This week, different members of our clergy will share thoughts about Israel. Today Rabbi Josh Knobel writes on Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut.
As Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day, ebbs and gives way to Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s 75th Independence Day, one cannot avoid the juxtaposition of grief and celebration.
I’ve heard some question the wisdom of placing these two days side by side, suggesting that the two may take away from one another by evoking opposing emotions. Having watched firsthand as American 12-year-olds endured the rapid transition from anguish to exhilaration for the very first time as part of our Wise School Israel delegation, I can attest that it can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride, especially for the uninitiated.
And yet, much of Jewish ritual is about balancing contrary ideas—grief with gratitude, joy with sadness, anger with appreciation. In our recent Passover seders, we interrupted our celebration of freedom to mourn the loss of life suffered by the Egyptians within our people’s tale of liberation. On Shabbat, we pause our celebration to remember and grieve for loved ones. Turning from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut seems like the natural evolution of our tradition’s fascination with commingling opposing ideas.
Furthermore, if we consider Yom HaAtzmaut Israel’s birthday, then, in fact, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut are an entire year apart. We simply cannot begin the 75th year without giving thanks for the 74th, and, at its close, it seems eminently reasonable to offer thanks for Israel’s 74th year to those who helped make it possible.
—Rabbi Josh Knobel
