We here in Israel began the last holy day of the Passover holiday not knowing what would happen when President Trump’s 8 p.m. Tuesday evening DC time ultimatum would take effect and how?  By that time here in Israel, 3 a.m. on Wednesday, hopefully we would all be passing a quiet night without any more missiles from Iran, although we might wake up in the middle of Armageddon.

Not surprisingly, we were awakened at 2 a.m. here in Jerusalem with an alert anticipating a “holiday greeting” wrapped around a ballistic missile or two from Tehran.  Sitting in our shelter we still had no idea what the future would bring within the hour.  It was not until 8 a.m. that we found out that a qualified cease fire had been agreed to by Iran and the US.  We ourselves found out from the security detail of Israeli President Herzog who were in position outside our synagogue anticipating his arrival sometime after the 8:15 a.m. start time of services.

Immediately after the end of the holiday here on Wednesday evening, the Home Front Command issued an updated set of security guidelines saying “Gatherings may be held without restrictions” as can educational activities, places of work, etc.  Clearly the understanding was and is that the ceasefire is in effect and Iran will abide by its terms.

As is the custom here in Israel, the country returned to normal in the blink of an eye.  By this morning, vehicular traffic had built to pre-war levels with the streets crowded with vehicles; the facilities for the annual inspection of cars wishing to have their licenses renews were operating once again (and with long lines, as well of course); schools reopened; public transportation reverted to normal pre-war schedules; the cafes were packed with people sitting outside in the sunshine; and curbside parking here in Jerusalem was no longer free,  a courtesy that had been extended during the war.

Of course, after every political decision that surfaces in this country and around the world, there are “educated” analyses of the cease fire conditions by self-described “experts” most of whom have no more accurate facts than those of us in the general population.  After all, no one really knows what is going on either in the head of President Trump or the leadership of Iran, whoever that may be at the moment, which is also not clear.

Given all of this, perhaps the best course of action would be the following:

Don’t let the requirements dictated by the 24/7 news cycles seduce you, simply decide that for the immediate future it is pointless to listen to opinions in the media because their experts don’t really have any more facts than you do.

Forget about Iran, the US, the Gulf Arab countries, Turkey, Pakistan and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. They will do what they decide to do whether or not you are following them and if they decide to do something crazy, your neighbor will yell loud enough about it for you to hear it as well.

Finally, enjoy the respite from war, take a walk in the park, sped quality time with your significant other, or your children and grandchildren telling them often that you love them and buy yourself a treat once a day for the next week, you’ve earned it.

Unwittingly, the US and Iran with the help of Pakistan have given all of us a gift of at least a few days or normalcy in the midst of a crazy world.  We all owe ourselves this break and have no control over how long it lasts or, if it ends, when it will return.  So, don’t let the opportunity pass…..enjoy it while you can.

American cartoonist Bill Keane who sadly left us in 2011 really hits home in this milieu when he said:  “Yesterday is history, tomorrow  is a mystery, today is a gift of God: that’s why we call it the present”  Cherish the present as its endurance is fleeting at best.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)