Yom Hazikaron / Yom Ha’atzmaut
Yom Hazikaron, a day of remembrance for those who fell in the struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel and in its defense, is marked during the 24 hours preceding Yom Haatsmaut (Israels Independence Day). On Yom Hazikaron the entire nation remembers its debt and expresses eternal gratitude to its sons and daughters who gave their lives for the achievement of the countrys independence and its continued existence.
Yom Hazikaron is a day of collective and personal anguish mingled with awe and honor for the fallen. It is a day on which the living rededicate themselves to the State of Israel, so that they may be worthy of the sacrifice of those who died for its survival.
May God remember the valiant men and women who braved mortal danger in the days of struggle prior to the establishment of the State of Israel and the soldiers who fell in the wars of Israel.
May the people of Israel cherish them in their memory; let them mourn the splendor of youth, the altruism of valor, the dedication of will and the dignity of self-sacrifice which came to an end on the battlefield.
May the loyal and courageous heroes of freedom and victory be sealed forever within the hearts of all Israel, in this generation and forevermore.
Addressing a large crowd at the start of the Independence Day ceremony at the military cemetery in Jerusalem, Parliament speaker Reuven Rivlin described the sharp transition between the two national holidays, Remembrance Day and Independence Day:
“There is no more Israeli moment than this moment—the sharp transition from the lit celebrations and within touching distance the shades of bereavement; here it is Independence Day Eve, and there, opposite, it is still, and will be throughout the year, Remembrance Day.” [Jerusalem Post]
Israel celebrates its Independence Day (Yom Haatsmaut) on 5 Iyar, according to the Jewish calendar; this day falls in early spring. Independence Day is preceded by Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day) recalling and honoring those who fell in the defense of the State of Israel.
Independence Day is a celebration of the renewal of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, the birthplace of the Jewish people. In this land, the Jewish people began to develop its distinctive religion and culture some 4,000 years ago, and here it has preserved an unbroken physical presence, for centuries as a sovereign state, at other times under foreign domination. Throughout their long history, the yearning to return to the Land has been the focus of Jewish life. With the establishment of the state of Israel fifty years ago, in 1948, Jewish independence, lost two thousand years earlier, was restored.
Arie Comey
Translated by Yvonne Vador
Glory paved her path
History guarded her way;
though reluctant to show itself, Fate
shaped her contours from obscurity.
Providence was already manifest,
preparing for the event.
Israel is primed for the festivities
a happiness beyond compare
now everyone is preparing
to give her the honor she deserves.
For behold:
two thousand years are as nought
and the past fifty,
an eternity.
Your fields bloom
and hills covered with forests
bear tidings of a Spring to come.
Your essence, Israel,
is the dust of crematoria
and your sons blood,
spilt in righteous defense;
these are the laurels
that adorn your head.
Israel, today is the occasion
of your first
Jubilee
a sign and a wonder for all the future.
Today
is your day, Israel
and we celebrate
with honor and praise!
OK, why the cut and paste? It’s simply because I’m not an expert in Israeli history, and these selections do far more justice to this than I could. I suppose the best way I can honor the fallen Israeli soldiers and Israel’s Independence is to learn more, and I hope you will take a small bit of your time to do the same.
May G-d protect Israel and keep her safe from her enemies, always.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalms 122:6
See more bloggers’ posts about this at Jewish Burst!
Sigmund, Carl and Alfred says:
Thanks, Beth. You’ve inspired me to do a bit of research and write a post.
As usual, well done.
Jewish Burst says:
Sky Watching My World says: