Israel's Memorial Day & Independence Day

Israel Memorial Day - יום הזכרון

Monday, April14,  2013

The Hebrew word zakhar (זָכַר) means "remember," and zikaron (זִכָּרוֹן) means "memorial." Yom HaZikaron (יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן), then, is the "Day of Memorial" for those soldiers who gave up their lives in battle for the creation  and defense of the State of Israel.   In 1951 the Israeli Knesset established Iyyar 4 (the day immediately before Israel's Independence Day) as Israel's Memorial Day. In more recent times, the holiday has also become associated with victims of political terrorism.

Although Yom Hazikaron is observed on the 4th of Iyyar, it may be moved earlier or postponed if its observance (or that of Israeli Independence Day, which follows it) conflicts with the weekly Sabbath.   This year Yom HaZikaron is postponed one day to occur on Sunday, April 14th at sundown (the first siren is sounded at 8:00 p.m.), with various commemoration services scheduled throughout the following day.



	Israel Independence Day - יום העצמאות

Tuesday April 14, 2013

After the Jewish people had suffered for nearly 2,000 years of exile as clearly foretold by Moses (Lev. 26:38, 44; Deut. 28:64-64) and the Hebrew prophets (Isa. 43:5-6; Jer. 30:11; Joel 3:2; Ezek. 36:8-10; Hos. 9:1-10, etc.),   Israel was miraculously reborn as a nation in their ancient homeland on May 14, 1948 (Iyyar 5, 5708). Today Jews across the world celebrate Iyyar 5 as Israeli Independence Day.

As mentioned above, the date for Yom Ha'atzmaut can vary from year to year. For instance, this year it is moved a day later (i.e., to Iyyar 6th). On our secular calendar Independence Day is therefore observed Monday, April 15th at sundown until the following sundown.

Note that the word Atzma'i (עַצְמָאִי) means "independent" in Hebrew. The word atzmaut (עַצְמָאוּת) means the state of indepedence, which comes from atzmi - "my bones" (עֶצֶם). Hence the "Day of Independence" is called Yom Ha'atzmaut in Hebrew.   The name reminds us of God's promise to revive the "dry bones" (עֲצָמוֹת) of Israel by bringing the Jewish people back from their long exile (Ezek. 37:4-5).עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי / am Yisrael chai: "The people of Israel live!" The nation of Israel is God's "super sign" that He is faithful to His covenant promises (Jer. 31:35-37).   Celebrating Israel's independence acknowledges God's loyal love for us all.     From "Hebrew For Christians" website.