Remembering Yitzhak Navon: 1921-2015

From 1978 – 1983

Yitzhak Navon z”l was President of Israel.

His official place of honor at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s residence,

is 5th in the line of nine former presidents.

He passed away on Shabat at the age of 94

and his funeral was held on Sunday.

First his son and daughter arrived at Beit Hanasi,

as the gates were opened to the public to pay their last respects.

President Rivlin came out to await the arrival

of the army hearse carrying the coffin.

This was a state funeral with dress uniforms,

an honor guard,

floral wreaths,

and a military chaplain quietly reciting tehilim, psalms.

A former president of Israel lying in state,

 without the presence of foreign dignitaries.

As the public entered and passed by the casket,

some stopped to offer a prayer.

Some lingered to remember

the first Sephardi president who was born in Jerusalem.

When Navon went to Egypt, he spoke Arabic to the people.

With the changing of the guard,

a new guard stood at attention by the casket.

How sad it is that the a whole younger generation does not remember

this former president who lived quietly and modestly.

Many things happened this week in Jerusalem, Israel,

but we should take time and remember,

Yitzhak Navon z”l who was buried in Har Herzl cemetery

with other leaders of Israel.