§187 Israel is celebrating 60 years of independence

Happy birthday to Israel!

I love this country. Before I went to live here I did have this childish dream zionistic view of Israel as the world’s only perfect place. I loved seeing the flag of Israel wave when I was here as a 6 year old in 1988. I even bought my own Israeli flag to have on the wall. I still have that flag. Whenever bad news from Israel was on the TV I felt bad. Why am I here far away in Sweden? Why am I not with my people standing with them as they go through these difficulties?

The zionism is still there. The naiveness is gone, there are many bad things here also. But I still believe in the dream. It was summed up beautifully by Herman Wouk in “The Glory”. On the 40th independence day of Israel, Ze’ev Barak is explaining the difference between “dream Israel” and “real Israel” to Emily whose recently deceased father, Chris, was an american zionistic christian:

“Oh, Emily!”, He whips an arm toward the Old City panorama. “This is the tourist fantasy of Israel, so your father’s stone is well placed. Chris held that fantasy in his heart. He never lived here.”
“And the reality, dear?”
“The reality?” A tart laugh. “Not for the Independence Day mood, but okay, where do I begin? A government paralyzed by peanut politicians, that barely functions with sleazy horse trades? Chronic blowups between the religious and the secular? People working at two and three jobs to make ends meet, lives broken by reserve callups, tax evasion as a way of life, sons and daughters leaving the country and not coming back? The dark mutter of Islam all around us and right here, at our very heart, behind those beautiful walls? Will that do as a taste of our reality?” Enfolding her arm in his, he walks on down the flower-lined stone staircase. “Come along, let’s forget the reality for today”.
“Then is what my eyes are seeing, Zev, just a pretty lie?”
“Oh, Queenie, Queenie, call it a dream trying to come true. Listen is the reality of America the Lincoln memorial and the Manhattan skyscrapers, or the terrible mess you’re in yourselves? The old countries, Japan, England, Russia, worse off or better off, they just are. We’re both still trying to be, you the giant of the world and we the crazy little nobody in the Middle East. Who knows whether we’ll make it in the end, either of us?” His laugh is warmer. “And what set me off this way anyhow? Thinking of Chris, I guess, and his vision of how it will all end. God make it so, and God rest his soul. Such friends are rare.”

I must say, this is exactly the way I feel about Israel, once the childish naiveness of the perfect Israel gradually  dissappeared, it was replaced with a firm belief that if we all try, we can make my childhood dream come true. And if it won’t, I’ll die trying. Of course it’s a tougher reality here than in Sweden. But this is our home, and if we all try, and with God’s help, we can make it the Perfect Place. We can make the ancient dream of the paradise of Israel come true.

 

Here’s out national anthem

 

And here’s some zionistic rap. Lyrics and translation below.

TIKVAH - Hebrew Lyrics

Ani raiti kama hem halchu
yoter midai mehem lo chazru
chaverim nif’redu, batim nishberu
dmaot shel mishpachot nishpechu

Nitsanim shel anashim, prachim shelo yifrechu
hatikvah berashenu, ahavah benafshenu,
hachalom beruchenu az le’ad namshich bedarkenu.

Ne’elmah la had’mamah, shuv kolot hamilchamah,
od chayal chozer atuf bemah? bedegel hamedinah
dam vedim’ah nisfagim ba’adamah
Od imah hamumah, nisharah lah rak tmunah,
t’tikvah balev noel, im chazak lo nitkapel,
ki lo nolad haben zonah sheya’atsor et yisrael.

Ten li t’tikvah lekabel ma she’ein
et hakoach leshanot ma sheken.

Bo’u namshich hachaim lefaneinu
lo meuchar ki machar yom chadash
hachalom yigava im ne’abed et hatikvah
az hoshitu yad l’ahavah.

Hevtachtem yonah, barakia yesh ayit,
achi, sarpad ra’il okets ze lo ale shel zait,
chaim bachalom, kulam medabrim al shalom
aval yurim, loch’tsim, mosh’chim, soch’tim, t’ha’edek
ba’olam shel piguim, anasim tmimim od medabrim
chaim be’ashlayat hatsedek,
hem marchivim ba’em et hasedek.

