Paratroopers and Puppets
August 9, 2006
We’re at war there is no doubt about it no matter how politicians, pundits or pollsters characterize it otherwise. Today a massive reserve force gathers at our northern border ready to begin the third phase of the conflict (following the initial air operations and the subsequent limited ground war). Over one million Israelis have been displaced from their homes with some still huddled in bomb shelters while others have found safe haven with friends, family or generous strangers outside the terror zone. Our tourist industry is in crisis. A friend reports that an associate staying at the luxurious David Citadel Hotel was one of the only guests. What promised to be the best year for tourism since the outbreak of the second Intifada now threatens to be a disaster for the economy. It is predicted that the unemployment rate in the north will exceed 14% this year, with some 10,000 businesses on the brink of collapse. That is what happens in wartime and its effects are felt for a very long time after cease-fires bring an end to the military conflict. And the death, destruction and economic devastation is even greater in Lebanon.
This is war and war is ugly. But in surreal juxtaposition to the harsh and brutal news streaming from the Internet, the radio and the television, today Israel observes Tu B’Av. In stark contrast to the somber and sorrowful message of Tisha B’Av, Tu B’Av (the fifteenth of Av) is a day dedicated to romantic love. The Talmud (Tractate Ta’anit) describes Tu B’Av as a joyous kind of Sadie Hawkins day in which young women went out to the vineyards dressed in white while the unmarried men gathered around as the women would say, "Young man, lift up your eyes and choose wisely. Don't look only at physical beauty - look rather at the family - 'For charm is false, and beauty is vanity. A God-fearing woman is the one to be praised...' (Proverbs 31:30)"
While Tisha B’Av commemorates Jewish tragedies, especially those associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, Tu B’Av celebrates many happy events in Jewish history many associated with the Temple. In a commentary on Tu B’Av I read something very interesting. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner (cited on the www.ou.org website) notes that one theme that runs through the events celebrated on Tu B’Av is unity. Thus Tu B’Av can be viewed as a celebration of Jewish unity as expressed in the love that two people can find in one another. Perhaps my mind turns to this theme of romance and harmony because today Wendy and I celebrate our 31st anniversary.
But I find this yin/yang contrast of Tisha B’Av and Tu B’Av within the same week compelling for another reason. Whether by design or coincidence, these two holy days of commemoration express a profound reality: life is contrasts it is the sadness of Tisha B’Av and the joy of Tu B’Av integrated into a wholeness that is life.
So perhaps it is meaningful that in the midst of this war I look out from my balcony and see the fireworks (the colorful kind) coming from the Sultan’s Pool outside the walls of the Old City in celebration of the annual Arts & Crafts festival. During the festivities there will be displays by international artisans, food booths offering delicacies from around the world and a cacophony (my editorial comment) of Israeli pop concerts. Concurrently there is a festival of puppetry running at the Khan and Train Station theaters featuring puppet performances throughout the day and night for adults as well as children—all this celebration of life in the midst of war. Tisha B’Av locked in intimate embrace with Tu B’Av.
These are trying times in which we live. Israel is being challenged on the diplomatic front no less than on the battlefield. There are those who threaten us with a destruction worse than any tragedy in our past. But, in sweet defiance of their curses arises a vision—a celebration—of life: music, food, and art. Tisha B’Av making us confront our fragility and our mortality; Tu B’Av instilling hope and joy for life.
I am concerned about Israel’s immediate security, I am not afraid for Israel’s future. That sentiment is shared, I believe, by all of us here. The situation demands our “paratrooper” response to those who seek to add another woeful event to the Tisha B’Av chronicle, but our embrace of life inspires our Tu B’Av “puppet” celebration of love’s promise and life’s joyful pleasures.
This week is an excellent metaphor of life here in this sacred land. Living in Israel makes me feel more alive and attuned to the world around me as never before. I am aware of the sanctity of life and its precariousness, its joys and its sorrows, here in this land of paratroopers and puppets.
Shalom from Jerusalem.
This is war and war is ugly. But in surreal juxtaposition to the harsh and brutal news streaming from the Internet, the radio and the television, today Israel observes Tu B’Av. In stark contrast to the somber and sorrowful message of Tisha B’Av, Tu B’Av (the fifteenth of Av) is a day dedicated to romantic love. The Talmud (Tractate Ta’anit) describes Tu B’Av as a joyous kind of Sadie Hawkins day in which young women went out to the vineyards dressed in white while the unmarried men gathered around as the women would say, "Young man, lift up your eyes and choose wisely. Don't look only at physical beauty - look rather at the family - 'For charm is false, and beauty is vanity. A God-fearing woman is the one to be praised...' (Proverbs 31:30)"
While Tisha B’Av commemorates Jewish tragedies, especially those associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, Tu B’Av celebrates many happy events in Jewish history many associated with the Temple. In a commentary on Tu B’Av I read something very interesting. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner (cited on the www.ou.org website) notes that one theme that runs through the events celebrated on Tu B’Av is unity. Thus Tu B’Av can be viewed as a celebration of Jewish unity as expressed in the love that two people can find in one another. Perhaps my mind turns to this theme of romance and harmony because today Wendy and I celebrate our 31st anniversary.
But I find this yin/yang contrast of Tisha B’Av and Tu B’Av within the same week compelling for another reason. Whether by design or coincidence, these two holy days of commemoration express a profound reality: life is contrasts it is the sadness of Tisha B’Av and the joy of Tu B’Av integrated into a wholeness that is life.
So perhaps it is meaningful that in the midst of this war I look out from my balcony and see the fireworks (the colorful kind) coming from the Sultan’s Pool outside the walls of the Old City in celebration of the annual Arts & Crafts festival. During the festivities there will be displays by international artisans, food booths offering delicacies from around the world and a cacophony (my editorial comment) of Israeli pop concerts. Concurrently there is a festival of puppetry running at the Khan and Train Station theaters featuring puppet performances throughout the day and night for adults as well as children—all this celebration of life in the midst of war. Tisha B’Av locked in intimate embrace with Tu B’Av.
These are trying times in which we live. Israel is being challenged on the diplomatic front no less than on the battlefield. There are those who threaten us with a destruction worse than any tragedy in our past. But, in sweet defiance of their curses arises a vision—a celebration—of life: music, food, and art. Tisha B’Av making us confront our fragility and our mortality; Tu B’Av instilling hope and joy for life.
I am concerned about Israel’s immediate security, I am not afraid for Israel’s future. That sentiment is shared, I believe, by all of us here. The situation demands our “paratrooper” response to those who seek to add another woeful event to the Tisha B’Av chronicle, but our embrace of life inspires our Tu B’Av “puppet” celebration of love’s promise and life’s joyful pleasures.
This week is an excellent metaphor of life here in this sacred land. Living in Israel makes me feel more alive and attuned to the world around me as never before. I am aware of the sanctity of life and its precariousness, its joys and its sorrows, here in this land of paratroopers and puppets.
Shalom from Jerusalem.
posted by RSJD at 10:33 AM
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