AN.

When I saw 'Fiddler on the Roof' and 'Sabbath Prayer' in it, it really moved me and I thought that's how parents should pray for their children. I don't know what to think about Eli, Ziva's father. I try to think he's not as bad as he seems and at least somewhere deep in his heart he cares for his daughter.

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Eli's Prayer

Eli David's heart was hardened by life. Many years ago, seems like a lifetime ago, he was a young man full of idealism and dreams. Patriotism was elemental for him and every other citizen of Israel, as well as protecting their homeland and fighting for it.

'You can't walk through life in all clean clothes'. he often thought. Continous fight and what goes along with it made him hard, it made him lose members of his family and friends.

He remembered how his mother when he was young told him :'Always protect your heart. Don't let it be hardened.' As he grew up and years went by he thought he knew better, he had forgotten his mother's words or hardly remembered them. His heart became hard.

Now he goes home to an empty house, lives a lonely life. He spends his spare time all by himself, even Saturdays, like today. Sabbath.

He sighed and looked at the star of David hanging on a thin necklace, he held in his hand. It was sent to him as a message or warning that the only member of his family, her only child has been captured. He looked at the photo on his desk with three children on it. Ziva smiling in the middle. His only child living. He sighed. Theirs had been and is a hard life. Ziva had to finish what Michael started…He took the picture, caressed the child's image in the middle.

'I'm sorry Ziva,my little bird.' he whispered and closed his eyes. He never said that out loud to Ziva nor to any of his chilren. He didn't care much before. He admited to himself, he wasn't a good father.

'I'm sorry.' he whispered again, perhaps to his lost wife and children, long delayed…Perhaps to God…the One he hadn't spoken to for years…long years, even decades.

Eli remembered his childhood. His father, his mother …They died years ago. He remembered siblings and relatives and he recalled feasts, Sabbaths…prayers… the blessings of his parents… …He sighed. Perhaps those are the happy ones who can believe. He felt like he lost that long ago. He couldn't remember ever praying for his children or blessing them…Just the fight . He was rarely present in their life as a loving father when he had the chance. He can't make the past events not being happened.

He wanted the best for her daughter. He wished she lived a happier life than they lived . He wished she met a good man and have children, who would live in a brighter and safer world. He sighed deeply from his soul…

A life of fight made him hard, but something moved in the depth of his heart. He might never see his daughter, his only child again in this life. Even as being the Chief of Mossad, he might not be able to save her. Sometimes you just realize how little you are…

He lifted his hand to his eyes, looking at it surprised being wet from his tears.

'I'm sorry…oh Lord' he said that aloud, not hoping to be heared .'I'm a bad man….' he faltered the words out. 'Adonai..Adonai Elohim, please protect Ziva, my child…Save her oh Lord…' tears were flowing on his face. He remembered the old prayer and blessing, parents give their children. He wasn't a man of prayer, but now not bothering about wiping his tears he opened his mouth and sang blessing his daughter: 'May the Lord protect and defend you. May he always shield you from shame. May you come to be in Israel a shining name. May you be like Ruth and like Esther. May you be deserving of praise. Strengthen her oh Lord and keep her from the sranger's ways…May God bless you and grant you long life. May the Lord fulill my Sabbath prayer for you. May God make you a good mother and wife. May he send you a husband who will care for you. May the Lord protect and defend you. May the Lord preserve you from pain. Favour her oh Lord with happyness and peace. Oh hear my Sabbath prayer. Amen.'

Eli lifted his face up. He believed that despite everything he's every done, his words would go upper than the ceiling. He hoped despite the hopeless situation that his words are heared up above and her dear daughter would be safe in the arms of the Almighty.

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I hope you like it. I try to hurry with the next chapters. Next one is Gibbs'. Please review.