Over teruf yomyomi kdei lisrod,
lo rotseh lichyot kdei lehilachem,
s’av nilcham kdei lichyot
not’a tikvah, mesharish shorshim,
magen begufi al hachalom
shelo yitnapets lerasisim
dai, maspim im hake’ev maspik im hadramah
shanah ha’adamah medamemet lo nema, velamah?

Ten li t’atikvah lekabel ma she’ein
et hakoach leshanot ma sheken.

bou namshich hachaim lefaneinu
lo meuchar ki machar yom chadash
hachalom yegava im ne’abed et hatikvah
az hoshitu yad l’ahavah.

Elohim, ten li t’atikvah lekabel ma she’ein
et haomets lenasot letaken et haolam.

bou namshich hachaim lefaneinu
lo meuchar ki machar yom chadash
hachalom yegava im ne’abed et hatikvah
az hoshitu yad l’ahavah.

Elohim, ten li t’atikvah lekabel ma she’ein
Ten li et hakoach leshanot et ma sheken.
et haomets lenasot letaken et ha’olam.

Bou namshich hachaim lefaneinu
lo meuchar ki machar yom chadash
hachalom yegava im ne’abed et hatikvah
az hoshitu yad l’ahavah.

 

HOPE - English translation

I saw how many they went
Too many of them did not return
Friends separated, houses broken,
tears of families spilled

Buds of people flowers that didn’t flower
The hope in our heads, the love in our hearts,
the dream in our spirits so we continue in our path.

The silence has disappeared for it, again sounds of war
Another soldier returns, wrapped in what? In the flag of the country
Blood and tears absorbed by the land
And another shocked mother is left with just a picture
The hope is locked in the heart, the strong nation will not fold over
Because the son of a bitch that can stop Israel has not been born.

Give me the hope to accept what there isn’t 
The strength to change what there is.

Come let’s continue, our life is in front of us
It’s not late because tomorrow is a new day
The dream will perish if we lose the hope
So reach out to love. 

You promised a dove, in the sky there’s a hawk
Brother, poisonous twig pricks, this is not an olive branch
Living in a dream, everybody talks about peace
But they shoot, oppress, pull, squeeze the trigger
In a world of suicide attacks, the people are still talking
Living in an illusion of righteousness,
they widen the rift in the nation.

Pass madness every day in order to survive
Don’t want to live in order to fight,
Sub fights in order to live
Plant hope, sends out roots
Shield in my body for the dream
so it won’t be shattered to splinters
Enough, enough with the hurt, enough with the tears
A year that the land bleeds not sleeping and why?

Give me the hope to accept what there isn’t 
The strength to change what there is.

Come let’s continue, our life is in front of us
It’s not late because tomorrow is a new day
The dream will perish if we lose the hope
So reach out to love    

G-d, give me the hope to accept what there isn’t
Give me the courage to try to fix the world.

Come let’s continue, our life is in front of us
It’s not late because tomorrow is a new day
The dream will perish if we lose the hope
So reach out to love    

G-d, give me the hope to accept what there isn’t 
Give me the strength to change what is
Give me the courage to try to fix the world.

Come let’s continue, our life is in front of us
It’s not late because tomorrow is a new day
The dream will perish if we lose the hope
So reach out to love.

(Source for the translation: http://israel-is.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!F05EF2AB5722C702!766.entry )

§186 Memorial day of our fallen soldiers

This evening starts the memorial day for the fallen soldiers of Israel. As an israeli one should never forget that the fact that one is able to live here is only because of these young kids risking their lives daily. This is why I cannot understand the people that are leaving the country, or that try to get out of doing their army service. People are risking their lives daily for your right to live here, and you just don’t care about it, you just leave?
(I am talking about people leaving because they don’t like the country, or because they think they can do better elsewhere. Not about people being forced out against their will because of economic reasons and not about people who leave temporarily with the intention to come back).

