The weeks after Pesach are a roller coaster of emotions for Jews everywhere and especially in the Land of Israel. Pesach and the accompanying preparations begin before Purim often almost two months before the holiday.  There is much anticipation for this Festival of Redemption and all that it entails for Jews as we remember the past and look towards the present and future.  Inevitably it is easy to come out of this Festival with a feeling of let down.  All the preparation, followed by the Seder Meal and the week of eating only unleavened bread, and now what do we do?  How does one go about returning to normal life.

In Israel following Passover, we do not simply return to normal life, but the week following Pesach on the 27th of the month of Nissan, we commemorate Yom Ha Shoah Ve Ha Gevura—Holocaust Martyr’s and Hero’s Remembrance Day.  This day of remembrance that comes less than a week after we conclude the feast of unleavened bread, reminds us of the struggles that the Jewish people have had to endure for centuries to be a free people.  The day was chosen as it marks the beginning period of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which would not have happened if it were not for many Hero’s who would not agree to a passive death but sought to lift up ideals of hope, perseverance, and justice in the face of destruction.  Like the crossing of the Red Sea, that required an increase in faith for this step of valor despite the threats that were bearing down on the people.