Reason #2654

Reason why I love Israel #2654

To fend off boredom during the long hours of work in the library, I listen -through the internet- to Israeli radio stations. It is a good way to practice my Hebrew and to keep up to what it is really going on over in that turbulent side of the world. I like to listen, mostly, to religious radio stations. Today, while listening to a special program on the music and customs of the Jews of Egypt before their expulsion after the creation of the State of Israel. There was this song sang by author and songwriter Dudu Dheri about Maimonides. It could only be described as disco-pop. A schmaltzy beat with some off key flamenco guitars in the background and a synthetizer following the Arabic-style makamic recount of Maimonides' life, from his birth in Cordova up to his death in Egypt under the personal service of Salah-al-Din. I cannot take the melody of the chorus out of my head: "Harambam! Hanesher Hagadol! Gadol behochmato shenata bo boro" (Maimonides! The great Eagle! Great was his wisdom which his Creator planted in him.)

I wonder when will we have vallenatos in Colombia that tell the heroic struggles of our philosophers, or a beautiful Irish reel narrating, among the wilting sound of the tin whistles, the life of Bishop Berkeley. Until then, this will remain a schmaltzy and sentimental reason, trivial of course, to love Israel more and more.