Yom Ha'atzmaut
Encyclopedia
Yom Ha'atzmaut commemorates Israel's declaration of Independence in 1948. It is celebrated on 5 Iyar according to the Hebrew calendar. Yom Ha'atzmaut is preceded by Yom Hazikaron
, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.
, David Ben-Gurion
, on 14 May 1948. This was declared 8 hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, which was due to finish on the 15th May 1948.
The Israeli declaration was based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 regarding the Partition Plan for Palestine, adopted on 29 November 1947. The new state was quickly recognised by the Soviet Union
, the United States
, and many other countries, but not by the surrounding Arab
states, who declared war.
, Jerusalem on the evening of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset
(the Israeli Parliament), artistic performances, a Flag of Israel
, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one for each of the Tribes of Israel
). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant social contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the torches.
Many cities hold outdoor performances in cities' squares featuring leading Israeli singers and fireworks
displays. Streets around the squares are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets.
Israeli movies and skits are shown.
Yom Ha'atzmaut is nominally celebrated on the 5th day of Iyar
(ה' באייר) in the Hebrew calendar
, the anniversary of the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed, when David Ben Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The corresponding Gregorian date was May 14, 1948.
If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. This rule has been effective since 1951.
If the 5th of Iyar is on a Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday. This rule has been effective since 2004, in order to avoid having Yom Hazikaron
or Yom Ha'atzmaut on (or following) a Shabbat
.
Since the only other day of the week that the 5th of Iyar can fall on is a Wednesday, it is actually now relatively rare for the festival to be observed on the 5th Iyar itself.
Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzmaut:
celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut but some regard it as a tragic day in their history and call it al-Nakba
("the catastrophe"). The Druze
have celebrated Israel's independence from the start. Independence Day has also been celebrated by the Bedouins and the Circassians of Israel.
Some religious anti-Zionist Jews display a black flag and wear ashes and sackcloth as a sign of mourning. Members of the Satmar, Toldos Aaron, Toldos Avraham Yitzchak,and Munkatch sects fast to atone for what they view as the sin of having created the Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah. Many fast on this day and some recite prayers for fast days.
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron is Israel's official Memorial Day. In 2011, Israel honored the memory of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the civilian casualties too.-Observance:...
, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.
History
Yom Ha'atzmaut centers around the declaration of the state of Israel by The Jewish Leadership led by future Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
, David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion
' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
, on 14 May 1948. This was declared 8 hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, which was due to finish on the 15th May 1948.
The Israeli declaration was based on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 regarding the Partition Plan for Palestine, adopted on 29 November 1947. The new state was quickly recognised by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and many other countries, but not by the surrounding Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
states, who declared war.
Official events
Most of the official events take place in Israel's capital city Jerusalem, and are broadcast live on television.Yom Ha'atzmaut eve
An official ceremony is held every year on Mount HerzlMount Herzl
Mount Herzl , also Har HaZikaron , is the national cemetery of Israel on the west side of Jerusalem. It is named for Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism. Herzl's tomb lies at the top of the hill. Yad Vashem, which commemorates the Holocaust, lies to the west of Mt. Herzl....
, Jerusalem on the evening of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
(the Israeli Parliament), artistic performances, a Flag of Israel
Flag of Israel
The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishment. It depicts a blue Star of David on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes...
, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and the ceremonial lighting of twelve torches, one for each of the Tribes of Israel
Israelite
According to the Bible the Israelites were a Hebrew-speaking people of the Ancient Near East who inhabited the Land of Canaan during the monarchic period .The word "Israelite" derives from the Biblical Hebrew ישראל...
). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant social contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the torches.
Many cities hold outdoor performances in cities' squares featuring leading Israeli singers and fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
displays. Streets around the squares are closed to cars, allowing people to sing and dance in the streets.
Yom Ha'atzmaut day
- Reception of the President of IsraelPresident of IsraelThe President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
for honoring excellence in 120 IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
soldiers. The event takes place in the President's official residence in Jerusalem. - International Bible ContestChidon HaTanach - International Bible ContestThe International Bible Contest The International Bible Contest The International Bible Contest (Chidon HaTanach, is a worldwide competition on the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) for high school students. It is held annually in Jerusalem, Israel on Yom Ha'atzmaut...
in Jerusalem - Israel PrizeIsrael PrizeThe Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
ceremony in Jerusalem. - Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
opens some of its bases to the public. - Israel Defense Forces paradeIsrael Defense Forces paradeThe Israel Defense Forces parade was an event during the first 25 years of the State of Israel's existence to celebrate its military might. It was cancelled after 1973 due to financial concerns....
(1948- 1973) - Hebrew Song Contest (1960-1980)
Non-official celebrations
Israeli families, regardless of observance or affiliation, celebrate with picnics and barbecues (known in Israeli slang as a mangal – from the Arabic word منقل meaning "stove"). Balconies are decorated with Israeli flags, and small flags are attached to car windows. Some leave the flags hoisted until after Yom Yerushalayim. Israeli Television channels air the official events live, and classic cultCult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
Israeli movies and skits are shown.
