Jewish Holidays

It is customary to rejoice somewhat on Lag Ba-omer. Even though we observe some customs of mourning during the omer period, nevertheless, one may sing and dance on Lag Ba-omer.

Unlike Yom Ha-zikaron, to which the Chief Rabbinate consented, the Torah sages at the time objected to the establishment of this Remembrance Day (commonly known as Yom Ha-Sho’a) on the 27th of Nisan.

The Knesset decided that “Two minutes of silence will be observed throughout the entire country, during which all work and travel will cease.”

From a halakhic standpoint, there is no need to institute a general memorial day for the holy soldiers who were killed in battle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some say that even though we thank God on Yom Ha-atzma’ut, we should not recite Hallel with a berakha.

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.