I am both enraged and saddened by some of the posts on this topic. To think that some people who call themselves “frum” can go on and bash other jews and their level of observance and religious orientation is appalling. I guess they don’t teach the story of Rabbi Akiva in those “yeshivos”. I bet they wouldn’t even allow him to attend their yeshiva since he was a BT – after all, how much can he really know? This is the epitome of sinas chinam. This is the reason his talmidim died during this time. They were too busy burying their head in seforim to acknowledge their fellow jews with respect.
Why is it so difficult for you “frum” posters to exhibit some humility and respect the fact that there are people who lost fathers, brothers, sons etc.. and they choose to remember them on this day? Some of you say that there is no tehillim said today – HOW DO YOU KNOW? My shul had a very moving maariv yesterday with several kepittel tehillim lezecher nishatam. Even if you disagree with the “medina”, as you are all fond of pointing out, why can’t you recognize that for many, this is a day to commemorate the people who gave their lives to save others. These are JEWS who died to protect other JEWS! They did not ask what kind of Jew you are. They did not care what kind of kippa you wear, what shul you daven at or if you eat gebrokts. They just went out and put themselves in harms way so that others can live safely.
You may be better versed than me on many topics but it seems that there is one crucial subject that yeshivas seem to be leaving out of their curriculum – Derech Eretz.