Jewish burial customs encompass swift burials, a week-long mourning period, shrouding the deceased, placing stones on graves, and thorough washing of the body. Individuals exempt from mitzvot, or religious obligations, during mourning.
With background information like this we began our time in the Mount Herzl National Cemetery with educator Ilan Bloch, discussing great Israeli leaders.
Jabotinsky, a prominent figure in right-wing Israeli politics, desired to be buried in Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people. His wish which was eventually fulfilled after a 15-year wait. Theodore Hertzel, a visionary leader, faced opposition from a rabbi regarding his burial, resulting in two people conducting the service. Hertzel's life exemplified the importance of dreaming big and adapting, as seen in his proposals like the Uganda plan and the trial of the French Jew. Yitzchak Rabin, a pre-Israel leader, served in the military for 28 years, became prime minister and ambassador to the US. Despite resigning due to an illegal dollar bank account, Rabin signed the Oslo Accords but was tragically assassinated by a 26-year-old law student. Chana Senesh, forced to leave Hungary in 1939, became a builder, founding a kibbutz, and a writer of poems. She displayed great courage by joining a British Jewish unit. In 1994, Nashon Vaxxman, a hitchhiker, was captured and killed by Hamas terrorists. Michael Levine, a paratrooper from Philadelphia, lost his life in Lebanon during a conflict with Hezbollah. These individuals' stories reflect resilience, sacrifice, and dedication in the face of adversity, leaving a lasting impact on Jewish history.
Jabotinsky, a prominent figure in right-wing Israeli politics, desired to be buried in Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people. His wish which was eventually fulfilled after a 15-year wait. Theodore Hertzel, a visionary leader, faced opposition from a rabbi regarding his burial, resulting in two people conducting the service. Hertzel's life exemplified the importance of dreaming big and adapting, as seen in his proposals like the Uganda plan and the trial of the French Jew. Yitzchak Rabin, a pre-Israel leader, served in the military for 28 years, became prime minister and ambassador to the US. Despite resigning due to an illegal dollar bank account, Rabin signed the Oslo Accords but was tragically assassinated by a 26-year-old law student. Chana Senesh, forced to leave Hungary in 1939, became a builder, founding a kibbutz, and a writer of poems. She displayed great courage by joining a British Jewish unit. In 1994, Nashon Vaxxman, a hitchhiker, was captured and killed by Hamas terrorists. Michael Levine, a paratrooper from Philadelphia, lost his life in Lebanon during a conflict with Hezbollah. These individuals' stories reflect resilience, sacrifice, and dedication in the face of adversity, leaving a lasting impact on Jewish history.