Transitions

It is always difficult to transition from the somber feel of Yom Hazikaron to the exuberanc of Yom HaAtzmaut, yet somehow Isreal does it every year. we began the day in Acco. W e davened in the Ramchal shul, the shul that Rabbi Moshe Chaom Lutzatto founded upon hios arrival in Acco in th emid 1700s. We got so see the Sefer Torah that he wrote that is written on deerskin and in pomegranate ink. Following Tefilla we learnt a very important piece from his book, Derech Hashaem where he discusses our goals in life, which are to take our situations and personalit ytraits and to be able to use them for good. It is surpassing these challenges that ultimately define a suscessful life.
Afetr Tefilla we ate breakfast overlooking the Mediteranean. From there we toured a little of Acco including th efamous prison in which the British held our political prisoners and even hung many of them.
After saying goodbye to our Acco hosts we headed over to Tel Aviv where we toured Independence Hall, quite appropriate for Independence Day. Afterwards we walked through the Catmel Shuk, before boarding the bus back to Jerusalem.
We davened the special Yom HaAtzmaut Tefilla with a shul in Nachlaot, Asirei Machtarot. It was a beautiful singing and dancing outside on their courtyard with about 500 people in attendance. I know our students will not forget this powerful tefilla.
We headed over to Ben Yehudah for their wild, concert, celebration and fireworks.
I hope everyone sleeps now for their last day in Jerusalem.
I know that is what I am doing right now !!!
RT