.
I know little about Kabbalah, a fascinating aspect of the Jewish religion. The Jewish religion itself is extremely interesting. In the past, I have had many Jewish students in my school, which has given me insight into who they are and their beliefs. I admire them for their tenacity, perseverance, sincerity, and, in my experience, their generosity. I have always had positive experiences with these individuals; I have never encountered anything negative.
Monica was a Jewish woman who studied at my school for about five years. She was an attractive woman, around my age, and had two boys from her first marriage. Whenever she travelled, she brought back a gift for me, Yasmin, and other students in her class.
I always thought that she was very kind. I can tell when someone gives a present for other reasons or motives; I had a sense that her gifts were sincere and came from a genuine desire to share, not just with me but also with her fellow classmates.
Eight or nine years ago, I attended Monica’s youngest son’s bar mitzvah here in Botafogo. Now, he is in Israel, conscripted into the Israeli army and carrying an automatic rifle slung over his shoulder. His mother shared a photo on Facebook with the words, “The heart is suffering, but it has to be done.”
My heart goes out to Monica. It must be incredibly difficult for her to see her son forced into war in 2023. Sadly, there is a real chance that he may not come home. And if he does return, how will he be affected by the experience of going to war?
My grandfather fought in the First World War, and my father served in the Second. Looking back, I remember my father as quiet and relatively reserved. I never saw him truly angry or lose control—except for one instance when I swore at about nine years old.
At that moment, I suddenly saw his anger turn towards me for my foolishness. I thought he was going to hurt me. He was in another room, and I was in my bedroom. When he heard me swear, he charged in like a runaway locomotive, rushing towards me at full speed. I genuinely believed he might harm me, but of course, he didn’t.
Although I did not have much contact with my father after my parents’ separation and eventual divorce, this was also true even when they were married. My father spent more time at his newsagent business than at home. Looking back, I think he used work as a kind of escape, whether from us or our mother.
Perhaps it was the only way he knew how to cope and feel well after going to war. Reflecting on it, I realise he was always somewhat introspective, reserved, and distant as if a part of his soul had been lost or had died.
War affects everyone. Even if you survive, there are severe consequences involved. Humans have been fighting, causing, and creating wars since the beginning of time. It seems to be part of our DNA to engage in conflict. This inclination stems from our natural competitiveness, leading to an excessive rivalry that can escalate into war or at least fighting.
Why haven’t we learned how to live together until now? As a species, we often display self-destructive behaviour, seeming to find happiness only in the wake of our own destruction. We have created a world that, if subjected to nuclear war, could lead to our own annihilation. If we destroy our planet, we will have nowhere left to live.
I am getting older, and the older I get, the more I appreciate my own company—and the company of dogs. Animals show us the importance of being less selfish and more selfless.
I have often said that many people receive dogs or pets as gifts; they wouldn’t have chosen to get one on their own. However, because someone else gifted them a pet, their lives changed for the better. Interacting with dogs or other pets has helped them become better people, and I include myself in that.
I believe there are good people in the world, and hopefully, there are more good than bad. Good will always shine through the bad. Where there is darkness, light can emerge. Unfortunately, it often seems that we only notice the effects of the bad and overlook the good.
Haven’t we learned anything from the last 2,000 years or so?
Haven’t we evolved in some way over time to learn how to live together? Regardless of our differences in race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and more, we currently have only one world.
Until Mr Elon Musk invents rockets that take us to Mars or another habitable planet, we must focus on our world and take care of it; living together in harmony despite our differences is a crucial part of that effort.
In bed by 10.00 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
