The view from my veranda

Shabbat, Shevuot and Hope

7th of June 2024

Shabbat Shalom! A belated Jerusalem Day, the miracle of the 6 Day War, an early Shevuot  and a belated Whitsun

“If I forget thee oh Jerusalem”

57 years ago, we beat 5 Arab countries who attacked this tiny nation simultaneously. We did it in 6 days and to quote Ephraim Kishon in his book “So Sorry We Won”. We have been apologising to the world for our incredible win over 5 well trained, huge armies, ever since! The armies of Syria, Egypt and Jordan with the support of other Arab countries

It was a different world in which armies fought armies not gangs of savage, blood-thirsty Iranian proxies; a world without internet, Tiktok, cellphone cameras, instant news, fake news and a world that was capable of reading beyond headlines. We had a very different government whose decision making was based on an understanding that we had no choice but to win because they understood our history and our need to survive above all. It was a world, a country, where we recognised the importance of Jerusalem to Jews and Christians around the world and the rejoicing when we reached our holy sites echoed around the globe.

The psalm, the song and the explanation https://youtu.be/gTvoe2fkU2w?si=BbdFUcXEmViiT6_e

For those who wish to polish their history of Jerusalem https://youtu.be/qunVQoSNMsY?si=mrauFBB3OzvAKZek

The Israeli Supreme Court began hearings concerning the proposed Haredi Conscription Law. Until now the Haredi community has an automatic exemption from military service, a law introduced by David Ben Gurion “his Torah is his occupation,” and Menachem Begin’s government lifted the cap on the number of exemptions. Interestingly both Prime Ministers were secular. The debate as to whether the law should be changed to include all Haredi men of appropriate age is both heated and fascinating, showing the intelligence of the judge’s questions, their adherence to the legal issues and their determination to reach a fair decision. The public debate is often biased, always angry, but understandably so. When every single day we receive the bitter news of yet another and another beautiful young life, sons, fathers, husbands, lovers who fall in battle, while others stay home, build families and firmly believe that prayer is the only way to save us, it is hard not to feel anger. There are many soldiers, men and women, who pray while fighting for our country, they do not see any ethical confusion in serving and being observant.

We were all horrified, but hardly surprised, to learn of the deaths of Haim Perry, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper and Nadav Popplewell z”l. Somehow the realisation that the cruelty of Hamas extended to these elderly peaceniks, who had extended the hand of friendship to those who captured them, tortured them and then killed them. If I may, yet again express my distress at the stupidity of our so-called honesty, The IDF spokesman’s office announced that an investigation would take place to make sure they were not killed by IDF fire!  Of course, the media picked that one up immediately! Wait! Why announce it?

Canadians, did you know that Canada is one of the biggest donors to UNWRA and one word from your government would have great effect? Canada remains UNRWA’s ninth-largest donor, having doubled its funding compared to 2022. Ottawa swiftly unfroze funding held back following revelations over UNRWA’s complicity in the horrors of 7 October. Viewed by UNRWA as a friend, any pressure from Canada would be significant. Marcus Sheff, the CEO of Impact-se, was there last week, speaking before senior officials at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of International Development, and key figures at Global Affairs Canada including the Executive Director for Middle East Relations. As you know, Impact-se is the sole researcher of educational material in the PA and Gaza and its effect on October 7th. While it was clear they have been wildly misinformed by UNRWA to sidestep justified concerns, they were open to working with Impact-se to more effectively hold UNRWA accountable.

The military operation that changed the world, changed the direction of the Second World War, Operation Overlord, or the D-Day Landing took place on the 6th of June 1944. The Allies used over 5,000 ships and landing craft to land more than 150,000 troops on five beaches in Normandy. The landings marked the start of a long and costly campaign in north-west Europe, which ultimately convinced the German high command that defeat was inevitable. For history buffs, this is an excellent read https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-d-day

Many ludicrous decisions have taken place over the past few weeks, decisions concerning relationships with Israel. Among them the Spanish government’s decision to recognise the country of Palestine. Why ludicrous? Because when they informed their diplomats that they would have to serve and form an Embassy and Consulate in the PA they all refused saying it was just too dangerous, they wanted to remain in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv!!

Just by the way, I have no problem with the formation of a Palestinian State, but under the conditions of the agreement created by Ehud Olmert plus a couple of my own. The primary condition being that all terror activity end, that gun control be introduced, that hate-education cease. To end corruption is beyond our control however!!

The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance has paid a price in this war. 80 students have been called up to the IDF. This week the Academy made the decision that they will all receive a scholarship for the year that they return to their studies. I am so proud of Zvi who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy.

We are all confused by the reaction of the world to October 7th and the savagery, the massacre. Perhaps this moral will help.

The Lie said to the Truth, “Let’s bathe together, the well water is very pleasant. The Truth, still suspicious, tested the water and found out it really was pleasant. So they both took off their clothes and bathed. But suddenly, the Lie leapt out of the water and fled, wearing the clothes of the Truth.

