By Marney Blom
Rain is an unusual site in Israel.
During the few remaining days of Israel’s rainy season many parts of the nation experienced heavy rainfall, flooding and even hail. The result: a significant boost to the nation’s water reservoir.
Most regions in Israel received a substantial increase in rain compared to the norm for this time period according to the Israeli Meteorological Service. Jerusalem has recorded 12 per cent more rainfall than in previous years and there are still five months left in Israel’s meteorological calendar year. The coastal area of Haifa has already bypassed the total statistical norm expected for the entire year.
For many it is an important sign that God has not forgotten Israel; a timely reminder as the Israel Defense Force Home Front Command gears up to prepare the nation for a non-conventional enemy attack.
The Israeli government has begun the process of providing every Israeli citizen with a gas mask kit, with the help of the Israeli postal system distribution centre.
Officials are quick to assure that the effort is solely precautionary and unrelated to current security threats or intelligence assessments.
Israeli Postal Authority spokesperson Meirav Lapidot said the Israel government made the decision to give Israeli population gas masks to keep at home a year ago. “It is easier in emergency times to just take it out of the cupboard and have it rather than distribute it (during a time of emergency).
The first distribution centre to open its doors was in Or Yehuda, just east of Tel Aviv.
Some Israelis had a genuine appreciation for the Israeli government’s efforts for their safety.
“Our country really thinks about people, about the citizens of the state,” said Tony, a recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union. “I came from Russia and there they think about people after the fact.”
For others, like grandmother Salima Mizrachi, the precautionary effort was a sobering reminder.
“The gas masks are not going to help. Last time my grandchild refused to wear his mask for over an hour,” she said. “War is not good. But God is great. He will protect Israel.”
As the stark reality of life in the region hung over the distribution centre, yet another rainfall showered the vicinity.
Small children passed by the postal facility dressed in costume as the opening day of distribution coincided with the yearly Jewish festival of Purim, which celebrates the Biblical story of Queen Esther and the rescue of the Jewish race from annihilation.
Happily for Israelis, the only thing falling from the sky in recent days has been rain. Yet reminders of stories of God’s faithfulness to protect the nation of Israel, like the story of Queen Esther, do well to lift the spirit during times of precautionary measures vital for the protection of the citizens of Israel.
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