Page 117 - big friday
P. 117
David Ben-Gurion's declaratory speech, which he delivered in a public setting
(seemingly more emotional than ceremonial). This was the speech of a man with character,
vigorous and faithful to himself; a man whose tools of outward expression do not always
correlate with his powerful feelings and his clear rational intention; it was the speech of
a man with a will, a man too full of action and energy to be able to be, at the same time,
a "glowing orator” (for glowing oratory ability in a man always goes hand in hand with
paucity of essential content: I am always slightly suspicious of a speech that is glowing
in form). However, it is not the speech that was important here, but rather the actual
event. The event almost silenced the speech and blurred any perception other than the
actual essence of the great historical moment. It was a magnetic moment, thrilling in its
sense of the greatness and sanctity of life. Beyond all the mists of doubt and hesitation of
rational thought, via all the barriers and questioning and refutation of understanding, and
contrary to all the criticisms that that inner Zionist vision (which always sought to build
our redemption not on fortuitous moments, but rather on a firm basis of a patient, step-
by-step process dictated by awareness and reality) might have raised - seemingly, against
the activist political approach adopted by the new leadership, in place of the previous
approach of rational compromise – beyond and despite it all, the sanctity of the moment
is heart-warming: at this moment, new life is born – and every birth is holy, especially life
so precious and so longed-for.
W hatever the fortune and future of this newborn, whatever misfortunes and dangers
may await it on its convoluted path, whatever the sacrifices that will necessarily be entailed
in raising it for those who hold it dear – whatever may be, it is the sanctity of the birth of
this new creature, rather than any other feeling, that fills our soul, naturally, at the moment
that life is born upon the birthstones.
I am unable to sleep – not only because of the danger lurking in the air. This great and
portentous hour sears like a laser, sending a concentrated but tiny beam into the fearful
darkness of the future. It is a heavy, deep mystery – who can answer? – but the beam of
light reveals at least one element: how strange is your fate, O nation of Israel! It is only with
the suffering of your old age that you may yet enjoy pleasure.
A s in the days of Moses and in the days of Ezra, so in our days, too, despair and renewal
have come together at a single inexplicable point.
Yeshurun Keshet, BiYerushalayim HaNetzura – Yomanim min HaOref (In Besieged Jerusalem –
Diaries from the Home Front), Reuven Mass, 1973, pp. 33-37 (with omissions).
The Same Day, in... 115
(seemingly more emotional than ceremonial). This was the speech of a man with character,
vigorous and faithful to himself; a man whose tools of outward expression do not always
correlate with his powerful feelings and his clear rational intention; it was the speech of
a man with a will, a man too full of action and energy to be able to be, at the same time,
a "glowing orator” (for glowing oratory ability in a man always goes hand in hand with
paucity of essential content: I am always slightly suspicious of a speech that is glowing
in form). However, it is not the speech that was important here, but rather the actual
event. The event almost silenced the speech and blurred any perception other than the
actual essence of the great historical moment. It was a magnetic moment, thrilling in its
sense of the greatness and sanctity of life. Beyond all the mists of doubt and hesitation of
rational thought, via all the barriers and questioning and refutation of understanding, and
contrary to all the criticisms that that inner Zionist vision (which always sought to build
our redemption not on fortuitous moments, but rather on a firm basis of a patient, step-
by-step process dictated by awareness and reality) might have raised - seemingly, against
the activist political approach adopted by the new leadership, in place of the previous
approach of rational compromise – beyond and despite it all, the sanctity of the moment
is heart-warming: at this moment, new life is born – and every birth is holy, especially life
so precious and so longed-for.
W hatever the fortune and future of this newborn, whatever misfortunes and dangers
may await it on its convoluted path, whatever the sacrifices that will necessarily be entailed
in raising it for those who hold it dear – whatever may be, it is the sanctity of the birth of
this new creature, rather than any other feeling, that fills our soul, naturally, at the moment
that life is born upon the birthstones.
I am unable to sleep – not only because of the danger lurking in the air. This great and
portentous hour sears like a laser, sending a concentrated but tiny beam into the fearful
darkness of the future. It is a heavy, deep mystery – who can answer? – but the beam of
light reveals at least one element: how strange is your fate, O nation of Israel! It is only with
the suffering of your old age that you may yet enjoy pleasure.
A s in the days of Moses and in the days of Ezra, so in our days, too, despair and renewal
have come together at a single inexplicable point.
Yeshurun Keshet, BiYerushalayim HaNetzura – Yomanim min HaOref (In Besieged Jerusalem –
Diaries from the Home Front), Reuven Mass, 1973, pp. 33-37 (with omissions).
The Same Day, in... 115
