Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut

By Hannah Estrin
KOACH Rabbinic Intern

by Hannah Estrin, KOACH Rabbinic Intern

Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, is a day to remember those who have lost their lives fighting for the State of Israel. This year, Yom HaZikaron begins at nightfall on May 5, 2003 – Iyar 4, 5763 – and continues through May 6.

Originally designed to remember those who fell in the struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel, and in its early defense, Yom HaZikaron has been expanded to include those who have continued to defend Israel as well as civilians killed by terror attacks. In the Jewish tradition, each life is a world of its own. In Israel, the death of a loved one is like the death of a world in that it scars the entire community. It is impossible to find a family which has not suffered loss. For twenty-four hours we recall the pain of these recent and less recent losses both in public and in private.

Throughout Israel, a siren sounds for two minutes at both 8 P.M. and 11 A.M. As the siren wails, the entire country comes to a standstill. Activities and conversations cease, buses and cars stop as their occupants exit to stand, silently. For two minutes, life ceases and the entire nation takes the opportunity to remember its debt and express its eternal gratitude.

Past, present...and dreams of the future...

Every country marks a day of remembrance, yet Israel designated the day preceding Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) as its day of commemoration. As night falls on May 6th and Yom HaZikaron gives way to Yom HaAtzmaut, the country turns to festivities and song.

Israeli flags are seen in abundance and the streets are crowded with families, teens, citizens and visitors celebrating the continued existence of the State. The tide turns from the past to the present and dreams of the future. Bands play to dancing crowds late into the night, fireworks fill the evening sky and the songs of jubilant people fill the air.

In the juxtaposition of these two days, Israel has found a balance between the losses, in human life, that she has faced over the years, and the results of those pains. There is a deep recognition that one could not have been achieved without the other -- and that the future will more than likely hold more of the same. Yet, citizens and tourists still celebrate the promises the future can hold.

Like Israelis and Jews around the world, we too must recognize and recall the past, yet look toward the promises of the future. This year on Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut we can take the opportunity to review what part Israel has played in our lives so far and what place she will hold in our future.

[Posted 4/30/03]