Alterman's poem was based on Chaim Weizmann's prophetic reaction to the UN's 1947 decision known as the Partition Plan: "The state will not be given to the Jewish people on a silver platter." It was not. And yet it was. Because the Silver Platter is our young people.
The Silver Platter
And the Land was not tranquil, caught in battle and war
Boundaries smoking, ground red with blood.
But the nation draws on her strength once again
With uplifted heart and tearful eyes
She prepares for the future, she will rise in the moonlight
And stand facing them, in wonder and joy,
As before her, two youthful figures approach
And slowly march to face the nation.
He is wearing tzitzit, she a long skirt
He comes from reserve duty, she from national service
He from learning Torah in yeshivot, in military preparatory programs and she from post high-school midrashot
They come from settlements, from the cities and the towns
From every field, from medicine, hi-tech and agriculture they come
Eternally glowing, composed and calm
Behind them are generations of hope and longing.
They are the first to fall, the words "Shma, Hear, O Israel" on their lips.
Then the nation, awash in fear and doubt, asks,
"Who are you?", and the two
Reply serenely: "We are the eternal silver platter,
Upon which the State of the Jews stands."
That is what they will say, and they will continue to praise God.
And the rest, yet untold,
Will be penned in the Chronicles of Israel.