Shabbat Emor
May 9-10, 2008
5 Iyar 5768
Day 20 of the Omer
Shabbat Emor
Torah Portion:
Leviticus 21:1-24:23
Haftarah Portion:
Ezekiel 44: 15-31
“Ze ha-yom asah adonai, nagila ve-nismeha bo – This is a day the Eternal has created; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)”
Dear Friends,
Last night, more than 8,000 strong, the Chicago Jewish community came together to celebrate Israel’s 60th Independence Day at a gala event at Northwestern University. Jeff Garlin of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ got us laughing; Eli Weisel had us shedding tears of somber joy and David Broza lifted us to singing and dancing in the aisles. A few speeches from community leaders and some video spots showing how far Israel has come in 60 years rounded out the evening.
As I sat with my wife, daughter, nephew and a busload of Shir Hadash friends, I began to reminisce about the moment in my life when I understood the importance and miracle of Israel. Without a doubt, it was July 4th, 1976. America was marking its bicentennial; Israel had just celebrated 28 years of independence and I had arrived in Jerusalem for a high school summer program. A week before, an Air France jet had been hijacked by Palestinian terrorists and flown to Entebbe, Uganda. Jews and Israelis were taken prisoner and non-Jews were released in an Auschwitz style ‘selection.’ A hostage standoff ensued as the world watched and waited.
On July 4th, 1976, Israeli special operation commandos, called ‘sayeret matkal,’ landed at Entebbe in secret, attacked and subdued the Palestinian hijackers and their Ugandan military backup. The hostages were rescued and quickly flown back to safety in Israel. The image that is still seared into my memory of that day came in the late afternoon as the returning Israeli air force transport planes and escorts slowly circled Jerusalem a number of times in silent salute before landing at Tel Aviv for a celebration and heroes’ welcome that still takes my breath away.
That’s when I got it. That’s when I understood a whole bunch of things about Israel… 1) That Jews would never again be victims at the hands of Nazis, terrorists or any others who wish to do our people harm… 2) That wherever any Jew is in trouble, Israel will stand up in defense and support… 3) That Israel stands as a true light to the nations in the pursuit of life, dignity, justice, rescue and safety… 4) That Israel represents both the very old and the very new… 5) That Israel is the engine of spiritual, cultural and historical inspiration to the world-wide Jewish community… 6) That the Jewish people had truly returned to its home in the ancient Land of Israel and its eternal capital city, Jerusalem… 7) That the Children of Israel, Am Yisrael, lives!
At Shir Hadash, we celebrate the miracle of Israel and how it has enriched our lives over its mere 60 years of independence. Our Shir Hadash 7th Core Value states: “Love of Israel ‘Ahavat Yisrael’ - We reach out in solidarity to the Jewish community worldwide; we support the State of Israel and encourage our members to visit the homeland of the Jewish People.”
Alice Bechtolsheim reminded me that Israel at 60 is like the United States in 1836 – just the beginning. What a marvelous and promising future is in store for Israel and the Jewish people.
“Ze ha-yom asah adonai, nagila ve-nismeha bo – This is a day the Eternal has created; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
PS – Come join the Shir Hadash Journey to Israel in Summer 2009. Contact me at the Shir Hadash office for more information.
