Every year shortly after the last boxes of Passover dishes are neatly stored away, and people have resumed work as usual, the citizens of Israel take a day to stop and remember the fallen soldiers. As the air raid sirens wailed noting the beginning of Memorial Day and the members of our community along with the soldiers who serve here, stood in a moment of silence, a mortar hit near Kfar Darom. This year while remembering the deceased we were once again forced to think about the current situation.
Just a week before the entire country was struck by the tragic news of the murder of 14 soldiers in Jenin. Before the nation even had time to mourn, that night two more soldiers were killed. One of these happened to be the son of close family friends and so on Memorial Day I went to pay my condolences and talk about their son Gedalia HYD. Although my intent was to strengthen the mourners, I in turn was strengthened. Penina, the bereaved mother, told me about the funeral attened by over 2,000 people. The Shiva (seven days of mourning) brought thousands to their home in Jerusalem. She told me that their apartment was packed to the brim everyday from early morning till after midnight with people of all sorts from all over. Together they mourned over the loss of a beloved young man who gave his life for his nation and homeland. She also said that in his name and in the name of other fallen soldiers, she would start a charity fund for poor children. In essence, Gedalia HYD will live on, as will the others, in the hearts of all our nation. Several hours after leaving their house, the streets of Israel began to flow with all of the Independence Day celebrators. The residents of Bush Katif joined together under the stars in Neve Dekalim to dance and enjoy the annual fireworks. The next day, the families of Kfar Darom spent the day in a park nearby. There are children enjoyed arts and crafts workshops, while the parents happily sat around fanning smoking barbeques.
Next week bonfires will dot the hilltops and streets of Israel with rings of happy signifies the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yechai, one of Judaism’s most important Rabbis. Some also claim that it notes the beginning of the Jewish rebellion against Rome. Then as now the Jewish people fought over the right to exist as a free, proud nation. May G-d grant us the strength to bring down those who seek to harm us and elevate those who are our friends.
This entry was posted
on Monday, April 29th, 2002 and is filed under series.