April is a month of highs and lows in the Jewish calendar. The rich traditions of Pesach are followed quickly by days of mourning – Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) and Yom HaZikaron, or the day when we remember those in Tsahal who died for Israel – and those innocents who died at the hands of terrorism. Unfortunately, almost every Jew around the world knows of someone, or of a relative, whose lives were sacrificed.
The first time I visited Israel, it was a very bittersweet experience. First of all, it was mind-blowingly amazing that everyone was Jewish, that I was no longer part of some obscure minority, that this vibrant, beautiful country was full of my vibrant, beautiful people, millions and millions and millions of them.
Then you find out about the pain. The people with numbers tattooed on their forearms; the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem, where memorial candles in the dark reflected against mirrors create the impression of 1.5 million stars, for each lost child, shining in the firmament. And finally finding out that a lot of the names of the streets in Tel Aviv were named for those who fought with their lives so that I could walk down them in safety.
The memories I treasure of Israel is that undiluted passion for life of its citizens. I’ve never really experienced that anywhere else in the globe. No matter that they’re still trying to blow us to kingdom come, life is too precious to waste one drop. Life is fleeting and fragile and all we have to keep us going is love.
Right after these two intense days of mourning comes Independence Day – its scheduling to remind people that there is a high price to pay for freedom. During the War of Independence, Natan Alterman, a Polish immigrant, wrote a poem called The Silver Platter (below) which has since taken on Gettysburg Address-like status in Israel. Peace and freedom is the birthright of every person on the planet, but it doesn’t come served on a silver platter.
This year, we ask only that you make your love stronger than anyone’s hate.
photo from JDate
The Silver Platter by Nathan Alterman
The earth grows still. The lurid sky slowly pales over smoking borders.
Heartsick but still living, a people stand by
To greet the uniqueness
Of the miracle. Readied, they wait beneath the moon,
Wrapped in awesome joy before the light. – - Then soon,
A girl and boy step forward,
And slowly walk before the waiting nation;
In work clothes and heavy-shod
They climb
In stillness.
Wearing still the dress of battle, the grime
Of aching day and fired night
Unwashed, weary until death, not knowing rest,
But wearing youth like dewdrops in their hair.
- – Silently the two approach
And stand.
Are they of the quick or of the dead?
Through wondering tears, the people stare.
“Who are you, the silent two?”
And they reply: “We are the silver platter
Upon which the Jewish State was served to you.”
And speaking, fall in shadow at the nation’s feet.
Let the rest in Israel’s chronicles be told.
Picture from Shearim Blogspot
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