The Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer falls on the 33rd day of the Omer. In 2010, the holiday falls on Sunday, May 2. It is generally regarded as a joyous holiday.
Traditionally, the period between Passover and Shavo’ut are semi-mourning days, during which no weddings are performed. An exception is made on Lag B’Omer. Weddings take place on this day. In addition, traditional Jews get their hair cut on this day.
The origins of this holiday are unknown.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Yom Ha’Atzma’ut
Yom Ha’Atzma’ut is Israel’s Independence Day. The State of Israel declared its independence on the 5th day of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948). The holiday is celebrated on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday on or near the 5th day of Iyar. If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Monday, the celebrations are postponed until Tuesday. In the year 2010, the 5th of Iyar falls on a Monday, so the celebrations will actually be observed on the 6th of Iyar (Tuesday, April 20, 2010).
In Israel, the Independence Day is a national holiday. The official Independence Day ceremonies are held on Mount Hertz, in Jerusalem at sundown at the conclusion of Yom HaZikaron. The ceremony begins with a speech by the President of Israel, with additional events to mark the establishment of Israel. In addition, twelve torches, representing the twelve Tribes of Israel, are also lit. Israeli citizens who have made a significant social contribution are invited to light these torches. Throughout the country, there are other celebrations to commemorate the independence of the State of Israel.
Traditionally, Yom Ha’Atzma’ut ends with a ceremony granting the Israel Prize, which recognizes individual citizens for their unique contribution to the country’s culture, science, arts and humanities. Some past recipients of the Israel Prize include: Shmeul Yosef Agnon (literature) ~ 1954 and 1958; Yigael Yadin (Jewish studies) ~ 1956; Martin Buber (humanities) ~ 1958; Youth Aliyah (education ) 1958; Golda Meir ~ 1975; Aharon Appelfeld (literature) ~ 1983; Teddy Kollek ~ 1988; A.B. Yehoshua (literature) ~ 1995; Amos Oz (literature) ~ 1998; and Mordechai Rotenberg (social work) ~ 2009.
There is also a religious element to Yom Ha’Atzma’ut. The Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel has declared Yom Ha’Atzma’ut a Jewish holiday requiring the recitation of Hallel. Some movements within Judaism also include the reading from the Prophets and/or the prayer of Al HaNisim (Prayers concerning the miracles). The rationale for this is that the creation of Israel represents a miraculous victory of a small band of Jews over the numerous surrounding Arab force.
In American Jewish communities, the day is often celebrated as a way of expressing solidarity with the State of Israel.
In Israel, the Independence Day is a national holiday. The official Independence Day ceremonies are held on Mount Hertz, in Jerusalem at sundown at the conclusion of Yom HaZikaron. The ceremony begins with a speech by the President of Israel, with additional events to mark the establishment of Israel. In addition, twelve torches, representing the twelve Tribes of Israel, are also lit. Israeli citizens who have made a significant social contribution are invited to light these torches. Throughout the country, there are other celebrations to commemorate the independence of the State of Israel.
Traditionally, Yom Ha’Atzma’ut ends with a ceremony granting the Israel Prize, which recognizes individual citizens for their unique contribution to the country’s culture, science, arts and humanities. Some past recipients of the Israel Prize include: Shmeul Yosef Agnon (literature) ~ 1954 and 1958; Yigael Yadin (Jewish studies) ~ 1956; Martin Buber (humanities) ~ 1958; Youth Aliyah (education ) 1958; Golda Meir ~ 1975; Aharon Appelfeld (literature) ~ 1983; Teddy Kollek ~ 1988; A.B. Yehoshua (literature) ~ 1995; Amos Oz (literature) ~ 1998; and Mordechai Rotenberg (social work) ~ 2009.
There is also a religious element to Yom Ha’Atzma’ut. The Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel has declared Yom Ha’Atzma’ut a Jewish holiday requiring the recitation of Hallel. Some movements within Judaism also include the reading from the Prophets and/or the prayer of Al HaNisim (Prayers concerning the miracles). The rationale for this is that the creation of Israel represents a miraculous victory of a small band of Jews over the numerous surrounding Arab force.
In American Jewish communities, the day is often celebrated as a way of expressing solidarity with the State of Israel.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Yom HaZikaron יום הזכרון
Yom HaZikaron is Israel Memorial Day. It was originally established to remember the soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who were killed in the Israel’s wars, including the conflicts before the establishment of the State of Israel. Today, the day commemorates not only the soldiers who fought in Israel’s wars, but all Israelis who have been killed as a result of terrorist activities in the country.
Yom HaZikaron takes place on the 4th day of Iyar and immediately precedes Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, which falls on the 5th day of Iyar. For the year 2010, this Memorial is observed on Monday, April 19. The reason for linking the two observance is because the State of Israel owes its independence and its existence to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for its creation.
