WHAT REALLY MATTERS

  Thousands of soldiers have died.

  Many soldiers, veteran and conscripts are refusing to fight in Ukraine.

Russia is suffocating under a heavy blanket of censorship and lack of communication with the   outside world.

Brutality is the name of the game in Ukrainian cities under Russian occupation with rampant slaughter of civilians of all ages.

Currently, mercenaries known for their brutality, their use of women as sex slaves, are entering the fray, boding no good for the people of Ukraine.

Putin is disregarding heavy losses and a kink in his plans, focused solely on satisfying his greed and lust for more, for a Russan Empire. With him as the Tsar of it all.

How does one battle against one who disregards all of his frustrated plans and madly, insanely, pursues his murderous and manifestly criminal "military operation".

These are the current statements that define the tragedy of Ukraine. The question is now if the world will grow cold to the constant noise, the horrors exposed and for its own sake hop on any train or bus of thoughts going anywhere else, other than Ukraine. Already Germany is holding back - on verbal and monetary support as well as on shipping armored trucks to the Ukranian forces.

Apparently, we humans have a terribly short span of attention, always gravitating to the other issues of their lives, anything but the very utmost of horror. People feel hopeless and helpless, unable to truly effect any change in an awful situation. Hence, they turn to greener pastures where perhaps they make a visible difference and a warm feeling inside. We must recognize the truth: unpleasantness does not go away with wishful thinking. Rather, it only goes away with hard work, serious work, frustrating, often seemingly hopeless when it comes to a solution -yet on we must endeavor.

Tomorrow nite is the first seder, a commemorative meal celebrating freedom gained, no more enslaved, and an Exodus from where they were persecuted to a former home to their people until circumstances forced them out. It took a great deal of anxiousness and courage to get to that point. It was not a request looked upon favorably by the Pharaoh. It happened. A holiday with a theme of freedom, of attention to reality, and was celebrated under the worst circumstances, took place even in the ghettos and killing grounds of Europe. Throughout the ages, under Nazi abuse and terror. It is that important.

Would that we all appreciate the lives we have, the privileges and rights we take for granted. The same rights that too many desire to take away from others, right here in our own country.

Think about it. Think about how wonderful it is that here, even in our shredded situation, we can celebrate Passover, Easter and Ramadan and expect no violence.  Would that the rest of the world had the same luck.

Happy holiday to all. May we all recognize the place of G-d within our lives and strive to improve ourselves. Perhaps then we would have no more Ukraine anymore.