Importance of Memorial and Independence Days in Israel
Rabbi David Azulai
The way that israel celebrate the special days
There are no three holidays in Jewish tradition that would be so important and so closely related to one another as Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom Hashoah), Israeli Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) and Israeli Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut).
Holocaust Memorial Day is a mournful holiday in which Jewish people commemorate their fellow countryman who fell a victim of Nazis’ merciless brutality and terror in the WWII. The holiday is marked on the 27th of the Hebrew month Nisan, which falls on the 12th of April in 2010.
It is the day when Israel puts on its mourning band: flags are lowered; prayers are uttered; government officials address to the public and express their sorrow; six torches are raised above Israel for the six million victims of Holocaust; and people hang their heads and stand to the sound of sirens for 2 minutes all over the country to express their grief and respect for the dead.
Since there are holocaust victims in other countries, many Israeli people traditionally meet for demonstration and participate in various ceremonies outside of Israel, particularly in Poland and Germany.
A similar holiday, Israeli Memorial Day, commemorates fallen soldiers who fought for nation’s independence in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Even though Israel’s independence was proclaimed in 1948, there were still numerous victims of terror who protected Israeli people from those who dispute this nation’s right for independence.
That is why this holiday is followed by the Independence Day, which symbolizes that these noble soldiers’ blood was not shed in vain. Their heroic deeds still help the nation be free and independent after a long range of Arab oppressions.
The traditions and ceremonies of this day are very similar to those observed in Israel on the Holocaust Memorial Day. The holiday is on the 4th day of the Hebrew month Iyar, which is the 19th of April in 2010.
Israeli Independence Day, which is held on the next day after Israeli Memorial Day, or rather starts at the sunset of the same day, is a holiday of joy and happiness when people celebrate independence of their country by various performances, dances, marches and fireworks that illuminate almost every Israeli city.
The two Memorial Days and the Israeli Independence Day take place in April or May. As with any other Jewish holiday, the date can be different every year because of the differences in the Jewish and Gregorian calendars. These days are of great importance to the nation as they allow older generations to reach out to their children and teach them Judaic history, religion and national values. By observing or participating in official ceremonies, children absorb the knowledge and understand their national identity.
There are many countries which have their own Memorial Days commemorating soldiers who died in World wars, Civil wars or during military service. However, only in Israel sad Memorial Days slowly develop into a bright and glorious Independence Day to remind people that the fallen warriors died for the good of their country.
This tradition of two holidays gradually merging into another one is unique. People mourn over the loss of those who suffered from incredible injustice during the WWII and terrorist acts, but everything changes significantly at sunset, when the night – the beginning of a Jewish day – lets the Independence holiday begin.
This change from sorrow to joy is like a great source of hope for the entire nation. It is the day that brings the nation great relief from oppressive silence of mourning, and fills hearts with new expectations and desire for Israeli people’s peaceful coexistence with other nationalities. That is why most ceremonies of this day include reciting or chanting of Hallel – a prayer that is meant to give thanks to God for God’s favorable influence and protection.
The Independence Day takes place on the 20th of April in 2010, and ends this triad of Jewish holidays. The very date of this last celebration is very symbolical since it is very close to the Jewish Passover. Many people believe that Passover should be considered the original Independence Day, when Jewish slaves were freed and therefore found their independence. However, since the Independence Day was declared in 1948, very few tend to acknowledge this fact.
admin @ April 8, 2010
Order Protection Talisman Now