I think it was very well put by my first commander when i did my basic training in the army (she was a 19-year old girl). She said that we were able to have a safe childhood because of the soldiers who risked their lives daily. Now these soldiers are grown up, and have children. Now it’s time for us to risk our lives so that their children will be able to have a safe childhood.

I only had a desk job, so I never actually risked my life (unless you count some guarding duty at the entrance of a military base). But I did swear to risk my life for my country, should it be needed, as every soldier does. It’s the least we can do.

This song below is based on a true story. The singer is Yoram Gaon. Lyrics in Hebrew are displayed on the video. Transcribed Hebrew and translation to English is below.

Balada lachovesh	Ballad to the paramedic Lyrics: Dan Almagor Melody: Efi Netser
Hem hitkadmu leat, hakol haya ragua	They advanced slowly. Everything was calm
Mineged hanahar vegome merashresh	On the other side of the river, where the papyrus rustles
Pit’om ra’am barak, echad tsa’ak: patsua!	Suddenly a thunder and a spark, someone shouted “injure”
Ani kvar ba – ana lo hachovesh	I’m on my way – the paramedic answered
Alinu al mokesh! - tsa’ak az hapatsua	We went on a mine! – shouted the wounded
Ani kan, letsidcha – ana lo hachovesh	I am here by your side – answered the paramedic
Barad shel esh nitach, barad kaved katua,	A rain of melted fire, heavy rain of fragments,
Me’ever lanahar, lagome harochesh	On the other side of the river, where the papyrus rustles
hash’iru oti kan – bikesh az hapatsua	Leave me here – requested the wounded
Azov, shtuyot – ana az hachovesh	Don’t talk nonsense – answered the paramedic
Tatsil et atsmecha – bikesh az hapatsua	Save yourself – requested the wounded
Ani nish’ar itcha – ana lo hachovesh	I stay with you – answered the paramedic
veHem notru shneihem, vehasade patuach	And they were both left, and the field was open
veHem notru shneihem, vehem gluyim la’esh	And they were both left, and they are exposed to the fire
Anachnu avudim – milmel az hapatsua	We are doomed – mumbled the wounded
Echoz bi tov – ana lo hachovesh	Hold on to me hard – answered the paramedic
Niftsata gam ata – milmel az hapatsua	You are also injured – mumbled the wounded
Azov, ze lo nora – ana lo hachovesh	Forget it, it’s not that bad – answered the paramedic
haEsh kveda kveda! Kashe kashe lanua	Heavy, heavy fire. Hard, hard, to move
Rak lo lehitya’esh, rak lo lehitya’esh,	Just don’t give up! Just don’t give up!
Ezkor otcha tamid – nishba az hapatsua	I will always remember you – swore the wounded
Rak lo lipol – milmel az hachovesh	Just don’t fall – mumbled the paramedic
Shelcha ad yom motcha – nishba az hapatsua	I am yours till the day you die – swore the wounded
haYom hu yom moti – ana lo hachovesh	Today is the day I die – answered the paramedic
Pitom anan avak, pitom alta haruach	Suddenly a cloud of dust, suddenly a strong wind
veTsel al hakarka, vehu karev, ro’esh	And a shadow on the ground, and it came closer with a loud noise
Nitsalnu! Hem baim! – yivev az hapatsua	We are saved! They are coming! – sobbed the wounded
Ach lo shama mila min hachovesh	But didn’t hear a word from the paramedic
Achi, achi sheli! – yivev az hapatsua	My dear, dear brother! – sobbed the wounded
Me’ever lanahar hagome merashresh	On the other side of the river, where the papyrus rustles
Achi, achi sheli!	My dear, dear brother!
Achi, achi sheli!	My dear, dear brother!
Achi!	My brother!

