A mamad in Hebrew means safe room. It is called mamad because its an acronym for Merkav Mugan Dirati meaning an “apartment’s protected space”.

Since the start of the Israel-Iran war which began on Shabbat Zachor, families throughout Israel have spent more time sleeping in their mamad then in their own bedrooms.

This sad and harsh reality was due to the continuous targeting and indiscriminate barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles on Israeli population centers.

From the moment a warning siren is heard throughout the community, to the time people take safe refuge in a mamad, our hearts pound, and or minds race as we are mitpallel to HaShem that the missiles launched from Iran will be either intercepted or land in an open field.

As we know, one of the most moving defining moments one can imagine during this war took place in Israel during Chag Purim.

As millions of Israelis were seeking refuge and safety in mamad facilities, we were hearing and seeing social media feeds showing thousands of Israelis who were listening to the reading of Megillat Esther while crowded together in these safe rooms.

This incredible image was truly an amazing testimony to achienu bnai yisrael and to their unswerving strength, will and resilience. It is also a reflection of our unwavering commitment to achdut and to our Jewish commitment and obligation.

As if this image was not powerful enough, we also witnessed thousands of Israelis dressed in Purim costumes,  dancing and singing together as they stood shoulder to shoulder in the crowded mamad

Friends, the juxtaposition of war with  simchat Purim is a phenomenon which is beyond human comprehension. To be sure, our commitment to celebrating and observing simchat Purim took precedence and primacy over the harsh reality of war or the danger of missile barrages on Israeli population centers.

The numerous reports about the manner in which Israelis celebrated Chag Purim despite being under fire, is astonishing and inspiring.

Just imagine, young and elderly celebrating Purim together in shelters and underground parking garages. In fact, in Tel Aviv, a mall’s underground parking lot was transformed into a celebration space, with live music and dancing. There are even stories of families setting up tents in shelters and decorating them with costumes and game/play areas for children.

In Yerushalayim, musicians played their music on balconies and street parties continued into the evening between missile barrages. Only in Israel!

These celebrations are a true testament to Israelis’ resilience and determination to observe their traditions and mitzvot despite challenging conditions and the harsh reality of war.

This amazing veracity offers a whole new perspective regarding the phrase Mi K’amcha Yirsael – who is like your nation Israel.

The phrase Mi kamch yirael  is a declaration of pride and uniqueness. It is often used in our tefillot. The phrase is rooted in the Torah (Deuteronomy 33:29,  Isaiah 44:7) which emphasizes and highlights HaShem’s special bond with Am Yisrael.

It emphasizes Israel’s special connection to HaShem and is a popular phrase in Israeli culture, symbolizing national pride and identity.

The phrase is part of the song mi kamocha sung during the Pesach seder, celebrating HaShem’s mighty acts and protection of the Jewish people.

Friends, as we continue to “dance in the mamad,” (literally, spiritually and metaphorically ), we are thankful to HaShem for providing  acheinu bnai yisrael with a shield of protection and security.

Throughout Jewish history, our people have confronted a wide array of challenges which at first blush appeared to be insurmountable. But, as a mamlechet kohanim and as an am kadosh, we have been blessed with HaShem’s protection complimented by our bitachon, emuna and resilience

Although the United States Armed Forces in partnership with the IDF have made significant progress in degrading the nuclear and ballistic missile capacity, hostilities still continue unabated and the threats towards Israel, the United States military bases and Arab Gulf states continue.

As we respond to the Iranian burning fires of vitriol and hatred towards Israel and the United States, we remain steadfast in our belief and commitment that we will prevail.

Just as we all danced in the mamad on Purim as missiles rained down on us, we hope and pray that amcha  will continue to dance and celebrate together in the face of danger and adversity.

Finally as we move into the future, “dancing in the mamad” must remind us that Jewish tradition emphasizes maintaining joy, hope, and observance during extreme hardship, and treating celebration as a form of “brave resistance”and spiritual resilience.

May we continue to “dance in the mamad” with joy, happiness, simcha and bracha; and may we all witness the day when the mamad  (as we know it today) will no longer be required or needed.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)