THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
THIS IS THE DAY
WHICH THE LORD HAS MADE;
LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE
—Psalms 118:24
nrmum n'in: dr; rivr
Lan you celebrate a cliche?
You hear (and read) the same
words over and over.
Israel. The Holy Land.
Making the desert bloom.
Familiar?
Yes.
Cliches'?
That depends upon you.
Many familiar words can be just
phrases if you allow them to be.
Consider these words:
Husband, wife, children, parents.
Do you take your family for granted?
Or do you remember what they mean?
So much depends upon you,
and what you choose to remember.
Familiarity can breed apathy:
But apathy cannot be your goal,
not in your life with your family,
not in your relationship with Israel.
The land of Israel was never humdrum
in the lives of those Jews throughout
the world, throughout the centuries,
who yearned fofa land they could never
see. Ever since Abraham we have main-
tained an indestructible bond with the -
land. Ever since the Temple Jews have
always lived in the land.
We have always been surrounded by
the land, even when removed from its
soil.
The land participates in our joys.
At weddings we have always sung
Jeremiah's words:
"May there be heard in the
cities of Judah
and in the streets of Jerusalem
the sound of joy and gladness,
the sound of bride and aroorn."
The land participates in our sorrows.
At funerals we have always said :
"May the Lord comfort you
among the mourners of Zion and
Jerusalem."
And "Next year in Jerusalem" is
no mere slogan.
We use those words while cele-
brating liberation on Passover.
We use those words while com-
memorating forgiveness on Yom
Kippur.
Furthermore, on this day,
embraced by the promise of Israel,
we avow with a sense of destiny
"This Year in Jerusalem."
In' prayer we have always faced
Jerusalem.
Throughout life, in misery and in
ecstasy,
we have always prayed for the land and
its welfare.
On Israel's Indepdridence Day...
We celebrate a prayer answered
after centuries.
We celebrate a biblical promise
fulfilled.
We celebrate the millions who
held on to their faith, to their
dream, though dispersed and
despised.
We celebrate an extraordinary
reality.
We celebrate Israel's independ-
ence
because we have no• past without
that land.
Without that land our present is
inconceivable.
Without that land our future is
unbearable.
We have often felt abandoned
but we have never abandoned the land.
For the land of Israel is part of -our
definition,
part of who we were, part of who we are.
Its promise has never abandoned us.
r17
The place where independence flour-
ishes again after two thousand years is
no commonplace. The birthplace of the
Bible is no commonplace.
The promise of the prophet prevails,
envisioning an end to violence. The vi-
sion of that faith is peace not only for
Jews but for all humanity. We celebrate
that too when we celebrate Israel.
"For Torah shall come from Zion,
the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem.
He shall judge among many •
- peoples
and. shall arbitrate for mighty
nations from afar.
They shall beat their swords into
plowshares,
their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift sword against
nation,
neither shall they learn war any-
more."
That too could be a cliche
if you succumb to cynicism,
if you mutter the words mechanically,
if you forget that promises can be
fulfilled.
Affirming Isaiah's words we cele-
brate- hope—hatikvah-
which is an uncommon heritage.
Embracing Isaiah's vision, we are
captivated by -hope,
our lives are illumined by hope
despite the disasters which haVe
overwhelmed us.
The uncommon promise of Israel gives
us further reason to hope
and gives us reason to celebrate this
most unusual day
"For this is the day in which the
Lord has made;
Let us be glad and rejoice."
We Are One
The Rabbinical Advisory Council of the United Jewish Appeal
We suggest you tear out this page for use in your personal or communal Israel Independence Day celebration.
Show your concern for the people of Israel!
Send your payment to the
ALLIED JEWISH cAMPAIGN-ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND
163 Madison Avenue, Detroit 18 226 - 965-3939
May 7, 1976 13