Yom Ha'atzmaut (Hebrew: יום העצמאות ), Israeli Independence Day, commemorates the declaration of independence of Israel in 1948.

It falls on the 5th of the Jewish lunar month Iyar, celebrating the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, and the end of the British Mandate of Palestine.

It is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day on the 4th of Iyar.

An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl on the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), a dramatic presentation, a ritual march of soldiers carrying the Flag of Israel, forming elaborate structures (such as a Menorah, Magen David and a number which represents the age of Israel) and the lighting of twelve beacons (each for every one of the Tribes of Israel). Every year a dozen Israeli citizens, who made a significant contribution in a selected area, are invited to light the beacons.

Other traditional events of Yom Ha'atzmaut:

• The International Bible Contest חידון התנ"ך.
• Israel Prize ceremony טקס חלוקת פרס ישראל.

Timing

Yom Ha'atzmaut takes place on the 5th day of Iyar (ה' באייר) on the Hebrew calendar, the anniversary of the day in which Israel independence was proclaimed, when David ben Gurion publicly read the Proclamation of the establishment of the State of Israel. The corresponding Gregorian date was May 14, 1948.

The festival is celebrated on the 5th of Iyar unless that falls on a Friday or Saturday. This is to avoid having the festival either on Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath, or immediately before it. If this happens it is brought back to the preceding Thursday ( 3rd/ 4th Iyar). If the 5th of Iyar falls on Monday, the festival is postponed to Tuesday Iyar 6, so that Yom Hazikaron will not be immediately after the sabbath.

NB: (The rules of the Hebrew calendar are such that Iyar 5 does not fall on Sunday.)

Gregorian dates for Yom Ha'atzmaut:

• May 12, 2005 (Thursday)
• May 3, 2006 (Wednesday)
• April 24, 2007 (Tuesday; postponed by one day to Iyar 6)
• May 8, 2008 (Thursday)
• April 29, 2009 (Wednesday)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed