Just as I am trying to get my house and garden in order and complete my spring cleaning regime, my friend Ron* needed a cleaning of another sort. Maybe an exorcism is more like it. As a doctor and a man of science, it was clear that he did not know how to handle all that he was feeling and thinking lately. The spiritual world was an unexplored realm for him. He was more comfortable exploring the topics of medicine, A.I., or robotics. There, he could hypothesize, quantify and reach a comfortable conclusion. These days as he wondered about the direction of current events and conjectured about end of times scenarios, he was anything but comfortable. I was even a little worried about him. Could all of this be leading him to God? I certainly hope so. When he called me and invited himself over for a visit, I was not entirely surprised.
Since I moved away from Westchester County, New York, I have not seen Ron as often as usual. He did visit me once though. It was soon after I moved into my new house. He came bearing housewarming gifts aplenty. He brought me fabulous food stuffs from Manhattan as if to show me what I was missing. I don’t think he understood that New York was killing me. The hostility and hatred for Conservative Christians in New York that I felt was terrible as Marxist and anarchic tendencies increased. Don’t try to hold onto your money in Westchester County either, because it is one of the most highly taxed regions in the country. I missed seeing Ron of course, but since moving here I am happier as I have begun to rebuild my life in a more politically conservative and Christian environment.
I am glad Ron has kept in touch though. Even though he is more liberal than I am, he was never one of those liberals who assumed I was unintelligent and less than human because I disagreed with him. Or, he never closed a discussion by calling someone a Nazi. Ron was not like that. In fact, Ron liked a good old-fashioned debate. He was more likely to shake hands with any adversary and to “agree to disagree.” He always seemed to respect people’s rights. But, lately those gentlemanly tactics that he has lived by were less and less useful in his native Manhattan.
I knew as soon as I heard Ron’s voice that day when he called that this visit would be different from all his other visits. Ron was asking me about things that he had always avoided talking about, i.e.God. I had to put aside my rakes and scrub brushes temporarily and pull out my Bible to get ready for his visit. I have always prayed for Ron. I knew that if he ever asked me about my faith, I wanted to be sure to lead him in the right direction. So, I began to think about all that he was pondering and pulled up some key chapter and verse that might assist him.
Ron had two days off from work and we agreed that he should set out just before sunrise and arrive just in time for one of my famous farmhouse breakfasts. Although Ron kept to a strict and healthy diet most of the time, he loved nothing better than to kick back, relax and enjoy some fun comfort food once in a while. However, my mind was more on the book of Ezekiel and Revelation than cooking as this could be the one moment when Ron might be open to studying the Bible with me. Still, even Jesus refreshed himself with food and beverage as he went about his earthly ministry so I better come up with a menu quickly since he would be coming in two days
I know Ron enjoys my blueberry French toast casserole, so I quickly began my shopping list. Maybe, a slow-cooked taco bar for lunch. Okay, added to the list. Next, make a list of bible quotes that would be of interest to Ron.
Ron arrived in an early morning fog. Perhaps it was a metaphor for his current state. He hugged me and all he could manage was, a whisper in my ear, “my life used to be so good.” I looked in his eyes and said, ”welcome.” My husband shouted from an open door that my kitchen timer had just gone off. Perfect timing!
That morning, Ron dispensed with his usual formality and began to tell us how his life suddenly changed. It began with the October 7th attack on civilians in Israel. Then, his shock at his brother Jakes’* decision to head to Israel into the path of danger. “Why would he run into danger like that?” At first Ron thought it was a fluke and that he would be coming back to New York quickly. He shared that, “I worry about him every single day.”
In the midst of his turmoil, I noticed Ron was stress eating. Oh-oh, better bring out more food. He seemed to be having a meltdown right there in my kitchen so, it was time for me to steer the conversation. “Ron, let me start by saying, that Jake is going through an identity crisis. He is coming to terms with the fact that he is a Jew.” “Is he studying the Hebrew Scriptures?” “Yes, yes he is,” was his reply. With downcast eyes he looked like he was about to cry, or set shiva or something.
