Apr 11, 2013

Why Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut will not be separated

For the past few years a group of people has been trying to pressure the government to create a buffer day between Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. They say it is too painful a transition, and as a result so many bereaved families don't really celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut. Just last week they brought this years campaign to the press, though it goes largely ignored, and does not seem to have picked up much steam over the years.

MK Motti Yogev (HaBayit HaYehudi) has not ignored the campaign, but he opposes it. Yogev said that the connection between Yom HaZikaron, difficult as it is for everyone, is very special and unique. This connection builds, and will continue to build, the people and the State of Israel together. This is the silver platter that is the base of, and through the power of the dedication and mesirut nefesh of all those involved in the various operations of Israel, upon which the State of Israel came to be, and this connection is a very real part of the actuality of the State and the people.

Yogev quoted the passuk from Yechezkal that we say and repeat at every circumcision - "ואומר לך בדמייך חיי" - And I said to you, by your blood, live!. I presume this means that we must live by both the celebrations and the memories of those who gave up everything for us. It is the two together that allow us to continue building the nation.

Whether the campaign to make the change does not pass simply because it is largely ignored or because of idealistic opposition to making such a separation makes no real difference. Not to them at least. Yogev's response though is an interesting perspective on the juxtaposition of the two not just talking about highs and lows that we experience, but how both are an integral part of the formation and building of the State.

    

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4 comments:

  1. JoshApril 11, 2013 3:21 PM

    In 'America', Memorial day is the official first day of the summer. There are memorial events, but it is mostly a joyous vacation day, with sporting events and US Air Force flybies.

    Will that happen in Israel? Will we ever commemorate the memory of those who died, in the Shoah and in the wars with 'life'? or is that not being sensitive to the minority who are directly affected. Many have already said that Yom Hashoa is not proper during the month of Nissan, some have said we should move it to 9th of av, the Rabanut day of 10th of Tevet, and/or turn Yom Hashoa into National Family Day.

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  2. Rafi G.April 11, 2013 3:28 PM

    it is not a minority whoare directly affected. In America it is more celebratory because there is no draft and most people dont have direct connections to soldiers. In Israel everyone serves. Almost every family has been touched by loss of relatives in battle, and those that have not still have friends who fell in battle. Those unaffected, , such as olim, haredim, arabs and the like, are the minority.

    I never understood the problem with Yom Hashoah in Nissan. We take plenty of mounring customs in nissam, during Sefirat HaOmer which we say is a period of mourning. I have no problem moving it, but I dont understand the criticism.

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  3. MiriamSApril 11, 2013 9:13 PM

    Weren't Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut originally scheduled one after the other exactly for those ideological reasons?

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  4. Tomim TApril 12, 2013 9:09 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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