Dear Lovers of Israel,
Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) begins at sundown on April 21st and ends at sundown on April 22nd. Israelis young and old will mourn and remember the 23,320 fallen soldiers who sacrificed themselves and gave their lives fighting for the State of Israel’s Independence, along with all who have fallen while defending the State of Israel and the Jewish people. On this day we remember these heroes who were instruments of God used to bring to pass the biggest Miracle of God in modern history – the return of the Jewish people to His Holy Land, the only land given to the Jews by God.
Lovers of Israel, I call upon each of you to join me in the Jewish prayer for Israeli fallen soldiers:
“May God remember the souls of His heroic children; the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces who fell in the wars of Israel in defensive, retaliatory and security actions, and during the fulfillment of their duty, including the souls of the underground fighters and brigades who fought in the national struggle – all those who sacrificed their lives for the sanctification of God’s Name. And with the help of God, the Lord of Israel’s campaigns, they brought about the revival of the nation, the state, and the redemption of the land and the city of God. They were quicker than eagles and stronger than lions as they volunteered to assist the nation, and they saturated our Holy Land with their pure blood. The memory of their self-sacrifice and heroic deeds will never disappear from us. May their souls be bound in the Bond of Life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and with the souls of the other heroes and martyrs of Israel who are in the Garden of Eden.”
Amen.
Then our tears will become tears of happiness as all Israelis turn to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) which begins at sundown on April 22nd and ends at sundown on April 23rd. All of Israel will celebrate our 67th Day of Independence and our sadness will turn to joy as Israel transitions from the mourning and sorrow of separation on Yom HaZikaron to one of celebration filled with gratitude and joy on Yom Ha’atzmaut. On this day we greet one another by saying, “moadim l’simkhah” (happy season) and we reply. “l’geulah shleimah” (to a complete redemption).
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy…” (Psalm 30:11)
God Bless you all from Zion!
Moshe Bar Zvi
Founder of LoveIsrael.com
To learn more about Daystar’s involvement in Israel, and for ways that you can get involved today, please visit Daystar.com/Israel.