Idan Amedi, a True Voice of Israel
A creative translation of the song "No More"
This song, though over a decade old, speaks to this moment.
Idan Amedi broke onto the Israeli music scene through a reality talent show while he was still a soldier. He sang a song that he'd written called "A Warrior's Pain," and instantly became a voice of the Israeli soldier. And in a country of soldiers, and families of soldiers, this means he became a voice of Israel.
The words of this song express a feeling of exhaustion and and a yearning for home. And while our soldiers deserve every bit of honor for their many long months of fighting this war on the front, it isn’t only soldiers who feel this yearning. I sense this feeling among Israelis regardless of “affiliation”. That doesn’t mean everyone’s in agreement about what to do next, but there is a pervasive sense of “No More.”
You probably know Idan, for after becoming a much beloved singer in Israel, he became internationally famous for his role in the series “Fauda.” And if you know of him, you also know that he was seriously injured in the war just under one year ago in an incident that killed soldiers who fought with him.
Idan has been quite quiet since his injury, putting his energy into his recovery. But everyone once in a while we hear from him, and I share here two posts he’s shared recently, with their translation.
“This is what I wrote last year on erev Rosh Hashana: Who imagined then, as we prayed in synagogue ‘Let the year end and its curses,’ what this year would hold. But there is one point of light and that is our magnificent people that is no like no other, anywhere. I merited to be a part of this nation, I merited to fight for it, and I am ready to be injured a million more times for the sake of its eternity. I have no other place. Only here, and only together. Blessings to all of Israel for a good year.”
Very recently, a soldier who’d been injured on October 7, 2023, died of his injuries after fighting for over a year. Idan wrote:
“Rest, my dear brother. It’s fitting that the people of Israel should remember you strong like this. You went out to fight on October 7 without asking any questions and without any hesitation, the first in the line of fire. And since that Shabbat, you struggled and you fought in the ICU as no man has ever fought. Thank you for the opportunity to have met you and to learn from you. I embrace your dear family. We’ll remember and speak of you always.
Yona Brief, a hero of Israel.
May his memory be a blessing.”
On so many levels, Idan really is a voice of Israel.
