Nidcheh - Israeli Independence Day - Articles about Israel

The Fifth of Iyar had a profound effect on the status of the Rabbinate. It also had an effect on those who observe this day as a holiday.

Israel Independence Day falls on the Jewish date of 5 Iyar. That date sometimes falls on the days immediately preceding or subsequent to the Shabbat.

When Independence Day precedes the Sabbath, some people may prolong the celebrations, thus desecrating the sanctity of the Sabbath. When the date follows the Jewish Sabbath, some people may begin their preparations during the Sabbath day.

Capitulating to those Jews who might not give the Sabbath its full respect, the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel shifted the holiday back to the preceding Thursday if it occurs before Shabbat, and moved it ahead to Tuesday if it followed Shabbat. Completing the travesty, Memorial Day events and prayers are moved backward or forward to the preceding Wednesday or to the following Monday.

This affects much more than fireworks and shows. It also affects more than those who do not observe Jewish precepts.

It affects the very constituency of the Rabbinate - those who identify with the National Religious movement and say special prayers on Independence Day. The Rabbinate shifted the date that prayers were offered as well as the celebrations!

We won't discuss the justification for saying special prayers on Independence Day. Each Jew should follow his own traditions and ask his own Rabbi how to proceed in these issues.

However, it is abundantly clear that many religiously observant Jews will say Hallel and other prayers on Independence Day. Many Ashkenazi Jews will increase the significance of that prayer with blessings that include G-d's holy name, including Shem Umalchut. (Sefardi Jews will not add that blessing). The date of Independence Day is quite important for a significant part of the religiously observant sector of the population.

That being the case, it should be eminently clear that those who will not offer their prayers should not determine the day that certain observant Jews will offer their prayers.

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