Joy, Memory and Loss
A Jewish homeland, a Jewish mother, a son, and a mingling emotional Joy and emotional Sorrow
Israeli Memorial Day Yom HaZikaron 2023 / יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן 5783
Israeli Memorial Day remembers those who died in the War of Independence along with all those who have given their lives in defense of the State of Israel. The full name of the holiday is Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma’arakhot Yisrael ul’Nifge’ei Pe’ulot HaEivah (Hebrew: יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לְחַלְלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעֻלּוֹת הָאֵיבָה), or ‘Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism.’
Note: Yom HaZikaron 2023 / 5783 begins at sundown on Monday, 24 April 2023 ending at nightfall on Tuesday, 25 April 2023).
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Israeli Independence Day Yom HaAtzma’ut 2023/ יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת 5783
Note: Yom HaAtzma’ut for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Tuesday, 25 April 2023, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, 26 April 2023.
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If interested — please see these considerations regarding the recitation of Psalms in honor of the day of Israel’s Independence . . . . (note: extremely controversial — edited and excerpted below)
“Some say that even though we thank God on Yom Ha-atzma’ut, we should not recite Hallel with a berakha. Among others, these explanations below are ‘noted reasons’: 1) Based on several Rishonim, Hallel is recited with a berakha only when all of Israel experiences a miracle, yet when Israel declared its independence — only a minority of world Jewry was living in Eretz Yisrael; 2) We should give thanks only for complete salvation, yet our enemies still threaten us on all sides; 3) Noting the current spiritual state of the country’s leaders and many of its citizens 4) Noting the proper to show deference to the opinion that maintains that Hallel should be said only when a revealed miracle occurs, like the miracle of the oil on Ḥanuka, not on a natural miracle like the establishment of the state”
