Great film about Shofar blowers
You will be happy you took a few minutes to watch this inspiring film about men who blew the shofar at the Western Wall from 1931-48 when it was illegal under the British Mandate to do so. Many were arrested and imprisoned in the Russian compound in Jerusalem. See one of the original shofars blown at the Wall on one of my walking tours of Tel Aviv.
One of my walking tours in Tel Aviv/Jaffa, we visit the Etzel Museum on the beach. The Museum is dedicated to the memory of the Etzel (Irgun Tzvai Leumi) fighters who fell in the battle for Jaffa in the War of Independence.
Menachem Begin — who later became Prime Minister of Israel — was the commander of the Etzel at the time. In his book, the Revolt, Begin explains the philosophy of the Etzel which was to fight the British because the British Mandate government was refusing to allow Jews, including over 100,000 Holocaust survivors to enter Palestine in the 40s. “In our minds was the constant knowledge of what British policy was planning for us; in our ears echoed the rattle of the death trains of Europe…When Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am” he uttered a very profound thought. But there are times in the history of peoples when thought alone does not prove their existence. A people may “think” and yet it’s sons, with their thoughts and in spite of them, may be turned into a herd of slaves – or into soap. There are times when everything in you cries out; your very self respect as a human being lies in your resistance to evil. We fight, therefore we are!”
Begin’s tactics were different from David Ben Gurion’s approach who was more willing to work within British rule, and felt the actions of the Etzel were jeopardizing the image of Zionism and their leadership in the world. As a result, Ben Gurion undermined the Etzel by having their members turned over to the British and even ordering firing on the boat the Altalena — with Begin and other men on board — that was bringing in urgently needed weapons to help the war effort in June 1948. Nevertheless, Begin consciously decided that the Etzel would never retaliate against Ben Gurion or the Hagana for the sake of the unity of the Jewish people. Begin attributes this decision to the fact that he was in hiding both from the British and the Jewish leadership for 8 years. “Life in the underground enforces seclusion and seclusion makes deep thinking possible…A deep cellar in certain circumstances becomes an elevated watch tower.”
In retrospect, we can see all the great leader’s of those days: Ben Gurion, Begin, Shamir, Golda Meir, Chaim Weizman, and many more were all part of God’s great symphony, each playing their part in establishing the State of Israel and of the Jews returning to the Land of Israel. But there’s much to be learned from what happened in those days, and Begin’s wisdom and great character are particularly remarkable.
Join me for a walking tour of Tel Aviv. I offer 4 meaningful and fun tours of Tel Aviv and 12 great tours of Jerusalem.
© 2013, Lisa (Leah) Bowman
All Rights Reserved
A few weeks ago, our son Yoav returned from his class trip to Poland. All the parents were invited to greet the boys for a special ceremony at 4am. Perhaps due to the lack of sleep, or perhaps due to stress in arriving to the ceremony–there wasn’t any traffic at that time of day, but we encountered many difficult moments getting there including being detained by police due to car accident ahead of us–for a brief moment, I had the feeling that he, himself was saved from the Nazis in Poland. Looking around, I was so grateful and relieved to be standing with Yoav, his friends, and teachers at the Western Wall in the State of Israel. The boys were wearing Israeli flags over their shoulders. I said to Yoav that it was such a nice idea to bring all these flags to the Wall. But they
hadn’t just brought them to Jerusalem. They wore them all the way through their visits to death camps in Poland. I know that many groups do this, but the idea never fully registered until that moment. There is something so powerful about that image that I haven’t been able to let it go for weeks.I am so inspired by the flight of Israeli fighter planes that flew over Aushwitz in 2003. Take a moment to watch them, and hear their words as they fly over the camp: “We the pilots of the Israeli airforce flying in the skies above the camp of horrors, arose from the ashes of the millions of victims and shoulder their silent cries, salute their courage and promise to be the shield of the Jewish People and it’s nation Israel.” We must never forget what happened. And we must never forget to be grateful for the protection the State of Israel offers Israelis and Jews around the world.
© 2012, Lisa (Leah) Bowman. All Rights Reserved.
