Sergeant Major Ben Kerido shares real time, first person updates from the front lines of Gaza during Operation Swords of Iron.
It’s always good to have friends, especially in Israel. And the Israel Defense Force is no exception. One of my buddies is an Ethiopian Jewish logistics specialist called Honest Abe. And he is a very kind and hospitable person. He likes to hook me up with special perks — and I certainly never complain. One such perk was a glass bottle of Coca-Cola. Now, this may sound mundane, but when you are in the Israeli military and going to war with complicated supply lines, nothing can be taken for granted… even a small bottle of Coca-Cola.
Now, I’m not a big cola drinker, but I wasn’t about to turn down this type of luxury (that I suspect that Honest Abe had not so honestly smuggled out of the officers’ stash). When I first entered Gaza in a combat operation in 2008-2009 (in Operation: Cast Lead), I took a can of Cola-Cola with me and found a place for it in my combat vest. Despite over a month of intense urban warfare with gunfights and explosions, the can of cola somewhat miraculously survived to the end. I popped the can open on our last night in Gaza and shared it with my friends as we exited.
I thought for a moment about doing something similar with this bottle of cola, but it was made of glass and therefore fragile. Then I got a different idea. I once learned from Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz the nuances of Parashat Vayishlach, in particular Bereishit / Genesis 33. After many years, Yaakov Aveinu (Jacob our Patriarch) was returning to Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) with his family and wealth. His brother, Eisav (Esau), who previously had sought to kill Yaakov, now approached Yaakov with an army of four hundred warriors.
Yaakov Aveinu employed a strategy of intense prayer and cautious diplomacy while preparing his military defense. Ultimately the meeting between the estranged brothers was seemingly amicable. When discussing their wealth and life station, the notoriously materialistic Eisav said, “Yesh li rav.” (“I have plenty.”) In contrast, the ever spiritual Yaakov stated, “Yesh li kol.” (“I have everything.”) The difference here is subtle, but it is a subtle indicator of the polar perspectives of the brothers. One said he had “rav” or “plenty”, meaning there was room for more. Yaakov, however, emphasized that he had been blessed with “kol”, everything he could have asked for.
Now, one thing about Jewish culture (especially in Israel) that drives me nuts is an obsession with puns, especially in the style of dad jokes. This punny tradition can even be found in the Mishna of two millennia ago, such as Pirkei Avot. And it still persists in both synagogue social culture and especially in cringe-worthy Israeli marketing and branding. But in this case I have succumbed to our ancient and sacred custom of pun-making.
For me, this bottle of Coca-Cola represents “yesh li kol,” (“I have everything.”). But instead, it’s “yesh li cola,” (“I have a bottle of coke.”) With the Divine help and assistance of the Almighty, I will return home (BE”H) to my wonderful wife and much more simple life. And I will put that bottle of Coca-Cola on display somewhere in our apartment. And when I see it, I will reminisce and thank the Most High, because: “Yesh li kol / cola.” “I have everything… and a bottle of Coca-Cola besides.”
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