It is less than a week before October 7. This is the third year we remember that date. Remember the dead, the kidnapped, the fear and trauma of that deadly day.

And this year, this week, we celebrate a miracle. We celebrate an airline pilot doing his job on a seemingly normal day, until his colleague unexpectedly attacked him with an axe.

And we celebrate the normal, everyday people who were passengers on that airplane, who stepped up. A plumber. A businessman. A dentist.

Capt. Smit Machchhar, bleeding, in shock from the pain as well as the unexpected attack by his copilot, did what he needed to do to protect the passengers in his care.

He opened the door.

Opening a cockpit door is no small thing after the hijackings of September 11, 2001. Protecting pilots from intruders is paramount.

But what happens when one of the pilots is the intruder?

You open the door.

It was an enormous act of faith. And Captain Machchhar’s faith was rewarded.

By a plumber. By a businessman. By a dentist. By an airplane full of Israelis who were ready to step in and assist as best they could.

A plumber who had watched TV programs about flying airplanes stepped through the door and stabilized the plane. A dentist rushed forward to treat the wounded pilot. Others subdued the attacker and used cords from airline headsets to restrain him.

We walk through doorways without a second thought. Sometimes we can see what is on the other side. Sometimes we can’t. And sometimes we are surprised when a door that should be locked is open.

For 25 years, we have become accustomed to the reality of locked doors at every turn. To being stopped at doorways by TSA agents and security guards, some armed with lethal weapons. They block doors that once stood open.

They protect us from each other.

And on the other side of those doors? We go on with our lives, pretending — hoping — that we are safe. We eat snacks and doze on airplanes. We congregate and pray in our synagogues. We dance at music festivals.

We go about our lives as if we are safe, because otherwise we could not tolerate the world. We could never venture out.

This week, we were reminded of what it means to open the door, to seek help from the very people being protected.

And we were reminded of how the simple act of unlocking a door can unlock the capabilities and hearts of those on the other side. The ones being protected became the protectors. They stepped forward and did what was necessary.

They saved each other’s lives.