The Times of Israel has published a compelling article by Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom titled “The Sabbath Before Independence Day: ‘Shabbat Peliah’ (The Sabbath of Wonder)”. In this evocative piece, Rabbi Shalom, an Ethiopian-Israeli rabbi and scholar, proposes naming the Sabbath before Israel’s Independence Day Shabbat Peliah (Sabbath of Wonder), drawing on his extraordinary personal journey to highlight the miraculous nature of Israel’s existence.
In the article, Rabbi Shalom reflects on the unique names given to Sabbaths before Jewish holidays, such as Shabbat HaGadol for Passover, and suggests Shabbat Peliah to capture Israel’s miraculous story. He recounts his journey from Ethiopia, where Israeli emissaries inspired dreams of Jerusalem, to his dramatic rescue by Mossad and Shayetet 13 fighters in Sudan. In Israel, he experienced a “resurrection-like” reunion with parents he thought were lost. In Canada, he reconnected with IDF comrade Ilan Gewurz, and Jonathan Goodman gifted him a Shayetet 13 watch tied to his Sudan rescue. In Kiryat Gat, Holocaust survivors chose him as their rabbi, prioritizing knowledge over his Ethiopian heritage. In Efrat, he witnessed African converts and American Jew Joey Low unite in prayer, showcasing Judaism’s human depth. Despite centuries of persecution, Shalom sees the Jewish people’s resilience as a wonder, blending human courage and divine will, as his mother taught: “For luck, you need wisdom too.” With his Basel-born wife and IDF-serving son, Shalom celebrates Israel’s enduring miracle, proclaiming Am Yisrael Chai and wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day.
The complete article can be read at: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-sabbath-before-independence-day-shabbat-peliah-the-sabbath-of-wonder/
