Grapevine: On parade

• Published date: 02 April 2024
• Author: GREER FAY CASHMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Not really. It's merely a pacifying ploy to placate objectors. We could see that this week with the Jerusalem parade, which while still in the planning stages, started out as the Adloyada, which signifies lots of joy and merriment. When objections were raised by families of the hostages and their supporters, the event was not canceled, but the name was changed to United Purim

Although it was a muted affair compared to the annual parade during the intermediate days of Sukkot, it still attracted a large number of spectators and participants.

According to municipal estimates, the attendance figure was in the realm of 30,000. But there were also protesters waving placards with signs that registered displeasure at a festive event being held while no agreement had yet been reached on the return of the hostages.

In interviews last week, when the holding of the parade was still a strongly contested issue, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said that it was a way to bring happiness to the many evacuee children who were being hosted in Jerusalem. On the actual day of the parade, he said that it was not a celebration but a continuation of tradition, adding that Israel's enemies "will not stop us."

While the frustration of the hostages' families is understandable, they should remember that in Jewish tradition, the Sabbath and Jewish holy days take precedence over grief and mourning, and the week-long shiva mourning period is suspended.

As a rabbinically declared holy day, Purim may have less sanctity or strictures than Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Simchat Torah, but it is the only festival where the Jewish people are commanded to enjoy themselves, eat a sumptuous meal – and indulge in alcoholic beverages until they lose the ability to discern what is happening around them (Ad lo yada).

Moshe Lion a guest of honor

■ TWO DAYS prior to the parade, Lion and his wife, Stavit, were guests of honor at the Hazvi Yisrael Synagogue in Talbiyeh. Although Lion did not lead the service or read from the Torah as he has done during past visits, he did give a mini sermon. It was one of the rare occasions in which congregants heard two sermons instead of one.

Referencing the Torah portion that begins with the word "zachor" (remember), Lion spoke briefly on the importance of remembrance, then launched into his favorite subject: the revolution that has overtaken Jerusalem, and the huge construction boom throughout the city.

Indeed, tall towers are now looming in almost every...