Walking tours in Jerusalem: http://www.jerusalemwalkingtour.com
Only 60 years later, Israeli Airforce flies over Aushwitz with the message:
“We the pilots of the Israeli airforce flying in the skies above the camp of horrors, arose from the ashes of the millions of victims and shoulder their silent cries, salute their courage and promise to be the shield of the Jewish People and it’s nation Israel.
© 2012, Lisa (Leah) Bowman. All Rights Reserved.
Walking tours in Jerusalem: http://www.jerusalemwalkingtour.com
Every night leading up to Jewish holidays, tour buses drop off dozens of Israelis and tourists from around the country who have come to Jerusalem for an inspirational holiday tour leading up to prayers said late at night (slichot). It’s an awesome experience to walk through the alleyways of Jerusalem at night and recall some of the great people who have lived there such as Rabbi Shmuel Salant (the first Ashekanzi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem), Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook (the first Chief Rabbi of the pre-State of Israel), and Rabbi Aryeh Levin (known as the Tzaddik – saint – of Jerusalem for his care for the sick and those imprisoned by the British Mandate).
Here’s one story about Rabbi Levin that can inspire us as we enter a new year. Rabbi Aryeh lived in a neighborhood next to Jewish market area call shuk Mahane Yehuda. There were many financially difficult years during the founding of the State, and the 50s and many people simply did not have basic necessities. One day, a father and son came to consult Rabbi Aryeh. They were both holding onto a coat. The father explained. “We only have one coat for the two of us, and I think I should have it. I am an old man and I’m sensitive to cold. I should have the coat.” The son said, “It’s true, it’s harder for him to keep warm, but my father didn’t tell you that I’m the one who goes out to work to support both of us and since I am going outside, I need the coat.” Rabbi Aryeh told them, “Come back tomorrow, but tomorrow, I want you to tell me why the other one should have the coat.”
The following day, they returned and presented the other’s perspective. The son said, “My father should have the coat. He’s suffers from the cold.” The father said, “My son should have the coat, he goes out and works hard to take care of us.”. Just then, Rabbi Aryeh stood up, went to the closet, and pulled out a coat. He gave the coat to the father, and said, “This one is for you and give the other one to your son.” The father thanked Rabbi Aryeh and asked, “Was the coat there yesterday? Why didn’t you give us the coat yesterday? Why did we have to come back?” Rabbi Aryeh explained, “The coat has been in that closet for 10 years. I never wear it. But yesterday, when you said that coat was ‘mine’ and your son said the coat was ‘mine’, then I also said to myself that I have a coat in the closet, but it’s mine. Today, when you said ‘the coat is his’ and he said ‘the coat is his’ then I also said to myself, ‘I have a coat in the closet and it’s his.’”
Rabbi Aryeh lived from March 22, 1885 to March 28, 1969. A street was named after him in the Nachlaot neighborhood where his house can still be seen until today.
Join us for a walking tour in Jerusalem for more inspiring stories about Rabbi Levin and others.
© 2012, Lisa (Leah) Bowman. All Rights Reserved.
Walking tours in Jerusalem: http://www.jerusalemwalkingtour.com
Today is Yom Yerushalyim, Jerusalem Day, the day we commemorate the re-uniting of Jerusalem in the 6 Day War in 1967. It’s a perfect day for a visit to the Western Wall. In fact, this morning, the Western Wall plaza was full of people singing, dancing together to celebrate the day.
In 1967, just after the war, all of Israel came to the Western Wall. Puah Shteiner–an author who had been a young girl in the Old City of Jerusalem during the siege and surrender in 1948–writes:
“There are those who cry at such a meeting with the Western Wall, but I did not. I did not cry, for I knew that this was no longer the Wailing Wall. The Wailing Wall — remnant of the destruction of our Beit HaMikdash (Temple) — had become a place of joy and redemption. I opened my eyes and looked at the women nearby…Those who were familiar with the prayers recited long passages from their siddur (prayer book), while others simply whispered a request. Some had never in their lives uttered a formal prayer, but their hearts, their hearts spoke wordlessly. Still others did not pray at all; they simply walked up to the Wall and silently put a note into one of the cracks in the ancient stones. From all directions came the sounds of prayer – prayers in all versions, uttered in countless accents, sung to different tunes. Here at the Wall, the Jewish people were one, united, whole. (Forever My Jerusalem).
