Our Love for Life Despite the Hardships

A Day in the Life of an Israeli MOM: Esti Weisz Guedalia
14/11/2023

In the past month and a half, I’ve been caught in an emotional whirlwind. Last week, in particular, proved to be exceptionally challenging. We came together for the shloshim (30-day memorial) of our beloved nephew, Yoseph Malachi Guedalia HY”D. Standing amidst the cemetery, surrounded by numerous fresh graves—some adorned with ceremonial stones, others with flowers—it struck me, with a heavy heart, that true beauty often lies beneath the surface.

Departing from that place felt like bidding farewell to Yosef. However, immediately afterward, my family and I headed to the hospital to visit my daughter, who had given birth to beautiful twin boys just two days earlier. As a mother, the bittersweet rush of emotions overwhelmed me more than words can convey. Watching my daughter navigate the journey of motherhood while mourning the loss of her cousin created a symphony of conflicting emotions within me.

The stark contrast between life and death resonated deeply. In a nearby room, another woman also welcomed twins, her husband missing the birth due to his duty as a soldier, catching only a fleeting glimpse of his babies before returning to protect our home.

In the hospital corridors, uniformed young men visited their wives and newborns, the air filled with a range of emotions from joy to sadness and hope. As a mother, my heart swelled with a mix of emotions—joy for the new lives, sadness for the recent loss, and hope for the future.

Observing these beautiful babies, I am reminded of the resilience of the Jewish people, our love for life shining through despite the hardships.

Am Israel Chai – we, the Jewish people, will persist, holding onto life’s precious moments amid turmoil.