re: commemorating what?

Re: Commemorating what?

By Daniel van Nieuwkoop

First of all, allow me to introduce myself, I am the depute chairman of non religious immigrant organization of Dutch Jews in Kfar Saba central district, Israel (in short the NRIODJKSCDI). I had the pleasure in reading the short article by Mr. David Verveer dealing with the peculiar habit of the Israelites, sounding their sirens in order to induce massive commemoration festivities, nation wide.

Mr. Verveer, conscientious, filled with patriotic feelings, attempts in his short story to relate many of his frustrations of his fellow citizen's behavior, especially their obvious lack in showing their love for their country and humanity in general. However, his short essay requires explanations, elaborating his deep thoughts into a language of anybody. Take for example (without of course comparing holy to un-holy), explaining the bible into the Talmud, like the Passover story relating that council of holy men sat until the morning, to discus the exodus, the truth is that most of them sat, but some of them slept and some of them walked around, (for example the servants that supplied them food and drink). Going back to Verveer's story, his emotional stopping of his vehicle, has a much deeper meaning than just stopping a car, he explains in his prosaic way, his sudden realization that he needs to contemplate his place in society, his obvious lack in concern for his fellow men, as he was un aware of the commemoration ritual until he heard the sirens. I am of course not trying to say that Verveer did not stop his vehicle, as he relates how his followers (on the road and not way of life) did not manage to stop and piled up on him.

But Verveer did not only stop his car, he took at the same time a new breath with love for his suffering nation, ready as always, to think about the sacrifices made on his behalf, and filled with his love for the victims of the before said occasion.

I will not mention his (Verveer's) exemplary behavior as experienced driver, and his safety methods of preventing havoc on public roads by driving slow but secure and keeping safe distance for the car before him, a pity that not more drivers take his lead in preventing accidents, and go on to the final paragraph of this beautiful story, when he relates his discussion with his wife on the events on the road, his wife's reaction should not be seen literary, but his wife figure represents the ignorant masses, who will not see Verveer's heroic behavior as such, but waive it away with a meaningless expression such as "tumtam" ,not realizing that in fact, they should have listened to the famous last words of "William the Silent of Orange Nassau" after he was mortally shot, who said, and I quote: "God has mercy on them (the people), as they do not know better", and Moses to king Pharo: "let my people go".

I took the time to study this short prayer by other drivers, so beautifully described by Verveer. They seem to have said "God for that, ye man", meaning; let the people know, is all in God's hand, based on an old phrase mentioned by Jacob when he realized his sons were switched, and that he blessed the wrong (in our beliefs, the chosen) one.

I will end my somehow emotional letter by thanking Verveer for his sacrifice and his example as senior citizen in service for his nation, God bless us all.