Overnight music video
Tonight is Israel's 62nd anniversary. If 60 today is like 40 used to be, we have just hit middle age. And we are still having a midlife crisis or two.So here's Israel's National Anthem - HaTikva.
Let's go to the videotape (Hat Tip: Lance K). An interesting note follows.
I recently finished reading Daniel Gordis' Saving Israel. Interestingly, he points out that HaTikva is a takeoff on Ezekiel 37, which says that we have no hope left, shortly before God brings the valley of dead bones to life. Gordis claims that it was an implicit dig at religious teachings. In fact, he claims that HaTikva is full of digs like that, but you have to know the bible really well to find them. I know Ezekiel 37 quite well (because it's read in the synagogue on Passover) and had I not seen Gordis' book, I would have no clue that was the intent.
Hmmm.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:14 AM
2 Comments:
Carl, Rabbi Wasserman would definitely disagree with that one!
As far as I'm concerned, the "Lihiyot Am Chofshi" - "to be a free people in our land" - is indeed a residual dig against Hashem and the Torah. I will not utter the words.
Are you not familiar with the original lyrics by Naftali Herz Imber? They could be sung on Tisha B'Av alongside Eili Tziyon.
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