Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel Independence Day

The fifth of Iyar, or May 14 in 1948, corresponds to the day of the formal establishment of the State of Israel. On this day, Israelis celebrate by dancing and singing, as well as participating in other joyous festivities. Learn more about the date and the Torah portion. Read on for a brief overview of the day’s traditions and customs. Then, come join in the celebrations!

Traditions

Israel Independence Day is the anniversary of the establishment of the state of the Jewish people. Since the time of the exodus from Egypt, Jews have been living in various countries and exiles. Their descendants reclaimed their ancestral homeland by overcoming difficult circumstances and peril. The Jewish people celebrated this day with parades and ceremonies, which began in 1948. In 1973, these parades were halted by the Arab Spring.

Observance of the holiday differs by country. Yom Ha’atzmaut is celebrated on a Thursday, if the fifth of Iyyar is a Friday. On the other hand, it is celebrated on a Tuesday if the fifth of Iyyar falls on a Monday. In this way, it does not conflict with Shabbat. If Yom Ha’atzmaut were to fall on a Sunday, it would fall after Shabbat, so it’s better to have a Thursday service.

A celebration of Israeli independence also honors the fallen soldiers and civilians killed in the recent Palestinian uprising. On this day, members of Israel’s “provisional government” read the Declaration of Independence at a ceremony in Tel Aviv eight hours before the British Mandate of Palestine was set to end. The date, originally, corresponded to May 14, 1948. The Israeli state was not created until eight hours later, which is why it is celebrated on that day.

The Jewish nation has established the holiday as a public holiday in its calendar, and some communities also hold a public celebration on the nearest Sunday to the holiday, so as to attract more participation. While most people are out hiking or enjoying picnics, Yom Ha’atzmaut also marks the awarding of the Israel Prize, an annual honor to Israelis for outstanding achievements in their fields.

Customs

While many Israelis do not observe religious holidays, Yom Ha’atzmaut is an important holiday for the Jewish nation. The Jewish state celebrates its independence on this day, which always precedes Yom Hazikaron, a Memorial Day for the nation’s fallen soldiers and terrorism victims. This link between the two holidays sends a strong message: Israel owes its independence and very existence to these people.

Yom Ha’atzmaut is the Jewish country’s independence day, and is observed worldwide a few weeks after Passover. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes the Jewish nation’s declaration of independence on this day. It is the fifth day of the lyar Jewish calendar. In 2021, Yom Ha’atzmaut will fall on April 14, and in 2022, it will fall on May 5. Although Israelis celebrate this holiday on the Sunday nearest to the date, businesses in the United States are open on this day.

In addition to workplaces being closed, many Israelis plan special celebrations for the day. Some even go hiking or have picnics. The ceremony is concluded with the awarding of the Israel Prize, an award honoring someone’s contribution to Israeli culture or the Jewish world. Some past recipients include Martin Buber, Golda Meir, and A.B. Yehoshua. Other Jewish communities hold events related to Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut. In addition, many congregations add special readings to their Shabbat services.

Israelis are particularly proud of their nation’s history, so they celebrate this historic event. Yom Ha’atzmaut commemorates the establishment of the modern state of Israel, and is marked by Israeli dancing, singing, and other joyful celebrations. The date corresponds to the fifth of Iyyar in the Jewish calendar. Consequently, the latest Yom Ha’atzmaut took place on April 4-5, 2022.

Dates

In the Jewish calendar, the first day of a new month follows the sighting of the crescent Moon. The Sanhedrin, the supreme court of ancient Israel, proclaimed the date and commanded the Jewish people to observe the holiday for two days. This rule is still observed today. Today, Yom Ha’atzmaut is also celebrated on the third or fourth day of the month, and is regarded as a Jewish holiday.

The day of Israeli independence is also known as Yom Ha’atzmaut. This day commemorates the establishment of the modern state of Israel, which was declared on the fifth of Iyar on the Jewish calendar in 1948. In addition to the holiday itself, many Israelis celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut by celebrating Israel’s national flag and participating in a day of music and dance.

Throughout Israel, the celebration of the nation’s independence is marked by the raising of the Israeli flag on Mount Herzl. The Israeli flag is a rectangle of white, in the ratio 11:8, with two blue horizontal stripes running through it. Between the stripes is a regular hexagram called the Star of David. Religious observances in the Diaspora are also extended to two days.

As Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, read the Declaration of Independence of the Jewish people in public on May 14, 1948. The day is now celebrated by the Israeli population, and schools are closed. As with all national holidays, Yom Ha’atzmaut is a day to celebrate and remember the nation’s freedom. That’s why Israel has blue and white flags and a day of fun!

Torah portion

The Torah portion for Yom Ha’atzmat, Israel Independence Day, is Tehillim (the first book of the Pentateuch). In this chapter we find the commandment to give thanks for what we have, and we find the lesson of gratitude in the passage. It is a reminder of our nation’s struggle for freedom, and of its commitment to democracy. On Yom Ha’atzmaut, we celebrate our nation’s independence with a day of celebration and prayer.

The fifth day of Iyyar marks the establishment of the state of Israel, and the ceasefire in the War of Independence. The Talmud provides us with a list of laws and traditions that were instituted to celebrate the state’s independence. The Talmud does not prohibit the observance of festivals, and its celebration in particular cities and nations is not forbidden. It is only forbidden to celebrate the Jewish People as a whole, and on this day, we should be reminded of this.

On Yom Ha’atzmaut we remember our fallen soldiers, both those who died in the defense of the state, and those who died in the defense of Jewish yishuv in pre-state times. There is no special liturgy, but memorial candles can be lit in synagogues and homes for those who have lost their lives. And since we celebrate the nation’s independence, we should remember the fallen heroes, too.

The Torah portion for Yom Ha’atzmot celebrations is Deuteronomy 7:1-8:18. It describes the Israelites entering the Land and returning to their homeland after exile. Other prayers include the Zion Lover’s Prayer, which is added to Jewish services. And we should not forget the Ani Ma’amin prayer, which expresses the belief in the Messiah.

Events in Tel Aviv

Throughout November, events in Tel Aviv mark this Jewish holiday. One popular activity is sukkot building, where residents erect colourful huts, which are supposed to commemorate the shelters that the Jews erected in the desert after the exodus from Egypt. The sukkahs are often quite large, but some are just a couple of square meters and are used only for eating and sleeping. You can also enjoy a number of cool events that take place in the sukkahs throughout Tel Aviv.

For those looking for a more traditional celebration, Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv is holding a rocking party featuring DJ Dror Shalit. You can sign up for the free party online. The legendary Open AIR party is also being held in Tel Aviv, this time to commemorate Israel’s 68th anniversary. If you’re looking for an even more outrageous party, then the team from Midburn is throwing a crazy Yom Ha’atzmaut bash!

On Yom Ha’atzmaut, many workplaces in Israel close for the holiday, and many people go hiking or have picnics. The day concludes with the Israel Prize ceremony, which recognizes excellence in the field of the arts, science, or humanities. Past recipients include Martin Buber, Golda Meir, and A.B. Yehoshua. Throughout the day, Jewish communities in the city celebrate the holiday by participating in various Israel-related events. Congregations host special services or add special readings to their regular Shabbat services.

The contemporary dance festival Maholohet, which runs from March to October, is a popular destination. Some of the country’s most talented dance companies perform at the Suzanne Dellal Dance Center. There’s also a popular Oud Festival, held every year in Tzafta, Tel Aviv’s cultural district. The festival includes music, dance, and ethnic food, as well as books and movies.