Dear Family,
The first ten days of the beginning of each Jewish year, the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, are called the Ten Days of Repentance. These days are a time frame intended for introspection and repentance, when a person can reflect upon his actions of the past year, and also plan his good deeds for the coming New Year.
About a week ago we celebrated Passover, which was different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic affecting the entire world. The main subject of Passover is the story of Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their transition from slavery to freedom. A birth of a nation. Since the establishment of the State of Israel 72 years ago, the days after Passover have carried a special and tremendous significance. This story of the transition from Holocaust to revival resembles, in many ways, the story of the Exodus.
Over the course of ten days, the State of Israel commemorates the Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, the Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism, and immediately thereafter it celebrates the Independence Day. These days are known as the Ten Days of Revival. These holy days tell the story of the revival of the Jewish people in modern times. The Jewish people, who were scattered in many countries all over the world and who, faced the danger of extermination, managed to resurrect itself after one of the most terrible catastrophes known to mankind, and to gain independence and establish its own state. But the price was heavy. Even after the establishment of the State of Israel, we continued to fight for our freedom. The Israel Defense Force has been vigilant, since then, to maintain the independence dreamed of for so many years.
We, Brothers for Life, are proud to play an important part in this mission of protecting the people and the land of Israel. As those who have fought in many military campaigns, we have sadly seen the heavy price we are sometimes forced to pay. Friends who fought together with us fell during their missions, and we, ourselves, were wounded and paid a physical and emotional price. These days of revival are days of national introspection and repentance. While, at the beginning of the year, the sound of shofar calls for a personal introspection, during the Days of Revival the siren we hear requires introspection regarding our relations with the State of Israel and the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora.
A few days ago we remembered the millions who perished in the Holocaust. In a few days we will commemorate the IDF soldiers who perished while defending the State. Immediately afterwards Israel will celebrate its Independence Day. It is of the utmost importance that we continuously be grateful that we have had the opportunity to witness Israel’s revival and be a free nation in our country.
Shabbat Shalom,
Yaniv
P.S.
Attached is an invitation to the ceremony of Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism. Join us for the ceremony through our Facebook or YouTube.