In Israel, memorial ceremonies are held throughout the country. For the duration of the holiday (from sunset to sunset), all places of public entertainment, including theaters and pubs, are closed. The official memorial begins at sundown at the Kotel when a one-minute siren sounds. Israeli citizens stand in silence to commemorate and respect the war dead and the victims of present-day terrorists.
The following morning, a two-minute siren is sounded, beginning a strictly observed period of silence, when the public ceremonies begin. The Israeli flag is lowered to half-mast. Private prayers and memorials are held at the various cemeteries throughout the country where Israeli soldiers and terrorist victims are buried. At the end of the memorial day, the Israeli flag is returned to full-mast, which marks the official opening ceremony of the Israel Independence Day. The official ceremony for this holiday begins on Mount Herzl.
Although Yom HaZikaron is not a religious commemoration, it is a part of life in Israel and is strictly observed.
Yom HaZikaron takes place on the 4th day of Iyar and immediately precedes Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, which falls on the 5th day of Iyar. For the year 2010, this Memorial is observed on Monday, April 19. The reason for linking the two observance is because the State of Israel owes its independence and its existence to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for its creation.
In Israel, memorial ceremonies are held throughout the country. For the duration of the holiday (from sunset to sunset), all places of public entertainment, including theaters and pubs, are closed. The official memorial begins at sundown at the Kotel when a one-minute siren sounds. Israeli citizens stand in silence to commemorate and respect the war dead and the victims of present-day terrorists.
The following morning, a two-minute siren is sounded, beginning a strictly observed period of silence, when the public ceremonies begin. The Israeli flag is lowered to half-mast. Private prayers and memorials are held at the various cemeteries throughout the country where Israeli soldiers and terrorist victims are buried. At the end of the memorial day, the Israeli flag is returned to full-mast, which marks the official opening ceremony of the Israel Independence Day. The official ceremony for this holiday begins on Mount Herzl.
Although Yom HaZikaron is not a religious commemoration, it is a part of life in Israel and is strictly observed.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Counting the Omer
The 50-day period between the second day of Pesach and Shavo’ut is known as Counting the Omer. An Omer is a unit of measure equaling the sheaves of a harvested crop. In ancient times, beginning with the second day of Pesach, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering. This marked the start of the harvest season, which lasted for seven weeks.
According to Torah (Leviticus 23:15~16), we are obliged to count the days between Pesach and Shavu’ot. Thus, every evening during this period a blessing is recited and the day and week of the Omer is noted. For example, one week after the counting begins, the blessing would begin: “Blessed are you, Adonai, our G~d, Master of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to count the Omer. Today is seven days, which is one week of the Omer.”
In ancient times, the counting of the omer was connected with the first harvests. The holiday of Shavu’ot later became associated with the giving of Torah at Sinai, thus became a celebration of both harvest and the link between the Pesach, which commemorated the Exodus from Egypt, and Shavu’ot, which commemorated the revelation of the Torah to the people of Israel. The counting of the Omer also is a reminder of the process of moving from a slave mentality (life in Egypt) to freedom.
The Omer is a period of semi-mourning. Weddings and festive parties are not conducted during this period. The reasons for this semi-mourning period are uncertain.
According to Torah (Leviticus 23:15~16), we are obliged to count the days between Pesach and Shavu’ot. Thus, every evening during this period a blessing is recited and the day and week of the Omer is noted. For example, one week after the counting begins, the blessing would begin: “Blessed are you, Adonai, our G~d, Master of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to count the Omer. Today is seven days, which is one week of the Omer.”
In ancient times, the counting of the omer was connected with the first harvests. The holiday of Shavu’ot later became associated with the giving of Torah at Sinai, thus became a celebration of both harvest and the link between the Pesach, which commemorated the Exodus from Egypt, and Shavu’ot, which commemorated the revelation of the Torah to the people of Israel. The counting of the Omer also is a reminder of the process of moving from a slave mentality (life in Egypt) to freedom.
The Omer is a period of semi-mourning. Weddings and festive parties are not conducted during this period. The reasons for this semi-mourning period are uncertain.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Yom HaShoah ~ Holocaust Memorial Day
Yom HaShoah is observed on the 27th day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar. In the year 2010, this date corresponds to Sunday, April 11, 2010.
The date for the memorial day was officially designated by the Israeli Knesset in 1951.
In Israel, sirens are sounded for 2 minutes at sundown and again at 11:00 a.m., on Yom HaShoah. Everyone stops what they are doing and stand at attention. There is no public entertainment on Yom HaShoah ~ all theaters, movie theaters, pubs and public clubs are closed throughout the country.
In the United States, many communities observe this day. In my community, the local newspaper sponsors an essay contest for the local schools to participate in. The essay requires the students to answer questions pertaining to Holocaust and/or human rights issues. Students ranging from elementary to high school age are encouraged to participate. There is an ecumenical community service, held at one of the local synagogues, and the winners of the essay contests are awarded their prizes.
The date for the memorial day was officially designated by the Israeli Knesset in 1951.
In Israel, sirens are sounded for 2 minutes at sundown and again at 11:00 a.m., on Yom HaShoah. Everyone stops what they are doing and stand at attention. There is no public entertainment on Yom HaShoah ~ all theaters, movie theaters, pubs and public clubs are closed throughout the country.
In the United States, many communities observe this day. In my community, the local newspaper sponsors an essay contest for the local schools to participate in. The essay requires the students to answer questions pertaining to Holocaust and/or human rights issues. Students ranging from elementary to high school age are encouraged to participate. There is an ecumenical community service, held at one of the local synagogues, and the winners of the essay contests are awarded their prizes.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sea of Lights by Yael Remen (2009)
Sea of Lights is novel about the author's father, Avraham Binder. He was born in Vilna, Lithuania in 1906 and his live spanned nearly a century. He died in 2001 in Israel. During his lifetime, he experienced pogroms in his native land, felt the effects of the Holocaust, and survived the Israeli wars of independence. He was a bookbinder by trade and an accomplished artist. There should be an interesting story in here somewhere.
Unfortunately, this book suffers from the lack of a good editor. In addition to numerous spelling errors, there was much extraneous materials. While reading this 600+ page tome, I often felt like I was living Avraham Binder's life in real time. After reading the first few chapters, I felt that I had a bad translation from the original Hebrew. Unfortunately, the book was not a translation; the original had been written in English. Although the author was born in Israel, she has lived in the United States for many, many years.
Avraham immigrated to Israel on the eve of World War II. He had been involved in the Zionist movement, but his primary objective was to attend the prestigious Bezalel art school in Jerusalem. After a few lessons, he realized that his artistic philosophy differed too greatly from that of the school and he withdrew. He found himself in Tel Aviv where he opened a bookbinding business. He continued his painting and got involved in the Tel Aviv art scene.
His parents and younger sister eventually join him in Israel. Tzila, his younger sister, is a painter in her own right. She meets and falls in love with the married Israeli poet, Natan Alterman. They have a long-term relationship, which is wife is apparently aware of and does not actively disapprove.
Avraham was madly in love with the beautiful Rachel, however, she marries his close friend. This devastates him. He begins a relationship with his landlady, who is considerably older than him. When she becomes possessive and jealous, he leaves her. She later commits suicide. Avraham eventually meets and marries Sara. His wife and mother do not get along. The author's depiction of Sara is not kind. She seems like a selfish woman.
The author seems to want to provide, in addition to her father's story, the history of modern Israel. Unfortunately, this does not work well. Events are described without a clear connection to the characters. It is too bad, because there is probably a very interesting story about Avraham Binder.
Read: April 3, 2010
Unfortunately, this book suffers from the lack of a good editor. In addition to numerous spelling errors, there was much extraneous materials. While reading this 600+ page tome, I often felt like I was living Avraham Binder's life in real time. After reading the first few chapters, I felt that I had a bad translation from the original Hebrew. Unfortunately, the book was not a translation; the original had been written in English. Although the author was born in Israel, she has lived in the United States for many, many years.
Avraham immigrated to Israel on the eve of World War II. He had been involved in the Zionist movement, but his primary objective was to attend the prestigious Bezalel art school in Jerusalem. After a few lessons, he realized that his artistic philosophy differed too greatly from that of the school and he withdrew. He found himself in Tel Aviv where he opened a bookbinding business. He continued his painting and got involved in the Tel Aviv art scene.
His parents and younger sister eventually join him in Israel. Tzila, his younger sister, is a painter in her own right. She meets and falls in love with the married Israeli poet, Natan Alterman. They have a long-term relationship, which is wife is apparently aware of and does not actively disapprove.
Avraham was madly in love with the beautiful Rachel, however, she marries his close friend. This devastates him. He begins a relationship with his landlady, who is considerably older than him. When she becomes possessive and jealous, he leaves her. She later commits suicide. Avraham eventually meets and marries Sara. His wife and mother do not get along. The author's depiction of Sara is not kind. She seems like a selfish woman.
The author seems to want to provide, in addition to her father's story, the history of modern Israel. Unfortunately, this does not work well. Events are described without a clear connection to the characters. It is too bad, because there is probably a very interesting story about Avraham Binder.
Read: April 3, 2010
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