Jews and Druze share tables collectively for 'Druze Shabbat ...

'you are about to experience a sacred second." With these phrases, earlier than a Friday evening crowd of 500 at Jerusalem's Shai Agnon Synagogue, I inaugurated this yr's fourth-annual "Druze Shabbat." Over the subsequent 24 hours, Jews shared their Shabbat eve tables with Druze guests, synagogue functions remembered fallen Druze heroes, Druze pre-defense force academy students were honored and Jews and Druze celebrated their peoples' surprising partnership. Zidan Seif, a Druze policeman killed whereas struggling with the terrorists of Jerusalem's 2014 Har Nof Synagogue massacre, is an enduring image of bravery and sacrifice. Zidan left in the back of his parents, siblings, his 21 12 months-historical wife Rinal and their baby girl, Larain. The Seifs have attended each "Druze Shabbat" considering that the Yakir organization began the culture in 2016. As part of final Friday evening's application, Zidan's father, Sheikh Nuhad, joined me in front of the synagogue as we chanted the prayer for the IDF and the Israel Police, first in Hebrew and then in Arabic. The prayer turned into translated into Arabic through Rinal, and it was examine through Colonel Nazye Dabur, a adorned militia officer and Druze chief, who has obtained numerous awards for his valor in battle (however whose most important distinction for my more youthful children is that he has consulted for Fauda). After capabilities, our Druze guests, together with dozens of young couples, bereaved families and elderly Sheikhs, were divided into small agencies and hosted by local families of their homes for Shabbat dinner. At my family domestic, we hosted the extended Seif household and also the family of Lt.-Col. "M," a Druze particular forces soldier, who was killed in Gaza ultimate 12 months. The sensitivity and secrecy of his undercover mission have been such that it continues to be strictly forbidden to reveal his name. i used to be in my opinion privileged to make his acquaintance when he participated in Yakir's "Druze Shabbat" software simply months before his tragic demise. It didn't take lengthy earlier than both Druze families found out that they have been not so distantly linked (there's nothing like taking part in "Druze geography" across the Shabbat table). at first of the meal, just before Kiddush (which we remodeled grape juice out of recognize for our spiritual Druze visitors, who don't consume alcohol), I gave the average Shabbat night blessing to my children. It changed into for me the sweetest of pleasures when the late Lt.-Col. "M"'s two young sons approach ed me, in order that I could bless them too. After dinner, Druze guests, together with around a hundred neighborhood members, packed into my home for truffles and socializing. I invited Sheikh Nuhad to assert just a few words, however he delegated the project to his all the time eloquent and galvanizing daughter-in-legislations, Rinal. Rinal Seif shared with us the complex emotions she has each and every time she visits Jerusalem. On the one hand, Jerusalem forces her to relive an excruciatingly painful adventure. (She didn't point out it, nevertheless it obviously turned into not misplaced on Rinal that the terrorist who killed her loved Zidan lived in Jebl Mukaber, an Arab regional under 10 minutes through car from my home and easily viewable from my lounge window.) on the other hand, Jerusalem reminds her of the blessings of friendship and love that have been showered upon her after the attack, and which have enriched her lifestyles. I took the probability to want Rinal a double mazal tov – first, upon her marriage more than a year in the past to Adnan, Zidan's more youthful brother, and 2nd, upon the delivery of their child daughter just a few months ago. Adnan could not be part of us for Shabbat. Like his huge brother, Adnan joined the Israel Police, and he became on patrol responsibility that Friday evening. Jerusalem's first rate Synagogue, with its distinct mixture of non secular, secular and hasidic (extremely-Orthodox) Jews, along with non-Jewish travelers, became our host for Shabbat morning. The Druze households stayed over in Jerusalem and that they have been joined at the incredible Synagogue with the aid of about 20 Druze pre-militia academy college students. An enthusiastic supporter of "Druze Shabbat," top notch Synagogue President Zalli Jaffe had an expanded choir primed for an impressive service. "Druze Shabbat" is all the time scheduled for after we study Parshat Yitro, as the Druze revere Jethro as their founding prophet. The Druze adopted along in Chumashim as the Torah portion become examine. The fathers of fallen Druze troopers and cops have been then invited to open the ark as memorial prayers had been chanted for his or her sons, and the total category of quickly-to-be Druze troopers stood through the open ark because the cantor chanted the prayer for the ID F. during my sermon, I informed these students "that we are going to not ever take with no consideration the incontrovertible fact that Druze troopers are combating alongside Jewish soldiers in defense of the Jewish state, and that when my son drafts into the IDF in April, i do know you will have his lower back, simply as i know he will have yours." Lunch following functions, at the local Plaza inn, featured an address with the aid of Druze former Knesset member Shachiv Shinan, whose police officer son, Hayil, become killed through terrorists in the summer of 2017 while guarding Temple Mount. Shinan introduced alongside his household for the weekend, together with his child grandson, Hayil, who incorporates his late uncle's identify. In his remarks, Shinan charged us "to cautiously hold the covenant solid between the prophet Jethro and our instructor Moses." Late Saturday nighttime, upon returning to his Galilee domestic, Shinan texted me: "we've now returned physically to Hurfeish, however our hearts and souls stay in Jerusalem. The embody and honor given to our fallen household (and to these of us residing) remind us what a fantastic and exciting individuals the Jews are, and that our painful sacrifices had been now not for naught." The creator is the founder and director of Jerusalem-based mostly Yakir (www.yakir.org) and is the rabbi emeritus of long island's Fifth Avenue Synagogue. var cont = `check in for The Jerusalem submit top class Plus for just $5Upgrade your analyzing journey with an ad-free ambiance and unique content material

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