B"H
Thursday, Iyar 4, 5782 (19th day of the Omer)/ May 5, 2022
Yesterday was Yom Hazikaron – Day of Remembrance in Israel, for the Soldiers of the IDF, who gave their lives to protect the Holy Land and the millions of Jews living there. It is through their heroism and selflessness that kept Israel safe and vibrant to this day.
A passage from the Shabbat prayer remembering our martyrs: “They were beloved and pleasant during their lives and in their death were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions to carry out the will of their maker and the desire of their creator. May G-d remember them with favor together with the other righteous of the world and avenge the spilled blood of His servants.”
A resident of the city of Eilat, came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and said, “We don’t have any special Tzaddikim (righteous people) buried in Eilat, as in so many other cities in Israel. What can I do when I need to pray at the grave of a most righteous person?”
The Rebbe answered, “Go to the military section in your local cemetery and pray at the grave of any of the fallen soldiers who are buried there. They are ALL very pure and most righteous.”
Today is Yom Ha-Atzmaut – celebrating Israel’s 74th Independence Day. We pray that G-d watch over the Holy Land and our brothers and sisters living there. Israel is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. It has been ours for over 3000 years and will, G-d willing, be ours forever.
In honor of this special day, I quote from the following two Psalms, by King David:
Psalm 121: “I lift my eyes to the mountains – from where will my help come? My help will come from the L-rd, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot falter; your guardian does not slumber. Indeed, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The L-rd is your guardian; the L-rd is your protective shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The L-rd will guard you from all evil; He will guard your soul. The L-rd will guard your going and your coming from now and for all time.”
Psalm 122: “I was happy when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the House of the L-rd.’ Our feet were standing within your gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem that is built like a city in which all Israel is united together… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you have peace. May there be peace within your walls, serenity within your mansions. For the sake of my brethren and friends, I ask that there be peace within you!”
Israel is one of G-d’s greatest modern-day miracles which happened to our people. It is a constant day-to-day miracle. Let this wonderful miracle continue forever! May we merit the coming of Moshiach, and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple speedily in our days. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
AM YISRAEL CHAI – THE NATION OF ISRAEL SHAL LIVE ON AND ON AND ON…