Last night (Tuesday), with the sounding of a siren we began the observance of Yom Hazikaron – Memorial Day. Always a most somber day for the nation, this year is particularly painful, for we are at war and the losses have been heavy.
Since last Memorial Day, 319 soldiers were killed in the course of their military service. This figure includes soldiers, police officers, Shin Bet agents, and civilian security officers. The vast majority were killed during the war in Gaza, in Lebanon, and fighting terrorism in Judea & Samaria.
An additional 61 disabled veterans died due to complications from injuries sustained during their service.
Since the beginning of the war with Hamas, 928 soldiers and members of security forces have been killed.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/316-soldiers-79-civilians-killed-since-last-memorial-day/
Some 40% of the soldiers who have fallen in battle are from the Religious Zionist community, even though Religious Zionists represent only about 10% – 12% of the population.
~~~~~~~~~~
In the face of these losses, the nation bows its collective head in grief. Flags are lowered to half-mast and across Israel families gather at the gravesides of loved ones buried in military cemeteries, starting with the national cemetery at Har Herzl. Various ceremonies are held, and military planes fly across the country.
The bravery of these soldiers, their frequent acts of selflessness, are noted in various dedications. Many of them had been called up for reserve duty (miluim), leaving behind wives and children for long periods of service. And when they are killed, it is their wives and children who also pay a painful price.
I will repeat here a story about a soldier – by all reports a very special man – who died in battle, leaving behind a wife and a small child. The wife was in her last month of pregnancy and delivered two weeks after she had buried her husband. I am at a loss for the words that might adequately describe her situation.
And so I turn to the words of Rabbi Doron Perez, who lost his son, Daniel, a tank commander in the Armored Corps; he died bravely in a battle against the terrorists at Nachal Oz on October 7. After he was killed, Hamas seized his body. And what does Rabbi Perez, who is waiting for the closure of bringing back his son’s body for proper burial, say? That to be a Jew is a “painful privilege.”
Here we see Rabbi Perez with Daniel to the right, and his younger brother, Yonaton, also a soldier.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sadly, frighteningly, at this very moment there are severe wildfires ablaze in the hills west of Jerusalem and spreading. Heavy winds are expected.
This is having the effect of curtailing public activities associated with this time. Events are being cancelled, postponed and relocated. Some highways are closed. Over 10,000 have been evacuated, cars have been abandoned on highways, with people fleeing the fire on foot.
Video from i24News:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqpCkfvghhg
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar turned to his counterparts in Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Greece to ask for assistance: Greece is sending a supertanker, and other nations have responded as well. We have 12 planes in the air – as well as our own supertanker, “Shimson.” There are 105 teams on the ground battling blazes. Members of the IDF have been deployed to assist.
Let us pray that no lives are lost, that damage is not too severe, and that with assistance the situation can be brought under control with reasonable speed. The skies are heavy and rain, which is forecast, would be a blessing now. The nations that have responded that they will send assistance have announced that it is being delayed because the weather makes it difficult to operate.
There is no question about the fact that Arab arson is involved – in three people have been arrested. one case a man was caught igniting a fire; this is not a new phenomenon.
But this is exceedingly alarming: Hamas is calling on young Palestinian Arabs to set fires wherever they can.
Hamas posted on Telegram today: “burn whatever you can of groves, forests, and settler homes.
“Youth of the West Bank, youth of Jerusalem, and those inside Israel, set their cars ablaze… Gaza awaits the revenge of the free.”
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-852155
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
As I write, at about 9:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, our nation is doing a transition – in ceremonies and in spirit – from the sadness of Yom Hazikaron, to the joy of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Our state is celebrating 77 years since Ben Gurion declared independence, an act of enormous courage and foresight. Yet with all his hope and fears, I don’t think he could have imagined how far we have come.
But the fire emergency has intervened in the theme of this posting.
My heart is filled with joy for Israel, and I want to be able to write in the fullness of that joy, without the distraction of the disturbing news of the fires. We have come so very far, and the promise for the future is great.
I am going to put out what I wrote above, which I intended as only the first part of a posting. I will follow with the second half, celebrating Israel, very shortly.
~~~~~~~~~~
I ask for prayers for Israel’s wellbeing.
Pray for the wisdom and courage of our leaders.
Pray for the safety of our brave troops.
Pray that the hostages will be brought home.
~~~~~~~~~~
©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
