In 2003, the Second Intifada brought about daily fear, confusion, and terror. Every facet of Israeli society turned upside down.

It was the perfect time for Shlomi Shabbat to record “T’nu Ligdol B’sheket”: Let Them Grow Up in Quiet”. It was a beautiful prayer for normalcy during a frightening time in the lives of most Israelis.

From the press release:

“In a time full of rifts, when the people are divided in the wake of the Corona crisis that befalls us, there is an unfortunate feeling that instead of uniting and being connected, the people of Israel are divided, the streets are burning, and so is the internet….The clip calls on all levels of Israeli society to focus on the similar and not the different.

“To unite together and connect despite the differences, gaps and prejudices, to support each other and to love.”

Today, Israeli society is fighting a completely different battle: the war against Coronavirus. And like most people around the world, Israelis are sharply divided on how to win the battle. The economic and social toll of the virus is sky-high, and there’s a delicate balance between public safety and economic recovery.

With the war of words raging on the streets, on TV, and on the internet, a number of Israeli entertainers decided to try to unite the people. And Shlomi Shabbat’s classic song was the perfect way to do it.

Noa Kirel, Amir Benayun, Nasreen Qadri, and Shlomi Shabbat himself teamed up for “Tnu Ligdol B’sheket 2020” – commissioned by “Israel Bidur”, Israel’s leading entertainment site. The music video features a number of prominent figures in Israeli society – including Israeli president Reuven Rivlin.

How can you argue with that?

“Tnu Ligdol B’Sheket” Translated Lyrics

Translation courtesy of HebrewSongs.com:

And when will come upon us some graceful morning
that will shout for joy in front of us, just a cheerful, smiling morning
and joy will suddenly daze (us) without an early notice
it will fill once again fill our heart as it will come upon us.

Until when will the wind carry
cloud and worry
and when will it return to offering
just a day of delights
day without sadness, day without fear,
the whole Land sobs
like a small girl screams out
let live in silence.

She screams out: love me!
of war do not teach me
show me your love
let me grow up in stillness!
(x2)

What happened to our youth,
the beautiful and naïve
who will bring peace upon us
and onto the land
the flowers will return to bloom
and we will return to shout in joy,
with the light and the clear blue sky,
let one live like a child.