Speaking to Ezzie this afternoon, he asked me the following: "How do Israelis make the switch from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut? What's it like there now? Describe it..."
It's an excellent question from someone looking from the outside, in.
However, here in Israel, it's the story of our lives.
The sadness and solemnity of Israel's memorial day, "Yom HaZikaron" is painfully raw and encompassing. It affects everyone in Israel, and for this one day, we try to find some basic unity among ourselves.
My blog friend YS sent me this 90 second video clip of how Israel came to a standstill today.
And yet, the sad, dirgesome songs on the radio started disappearing by 4 in the afternoon, and slowly the tempo and optimism picked up.
Israel is used to the rapid change back and forth between mourning and celebration; at the tail end of sukkot, we combine Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah into one day. The merriment of Simchat Torah, hakafot, and completing and restarting the Torah come to a shockingly abrupt halt, as the sobering Yizkor and Prayer for Rain start the Musaf prayer.
So...we're switching gears once again.
I just got back from our annual yishuv celebration and obligatory fireworks display, and we don't forget those who died and made the sacrifice for us to continue living here.
Wishing you all a very Happy Yom HaAtzmaut -- will try to have more posted tomorrow!
May we merit to speedily hear the Shofar heralding the Mashich, and may our kidnapped IDF soldiers return home to their families safely and quickly.
Chag Sameach,
--Jameel.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael
It's an excellent question from someone looking from the outside, in.
However, here in Israel, it's the story of our lives.
The sadness and solemnity of Israel's memorial day, "Yom HaZikaron" is painfully raw and encompassing. It affects everyone in Israel, and for this one day, we try to find some basic unity among ourselves.
My blog friend YS sent me this 90 second video clip of how Israel came to a standstill today.
And yet, the sad, dirgesome songs on the radio started disappearing by 4 in the afternoon, and slowly the tempo and optimism picked up.
Israel is used to the rapid change back and forth between mourning and celebration; at the tail end of sukkot, we combine Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah into one day. The merriment of Simchat Torah, hakafot, and completing and restarting the Torah come to a shockingly abrupt halt, as the sobering Yizkor and Prayer for Rain start the Musaf prayer.
So...we're switching gears once again.
I just got back from our annual yishuv celebration and obligatory fireworks display, and we don't forget those who died and made the sacrifice for us to continue living here.
Wishing you all a very Happy Yom HaAtzmaut -- will try to have more posted tomorrow!
May we merit to speedily hear the Shofar heralding the Mashich, and may our kidnapped IDF soldiers return home to their families safely and quickly.
Chag Sameach,
--Jameel.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael
But haven't you noticed that in the yishuvim, it seems that there is more put into Yom Hazikaron ceremonies now than Yom HaAtzmaut ones? The reason is obvious (the terror since 1993) but nevertheless, as a cultural phenomenom, it is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteMy mother is currently in Israel. She's never been there for Yom HaShoah/Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut trifecta. She called me yesterday, overcome with how different the feeling is in Israel, even for those who feel deeply connected to the land.
ReplyDeleteMy parents are now yet one step closer to making aliyah.