On May 14, 1948, the first prime minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, publicly read the Declaration of Independence. It was the fifth day of Iyar, the eighth month of the year, in 5708. The anniversary of this date on the Hebrew calendar is known as Yom Ha’atzmaut. This year, we celebrate it on Wednesday, April 29.
This is a wondrous holiday for many. Did you know that the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has declared Yom Ha’atzmaut one of the Jewish holidays in which Hallel should be recited? Hallel is an added prayer that is sung on joyous occasions such as Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Chanukah and Rosh Chodesh.
Religious Zionists have created a group of prayers for the holiday, which includes psalms and a Haftorah portion from the Prophets on the holiday morning. There are groups that add the prayer Al Hanisim (for the miracles; it is commonly read on Chanukah and Purim), as the establishment of the State of Israel is seen as a miraculous moment. Some Jews blow the shofar on Yom Ha’atzmaut.
The Conservative Movement reads a Torah portion for the day and includes a version of Al Hanisim. Some places read the Haftorah, Isaiah 10:32-12:6, which is also read on the last day of Pesach. The Reform Movement includes the special prayer, Ya’leh V’yavo, an addition to the Amidah (the 18 blessings we recite standing) that is also included on Rosh Chodesh, the pilgrimage festivals, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.
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Most Chassidim and haredim do not make any changes to their daily prayers. There are those who see Yom Ha’aztmaut as a sad day and wave black flags and wear sackcloth as a sign of mourning. Members of such chassidic groups as Satmar fast to atone for what they view as the sin of having created the State of Israel. They see this as a transgression, because to them, Israel was created as a secular state. They believe that God promised that the Jewish people would return to Israel by means of the actions of the Messiah, who would be sent if the Jewish people merited his arrival.
Some Arab citizens of Israel celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. Others see it as a tragic day and refer to it as as the nakba (the catastrophe).
Mostly, Yom Ha’atzmaut is an exciting day in Israel and the Diaspora. Thousands of Israelis have picnics and barbecues (known in Israeli slang as “mangal” – from the Arabic word meaning “stove”). On the night before Yom Ha’atzmaut, people sing and dance in the streets and balconies are decorated with Israeli flags.
We are blessed to live in this time when State of Israel was established and has grown in 61 short years to be a modern, progressive and spiritual environment. The State of Israel and its citizens are responsible for the creation of dozens of technological and medical advancements. There are more learning environments in Israel than ever before, and it is home to millions of refugees – both Jewish and non-Jewish – who otherwise would have been homeless.
There is no need to write about the complexities and controversies surrounding Israel. We all know about those. What is important on Israel’s birthday is simply that we light a candle, wish for peace and health, and then throw off all our troubles and dance in the street in celebration. Happy Yom Ha’atzmaut. Am Yisrael Chai. The nation of Israel shall live. Next year we should celebrate with Gilad Schalit.
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