Ask a Jew in the Land of Israel why she may be murdered tomorrow, and she will tell you, “For no more than living here as a Jew.” Ask a Jew why he may die in an explosion, and he will tell you, “For nothing more than educating my children in our sacred texts.” Ask Jews why they may be kidnapped and taken hostage, and they will tell you, “For nothing more than rejoicing on a Jewish festival.” In other words, those who merited this kindness to the thousandth generation, according to Rabbi Natan, were Jews who were otherwise “unremarkable,”: and who did “unremarkable” things, except for the fact that they chose to do those “unremarkable” things—to live as Jews—in the land of Israel.
-Rabbi Natan
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