Religious observances
- The Chief Rabbinate along with many other religious authorities have declared that Yom Ha'atzmaut is one of the Jewish holidayJewish holidayJewish holidays are days observed by Jews as holy or secular commemorations of important events in Jewish history. In Hebrew, Jewish holidays and festivals, depending on their nature, may be called yom tov or chag or ta'anit...
s in which HallelHallelHallel is a Jewish prayer—a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays.-Holy days:...
should be said. - The Religious ZionistReligious ZionismReligious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
movement has created a liturgy for the holiday, which sometimes includes the recitation of some psalms and the reading of a portion of the Prophets (HaftarahHaftarahThe haftarah or haftoroh is a series of selections from the books of Nevi'im of the Hebrew Bible that is publicly read in synagogue as part of Jewish religious practice...
) on the holiday morning. Segments of the Religious Zionist camp, has promoted the inclusion of a version of Al Hanisim (for the Miracles...). This segment includes Rav David Bar Hayim of the HardalHardalChardal ; Hebrew: חרד"ל, acronym for חרדי לאומי, Charedi Le-umi, lit. "Nationalist Charedi", Plural: Chardalim refers to the Ultra-Orthodox Jews who support the ideology of Religious Zionism...
camp who heads Machon Shilo Institute and The Temple Institute. The Reform Movement has also suggested such an addition. - Other changes to the daily prayers include reciting HallelHallelHallel is a Jewish prayer—a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays.-Holy days:...
, saying the expanded Pesukei D'Zimrah of Shabbat (the same practice that is observed almost universally on Hoshanah RabbahHoshanah RabbahThe seventh day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, 21st day of Tishrei, is known as Hoshana Rabbah . This day is marked by a special synagogue service, the Hoshana Rabbah, in which seven circuits are made by the worshippers with their lulav and etrog, while the congregation recites Hoshanot...
), and/or blowing the ShofarShofarA shofar is a horn, traditionally that of a ram, used for Jewish religious purposes. Shofar-blowing is incorporated in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Shofar come in a variety of sizes.- Bible and rabbinic literature :...
. Rabbi Joseph SoloveitchikJoseph SoloveitchikJoseph Ber Soloveitchik was an American Orthodox rabbi, Talmudist and modern Jewish philosopher. He was a descendant of the Lithuanian Jewish Soloveitchik rabbinic dynasty....
, questioned the Halachic imperative in canonizing these changes (it is not clear what his personal practice was - some of his student claim that he recited Hallel and some claim that he remained silent while the congregation recited Hallel). - The Conservative MovementConservative JudaismConservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
instituted the reading of a TorahTorahTorah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
portion for the day as well as the inclusion of a version of Al Hanisim (for the Miracles...), which is commonly recited on HanukkahHanukkahHanukkah , also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE...
and PurimPurimPurim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
. Some Conservative synagogues also read the haftarahHaftarahThe haftarah or haftoroh is a series of selections from the books of Nevi'im of the Hebrew Bible that is publicly read in synagogue as part of Jewish religious practice...
Isaiah 10:32–12:6, which is also read on the last day of Pesach. - The Reform MovementReform JudaismReform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
suggests the inclusion of Ya'leh V'yavo. An addition to the Amidah that is also included on Rosh Chodesh (the New Month), Shalosh Regalim (the Pilgrimage Festivals), Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. - A few HasidimHasidic JudaismHasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
and Haredim recite Hallel while many others make no changes in their daily prayers.
Timing
Iyar
Iyar is the eighth month of the civil year and the second month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. The name is Babylonian in origin. It is a spring month of 29 days. Iyar usually falls in April–June on the Gregorian calendar.In the Hebrew Bible, before the Babylonian Exile, the...
(ה' באייר) in the Hebrew calendar
Hebrew calendar
The Hebrew calendar , or Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today predominantly for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates for Jewish holidays and the appropriate public reading of Torah portions, yahrzeits , and daily Psalm reading, among many ceremonial uses...
, the anniversary of the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed, when David Ben Gurion publicly read the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The corresponding Gregorian date was May 14, 1948.
If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Friday or Saturday, the celebrations are moved up to the preceding Thursday. This rule has been effective since 1951.
If the 5th of Iyar is on a Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday. This rule has been effective since 2004, in order to avoid having Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron
Yom Hazikaron is Israel's official Memorial Day. In 2011, Israel honored the memory of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the civilian casualties too.-Observance:...
or Yom Ha'atzmaut on (or following) a Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
.
Since the only other day of the week that the 5th of Iyar can fall on is a Wednesday, it is actually now relatively rare for the festival to be observed on the 5th Iyar itself.
Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzmaut:
- May 10, 2011 (Tuesday, postponed one day to Iyar 6)
- April 26, 2012 (Thursday, advanced one day to Iyar 4)
- April 16, 2013 (Tuesday, postponed one day to Iyar 6)
Non-Zionist events
Some Arab citizens of IsraelArab citizens of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel refers to citizens of Israel who are not Jewish, and whose cultural and linguistic heritage or ethnic identity is Arab....
celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut but some regard it as a tragic day in their history and call it al-Nakba
Nakba Day
Nakba Day is generally commemorated on May 15, the day after the Gregorian calendar date for Israeli independence day...
("the catastrophe"). The Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
have celebrated Israel's independence from the start. Independence Day has also been celebrated by the Bedouins and the Circassians of Israel.
Some religious anti-Zionist Jews display a black flag and wear ashes and sackcloth as a sign of mourning. Members of the Satmar, Toldos Aaron, Toldos Avraham Yitzchak,and Munkatch sects fast to atone for what they view as the sin of having created the Jewish state before the coming of the Messiah. Many fast on this day and some recite prayers for fast days.