“Ron, that’s wonderful!”Although he clearly did not share my opinion, I had his attention. I said, “Ron, something extraordinary happened on October 7th and it is changing both you and your brother’s lives.” “Honestly, that event is earth shattering.” “Is this the beginning of a mid-life crisis? “was his reply. “I don’t think so. You and Jake have had extraordinary lives. You are both at the top of your professional careers. You and your brother have traveled to places that many people only dream of visiting. Every place except the state of Israel, it almost seems like you were purposely avoiding it.” With a smile he said, “we were.”
“You two are like 1930’s Berlin Jews going about your daily lives and thriving. The Jews of Germany and Austria had ascended to the highest levels of societal achievement until it all came crashing down. Many Jewish people had stopped identifying with their cultural and religious past as Jews until events changed and began to unfold. Don’t you see any parallels Ron?” He remained quiet, which was unusual for him.
In some ways, his life as a doctor had exacted effects on his personality. His words were important to countless people every day. He was used to speaking and having people listen. There was also the added weight that people expected him to always have a profound commentary or even to be perfect. Doctors who are not perfect or who make a mistake are sued for malpractice. The culture of doctors in New York City is one of perfectionism. In that environment many doctors languish and refuse to get help for their problems, even though help would be the next ward over. For these reasons doctors are sometimes hesitant to admit to their problems.
I could see this was the case with Ron. His orderly life had been disturbed and he was struggling. Even in his heightened emotional state his description of life in Manhattan read like an historical treatise of 1930’s Germany. Graffiti had sprung up where he went for his morning jog. Police reports were made by local Jewish business owners of harassment or vandalism. New York Universities hassling Jewish students and professors. Suddenly, people that he trusted or cared about were accusing him of things.
The moment that had brought him the most trauma came when he decided to watch a Pro-Hamas rally in Times Square. The rhetoric and the speaker were Hitler-esque and did not fail to whip the crowd into a resultant frenzy. With arms raised, and pumping fist's the shouts began to ring out, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will soon be free.” “Intifada, intifada!” And then it happened, as his eyes panned the crowd, he saw two familiar faces. The faces of a father and son, the latter of which he had treated. The Pakistani natives had come to visit Ron in a desperate situation. Ron’s diagnosis of a rare condition and subsequent treatment of it, changed a young man’s life for the better. Ron had received cards with kind words and updates on their son’s life and anchievements over the years.Ron had immense satisfaction as a doctor at moments like this. In his mind, he may have even thought that it was these type of interactions that could heal the Middle Eastern hostilities.
As he locked eyes, with them, and the moment of recognition occurred, he saw nothing but hatred. Pure, deep and profound hatred. The men kept shouting, “Israel go to hell!”At this point with eyes still locked, they turned and faced Ron. Still chanting, they began to elbow their way through the crowd towards Ron.” He instantly felt unsafe and began to run away. He hated himself for it but, he was terrified and ran away.
It was mid-morning by this time and I wondered if it would be appropriate to offer to add a shot of Irish Whiskey to our coffee. Ron’s eyes were glazed over, and my husband and I were dumbstruck. As much as I wanted to make Ron feel better I resisted the urge to soften the blow. Instead, I said, “Ron, let me read you a few things, let’s see if it relates to what you are experiencing.”
“Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the King’s palace anymore than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”- Esther 4:13-14
“O God, do not keep silence, do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say”Come let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”-Psalm 83:1-4
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.”-Ecclesiastes 1:9
Zechariah 12:3 (ending) “all nations of the earth are gathered against you”-Zechariah 12:3
“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land.- Joel 3:1-2
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, sayeth the Lord: because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” Jeremiah 30: 17
“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, “There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, then I shall take away their sins.:-Romans 11:26,27
Yes, Ron and I had a lot to talk about and only two days to do it!
* the names are changed but these might have been your doctors.
