Leadership - Israeli Independence Day - Articles about Israel

The date of Israel Independence Day - the Fifth of Iyar - is sometimes changed by the Rabbinate. They explain a need to avoid chillul Shabbat - a desecration of the Sabbath - by those who are not observant.

The Chief Rabbinate was presented with the mandate to create a suitable religious and general celebration on that date. Even the secular Israeli government of the nascent nation had already sanctified the Jewish date. They agreed to celebrate Independence Day based on the Jewish calendar.

That is quite significant, when considering that the authorities did not sanctify 29 November, the date on which the Balfour Declaration was signed, according to the Jewish calendar. Even Holocaust Memorial Day, on the 27th of Nissan, was originally based on a secular date. Only Independence Day was given a Jewish backing by the Israeli Rabbinate.

Presenting the concept

There are many things that the Rabbinate could have done:

They could have seized this opportunity to link an appreciation for a Jewish homeland with thankful prayers to G-d
They could have contrasted this concept with the picnics, fireworks, and other preparations that desecrate the Sabbath
They could have explained the folly of celebrating one Jewish day (Independence Day) while negating another (Shabbat)
They could have used this issue to initiate a lasting and permanent change that would improve Jewish behavior
These real changes would have been far more effective in the long term than resolving a specific and transient issue of chillul Shabbat.

The years in which Independence Day falls on or near the Sabbath could and should have been seized as "teachable moments." The Fifth of Iyar could have been the finest opportunity to educate the masses. The nation could have learned the proper way to observe a holiday according to Jewish principles. Independence Day could have had a profound and lasting effect as an Education Day.

Yet, instead of rising to the occasion, the Rabbinate capitulated to the needs of those who are not observant - and ultimately, to those who reject their authority. They were handed the opportunity - and they relinquished it.

True, the Rabbinate has the authority to change the date for celebrating Independence Day. There are also precedents for doing so.

However, given today's circumstances, the Rabbinate did not have to hide behind a change in the date. It could have shown greater power by taking the extra effort that would be needed in order to educate the people to celebrate according to Jewish principles. It did not have to take the easy way out. By stepping forward to show leadership, it would have earned the respect that it so sorely needs today.

Instead, the Rabbinate took the easy and "safe" way out.

The nation duly noted the weakness of the Rabbinate. The response was clear:

"We were testing you. We wanted to see whether you were capable of leading us � and ultimately, of rising to the level of a present-day Sanhedrin.

"You gave us your hesitant, muted response � and you disappeared.

"We will look elsewhere for our leadership."

Where do you want to go now?