B”H
If only those who are blinding themselves to the reality of the possibility of erasing the hatred of the Arabs for the Jews- perhaps especially for the Israelis – would return to reality and stop finding excuses for the hatred, incitement to murder by blaming Israel for not affording the Arabs the fulfillment of their desires!
Our entire history is full of accusations against the Jewish people- both before the establishment of the State of Israel and after. The continued denial of the Holocaust by so-called leaders of the PA such as Abbas -and Abu Mazen who only two days ago accused Israel of atrocities in Gaza- ignoring the fact that the infrastructure of terror by the Hamas was intentionally set up in civilian regions; schools, mosques, residential areas. Ignoring the facts that Hamas not only dug tunnels inside of Israel but intentionally inside of civilian communities and attacked Israel with rockets, mortars and terrorists.
Is it surprising that the UN sat and quietly allowed and even encouraged these outrageous lies by one who denies the Holocaust and encourages terror against Israel. This piece partner- no it was not a spelling mistake- they desire piece after piece of our Land and will never accept the Jewish State of Israel.
It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister and Knesset of Israel to never allow Israel to lose our sovereignty or security and safety and to demand these with no compromise.
This time of year in the Jewish calender has always been very emotional and full of prayer and resolutions. Here we are a few days before Yom Kippur – the Day of Reckoning of Atonement – and again during this period we witness the continuous attempts to destroy us.
For us, who have lived through the Yom Kippur War, this day has more impact than for those who have not . This year again, as back in 1973 Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat. I wish to share with you my experiences from that Yom Kippur – in memory of all of our loved ones who fell in order to protect our Land then and now. May we be worthy of the blessings of HaShem on this new year for safety, unity, security, settling and developing our Land in HIS name. amen
B”H
Do I recall?
Yehudit Tayar
As a young bride and a new mother I was informed by representatives of the IDF who came to our house that Ami, my husband, and the father of our month-old daughter was missing in action in the southern front in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was in the commanders’ vehicle behind Ariel Sharon in the paratroopers, and was in the spearhead of the forces leading the battle on the southern front. The announcement by the officers who came to tell me that Ami was MIA came to me a week and a half before what was to be our first anniversary, and it was left to me to tell Amis’ parents that their son was MIA. Ami has one brother who was fighting on the Golan in the Yom Kippur War, and Amis’ mother is a survivor of Bergen Belson Concentration Camp.
After many, many long months of agony and prayers when I held our infant daughter in my arms and kept telling both her and myself that she will see her Abba, that her Daddy will return, we had a miracle, and Ami did return to us.
This endless time of sleepless nights and prayers for the safe return of my beloved husband – we had a miracle and Ami came home to us. So many of our loved ones did not come home from this war, and from the many battles that came after the Yom Kippur War.
I kept a book where I wrote down my thoughts during and after the many long tortuous months of waiting to hear about Ami, I also wrote this poem. This is the first time that I have ever publicized these lines that I wrote in the middle of the nightmare of the war, and my being told that Ami was MIA. This will never leave me and constantly in my thoughts and prayers are our MIA’s and their families. I know exactly what each of these families is going through and the endless torment of worry for their loved ones.
I dedicate this to all of our loved ones who did not return home, to all of our families who were murdered by blind hatred because they were Jews.
Do I recall?
Do I recall?
So do we all
The stark realities of the last war.
1.
Uncertainty as eyes scan sky
Planes’ deafening sounds
As we stand on ground
Quick flashes up high.
Quiet struggle within all
Maintain routine – swallow fear
The neighbor’s voices in the hall
Hush baby dear – Mommy’s here
Hours droll past our watchful ears
Life upholds daily route
Hold back the desire to shout
Lumpy feeling, hold back the tears.
2.
Now we know as darkness fell
Returning footsteps, hurry pack
Fears growing where we dwell
“Not so much I’ll soon be back!”
Longest walk – shortest path
Closer hold me – time is dear
Must leave quickly- goodbye is near
Words seem to leave us both.
Laying with babe at breast
Two fleeting minutes of happiness
Stolen seconds – precious one
Kiss me darling- time is done.
3.
Days – nights – time is still
A work – a scrap of paper
Messenger come quick – I will
Communications- all together
“I’m okay- I miss you so”
“How our babys’ begun to grow”
“Have you heard of him – or him?”
“Darling I’m with you – deep within.”
Days – hours of waiting endless
Sleepless – hungerless –
No word today – perhaps tomorrow
I send prayers – letter will follow.
Where are you my love?
As I sit at home?
Each with people
And each so alone.
4.
“is it really you I see?”
Few stolen hours together
We held on to one another
“No – our time fled too quickly.”
“He’s gone – we’re sure”
“It can’t be true!”
“If you hear – let us know.”
“Oh baby where did Daddy go?”
Searching, praying for a way
Helpful friends who care too
Maybe we can find a way
To know what happened to you
“You’re here – it’s you!”
“Can it be – hold me then”
Prayers answered – yes it’s true
“Don’t ever leave me again!”
Time together too too short
“My how baby dear has grown”
“She misses her Daddy – we are alone”
Off again he must go – a war is being fought
5.
Fire! Cease! Fire again
Too many precious lives end
Shuttle – faster – can’t you see?
You’re writing pages of history.
Sign it – don’t – we must
If aid we need there must be trust
Will it end finally?
But is it right? Will we be free?
He’ll return so they say
Don’t know what date –
They’ll return – never too late-
Please let it be to stay.
I can’t believe that it will end
That we can live in peace
Without the bitter taste of war
To never more him have to send.
6.
Dear G-d let it finally end.
No more sirens split the night
No more blackouts dim our sight
We are together us three
And many other families.
Yet there are those
Who sleep in rows
Under shade of stone so white
Never again to see the light
Please our Maker – let it come to pass
That these will be the very last!