One Mouth, But Two Feet

Rockets.

Israel.

Palestine.

Sheikh Jarrah.

Hamas.

Casualties.

Temple Mount.

Al Aqsa.

Riots.

Police.

"Wrong" and "Right."

The words we speak, the words we hear, the words that become ingrained into our heads.

There is no doubt that news coming out of the Holy Land has been rough for the past couple of days. It is hard to hear constant news of violence, destruction, and even death; especially when we, in the United States, are thousands of miles away. Social media has blown up, and that might be an understatement. Posts have been circulating around, whether true, accurate, nuanced or whatever; where friends of mine are trying to share what's happening and teach others about the history and current events of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This is called "activism," and they are using their mouths to do it.

We need to use our mouths. We need to share what's happening. We need to explain the nuance of the conflict. Is social media the best way? Well that's a different discussion.

Teaching about the conflict is extremely important, especially in a world that has seemingly become more biased against Israel, treating Israel, and more specifically the Jews, as the villain in a complicated and nuanced conflict. Using our voices is necessary, but there is a reason God gave us one mouth and two feet.

Months before leaving for Israel and joining the IDF, watching the unfolding events are hard. I am trying to use my mouth the best that I can. I am talking to my friends about the news coming out of Israel, doing my best to explain the facts and the complexity of the conflict. However, using my mouth is difficult, especially when I want to use my feet, and when I am months away from doing so.

I have always believed in walking the walk instead of talking the talk. If my words aren't followed by action, then do my words really have any meaning?

If these past few days have taught me anything, it's that this moment is a call to action. A moment to walk and not to talk, and a moment to use my feet and not just my mouth.

I have said this before, and will probably say this again: I love that Israel is a dream come true with the present day responsibility to keep this dream alive. Almost every Israeli serves their time in the IDF in order to keep the dream of a Jewish State alive. For the most part, these Jews aren't using their mouth to protect this dream, but rather their two feet.

I am currently on the sidelines, sitting on the bench. I can use my voice to scream and shout, telling the players on the field what they should do. I can use my voice to explain the game to those on the sideline, even those who don't have any teeth in it. I can get angry about the situation on the field, and yell a "you suck" to one of the players. My mouth can be put to great use, but God gave me two feet for a reason.

I am lucky that soon I will get my shot to play in the game, a chance to use my two feet. As John Fogerty says in his song Centerfield: "oh put me in coach, I'm ready to play today." I will soon be off the sideline and in centerfield. Instead of using my mouth, I will have my feet. I will soon determine the results of the game, and most importantly, I will soon help write the history of the Jewish people, helping this dream-come-true stay alive.

Wishing health and safety to everyone in Israel, and peace in the days to come.