The Truth, furious, climbed out of the well to get her clothes back. But the World, upon seeing the naked Truth, looked away, with anger and contempt. Poor Truth returned to the well and disappeared forever, hiding her shame. Since then, the Lie runs around the world, dressed as the Truth, and society is very happy….. because the world has no desire to know the naked Truth.

In Judaism there are three religious pilgrimages, also known as foot festivals for those who walked for days and weeks to Jerusalem, on these festivals, three pilgrimages to the Holy Temple to pray and to give up a sacrifice.  Passover, Succot and Shevuot. Shevuot is probably the most confusing to the uninitiated!  Traditionally we eat dairy and the popular explanation is that the Children of Israel were confused by the dietary laws handed down from Mount Sinai (especially the humane demand that a calf not be cooked in its mother’s milk)  but there is so much more! Shevuot ends the 49 days of counting the Omer and……. Wait a minute, why should I confuse you with possible misinformation when my wonderful and deeply learned friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen has already done it for me? I love his explanations, unlike most he takes a highly intellectual and yet modern and emotional look at all our traditions and Torah readings. https://jeremyrosen.com/2024/06/the-evolution-of-shavuot.html

I don’t understand why people are surprised when I tell them that many, many friends are visiting Israel right now. Firstly, it is important, after all, we all go to visit friends and family who suffer tragedies, even if we know that their loved one was murdered it isn’t a reason to stay away. Secondly, they are loyal, love Israel and each phone call to say “We are here” gives us a boost that is hard to describe. Julio Jarak is a frequent visitor, and this time he brought joy with him, his three adult children! We met in the Botanical Gardens, the Caffit restaurant of course, after Zvi had taken them around Jerusalem – the Herzl Museum, the IDF Memorial and the magnificent New National Library – and the conversation was exceptional. They were very aware, very informed and their father was rightly proud of each and every one of them.

Keith and Deidre Beville are regular visitors and wanted to see everything new and then on Wednesday we went to Shalva where Yuval gave us the full tour of the pools, all three, the sports centre, the respite centre and finally, to Dr. Dan’s Room, the Studio for the Performing Arts in my late son Daniel’s name. The Bevilles are receptive listeners and were thrilled at the multiple uses of the Studio.

Zvi had a double “naches” this week! On Tuesday his gorgeous grandson tried out for the Maccabi Tel Aviv junior basketball team (he’s only 10) and his Grand-daughter Amit graduated from High School. Not only is she an excellent student she achieved her dream of being accepted as a physical training instructor in the IDF! I had a naches too! My grand-daughter Talia is now 18! Unfortunately, she couldn’t celebrate since she is right in the middle of her Baccalaureate exams and is determined to get high marks! However, the family filled her bedroom with balloons and treats!

Tonight, the Raviv clan arrive for supper, for Shabbat Dinner, which will take place outside on our veranda which is looking unbelievable! I just hope it won’t be too hot for them although since they come from both Tel Aviv and Nes Ziona it should be relatively balmy! We will be 12 for a very relaxed dinner which, of course, begins with Zvi’s melodious rendition of the blessing over the wine (kiddush) and little Yuval proudly saying the blessing over the Challah. After preparing the food I know I can relax as they all take over the clearing up – Leor leaves his CEO of a big company persona behind and becomes a washer-upper!!!

I am off to Givat Zeev to see Rachel and the children after writing to you. First I have to take all the meat and fish out of the freezer ready for the marinades and preparation and then I’m off! Zvi, of course will go to his parliament – no prizes for guessing where they meet!

A big Mazal Tov to our close and special friends Pauline and John Gandel who welcomed a new great-grandchild this week. Mazal Tov to grandparents Linda and Ian, to Nikky and husband and to all the family. Zvi and I adore the ever growing Gandel clan, our connection is unbreakable despite being on two sides of the globe!

OK time for music to calm our fevered brows

I’m sure you all know the history of the song Jerusalem of Gold written by Nomi Shemer. The lyrics speak of the yearning for the holy site, the Old City occupied by Jordan for 19 years. The song was first heard in the Jerusalem Song Contest and within a short time the final verse was written – we had returned to those holy sites and the road to Jericho! https://youtu.be/3fLO1KpMKak?si=I9cL4l0iciEwkFzL

I often refer to Zvi’s Kiddush, Zvi’s blessing over the wine on Shabbat Eve and I thought you would like to hear this rendition by my very favourite Chazan – Cantor. Natanel Hershik.  With translation.  https://youtu.be/z5Fh0dco5pM?si=AoALDVcs6rghGuFt

There are those who claim that this is not written for the IDF and those who say that Mark Knopfler wrote it specifically with the IDF in mind. It is actually irrelevant, it is a beautiful song and this video makes me cry every time I see it. Today I want to dedicate it to our brave soldiers, our miluimnikim who volunteer, month after long month to fight for this country. Miluimnikim, regular soldiers, it’s irrelevant, they are all heroes. If I may, I want to give special love to a family member who despite being the father of four beautiful children, has returned time and again to fight in Gaza despite being well over age. Thank you. https://youtu.be/C-g9zVf_qwE?si=n0LIuRKN8OVq15YG

Shabbat Shalom!  With much love from Jerusalem, the golden city that received nine tenths of the world’s beauty.

Sheila