 

El male rachamim, shochen bamromim, hamtse menucha nechona al knafei hashchina bemaalot kdoshim tehorim vegiborim, kezohar harakia mazhirim, lenishmot hakdoshim shenilchemu bechol ma’arachot Israel, bemachteret uviTsva Haganah LeIsrael veshenaflu bemilchamtam umasru nafsham al kdushat haShem, ha’am veha’aretz, ba’avur she’anu mitpalelim le’ilui nishmoteihem. Lachen, ba’al harachamim, yastirem beseter knafav le’olamim vayitsror bitsror hachayim et nishmoteihem, Adonai hu nachalatam, beGan Eden tehe menuchatam, veyanuchu veshalom al mishkevoteyhem veta’amod lechol Israel zchutam, veya’amdu legoralam lekets hayamin, venomar Amen.

§185 A few quickies

I discovered that the post I made months ago named “Quickies” is the most read. For some reason people prefer to read my short and quickie posts. Apparently they even search the word “quickies”.

Do you think there may be another meaning to that word?

Nah.

Anyway, hello world. I’m busy at the moment, let’s talk next month, ok?

-My boss`s brother died this Saturday. Office is mourning. She needs us to be 100% supportive and to take care of all the work. Happy to.
-I have 2 papers to hand in this following week. Taking every opportunity to read. When on lunch, on the bus, etc, etc.
-I’ll be preaching this shabbat
-I have to go to Tel Aviv tomorrow. I tried to postpone, but to no use. I’ll be in the office a few hours in the morning and then I have to go. I hope Inbal will survive.

Oh, yeah. The new girl who started yesterday… she came, she saw, she ran away as fast as she could.

Some people just can’t handle a little pressure.

Yan is reading over my shoulder. I punish him by mentioning his name. He is asking “who would want to read about you??”

Will you please tell him?

Anyway, I’m at the office and need to get back to work. Bye!

Word of the day: Telephone. It’s greek and means “sound from afar”
Question of the day: Who are you and why are you reading this?
Advice of the day: Don’t let anyone steal your teddybear

What kind of scary clowns came to your birthday parties??

§184 Next year in Jerusalem

 
Berlin -38 (Next Year In Jerusalem)
(Wish we never had to sing this song
but we have to, ’cause we must never forget)

I Was Twenty-Five In Berlin ‘38
I Had Just Bought A Little Store
And The War Was Close
Then I Met Her, Rebekah
With Her Wonderful Smile
And I Was In Love, And She Was In Love
The Future Was Ours.

We Married Soon, And Joseph And Sarah Came
And We Loved Them So, Our Dream Came True

Clouds Gathered Dark, I Couldn’t Understand It
I Simply Didn’t See It, I Should Have
But I Didn’t

Under The Star, My Heart Beats There
It Was Just Because Of The Star
Next Year In Jerusalem
Next Year In Jerusalem

And Late One Night, I Woke Up From The
Noise In The Street
People Were Shouting
People Were Running In The Stairs
They Knocked On the Door
And Then They Came Rushing In
With Guns And No Compassion
They Said, You Have To Come
One Suitcase And That’s All
You Must Go Now

We Ran Down The Stairs
Joseph Wasn’t Fast Enough
They Kicked Him And He Fell
And He Was Only Three
I Picked Him Up, And Took Him In My Arms

They Took Us To The Train
They Packed Us Like Cattle
Rebekah Squeezed My Hand She Said:
We Must Stay Together
No Matter What Happens

How Can I Describe
Cause When We Arrived, They Took
Rebekah And The Children Aside
And We All Cried
She Looked At Me
I’ll Never Forget Her Eyes
She Said, I’ll Take Care Of The Children
And Then They Were Gone, Gone
Next Year In Jerusalem
Next Year In Jerusalem

We Must Not Forget, We Can Never Forget
Because Of the Star
We Must Not Forget
It Did Really Happen

§183 Totalitarian underwear policy

Totalitarian underwear policy is a must when you’re potty training your child.

Even if it’s your 2-year old daughter, and if she early in the morning looks at you with her begging smiling melt-daddys-heart eyes and asks to change diaper and not put on underwear.

If you give in, your wife gets mad.  That’s what happened this morning.

