[HANASHIR:11346] hatikvah with the "bat"

[Stevehumm <Stevehumm...>]

i was always stumped by why american jews, in seemingly great arrogance, 
would  change israel's national anthem, and remove the word "bat."  after 
giving up, and choosing to sing hatikva WITH the "bat," an israeli friend 
shed some light on the subject for me , which i cannot guarantee to be 
completely accurate, but it sounds good.

apparenly, naphtali imber's speech in the mid 19th century DID include the 
word "bat."  but, sometime between 1948 and the 70's, as israel's "new" 
language, modern hebrew, was evovling, the accepted way of speaking became 
such that in describing one's age, it was no longer necessary to use the word 
"ben" or "bat."  it was too "stiff."  

so, my friend explained, there were short-lived and largely unpopular 
factions within israel who were dropping the word "bat" in the national 
anthem.  apparently, the american reform community, which was largely 
anti-zionist til the 6 day war in 1967, became excited about israel and 
"discovered" ha-tikva at the wrong time.  you will notice that american 
conservative jewish sources have always had it right, while the reform 
community is struggling with what might be called a hard habbit to break.  
encouragingly, our new "shireinu" provides the "optional bat."  we're on the 
right track.  

       -steve hummel
        santa monica, ca