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Send to a friendEvery week, parshaoftheweek.com brings you a rich selection of material on parshat hashavua, the weekly portion traditionally read in synagogues all over the world. Using both classic and contemporary material, we take a look at these portions in a fresh way, relating them to both ancient Jewish concerns as well as cutting-edge modern issues and topics. We also bring you material on the Jewish holidays, as well as insights into life cycle rituals and events...
Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel Independence Day Summary
יום העצמאות
Israel's Independance Day is celebrated on the fifth day of Iyar, the date when, in 1948, David Ben Gurion, later to become Israel's first Prime Minister, declared an independent Jewish State. It is marked by public performances of music and dance, ubiquitous barbecues, official ceremonies, the opening of many army bases to the public, and, in some religious circles, the reciting of special festive prayers, including the Hallel. The Charedi (ultra-Orthodox) community does not take part in the celebrations, due to their ambivalent-to-negative attitude towards the State.
