What A Difference A Day Makes!

Actually, for our Jewish calendar, it should read “What a Difference Four Days Make”, since four special days have been highlighted during the 49 day period of Counting the Omer.

Each one of these days reminds us of our past, our present, our future, and each one of these days links us closely and inextricably to the land and State of Israel.

Yom HaShoah v’Ha G’vurah, (27 Nisan – Thurs, May 5). This is the day designated to remember the Shoah and Strength. We must remember those whom we lost, those who were needlessly slaughtered, those who resisted in whatever way possible, those who helped us and those who were silent. We must remember the Biblical Commandment:

Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour (Vayikra 19) and the modern quote from Edmund Burke: All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.

The 27th of Nisan was the day chosen for this commemoration as it marked the end of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. We fought for our lives – we ultimately lost 6 million. But we must continue to fight for all humanity to live in peace and harmony.

On Yom Ha Zikaron – 3 Iyar – May 11th, we remember all those who have fallen in all of Israel’s conflicts, the soldiers, the children, those going to work on a bus or entering a restaurant. Before we can celebrate Israel’s Independence Day, we must remember those who died (and are still dying) for Israel.

Following Yom Ha Zikaron, we celebrate Yom Haatzmaut – this year (4 Iyar – May 12th) commemorating the independence proclaimed on the 5 Iyar 5708. The dream of Israel becoming once again a Jewish State was fulfilled. Now we must work to make sure this is a state that exemplifies the values of our people, a state that values and respects all peoples, that will protect itself against those who wish it to cease to exist, while at the same time remaining a democratic state! Jews have always been asked to do the impossible and we will!

And finally, there is Yom Yerushalyim – 28 Iyar (Sunday, June 7, 1967). This year it will be celebrated June 5th. And for this day I’d like to quote the late Moshe Dayan.

This morning the Israel Defence Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbours we extend, also at this hour- and with added emphasis at this hour – our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the sake of other peoples’ holy places, and not to interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in order to safe guard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.

Our past pain, our present challenges, our future hopes – all wrapped up in four Special Days.

Filed under: Educator's Message

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