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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.