11 Lessons
11. Shaving, Haircuts, Weddings, and Tahanun
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Do the customs of mourning that we observe during the omer period apply to Yom Ha-atzma’ut? Responses to this question have varied greatly.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
10. Yom Yerushalayim
Chapter 4: Yom Yerushalayim
All the holy places in Judea and Samaria – most significantly the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount – were liberated, along with the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
9. Celebrating Yom Ha-atzma’ut on a Different Date
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
When Yom Ha-atzma’ut falls out on a Friday or Shabbat, there is good reason for concern that the celebrations and ceremonies will cause public desecration of Shabbat.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
8. She-hecheyanu and Hallel at Night
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Some maintain that the salvation of Yom Ha-atzma’ut is similar to that of the Exodus from Egypt, and thus we must recite Hallel at night.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
7. Reciting a Berakha on Hallel
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Some say that even though we thank God on Yom Ha-atzma’ut, we should not recite Hallel with a berakha.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 4 5782
6. Reciting Hallel
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
It is a mitzva to recite Hallel on special occasions, in order to thank and praise God for the miracles He performs on our behalf.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 4 5782
5. Establishing Yom Ha-atzma’ut as a Permanent Holiday
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
There is a mitzva to establish a holiday of rejoicing and praising God on a day when the Jewish people were saved. It was on this basis that the Sages established Purim and Ĥanuka as permanent holidays.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 4 5782
3. Salvation of Israel
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
On Yom Ha-atzma’ut (Israel’s Independence Day), the Jewish people were delivered from bondage to freedom, from subjugation by foreign powers, with all it entails, to political independence.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 4 5782
4. The Three Oaths
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
The verse states: “I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by hinds of the field: Do not wake or rouse love until it please!” ). The Sages explain that God administered three oaths: two to Israel – not to ascend to their land forcefully all together and not to rebel against the nations – and one to the gentiles – not to subjugate the Jews excessively.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 4 5782
2. The Beginning of the Redemption and Sanctifying God’s Name
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
After so many years passed without God’s word coming to fruition, God’s name became increasingly desecrated in the world, and the enemies of Israel decided that there is no chance that the Jews would ever return to their land
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tishrei 30 5782