Home is Where the Heart is  Every week you can read about houses. Squared kilometers of lots, constructed squared meters and fixed shekels (linked to the daily dollar rate, of course...), and this, is this home? Can home be measured in area, weight and currency?
In the US, house purchasers are periodically questioned on their motives for purchasing a house. Are you guessing that the reason is financial? Guess again. Time and time again, people relate their purchase to "pride of ownership". What is pride of ownership? It is the psychological element motivating people to purchase a house instead of renting it, even if renting a house can be economically beneficial at times. It is that psychological element motivating owners to look after their house and garden more than renters, even if both realize that it's possible that there's no financial return in doing so. And there's more. For many, purchasing a house here, in Zichron Yaacov, Binyamina and the area, whether they live here or overseas, means purchasing a piece of "the land of Israel". For many, a house is a home only when its walls are made of stone, or the common replacement of concrete bricks, unlike wood, for instance, nor steel. A home functions as a "shelter" from the outer world, and we probably want that shelter to be durable. Home means "safety". For some, home reflects their ability. For others, it reflects their success. Home is where children grow up, where the extended family meets and dines, and where friends are invited and entertained. Home is where you celebrate or rest, something that you leave in order to do things, but always return to. A place to run to, and to grieve. Home is ours and ours alone. Our house is our fort. Home is where are memories are stored. Do you remember your childhood home, where you grew up? Our homes reflect our passions, interests, tastes. We are our homes! Properties are many, but you can only have one home. We decided to have our home in Zichron Yaacov, Binyamina, Givat-Ada, Pardes-Hana/Karkur, Amikam, Aviel, Regavim, Kfar Glickson, Givat-Nili, Bat-Shlomo. We decided to build our home in Hof-Hacarmel settlements or in Caesarea, Or-Akiva or any other settlement in the area. This is our home. This is where we can be ourselves. In the last year we have written, reviewed, expressed concern and even passed judgment. All was made out of love. We request forgiveness and understanding: it was all done out of our deep love to the only place we consider to be our home. We will continue to do so this year, because our homes constantly improve. Happy new year! |
