Inches to Metric: Who By Fire?

The glorious days of summer are ending. The High Holy Days are around the corner. I will soon find myself in synagogue, sitting among family and friends. I especially look forward to hearing the celestial rendition of Hallelujah (click link) written by Leonard Cohen, sung each year by one of our young members at the conclusion of the service. It humbles me, brings tears to my eyes.

This year is different. I have an uneasy feeling gnawing at me. We are approaching a year since the October 7, 2023 War began, referred to as Black Sabbath. Why did the war start on that particular day? It was the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Sinwar (mastermind behind the war) chose October 7th (Yom Kippur War began on October 6). He waited a day knowing Israelis would be observing the Sabbath/Simchat Torah and our guard would be down.

I decided to dive into the psyche of Israel from the past, by reading the book Who By Fire? by Matti Friedman. The book is a memoire of the time Leonard Cohen spent in Israel during the ‘73 Yom Kippur War. The title is taken from Cohen’s hauntingly beautiful song (click on link) by the same name, “Who By Fire?”  The name is a reference to a medieval liturgical prayer Unetaneh Tokef, chanted on Yom Kippur, asking who will die the coming year and by what means?

I heard about the book while listening to Honestly a podcast by Bari Weiss during her interview (click on link) with Matti Friedman. Friedman published the book and was interviewed for the podcast prior to October 7th. The interview is delightful and gives texture to the book but eerie knowing what happens shortly after its  release.

Leonard Cohen Getty Image

Cohen wrote a private journal chronicling his time, but chose to speak little publicly about being/performing in Israel after his return. Friedman found the journal and was able to piece together Cohen’s life while in Israel. Contained in the pages were archival photos, notes to songs being composed, people he met while traveling and performing, his passions, his loves.

Cohen was considering giving up the music business. He was artistically stuck and flew to Israel when the war broke out to volunteer on a kibbutz. A group of musicians planning to drive to the war front to entertain the soldiers discovered Cohen sitting in a Tel Aviv cafe. They convinced him to join them. This decision changed his life.

Cohen had left his guitar behind, so he needed to borrow one. He composed several memorable/famous songs while in Israel. They used the head lights of jeeps for lighting and hooked up the amps to the cars batteries. He often sat on a helmet while performing. The war and country affected him deeply. Cohen referred to Israel as his mythical home. Israel was his muse.

Similarities of the Yom Kippur ’73 War and Now

Reading the similarities of the events 50 years ago and today are chilling. Israel was a bit confident/haughty after the 1967 War which was won in six days (referred to as The Six Day War). They relaxed into thinking the threat of future wars was over, and let their guard down. On October 6, 1973 they were attacked, on a multi front war.

Until recently, Israel relied heavily on intelligence, high tech capabilities (Iron Dome), and “the conception”, a term you hear often. Israel was overly confident, there was an understanding/peace with Gaza. The Southern border was fluid and upwards of 20,000 Gazan citizens entered each day for employment. Little did we know that during “peace time” Sinwar was building tunnels and training citizens to become militant jihadists. We were fooled. Our enemies take great pleasure in surprising us, especially on a significant anniversary. They know our vulnerabilities. We cherish life, Sabbath, our People, our Nation, our G-D. On October 7, 2023 Israel was attacked.

Differences  between the Yom Kippur ’73 War and now.

In 1973 we were 25 years old, a small relatively undeveloped nation, with few friends in the world. We were surprised on all fronts with our borders under attack. We had a small air force with little air space in which to fly to get equipment into Israel. The war lasted three weeks and Israelis were devastated.

Thank G-D we were victorious! Golda Meir, Prime Minister at the time, famously stated “If the Arabs put down their guns there would be no more fighting. If Israelis put down theirs there would be no more Israel.” Interestingly she was not popular at the time but is now a legend. To get a peek into the life of one of our greatest heroes (click on link) Golda.

Golda Meir Getty Image

Now we are 76 years old, highly developed.  We have an army which is the envy of the (rational thinking) free world. Our soldiers are fierce and loving (caring more about the Palestinian citizens than Hamas who claims to be fighting on their behalf). We have many friendly countries supporting us including Muslim neighboring countries rooting for our victory. How do we know? The Abraham Accords are holding (signed in 2020). Saudi Arabia has partnered with us, allowing Israel the use of their airspace, and helped defeat the missile attacks from Iran in April. There is speculation they will join the Accords after the war.

What will be our legacy?

Leonard Cohen is revered in Israel. In 2009 when he came back to perform, ticket sales crashed the phone lines. Cohen struggled with his Jewish self, although he never “modernized” his name (to sound less Jewish). Towards the end of his life he accepted his priestly heritage. In the final moment of the concert, Cohen raised his hands, parted his fingers in the priestly fashion, spoke the ancient Hebrew words, and gave the priestly benediction. He blessed the people and left the stage. It was felt to be a Sinai moment. He is loved in a way few others in Israel have ever been loved. He came during an incredibly vulnerable time in Israel’s existence. Leonard Cohen transformed as a Jew and is an icon of Zionism.

What will our legacy be in fifty years? Who will be remembered as heroes? What will be written about the Western world, the Jewish community, Israel?