There is a remarkable connection between the unity of the Jewish people and the unity of Jerusalem both in modern and ancient times.
Regarding our current story, on June 1st 1967, just a few days prior to the victory of the 6 Day War, the government of the State of Israel had formed a National Unity government including Levi Eshkol and Menachem Begin, brining together parties that no one would have anticipated would have come together.
We have many sources in the Tanach (Bible) about the direct connection between the unity of the Jewish people and peace and unity in Jerusalem.
Over 3,000 years ago, when King David was about to make Jerusalem the capital, all the tribes of Israel came together to acknowledge David as their king (not just his own tribe of Judah). (2 Samuel 5:1-4)
The Book of Ezra (written over 2,500 years ago), tells us that when the Jews returned to the Land of Israel, they each returned to various cities that they came from. But when they were ready to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, “The people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.” (Ezra 3:1).
Interestingly, this phrase (c’ish echad, as one person) reminds us of the commentary on the Torah that tells us about the unity of the Jewish people when receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai which we celebrate next week on the holiday of Shavuot.
We know the opposite is also true. When the Jewish people are divided, Jerusalem is divided and can be taken away from the Jewish people.
We know from various sources that this is exactly what happened when the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE and the Jewish people lost control of the Land of Israel to the Romans.
Today, there is much speculation about PM Binyamin Netanyahu’s recent move towards a unity government. Does it mean a war with Iran is near? Is it a sign of insecurity? Is it a political ploy?
Today, on Jerusalem Day, let’s remember that throughout Jewish history, unity of the Jewish people has always led to strength and peace for the Jewish people, and may this unity government also be a sign of good things to come.
© 2012, Lisa (Leah) Bowman. All Rights Reserved.
Walking tours in Jerusalem: http://www.jerusalemwalkingtour.com
This Wednesday night is a Lag B’Omer, the traditional day when we honor the memory of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai by lighting bonfires (huge memorial candles), singing and dancing. The center of the festivities is the Upper Galilee on Mt. Meron, where Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is buried, but the celebration takes place throughout Israel and in Jewish communities around the world.
This is a perfect time for a virtual visit to the Galilee town of Pekiin, where Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (also called the Rashbi) and his son hid in a cave for 13 years. Rabbi Shimon was a student of Rabbi Akiva. They were some of the key leaders of the Jewish people in the years following the destruction of the Temple almost 2,000 years ago. He was known for his great wisdom and ability to do miracles. In those days, there was ongoing tension between the Jews and the Romans who were in control of the Land of Israel. Rabbi Shimon had spoken negatively about the Romans by saying that all of their engineering wonders were for their own benefit, and he was harshly condemned to death for his criticism. So, Rabbi Shimon and his son went to hide. They were sustained in the cave by a carob tree which sprung up and fresh water gushed forth nearby. Until today, the cave is surrounded by carob trees and there is a stream nearby. During this time, they learned secrets of the Torah intensely, and Rabbi Shimon wrote the Zohar (meaning the radiance), the central work of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism).
The Talmud tells us that they stayed there until Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) came to tell him the Roman Emporer had died, and thus the decree against him was annulled. After twelve years they emerged from the cave, but were no longer able to be in normal society. They saw people engaged in farming and their eyes burnt up the fields which they saw as mundane. A voice came out from heaven and said: “Have you emerged to destroy my world!” They returned to the cave for another year, in order to reach an even higher level of understanding being able to reconcile the existence of the everyday with the lofty.
May it be a fun Lag B’Omer with hotdogs and marshmallows, bonfires and songs and together with this may we reach deep spirituality.
© 2012, Lisa (Leah) Bowman. All Rights Reserved.
Walking tours in Jerusalem: http://www.jerusalemwalkingtour.com
