The Hebrew patriarch Abraham raises a blended family. He fathers two sons; the elder by thirteen years is Ishmael, the younger, Isaac. The boys have different mothers and the mothers don’t get on.
When the younger boy is about three or four, he is weaned.Abraham, as is customary, throws a great feast for all the friends and neighbours. Ishmael, the elder, feels miffed. He starts to torment Isaac.
Abraham says mildly, Play nicely together, children.
But they don’t.
Perhaps they can’t.
Abraham, sore distressed, separates his sons, sending Ishmael away.
God comforts Abraham, promises Ishmael will become the father of a mighty nation.
That nation is the Arab people.
God also promises Abraham that Isaac will be his heir.
Isaac becomes the father of Israel.
Just as the father loves both his sons, both sons love the father. Upon the death of Abraham, the sons reconcile and bury their father together, in the sepulchre at Hebron that Abraham had purchased on the death of Sarah.
Two nations born in discord, cannot live peaceably together.
When separated, peace prevails.
Following bereavement, they unite in shared grief.
howardgoldenberg 
Dear Doctor Howard.. you did die as your last email suggested you might by morning.
It is all so sad to feel like dying because what is happening in the world is too hard. But God kept you going so you could write this dear man.
We are all feeling bad.. I believe that is why the election was so harsh. Everyone can hear about the world and cannot even tell each other, families are divided too, they can’t talk but they wanted safety instead – from a party that was radical ( hinting the changes would be radical.. and MAGA mentioned to align with the US.. and no one can mention Israel’s terrible situation and what is happening to the Palestinians, we all feel gagged … so they chose a safe party… that is my thoughts anyway)
We must throw our lives on a Lord God who values us being woke.
Keep going dear Doctor.
From Sheila
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thank you, sheila, for your encouragement
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That’s alright. I hear your suffering. We all are. Have you had a listen to Jeffrey Sachs.. he is one of your people, his overview of history is amazing. Get it on YouTube, start listening to short sessions because some of them are lengthy.
https://youtu.be/ZFuPHgx0OX0?si=wGu9-gFwlEZHloGQ truly. From Sheila
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This is beautiful Howard, and very thought provoking. Thank you for sharing – I have always loved reading your words.
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hello at last, fiona
thank you for writing, thank you for reading!
i wonder how you are and your family, that came into being before my eyes
i hope and i pray you all are well
warmly
howard
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