1.
A nation remembers its heroes and its martyrs. This is especially true for our nation, where memory forms a cornerstone of our culture and is the reason for our long existence under seemingly impossible conditions. It is in memory that the secret of redemption lies. Because we remembered Zion and Jerusalem, we were able to return to them even after nineteen centuries. Mamlachtiut – loosely translated as statism but which means subordinating political and sectoral interests to the general good – was a value promoted by David Ben-Gurion, who believed in transitioning from a society of factions and sectors to a united people. This is why we have, for example, institutions such as mamlachti education (the general educational system) and state ceremonies such as Memorial Days and Independence Day. Families have given their most precious, and in return, the state acknowledges their sacrifice. Nathan Alterman captured this in his poem "The Silver Platter," where the nation, "in tears and amazement," asks "a youth and a lass," who represent the Israeli fighters of the 1948 Independence War: "Who are you?" They quietly reply, "We are the silver platter on which the Jewish state was given to you."
From this perspective, an alternative memorial ceremony for the victims of October 7 cannot provide such recognition. If there are families who do not wish to participate in the state ceremony, they have the right to organize an alternative one, but this does not make it "the national ceremony," even if efforts are made to frame it as such for obvious reasons. There is only one state. The state must not abandon its official ceremony, because that is the essence of national memory: individuals remember for a time and then fade away; the nation remembers forever.
One more point: Minister Miri Regev decided that the state ceremony in memory would be pre-recorded without an audience. Why? Fear of individuals disrupting the ceremony should not turn living memory into a simulacrum. On the contrary, if there are disruptions, let the public see and judge. A compromise is in the works, whereby two ceremonies will be held at different times and thus concerns about disruptions will be calmed. The state cannot escape dealing with reality. The ceremony should be broadcast live.
2.
In late summer, I spent time on the social network X (formerly Twitter), an interesting bubble that, unlike Facebook, brings together a wide range of opinions, even very distant ones. I encountered users who cursed and reviled. I responded calmly, with reasoned answers, respecting my detractors. More often than not, this approach bore fruit, and we moved on to a more meaningful dialogue. As the school year approaches, it is important to teach our children to address the substance of arguments (ad factum) rather than attack the person (ad hominem).
In his work "Eight Chapters" (Introduction to Pirkei Avot-Ethics of the Fathers), Maimonides defended his method of quoting Greek philosophers despite them being idolaters. For this, he established the dictum: "Accept the truth from whoever speaks it". Similar sentiments were expressed by Socrates in Plato's "Phaedo," where Socrates' death is described: "If you do as I ask, will give little thought to Socrates and much more to the truth."
The Talmud is filled with debates; our literature is full of arguments. The culture of attacking the speakers instead of their arguments betrays the Jewish tradition. We are fortunate that our sages did not behave this way; otherwise, millions of pages of Jewish literature would have been erased. Argument has been our life's blood since our forefather Abraham argued with God over the fate of Sodom. This is the secret of our existence and intellectual success, as taught in the Midrash: "Rabbi Hama bar Hanina said: '[Just as] a knife is sharpened only on the side of another, so, a Torah scholar is sharpened only by his counterpart.'"
3.
Another phenomenon that is hard to ignore is contempt for rival social groups (shaming). The nature of arrogance is that it diminishes the other to the point of erasure. But its harm goes far deeper: It may cause the assailed party to internalize the arrogance against them to the extent that they want to escape the confines of the label imposed on them. Thus, we come across knowledge slaves – intellectuals who, even if given respect and honor, live as if they have been forced into the way they think. Sometimes, the dissonance between their real thought and their public opinion is so great that they convince themselves this has always been their opinion.
To build resilience against social pressure, it is good to adopt the advice of our sages: "Know from where you come from and where you are going" (Ethics of the Fathers 3:1) – always remember your upbringing, your parents, your teachers, and your heritage. Even if you have soared in life, it was done thanks to them and the foundations they gave you. Be proud of them, and if you can, be their voice. From this, deepen your knowledge not based on fragments of information on social media but by seeking out the original sources. Ask anyone who is speaking where their sources are, and go to them yourself (if they exist). Often, you will discover that the source is entirely different from what was said, and sometimes you might come across treasures. In this way, you will fulfill the continuation of our sages' advice: "and before whom you are destined to give an account and reckoning.
4.
The Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States, Kamala Harris, stated that Israel has "the right to defend itself." Many leaders say this, and for that, we are greatly appreciative. But this is not enough. Self-defense is a natural right, and we don't need anyone's permission to defend our lives. Every creature in nature protects itself. The support should extend to our right to attack our enemies to kill those who seek to kill us. The most effective defense is attacking the enemy. The support should be for actions that deter the enemy from acting again in the future; that is, for our right to punish those who invade our land and slaughter us, by annexing their territory, at least part of it. From where the death squads emerged, Jewish farmers will plow the land, and children will play on its lawns. This is the ancient rule of the Middle East, the cradle of Western civilization: tTe only result that will sear defeat in the enemy's consciousness is the taking of its land.
5.
To draw strength in these times, I return to Jacob Orland's profound "Song of the Assembly of Nations," in which he speaks to the next generation about what they are fighting for. Here is an excerpt from this powerful poem:
Your houses of prayer stood here before the churches of the crucified from Nazareth/ And before the arches of Al-Aqsa/ And from ancient times before the Dome of the Rock./ Jesus himself, in a Jewish house of worship, spread out his foremost supplications / And Muhammad himself, from the Bearer of the Tablets/ Took the best of his parables./ And Wycliffe, and Huss, and Luther, and Erasmus,/ Rebelled as much they rebelled because of the spark of your morals, / And they reformed as much as they reformed.
"And the Shia Mahdi's image, was derived from the title of Messiah son of David/
And his return to his believers is shaped by your belief in the end of days/ Egyptians took from you, Babylonians took from you, Assyrians and Hittites/ Even Greeks in their beauty./ Even Romans in their splendor. Even Byzantines, Persians, and Khazars./ When they sought to expand their circles of knowledge, it was you they touched on. / And as their lips were burned, the holy floor – their Sabbath and lunar month were scorched by your fire./ You were a master to your brothers, yet the nations presented you as a beggar. / All are proud of your message and imitate the image of the Creator in your face. / Yet they scorn your suffering and turn a blind eye to the terrors of your binding. / Behold, against these, you fight, my son. For them, you have risked your life.
"Be patient, my son, and draw time / For two thousand years, you have walked through the wilderness of the nations, like an ancient river flowing. / You turned their swamps into springs, and their arid lands into gardens of Eden, / Yet they led you to believe that wisdom was born of them, and that knowledge sprang from their loins. / Two thousand years. No more. But do not hasten to reach the end. / Keep your head above the flood that gathers around you and sail your ark slowly. / Hold back your lions at the gate and your panthers in the belly of the ship and open a window for your dove until the waters subside. / You have time, my son, because you are the time, and eternity never drowns.
The school year is upon us, teach his poems. Memorize them. We have time because we are the time, and eternity never drowns. Amen.
