"They were swifter then eagles, they were stronger then lions."     2 Shmuel 1:23

     Less then a hour ago, the siren wailed across Israel, ushering in the most difficult day on the calendar for us in Israel.  It is Yom HaZikaron - the Memorial Day for our soldiers and security personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice and those killed by terrorists. 

    It is unlike the 'Memorial Day' commemorations that I remember from growing up in the USA.  Here, when the siren goes off (at night and the following morning) the entire country grinds to a halt.  Drivers pull over on the highway and stand respectfully in silence.  All places of entertainment in the country are closed, musical programming turns totally somber.  Regular programming goes off the television and the picture and name of every single soldier who fell defending the State of Israel is screened.  It goes on all night long and throughout the next day. 

    There are no 'Memorial Day Sales' here...in normal years, relatives and friends of the fallen flock to the cemetery to pay their respects to the fallen.  This year however, is the year of COVID-19 - and that will not be permitted.  The entire country has been forced to mourn indoors; our country has been shut down. 

     For me, I think of my friends who have buried their sons, and all the others who gave everything so that we can have our country.  So that we can enjoy our tomorrow.  We have lost 23,816 soldiers and 4,166 terror victims and our hearts ache for each and every one of them.  Each one was a destiny cut short and life filled with a multitude of possibilities - all ended abruptly and way too soon....

    Personally, I know there is no way to ever repay what they gave up for all of us here in Israel.  But they should know that we will NEVER forget them and that we will cherish their memories for eternity.  And we will comfort those they left behind, who too, have given up something beyond measure. 

    We should never forget that the amazing, incredible country that we've been blessed with has been paid for in full by their blood.  They will be forever honored in our hearts.  May HaShem and the IDF avenge their blood.

    B'Ahava (with love) from Modi'in - home of the Maccabees,
                     Hanoch 

"Upon your walls, O Yerushalayim..."

   

   

The prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) tells us: "Upon your walls O Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) I have set (placed) watchmen, who will never be silent by day or by night" (62:6) I have met wonderful people (not Jewish, BTW) from all over the world who have dedicated their lives to actually BEING those 'watchmen' - standing up for Israel in every way that they can.  They actually walk the walls of the Old City proclaiming the right of the Children of Israel TO Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel.  It makes sense, right?  After all, aren't these the walls of Ancient Jerusalem, aren't they?  Uhhh...well, no, actually they're not...

   I hope that last sentence didn't make you fall over, did it?  :-) I have guided many people in Jerusalem on their very first visit who have teared up when seeing these walls...One women actually began weeping uncontrollably.  In between sobs, she was saying, "King David, King Solomon..." she was overcome with emotion standing where they did, at the entrance to their Ancient Jerusalem. Except of course - that those walls weren't built by them and that wasn't even the Yerushalyim of THEIR era. 

   

 These pictures (19th Century) are of Sha'ar Shechem - as it's known in Hebrew, the 'Shechem Gate.  In English, it is commonly referred to as the Damascus Gate.

       These walls were indeed built by a ruler - but it was Suleiman the Magnificent who was ruling who ordered them built.  Suleiman was one of the rulers during the period of the Ottoman Turkish occupation of the Land of Israel.  The Ottoman period lasted for 400 years, from 1517-1917. 

      Suleiman had the walls of what today is the 'Old City' built between 1537-1542.  So, the walls are indeed old - since they have been there for almost 500 years.  Old, but not ancient...

      The walls have only had slight changes to them - most noticeably at Sha'ar Yaffo - Jaffa Gate.  That entrance to the Old City is the one that most people visiting Jerusalem will enter. 

    So, where were the walls of ANCIENT Jerusalem?  Can we see them today?  Make sure to check out my next blog, which will be sent out before Pesah (Passover) and I will tell you where they are and maybe even show you a picture or two.   :-) 

    Regards from Modi'in - home of the Maccabees,

            Hanoch