By Daniel Goldschmidt During the Counting of the Omer As Jews we observe a very important period of each year that commemorates the exodus from slavery in Egypt which begins with the second day of Passover or Pesach and lasts fifty days until the revelation of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai or Shavuot.
During this period of time in Israel there are six separate observances some of which are familiar to Jews around the world and others that are specific to Israel. Generally speaking, it is my observation that each of these are practiced by the entire Jewish residents in a devoted and spirited manner despite their individual religious persuasions. As a immigrant to Israel this year I witnessed and observed the entire season and these are my reflections.
Passover (Pesach)
One of the most important Jewish holidays which is the commemoration of the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Passover is the most important holiday practiced in the Jewish home other than Shabbat or Sabbath. The first evening a Seder is observed where families are together but also friends, acquaintances, and even strangers are invited to homes to participate in the Seder. Even I as a new immigrant had three invitations to participate in Seder observances. Of course all family members are included with a special emphasis to teach the children the story of our slavery and exodus from Egypt. It is wonderful to see how close the Israeli family is and how beautifully the children are involved and educated. Jews are not allowed to eat anything with leavening, since in the haste to leave Egypt there was not enough time for bread to rise. In Israel the observance is much more profound however, with products that include leavening either being removed completely from store shelves or covered. Woe be the individual customer who does any action to mix the leavened and unleavened even inadvertently. Many businesses are closed, bakeries close possibly for remodeling, and all schools are closed. People take vacations, and there are many day tours. I as a male single adult discovered what it was to cook for Passover in making fried matzoh, matzoh ball soup, matzoh pancakes, etc. Passover is observed for eight days and there is a second seder held the second evening. This is the start of the counting of the Omer.
Holocaust Day (Yom Shoa)
A special day to remember the extermination of six million Jews including children.
Most Israeli Jews have family histories of people lost in this inferno, or survivors of such. The family I rent from makes a pilgrimage to a monument in Jerusalem that commemorates the drowning of the first family of their father in a ship that sunk trying to escape from Bulgaria. This is only one of the thousands of stories that most Israeli have as part of their family histories. The ceremonies to observe that day are held at Yad Vashem which is the Israeli Holocaust memorial. It is attended by all government and military officials and survivors and families of the victims of the Holocaust. A very impressive time is when a siren is sounded throughout Israel and all citizens stop whatever they are doing including drivers stopping their cars in traffic and standing for five minutes of silence. This day of course is also observed in many other parts of the world but not in this dedicated manner. The next two ceremonial days are specific to Israel.
Israel Memorial Day (Yom Zikaron)
Almost every Israeli family has lost a loved because starting in the earliest part of last century and extending thru the War of Independence, Suez crisis, 1967 war, Lebanon, Yom Kippur War of 1974, Gaza, two Intrifada’s, and continual terrorism
because Israel’s neighbors have never been at peace. Therefore Israel Memorial Day is a very sad time and felt very deeply since it has touched most families. Again during the day a siren is sounded throughout Israel and for five minutes no sound or movement happens. The official ceremony is held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem with all the dignitaries attending. It’s observance is certainly much more solemn than what we do on U.S. Memorial day. At a certain point in the ceremony there is a request of the President of Israel to permit the beginning of the Israel Independence Day which which starts at sunset like all Jewish observances. and represents the attributes of the great sacrifice that the nation has made. Programs begin with a sad memorial service that changes to a joyous celebration when the permission of the Israeli President is granted. Our synagogue Beit Tefilah in Tel Aviv had a wonderful memorial service that developed into a musical celebration of Independence Day.
Israel Independence Day (Yom Hatzmaut)
The evening is filled with every community holding their own celebration with fireworks, and all kinds of entertainment. After the service with my synagogue i attended a wonderful fireworks, dancing, and singing at Rabin square in Tel Aviv. After that I was invited to a wonderful party or kabalah held by where I live. The Israel’s despite all their problems are extremely proud and patriotic toward their country.
Lag-ba Omer
The 33rd day of counting the Omer commemorates the Bar Kochba revolt of the Jews against Roman rule in the 2nd century CE and was the last Jewish independence before the Declaration of Independence in 1948. This is not a rest day and all shops remain open. It is customary to start large bon fires which is the manner that the revolt signaled from the top of hills. This holiday was made popular in modern day by the Zionist movement as a symbol of the striving for religious freedom. It is a festive holiday where onions, potatoes, and even marshmallows are tossed into the fires. It is particularly popular with the religious and youth. I visited a park close to where I live where many bon fires were burning, which was a beautiful sight.
Festival of Weeks (Shavuot)
This holiday commemorates the receiving of the Torah including the Ten Commandments by Moses at Mount Sinai. Also called the festival of the first fruits which were to be dedicated to God. This holiday is lesser known among secular Jews in the diaspora but practiced faithfully in Israel. Observed by staying up all night studying Torah and eating only dairy products. Only dairy products are consumed due to the kosher-us laws being received at this time so new meats could not be prepared and this couldn’t be accomplished because it was the sabbath. I observed this holiday in Netanya at a small synagogue but with lots of spirit as is true where ever you are in Israel.
This complete the counting of the Omer and the holidays in Israel there in and as the biblical purpose of God’s freeing us from slavery and the fifty days to prepare Judaism to receive the Torah these days and holidays as discussed are very much the focus of life here in Israel. They have tremendous meaning to someone like me who is a recent immigrant to Israel.
