§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.