Parsha Points- Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut 5772

Dedicated in Memory of Joey (Yosef Yitzchak) Vogel z”l, a close family friend who passed away this week at the age of 31*

The Haftara for Yom HaAtzmaut is found in the book of Yishayahu (Isaiah) 10:32-12:6.

In this Haftara, we find allusions to the final redemption, the coming of Mashiach.

The first two sentences deal with Sennacherib, the King of Assyria who was conquering the Land of Israel. As he was about to conquer Jerusalem, he and his entire army were cut down by the angel of God.

The Haftara continues with the prophecies of what will happen in the End of Days. Although B’nai Yisrael were in exile and there was no more Kingdom of David, “the stump of Yishai” will remain and a new leader will emerge. He will usher in the era of peace. B’nai Yisrael will be gathered from the ends of the earth. Even Yehuda and Ephraim who did not get along before will get together and conquer the Land of Israel.

The Jews that will return from exile will have an appreciation for having the opportunity to return to the Land and will praise God.

The reason that this Haftara was chosen to be read on Yom HaAtzmaut is because we have seen some of these prophecies being fulfilled with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 as well as every day since.

God has helped us fight our battles, we have returned from exile from the ends of the earth and Israelis of all backgrounds and denominations have put their differences aside in order to fight together in Tzahal (IDF).

Those who come on Aliya do appreciate the miracle of having the opportunity to return to the Land and the importance of holding on to it.

We say in the prayer for the State of Israel each Shabbat (Avinu Shebashamayim) that the State of Israel is “Reishit Tzmichat Geulatenu”, the first flowerings of our redemption.

There are still parts of Yishayahu’s prophecy that have not yet come true especially the psukim referring to ultimate peace on earth: “A wolf will dwell with a lamb and a leopard will lie down with a kid; and a calf, a lion and a fatling together, with a young child leading them…”

This Yom HaAtzmaut, as we sing and dance and praise God, let’s pray for the full redemption with true peace in Israel and throughout the world.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag HaAtzmaut Sameach from Yerushalayim!

Sharona Margolin Halickman

*Contributions to Torat Reva Yerushalayim in Memory of Joey z”l will be used to help provide Torah Study Classes to Jerusalem’s Elderly Population, a cause that was close to Joey’s heart.