So the last few days I have gone to sleep around 3 AM, when I need to get up at 6. This has been mostly, mainly and entirely because of the studies. But Monday evening the last paper was finally handed in. Now I can breath (read: study the first and second derivation of two-variable functions and Industrial concentration) for a while until May 9th.

So I thought “Tuesday evening I will go to sleep early and on Wednesday I can catch up reading and commenting all the blogs I’m reading”. Well “haha” reality said, and slapped me in my face. Tuesday I finish work at 19:00. Come home, eat, and then go to our congregation’s meeting. Annual financial report, discussions and ideas about activities, future, etc. I’m home again 22:30. I do the dishes till 23:30. Then I check the mailbox before we go to sleep. What do I find? A letter from the university “thankyou for applying to a scholarship for 2009. In order for us to take care of it we need clarifications and explanations on the following points: ‘blablabla’. Please send us this by April 30th the latest”. I realise that April 30th is tomorrow. So I sat at the computer writing that letter and printing the necessary documents they needed from the internet until 01:30. Today I faxed it from work. I tried to call and make sure they got it, but no answer…

Anyway, if I only finish the dishes really quickly (I’m almost done, only took a short blog pause) I’ll have time to study a bit more and go to sleep at a reasonable hour (before midnight).

Things are half crazy at work. I’ve been teaching Inbal how to do my job ever since I announced that I’m quitting. Now she is doing most of my job, training how to do it, and I check it. Basically she’ll be replacing me, and the new girl who starts on Sunday will be replacing her. Now I’m the master of the office, teaching the little ones how to to my job. Bwahaha! Work, little ones, work.

I hope I haven’t sounded too complaining and stuff. Life is basically good. Sure, it’s a bit crazy at work, but there’s that 20th of May as a light in the end of the tunnel. And sure, I’m a bit behind in my studies, but I enjoy every minute of my studies, even if they are a bit hectic. Besides, the hecticness only forces me to focus on the really important things, which is good, since I would probably run off to all kinds of side tracks just for the heck of it if I had the time, loosing track of the real studies. I do have the tendency of doing that.

Philosphical thought of the day: Is it ok to kill one innocent human being if it can save the lives of ten other innocent human beings? If not, how many people’s life must be at stake for it to be ok to kill one human? Or “how many human lives is a human life worth?”

I’m not going to answer that one. I’ll let you discuss it between yourselves, I don’t have time to indulge in discussions now.

And to all the people who write blogs I read - last time checked my RSS said “44 unread posts”, and I guess it’s climbing higher and higher with time. Now and today is not the time to catch up. Sorry.

Advice of the day: If you ever feel the urge to exercise - lie down until it goes away
Quote of the day: “It’s horrible to be intelligent enough to realise your potential, but also intelligent enough to know you do not have the ability to fulfill it”. (Translated from swedish - written as a comment on Peter Englund’s blog, by JennyMaria)
Feeling of the day: The moment’s feeling of panic you get when you walk around talking in your cell phone when you realise the phone is not in your pocket. It goes away when you realise you’re talking in it.
Occasion of the day: This evening and the day tomorrow is yom hashoah. The day of rememberance of the holocaust. We remember to ensure that it will never happen again. We must never forget. It did really happen.

El male rachamim dayan almanot veavey yetomim al na techeshe vetitapek ledam Israel shenishpach kemaim. Hamtse menuch nechona al knafei hashchina bema’alot kdoshim utehorim bezohar harakia meirim umazhirim linishmoteihem shel ravevot alfei Israel, anashim vanashim, yeladim veyeladot, shenehergu vanishchatu venisrafu venichneku venikberu chayim beartsot asher nag’a bahen yad hatsorer haGermani ugrurav. Kulam kdoshim utehorim, ubahem geonim utsadikim arzei halevanon adirey haTora. Began Eden tehe menuchatam. Lachen ba’al harachamim yastirem beseter knafav leolamim vayitsror bitsror hachayim et nishmatam, Adonai hu nachalatam veyanuchu veShalom al mishkavam venomar Amen