Monday, April 19, 2010

The pyramids of the soul's eternal life

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Did you know there are pyramids in Jerusalem?!

In antiquity, pyramids were the symbol of the soul and eternal life.

This sculpture by Bezalel Schatz is planted in a channel (that once had water) representing the Nile.
Our Society for the Protection of Nature guide yesterday said that no one seems to know what it is supposed to symbolize. Strange. When she said Nile I immediately thought bullrushes. No?

Enter into the valley.

The entrance has a lone olive tree of peace and the name Yad LaBanim.

Inside one pyramid we find the reason for it all--the names of the Jerusalemites who fell defending their city and country.
The place is Beit Yad LaBanim, the memorial house for the sons.
Every city has a Yad LaBanim for their fallen, full of photos and archives and exhibits.
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Sit still a while on the bench and ponder their sacrifice.
Let us think of their families today, on Israel's Memorial Day for the defenders and for the victims of terror.
On this day especially, society becomes one big grieving “family,” known in Hebrew as mishpachat hashchol.
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At 7:45 tonight the remembrance day will end and we make the sudden transition to the joy of Israel's 62nd Independence Day.
You can't have one without the other.
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Such is my world for That's MyWorld Tuesday.
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25 comments:

  1. Very interesting to read, especially in the context of the sacrifice of those who have fallen and in relation to Independence Day.

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  2. What lovely light in the interior shot.

    After living abroad for the first time when I was 18, I've always tried to look at my own nation's war memorials through the eyes of a foreigner. And since it seems I'm to spend my life abroad, I guess that was a good skill to work on.

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  3. Interesting place, didn't know it. Happy 62nd!

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  4. Yes, bullrushes would be my first thought, too.
    I like the idea of the day of solemn thought breaking into a new day of joy. It brings so much more meaning to the remembering.

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  5. Those are really amazing. That's quite an installation.

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  6. I am looking at this only the day after, it is an impressive memorial, I'd really like to see it one day.

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  7. Dina: That certainly gives you a moment of thought. While on my trip thru Europe I went to my first Seder Dinner. A remembrance of the time when the Jewish people left the pyramid area.

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  8. Certainly a different world than mine, dina! :)

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  9. Fascinating, I have never heard of this before. Great photos and explanation.

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  10. That's really interseting. What a great monument.
    Sydney - City and Suburbs

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  11. So impressive and without doubt, something to think about...

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  12. aloha,

    thanks for showing us a little bit about your corner of the world today....sounds like these are very special places to visit and reflect and preserve sacrifices made to independence

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  13. Strange to see the lone olive tree with all the building cranes as a backdrop.

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  14. lovely tour with a touch of sadness. these pyramids are perfect as a memorial house.

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  15. Wow, amazing. It looks strinking!

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  16. What a fantastic place! First time I see it.

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  17. This is really something. I'd put it at the top of my list of things to see.

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  18. Beautiful and it looks peaceful too.
    Fascinating monument.

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  19. Really a charming place, Dina.
    The eternal life: where all is bright light, where there is neither space nor time.

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  20. Beautiful and stunning photos, so filled with awe and wonderment.

    From sorrow to joy...Happy 62nd Independence Day!

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  21. Thanks for the photos and the history. I remember being told about the ship Exodus in Hebrew school by a woman that visited our class. It must have been between 1948-50. Her story was like something I would see in the movies and so I asked, "when did this take place?" And she answered me, "now". I guess I will always remember that, as it has been at least 60 years.

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  22. love the pictures especially the one with the one tree and the interior shot. great captures!

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  23. Very interesting to find that in your world. Certainly different from my own.

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  24. thanks for enlightening. I always thought of Eygpt and pyramids.

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  25. This is such an incredible place, Dina. I'm so impressed.

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