Please join me in wishing the State of Israel “Mazal Tov” for its 74th birthday. A breeze of freedom is blowing through this season, from the ancients to modern times. We remember the rescue from Egypt on Passover, a week later the liberation from Nazi claws, and today, the Day of Independence for the State of Israel.
We don’t take anything for granted. In Israel, Independence Day immediately follows Memorial Day. They are back-to-back so we can remember those who paid for our freedom with their blood. As the Torah tells us, “O nations, acclaim God’s people! For He’ll avenge the blood of His servants, wreak vengeance on His foes, and cleanse His people’s land.” In Israel, all activity stops at noon for two minutes — even cars on busy streets stop, drivers and passengers reflecting on the blessings of a free people – a national silent prayer.
Today, at our synagogue, we installed a new flag to fly from the pole at the front of the park. As we were retiring the old flag and unfurling the new one, I realized we had to trample on a few delicate and beautiful flowers in order to access the flagpole. The lesson was right there at our feet. Protecting the flag comes with a price. We are reminded that freedom is not free. We lose delicate flowers we send to fight for it.
We pray for the flowers to come back, just as we had prayed for the resurrection of the State of Israel for 2,000 years. As Ezekiel prophesied: “Thus said the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves and lift you out of the graves, O My people, and bring you to the land of Israel.” This year, many cities in Israel opted to forgo the fireworks in order to respect those for whom those sounds are a traumatic reminder of a battleground. A beautiful gesture of maturity.
Now that Israel is entering its 75th year — the diamond jubilee — let’s move from fireworks to fireplace, striving for a calmer and more accepting existence. Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach!