Summary of the day

Independence Day is the festival of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708 (14 May 1948), the day David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv and announced the founding of the State. When the date falls close to Shabbat, it is moved so as not to desecrate Shabbat (the calendar on the site shows the right day). After Yom HaZikaron, in the evening we move from mourning to celebration.

Mitzvot and customs of the day

• A festive Maariv with Hallel, and in many communities Hallel with a blessing in the morning.
• Thanksgiving: various communities say “Al HaNisim” and special piyyutim, and some add a haftara (see above).
• A festive meal and family gatherings, bonfires and singing.
• Hearing the Declaration of Independence and learning about the founding of the State.
• There is a halachic dispute over saying Hallel with a blessing: many in Religious Zionism say it, while many others, including some Sephardic and Haredi communities, do not. So the custom depends on the community.

Origin in history

After 2,000 years of exile, on 29 November 1947 the UN General Assembly voted to partition the Land of Israel. On 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708) Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of a Jewish state, and the next day five Arab armies invaded. In the War of Independence more than 6,000 Jews fell, including about 2,000 civilians. The partition left the Old City of Jerusalem in Jordanian hands until 1967, which was seen as the next chapter (Yom Yerushalayim).

The message for today

The prophet Isaiah promises that “He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the dispersed of Israel” (11:12). Those living today see the fulfillment of prophecy: a people returned to its land, a ruined city rebuilt, a language revived. But the celebration obliges us: the Land was given to us to build a just and moral society, “you shall keep and you shall do”. And for us in the diaspora, it is a reminder to give thanks, to support, and to come home.