Rabbi Howard Morrison

As you read this message, we will have completed the observance of Yom Ha'Shoah this past week, and we anticipate the observances of Yom Ha'Zikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut next week.

While our tradition did not know of these dates prior to the mid-twentieth century, they are now engrained in the Jewish calendar and in the soul of every single Jew. How does one emotionally and spiritually ritualize the remembrance of six million brothers and sisters and then go on in a week's time to remember all who fell for the State of Israel and to celebrate its independence the following day? There is no definitive answer.

Just as many of us commemorated Yom Ha'Shoah by lighting a yellow candle and/or attending a public ceremony this week, I encourage us to find personal and/or public ways to commemorate Yom Ha'Zikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut next week. At Beth Emeth's Shacharit service Wednesday April 26, we will celebrate with the insertions of Hallel, Al Ha'Nisim (For the miracles), the Prayer for Israel, Ha'Tikvah, and the sounding of the Shofar. All of this is preceded next Tuesday with Israel's Day of Remembrance. May we all pause for a moment of silence as the sirens are sounded in Israel on that day.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison