Blessing Israel-Genesis 12: 2-3 Ellen Miller Braun has carefully crafted this inspiring picture to express and emphasize the Biblical commandment for nations to Bless the "Apple of His Eye"-the Jewish People. She has drawn the "Sabra"-a cactus plant that is found everywhere in Israel. The Hebrew word "Sabra" refers to a native born Israeli. The plant is very coarse and prickly on the outside but once piercing the exterior skin, one finds a tasty and sweet fruit on the inside. This is symbolic of the difficult struggle and tragic history that represents the last two thousand years of Jewish history. It speaks of the miracle of the survival of the Jewish people throughout several millennium of dispersion to virtually every country and corner of the earth. But, like the "Sabra"…once the hard and prickly surface is pierced…what comes next is the sweetness of the return of the Jewish people to Israel and world redemption. All the peoples of the earth can receive God's blessings if they are obedient to God's call in Genesis 12: 2-3. "And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing; and I will bless them that bless you and curse him that curses you and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed." May your love of Israel bear beautiful fruits for you and your loved ones. Amen