The State of Israel’s declaration of independence—64 years ago on this day in the Hebrew calendar—was at the time, and has been forever since, a point of impassioned conflict. Even leaving aside the five Arab armies that immediately invaded the country and the substantial international opposition at the time, it’s worth noting that the Jewish administration’s vote in favor of independence passed only by a margin of 6 to 4. Religiously, responses range from enthusiastic endorsements of the state as the first flowering of messianic redemption to grave condemnation of the human impudence involved.
But one way or another, after two millennia of Jewish homelessness and suffering, and in exasperatingly delayed fulfillment of those two millennia’s worth of daily, desperate prayers, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer gravity and poignancy of the moment. And I would venture further that, listening to Ben Gurion resolutely read the declaration that day in 1948, anyone would be hard-pressed to miss hearing the divine voice dramatically reverberating through the strokes of history.
Here’s a video of the declaration (with English subtitles):
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
