What are
your first memories of Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut?
As a
child, I remember a yahrzeit candle lit in the dining room. I knew it was not a holiday on which yizkor
is recited nor was there a yahrzeit. I
remember being told that this was to remember Israel’s fallen heroes and to
participate in Israel’s Memorial Day. The
next night, my parents would hang a giant Israeli flag in the den to mark Israel’s
Independence Day. (We were quite the
patriotic family as my father also flew an American flag outside our front door
for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.) I did not go to a Religious Zionist day
school, and we had no assembly, special songs, or Hallel. My Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration was that giant flag
along with my mother making falafel for dinner.
My strong childhood memories paved the way for these modern
Israeli holidays to mean so much to me. Yom
Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut are sacred days. When I watch as Israelis
stop what they are doing as the siren sounds; or see the images of families
remembering loved ones; or watch the videos (like this
one) that tell the inspiring story of Israel, I am filled with awe, joy, reverence,
and inspiration. How fortunate we are
to have the State of Israel! We must
commemorate, celebrate, and be grateful to God for this miracle!
There are all sorts of articles being written and messages sent
out in honor of Israel’s 68th birthday. I am sure you have received plenty, and you
can easily find them on the internet or Facebook. It is heartening that so many people with so
many different perspectives are celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut and recognizing all
that Israel represents.
One thing I noticed in a number of messages and articles is that
their authors temper the congratulatory spirit by addressing some of the
problems Israel faces and acknowledging some of the voices critical of Israel. We all know that the situation in Israel can
be “complicated.” It is a wonderful
country, a beacon of freedom in a tyrannical region, a high tech juggernaut, and
our homeland. But…There is always a “but.”
It is legitimate to raise the tough issues and engage in
self-examination and self-criticism. (If
you read the Israeli press, you’ll know how good Israelis are at it!) When we celebrate Israel, however, the focus
should be on the positive. For one day –
or even just the birthday message, let’s focus on the greatness of Israel. Tomorrow, we can get back to addressing any
shortcomings.
In today’s world, there is concern about the Jewish community’s
connection to Israel. It is weakening –
especially within the younger generation.
A frank conversation is needed as is more education. But one way to instill pride and strengthen the
positive feeling for Israel is love it even more. Let’s identify all the great things
Israel has accomplished, is accomplishing, and will accomplish. Are there problems to address? Absolutely! We can better address those with a foundation
of a strong love for Israel.
In the early twentieth century someone brought to Rabbi Avraham
Yitzhak Kook, first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel, the following
dilemma. He had given his son a good
Jewish education. He had always kept the
commands at home. Now, however, the son
had drifted far from Judaism. He no
longer kept the commandments. He did not even identify as a Jew. What should the father do?
“Did you love him when he was religious?” asked Rav Kook. “Of course,” replied the father.
“Well then,” Rav Kook replied, “Now love him even more.
Israel is only 68 years young.
How can we better connect ourselves and our children to the State of
Israel? How can we properly evaluate,
praise, and even critically discuss the Jewish State?
On this Yom Ha’Atzmaut, let’s love Israel more.
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