Holocaust Rememberance Day; Other Photos

Thursday, May 1st, was Yom HaShoah (Day of the Holocaust) in Israel. In English, we would say Holocaust Rememberance Day. Since Israel became a modern day nation again in 1948, they have officially observed a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust. When the sirens sound you stop whereever you are and stand still for 2 minutes. If you are in a car, then you stop and stand outside. Several of us from CFI went down to Zion Square because we knew the sirens were going to sound at 10:00am. From the photo below, the taxi driver standing at attention sure looks like someone who has served in the IDF and fought for his country.

Pedestrians, including a "modern day prophet with Jerusalem syndrome" standing still on the sidewalk of Jaffa Street. Moses, in his last word to the Israelites before they came into the Promised Land had some very harsh warnings for the Jews in the "last days". For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands." Deuteronomy 31:29.

After two minutes, traffic resumed as normal. In May, I saw that China followed this practice of "standing still" during their horrific earthquakes and floods. Israel has been doing it for decades. Moses warning of disobedience to the Lord sometimes points to terrible times like the Holocaust. "Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples ... Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see. Deuteronomy 28:64-67.

These beautiful orange roses are at CFI just after we returned. Behind the roses, the Israeli flag is at half staff. There was no wind that day.

In the photo below, the balcony with the geraniums is mine. That is my 60th Anniversay Flag hanging down. My living room window is just to the right. One week after Holocaust Rememberance Day is Israel's Independence Day according to the Hebrew calendar. The day before Independence Day is Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers. The identical two minutes of silence are observed. On this Memorial Day, I had a rental car to pick up my friends Merlin and Margaret at the airport. When the siren sounded, I was driving near the Russian Compound. So I stopped the car and stood outside of it. Too bad I did not have my camera. Observing Memorial Day on July 3rd in the US would be the same scenario as it is in Israel. One day of sorrow and rememberance followed the next day by joyous celebrations and fireworks.

On Mount Scopus in Jerusalem is a very well kept British cemetery from World War I. It was the British and the ANZACS (Australia - New Zealand Army Corps) that defeated the Ottoman Turks in WWI, liberated Jerusalem and the land called Palestine. That began the British mandate of Palestine which lasted until May, 1948 when Israel became a nation (again).
Entrance to the cemetery. Kay and I lived on Mount Scopus in 1998 and we used to take Shabbat walks through here. Today it was closed.

The markers reflect all the special units that served, ie "Camel Corps"; "Australian Light Horse", etc. The "charge" of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba changed the outcome of the battle. After taking Beersheba, then the British were able to take Gaza. The Ottoman Turks then retreated from Jerusalem which allowed General Allenby and the British to "walk in". I have always liked how the Lord used the bravery of the horse to liberate Jerusalem. It was one of the last calvary charges against cannon and machine guns. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. Proverbs 21:31.

Australia's monument.

The Mount of Olives as seen from Mount Scopus. The Lord Jesus will return there. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Zechariah 14:4.

The photo below is taken from Mt. Scopus looking south towards the Old City of Jerusalem. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ II Chronicles 6:6.

An Arab shepherd and his sheep on the eastern slope of The Mount of Olives. The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd who laid down His life for us. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11.

The photo below is from the north side of the Mount of Olives looking due east. If you zoom in, in the middle you can see the Dead Sea approximately 12 miles away. Jerusalem is in the mountains and the Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on earth, 1300 feet below sea level. When the Lord Jesus reigns in His Temple, the Living Water will flow to the Dead Sea making it totally fresh water. There are no fish now in The Dead Sea but just wait until He reigns. Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. Ezekiel 47:8-9.

These flowers on a side street in The German Colony where I live. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:12.

Along the same street.

Just a close of the light blue flowers.

I may have posted the statue below before but this was a good photo. The statue is at Yad HaShomah as you leave the Judean Hills west of Jerusalem. The verse that inspired the statue is Joel 2:12-13. "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Joel 2:12.