Leeds Shaliach Yaakov Pinsky talks about celebrating 75 years of independence for the Jewish state.
The wandering Jew has experienced many trials and tribulations since the days of Abraham. In all these years, the nation of Israel has seldom been free, united, and independent. Conditions without which Jews have always found themselves in danger – physically and spiritually.
This year we celebrate 75 years of independence for the Jewish state and homeland – Israel. Besides being a round number this is also a very important turning point, we are walking into uncharted territory. This is the third time Jews have been united and independent. The first time under King David – and then Solomon – the kingdom lasted around 73 years. The kingdom then splits, initially because of tax issues, then over who inherits the throne, and ultimately this leads to the end of the kingdom and the first exile. The second kingdom of Israel only truly becomes independent after the Hasmonaean revolt, and it too only lasts for around 70 years. Until, again because of infighting over the true heir to the throne, the kingdom is conquered, and the Jews ultimately are sent to a diaspora of almost 2,000 years until we finally achieve independence again in Israel, 75 years ago.
In the timeline you will see how important Jewish independence is for the continuity of our people. After the first kingdom falls apart, the Jewish people then numbering at least five million, die out drastically, to a point that 400 years later, when Haman wants to wipe out all the Jews on Purim – the Jews only numbered 300,000. The same trend repeats in the second temple – after the Hasmonaean revolt we see exponential growth (in Israel and in diaspora, under the protection of the Jewish Kingdom). Which plateaus when the Romans take over, then once the temple is destroyed the Jews number under one million. It is only a millennium and a half later, under the industrial revolution and the beginning of Jewish emancipation that we see true growth for the Jewish people, only to culminate in the Holocaust where there was no nation state to protect the Jews.
The state of Israel is home for all Jews; through the Jewish Agency (for which I work), and many other organisations. Israel acts as the guardian of Jewish people in all their diaspora. Likewise, Jews in all their diaspora band together in support of our one Jewish state in our historical homeland, bridging political and religious gaps. It is therefore so important that we mark both our days of mourning, Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron – remembering those who died for being Jewish, and those who died for standing up to protect Jews and the Jewish state, and then celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence) and Yom Yerushalayim (Reunification of Jerusalem).
As Israel embarks on these uncharted waters past its 75th year, it experiences perhaps one of the stormiest political conditions since its inception, and some voices fear it is the beginning of the end. How will you be celebrating Israel’s 75 this year? I for one, am full of hope.
So join us, young and old for our re- imagined and carefully crafted community events around these important events:
Yom HaShoah VeHagvura Memorial – April 17th
Yom Hazikaron (Israels Remembrance day) – April 24th
Yom Ha’atzmaut – April 26th after school – blue and while carnival of Israeli food, fun, and culture with all Leeds communal organizations running stalls, activities, and competitions for
all ages.
Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem day) – May 18th Israels 75th Independence Day concert with Jeremy Sassoon June – TBA
Info@makor.co.uk 0113 268 0899