Shabbat Parashat Bamidbar, Iyar 28, 5770 May 12, 2010 Shalom and Happy Yom Yerushalayim, I am writing to you while much celebration is taking place in the streets of our capital, Jerusalem. Yom Yerushalayim or Jerusalem Day, was established by the Israeli government on the 28th of Iyar, which falls this year on May 12, in 1968, as a national holiday commemorating the historical reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War in 1967. The spirit of the day is captured in the quote from General Moshe Dayan, on the day that the Old City came under Jewish control, "Jerusalem is united, never again to be divided." I welcomed the holiday last evening by attending a festive Ma'ariv service where we sang Hallel accompanied by musical instruments. Later, one could find numerous parties, concerts or events to go to throughout the city. Those who stayed up late could join the students of Yeshivat Merkaz Harav as they marched through the city singing and dancing, making their way to the Kotel at about 1:00 AM, and the celebrations continued until dawn. We tend to think that Tishrei is the month of the chagim, or holidays, but the truth is that from Pesach till Shavu'ot we are busy commemorating and celebrating many holidays as well. Yom HaShoah, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha'atzmaut, Lag Ba'Omer and today Yom Yerusahalayim. As I celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, I am acutely aware that it is only a few days to Shavuot, and I realized that although one is a national holiday and the other is a religious one, they have something important in common. Generally, there are two components or elements in our holidays. Pesach, Shavu'ot and Sukkot, the three pilgrimage holidays, are religious ones, with the specific mitzvot and customs of the holiday, wherever it is celebrated. Examples include eating in a sukkah, eating matza and Torah study. The other component is geographical, when we are required to perform mitzvot only when in Israel. Examples include, aliya laregel (making a pilgrimage), and bringing the Bikurim (first produce). Similarly, when we talk about national holidays, we see the same two elements; we recite Hallel and other special festive prayers, dress up in white and blue and celebrate. When it comes to the religious holidays we accept the connection between the two elements automatically since the connection between the Torah and the land of Israel is an obvious one. Just as a reference, the word Jerusalem or Zion is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible. Obviously, some of the mitzvot cannot be performed today even when one is in Israel or even in Jerusalem as we do not have our Holy Temple. However, we must remember that the connection to Israel is a very important component. Even without the Temple our experience of the holiday is far from being what it could or should be if we focus on the religious component and neglect the geographical one, or the tie to the Land of Israel. However these holidays are celebrated, with mitzvot, with the synagogue or Hallel, by emphasizing the tie to the land, we should celebrate and remember with our families, with all the solemnity and joy we can muster. Whichever component you select, I wish you a very wonderful, happy, and meaningful holiday Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, Cantor Arik Wollheim |
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