Today, I found myself thinking about Yom HaZicharon in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, we accidentally went to the Yom HaZicharon ceremony at the Kotel. In 2012, we passed Har Hertzl as 11:00 was approaching on our way home from a fertility appointment. We could see the people swarming for their annual day of communal grief. In 2013, Channah was living in her own world of grief, when a teacher pulled her away from the school tekes to try to protect her from the raw emotions that can come out on this day.
For me, I usually acknowledge Yom HaZicharon within the privacy of my family, as I listen and feel the blast of the siren. Having had the experience of having to head to safety upon hearing that sound, brings a different feeling from that sound. This year is not like other years. I finished davening maariv from my mirpeset shortly before the siren. An Israeli flag that was raised before mincha was lowered to half staff, as someone played 'taps' on their cell phone. A few minutes of pause and then the blast from the siren. A few families had come outside for this experience. The only movement was a small child who had been running around, walking back to his family to join in the moment of commemoration.
This year is not like other years. For the first time ever, all the military cemeteries are locked. At one point the bereaved families, threatened to storm the cemeteries for 11:00 tomorrow. I hope this will not happen and that families have taken the opportunity to visit their loved ones over the past few days. There are organizations that have also offered to set up virtual visits to graves tomorrow.
The threat of storming a cemetery. Completely irrational and dangerous but in some way captures the feelings, that have been felt across the country. A week ago from Sunday, the first steps of easing the lock down went into effect. All of a sudden, people were complaining if X has been released why can't Y. Then on Tuesday Ikea opened. Vendors from Mahane Yehuda, threatened that if Ikea could open, they would open with or without permission. They followed through with their threat yesterday, clashing with police. Big chain stores kept their doors closed, even with permission to open. They threatened that they deserved equally compensation to small businesses. Of course once all the stores are open, how can we keep schools closed. All of a sudden, what was promised to be a slow transition back to restarting life as 'normal' has been moving really fast. Shlomo's Gan could be open as soon as Sunday.
Yesterday was a classic example of why it is hard to have faith in those playing with our lives. The Health Ministry proposed that the limit of people going out for exercise to be unlimited, instead to the 500m current limit. As soon as the decision was published after approval, the Health Ministry stepped in to have the decision reversed. They wanted unlimited exercise distance for professional athletes only. In the end the 500m rule is being scrapped on Thursday. The regulations confining us to 100m from our home, cannot be far behind.
There are two family members in our home that are considered high risk. I have been comforted by the results we have started to see for keeping the virus contained. I am worried about the size of the 2nd wave of infections that is bound to come. The fact the country is starting to function again, makes it easier to prepare for our move in 5 weeks. At the same time I am concerned for the health and well being of my family. Tonight and tomorrow we remember the sacrifice those have made to keep us safe in our homeland. That is followed by a celebration (although muted this year) of what we have achieved. I pray that the threat passes soon and we can go back to building on the accomplishments of this great country.
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