One thing I never expected when I made aliyah was how often strangers would bless me.

Not politely wish me a good day.

It started with taxi drivers.

Since arriving in Israel, some of my most meaningful conversations have taken place in the back seat of a taxi. Israeli taxi drivers are rarely just drivers. They are commentators, philosophers, and sometimes even theologians.

Recently, during a short ride through Jerusalem, a driver said something that stayed with me.

“It’s the first time I’m watching the news on TV,” he told me, “and it’s good news. With everything happening, we’re seeing Yad Hashem (the hand of God) — we’re seeing miracles protecting us.”

I paused when he........

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