created at: 2012-04-06Passover is upon us and last-borns across the world are making their final practice runs through The Four Questions in preparation for their big moment.

But in addition to the Mishnaic Four Questions that we will all hear at the Seder, I offer the following Israel-centered four-pack of questions that are weighing heavily on my mind this year.

1) Will 2012 be remembered as the year of Iron Dome, Israel’s new missile defense system that destroyed 90% of rockets launched into Southern Israel from Gaza last month? We should all be praying for the continued success, development, and deployment of this game-changing defense system.

2) Will Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona make it through the qualifying stages and into the UEFA Champions League next year? Imagine Manchester United, Barcelona, or AC Milan paying a visit to the northern  Galil… that would be tremendous.

3) What will come of the Israeli Supreme Court’s rejection of the Tal Exemption, which previously allowed Yeshiva students in Israel to opt of army service? Will the religious-secular divide in Israel continue to widen, or will a compromise be struck? Is the future of Israel being seen in Bet Shemesh, or is there reason for optimism?

4) Most importantly, what will the coming year hold for Israel and Iran? War or sanctions? Aggressive stances or a wait-and-see approach? This is perhaps the most important question of all.

As we sit down for our Seders, it’s as important as ever to remember the words of Psalm 122:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper that love you. Peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces.

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