December 31, 2008

• Israel

  The National Anthem of Israel – I hope you enjoy it.

  Lyrics to the Israeli national anthem were written in 1886 by Naftali Herz Imber (1856-1909) and the melody was composed by Samuel Cohen. Imber moved to Palestine in 1882 from Galicia. Cohen was a Moldavian immigrant who received his inspiration partly from a Scandinavian folk song. Hatikva was named “The Hope” because of it’s emphasis on the Jewish people’s constant hope to return to their homeland throughout two thousand years of exile. Throughout this period of exile, the Jewish people were scattered around the world.

  The Jewish people recited daily prayers and observed holidays in accordance with the Jewish calendar. Jews were rarely free to practice their religion openly without persecution from others. Maintaining this hopefulness is what allowed the Jewish people to survive the two thousand years of exile and is the subject of this highly respected anthem.

  Hebrew Lyrics
  [Transliteration]

  Kol od balevav p’nimah
  Nefesh Yehudi homiyah
  Ulfa’atey mizrach kadimah
  Ayin l’tzion tzofiyah
  Od lo avdah tikvatenu
  Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim
  L’hiyot am chofshi b’artzenu
  Eretz Tzion v’Yerushalayim

  English Lyrics

  As long as deep in the heart,
  The soul of a Jew yearns,
  And forward to the East
  To Zion, an eye looks
  Our hope will not be lost,
  The hope of two thousand years,
  To be a free nation in our land,
  The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

  • 7:04 am
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