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Torah and Jewish Idea => Torah and Jewish Idea => Topic started by: Spectator on August 19, 2009, 08:09:59 AM

Title: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: Spectator on August 19, 2009, 08:09:59 AM

Arguments for Hatikva:

1. Strong Zionist message, declaration of attachment to Land of Israel, including Jerusalem.
2. Nice tune, imho one of the best among national anthems.

Agruments against:

1. Doesn't mention G-d and Jewish faith.
2. Contains phrase "to be free people in our land" which is currently being re-interpreted by Leftists as "free from religious and nationalistic prejudices" (initial message was of course "free from foreign oppression").
3. The tune is not Jewish but a remix of a Romanian or Czech folk song (I'm not sure about this one, that's what I heard).

What do you think?

Title: Re: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: Yaacov Ben Yehuda on August 19, 2009, 10:50:49 PM

I dont know about you guys but I personally get a lump in my throat whenever I hear HaTikva...I couldnt imagine another Israeli national anthem other then HaTikva.  Just out of curiosity does Yerushalayim Shel Zahav have any mention of G-d or Judaism in it?  Also, a beautiful song/anthem.

Title: Re: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: The One and Only Mo on August 19, 2009, 10:52:11 PM

I had to hear it every morning on the PA in high school. Weird renditions too.

Title: Re: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: takebackourtemple on August 20, 2009, 07:15:16 PM

Quote from: Spectator on August 19, 2009, 08:09:59 AM

Arguments for Hatikva:

1. Strong Zionist message, declaration of attachment to Land of Israel, including Jerusalem.
2. Nice tune, imho one of the best among national anthems.

Agruments against:

1. Doesn't mention G-d and Jewish faith.
2. Contains phrase "to be free people in our land" which is currently being re-interpreted by Leftists as "free from religious and nationalistic prejudices" (initial message was of course "free from foreign oppression").
3. The tune is not Jewish but a remix of a Romanian or Czech folk song (I'm not sure about this one, that's what I heard).

What do you think?

You know. I agree with you totally.

   I don't know what to say except the tune should be replaced with a Jewish one, G-d should be added and it should clearly state that the land is Jewish land.
The star spankled banner has G-d in it(even though only the first stanza is usually sung) so there is no reason Israel's national Anthem should not.

Title: Re: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: Spectator on August 21, 2009, 02:30:31 AM

Quote from: golanizionist on August 19, 2009, 10:50:49 PM

Just out of curiosity does Yerushalayim Shel Zahav have any mention of G-d or Judaism in it?  Also, a beautiful song/anthem.

It doesn't mention G-d directly but there is much Jewish religious symbolsim in it (i.e. "But when I come to count your praises
and sing Hallel to you" or "The sound of horn from Temple's mountain again so loudly calls"). These combined with the idea of liberation and return to Jerusalem make much stronger message than HaTikva.

http://www.internationalwallofprayer.org/Index-002-Jerusalem-of-Gold-English-Lyrics.html

Title: Re: Is HaTikva appropriate anthem for Israel?
Post by: Spectator on August 21, 2009, 02:37:51 AM

Quote from: takebackourtemple on August 20, 2009, 07:15:16 PM

The star spankled banner has G-d in it(even though only the first stanza is usually sung) so there is no reason Israel's national Anthem should not.

G-d is also mentioned in the anthems of Britain, Serbia and the other nations. It's shame that namely G-d's people anthem "forgets" about Him.