I was quite emotional this morning. I davened (prayed) at 6am. Then, I voted. In democratic elections. I then read about the $2+ Billion acquisition of 🇮🇱 quantum computing company Qlassic by intel. I was thrilled for our friends and colleagues who backed and built Qlassic. And, on a small personal level, I am excited by the new book I was privileged to write that is arriving in stores today. On the voting line at 7 a.m. I met a female soldier with an M16 slung on her shoulder. A yeshiva student. Elderly people and professors. Some with yarmulkes and others without. We live in neighborhood in this city where you see everything and everyone. I also thought about my children who are voting at special ballot boxes because they’re in the army or on the front lines now. I want you to stop and think for a minute. Almost any other country that would have gone through what we in Israel went through would not have made it to this moment. Massive protests, covid, a 7 front war, fractious politics and cacophonous social media. Indeed, arguments and disagreements are very present — but even this morning, people who will vote differently from one another at the ballot box will then get in the same tank and share a shabbat dinner. They are willing to give up their body and soul, one for the other, for something greater than themselves. Before I cast my vote this morning, I paused and thought about those who unfortunately and tragically didn’t return from the front lines and the hostages that did not return from captivity. Our biological family and our Israeli family. It is our first election since October 7th. My eyes teared up. I then thought about the heroism and self-sacrifice of young Israelis: the hundreds of days of service by our soldiers—our children—and their families stationed on the front lines and holding down the home front so that we may merit to live as free people in our land after two thousand years. This is no trifling matter. Our ancestors would have given arms and legs to have this gift. Many people around the world yearn for our freedom. We are privileged to be part of this incredible people and this amazing country at this extraordinary time. We are fortunate and blessed. I feel personally fortunate and blessed. Am Yisrael Chai. 🇮🇱