Summary of the day
Yom HaZikaron falls on 4 Iyar, the day before Independence Day. It is dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the IDF, the security forces and victims of terror, from the War of Independence to today. Mourning begins in the evening with a one-minute siren at 8:00 pm, and continues in the morning with another siren at 11:00, followed by ceremonies in the military cemeteries.
Mitzvot and customs of the day
- Two sirens (evening and morning) and standing in silence.
- Visiting the cemetery and saying Psalms, El Malei Rachamim and Kaddish.
- Lighting a memorial candle and learning in merit of the fallen.
- Stories of the fallen: community lessons, personal songs, and honoring widows, orphans and bereaved parents.
- The transition to Independence Day: in the synagogue, in the evening, we end the mourning with prayer and begin Hallel with joy.
Origin in history
Since 1948 the State of Israel has lost thousands of soldiers and civilians in wars and acts of terror, in the War of Independence (1948), Sinai (1956), the Six-Day War (1967), the Yom Kippur War (1973), Lebanon and others. After the War of Independence a day of remembrance for the fallen was set, and its date, 4 Iyar, is attached to Independence Day to express the link between them: there is no independence without sacrifice. In recent years the memory of victims of terror has also been added.
The message for today
The passage from a day of remembrance to a day of celebration, within 24 hours, teaches that freedom is not to be taken for granted, and that true joy begins with gratitude. The Torah says: “and live by them” (Leviticus 18:5), and yet Israelis sacrificed their lives for their land. For us remains the duty to live at a level worthy of those who fell, and not to forget their families. Every candle we light is an oath: you will not be forgotten.