Remembering Leads to Rejoicing
There is a certain genius to the timing of Israel’s annual Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut commemorations (the Israeli versions of Memorial Day and Independence Day in the United States). This year the former begins at sundown on April 29 and the latter follows immediately at sundown on the 30th. At first glance, the proximity of these emotionally disparate experiences seems ill-conceived.
Yom HaZikaron (officially established in 1963) commemorates those who have lost their lives in the establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948, and its preservation ever since. The day’s mood is somber, filled with solemn ceremonies memorializing the soldiers who died defending Israel, as well as the civilian victims of terrorist attacks.
From Eilat on the Red Sea to Metula on the Lebanese border, sirens are sounded at 8 p.m. to announce the beginning of Yom HaZikaron. For one minute the entire nation comes to a halt.[1] Political divisions evaporate, meals are interrupted, cars and buses stop in the middle of the road as everyone stands in silence in memory of the fallen. The following day is filled with commemorative services held at military cemeteries, schools, synagogues, and public places. Yartzeit (memorial) candles burn throughout the 24-hour period and many Israelis recite the Mourner’s Kaddish to honor the memory of those lost.
Yom HaAtzmaut is Yom HaZikaron’s emotional opposite. Beginning with sunset on April 30, the nation’s mood shifts from sober commemoration to sweet celebration!
Beginning with an official ceremony on Jerusalem’s Mt. Herzl, which includes the lighting of 12 torches representing the original twelve tribes of Israel, the entire nation bursts into life. To celebrate the nation’s ability to defend itself, cities and towns host military parades and the Israeli Airforce does flyovers. Throughout the land, people host street parties, concerts, and dance performances. Families and friends gather in homes and parks to feast on shawarma, falafel, chicken schnitzel, etc. The mood is buoyant— “Am Yisrael Chai!” (“The people of Israel live!”). Everyone joins in celebrating Israel’s endurance and God’s faithfulness to His people!
This drastic 48-hour mood shift may seem like a bipolar emotional swing from low to high. Yet herein lies its genius. By placing the low and high side-by-side, a valuable lesson emerges: Having a heightened awareness of freedom’s cost deepens our appreciation for its profound value!
This year’s Yom HaZikaron commemoration will be especially challenging. The stark reality of freedom’s cost continues growing. New names are being added to the memorial rolls as Israel fights for the return of its 59 citizens[2] still held hostage by Hamas. Young Israeli men and women on active duty remain the bulwark against those sworn to Israel’s destruction. Yom HaZikaron will bring fresh, painful reminders of freedom’s escalating price. In turn, Yom HaAtzmaut will be bittersweet. Despite the mounting loss, we will celebrate our freedom. And as the cost goes up, so too increases the value of our freedom and our commitment to “Am Yisrael Chai!”
Please join us in praying for God’s beloved chosen people during this challenging season. May the nation give thanks to God for their ongoing survival. More importantly, may they come to recognize their Messiah and the cost of His sacrifice for them, so that they may truly celebrate the eternal freedom Messiah Jesus alone brings.
“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of pleading, so that they will look on Me whom they pierced; and they will mourn for Him, like one mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn … On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for defilement.” (Zechariah 12:10, 13:1)
Written by Dan, Life in Messiah Board member
What feelings do Memorial Day and Independence Day (or equivalent national holidays if you reside outside the U.S.) elicit for you?
What does Messiah’s costly sacrifice reveal about God’s heart and His relationship to us?
The words “Am Israel Chai!” are a reminder of God’s faithfulness (Jeremiah 31:35–37). This year, as Israel observes Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, please pray for the Lord to bring healing and peace. We also pray for our Jewish friends, that they would find freedom and redemption in Messiah.
Endnotes:
[1] At 11:00 the following morning, a two-minute alarm sounds and the nation once again comes to a standstill to honor the memory of the fallen.
[2] As of this writing.