Showing posts with label Israel Memorial Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel Memorial Day. Show all posts

Sunday, April 14, 2013

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.