Hallel on Yom Ha-Atzma'ut: Some Musings

Gil has provided a most succinct and organized presentation on the question of Hallel on Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, and who says to say (or not say) what.

The truth of the matter is that I'm less and less concerned, or impressed, with the issue as a litmus test of one's Zionism. Of course, in my opinion, those who say Tahanun (or Kinnot or Selihot) are tremendous ingrates who kick the altar like Miriam bat Bilga (cf. Sukkah 56b). They are perfectly willing to live off of us. They'll visit the Koysel and Maaras HaMakhpayyla, secured by us and our children. The entire time, though, they'll kvetch and make totally obnoxious comments.

For example, when I was still living in Jerusalem, I did shmira on Rosh Hashanah outside of shul. Now, the particular minyan that davened near where I was patrolling with my trust M-1 had a lot of bereaved parents among its members. Some American lady came up to me and asked, 'Where's the frum shul?' Stunned, I asked her to explain what she meant. 'Well, this is the Zionist sort of shul. I want a frum shul.' I was absolutely enraged. I thought immediately of one of the people inside davening. He survived the Shoah, married and had one son. That son was killed in Milhemet Yom ha-Kippurim. Nevertheless, he was the gentlest, sweetest man I knew. The minyan's candy man, you know the type. He never missed a minyan. He was a God-fearing, shomer mitzvos. And here was this person, daring to make such invidious and insidious comments. I turned to her and said: 'You know. There are mitpallelim inside who lost their children in battle so that you can come here. They are the truly religious people. So,I suggest you get the hell out of here and go over to Shaare Hesed and find yourself a frum minyan.'

That's not the type I'm talking about.

I'm referring to those who fancy themselves Zionists. In the States, Hallel with a berakha on Yom Ha-Atzma'ut is the litmus test of loyalty to the cause. I've seen a lot of humiliation meted out to people who question the need for it. While I appreciate their devotion to Israel, it all rings hollow since they're not here. So, I would prefer they packed up and moved here. That's worth alot more than all these Hallels and Israel Nights and so on.

Now, don't get me wrong. I absolutely think you should say Hallel. The blessing is secondary. The important thing is to thank HaQadosh Barukh Hu for giving us a State, and for maintaining us in violation of every historical law I know. That Hallel, moreover, acquires its real meaning as we go about our daily routine, acquire this country with our yissurim, work to serve God and make this country more Jewish, and defend it against our physical and spiritual enemies.

תהלים פרק קיח
טוֹב לַחֲסוֹת בַּד' מִבְּטֹחַ בִּנְדִיבִים:(י) כָּל גּוֹיִם סְבָבוּנִי בְּשֵׁם ד' כִּי אֲמִילַם:(יא) סַבּוּנִי גַם סְבָבוּנִי בְּשֵׁם ד' כִּי אֲמִילַם:(יב) סַבּוּנִי כִדְבוֹרִים דֹּעֲכוּ כְּאֵשׁ קוֹצִים בְּשֵׁם ד' כִּי אֲמִילַם:(יג) דַּחֹה דְחִיתַנִי לִנְפֹּל וַד' עֲזָרָנִי:(יד) עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת י-ָהּ וַיְהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה:(טו) קוֹל רִנָּה וִישׁוּעָה בְּאָהֳלֵי צַדִּיקִים יְמִין ד' עֹשָׂה חָיִל:(טז) יְמִין יְקֹוָק רוֹמֵמָה יְמִין ד' עֹשָׂה חָיִל:(יז) לֹא אָמוּת כִּי אֶחְיֶה וַאֲסַפֵּר מַעֲשֵׂי יָ-הּ:(יח) יַסֹּר יִסְּרַנִּי י-ָּהּ וְלַמָּוֶת לֹא נְתָנָנִי:(יט) פִּתְחוּ לִי שַׁעֲרֵי צֶדֶק אָבֹא בָם אוֹדֶה י-ָהּ:(כ) זֶה הַשַּׁעַר לַד' צַדִּיקִים יָבֹאוּ בוֹ:(כא) אוֹדְךָ כִּי עֲנִיתָנִי וַתְּהִי לִי לִישׁוּעָה:(כב) אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה:(כג) מֵאֵת ד' הָיְתָה זֹּאת הִיא

נִפְלָאת בְּעֵינֵינוּ:(כד) זֶה הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה ד' נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ:

חג עצמאות שמח!