The Rebbe's Hallel - A Must Read for Yom Ha'atsmaut
By Rav David Bar-Hayim
The story is told of the Hassidic rebbe who, upon the establishment of the State of Israel, began to recite the thanksgiving prayer of Hallel on Yom Ha'assmauth, Israel's Independence Day. After a few years, his followers noticed that the rebbe no longer recited Hallel. When queried about this he explained: "When a child is born, everyone is happy. But if, as he grows up, he goes off the correct path and moves away from the Torah, the earlier jubilation becomes inappropriate".
It is becoming increasingly apparent that certain circles of the National-Religious camp feel the same way. Exactly one year ago, in the weeks leading up to Independence Day - nearly a year after the unprecedented tragedy and debacle that was the "disengagement"--a lively debate was conducted in National-Religious newspapers and Internet forums regarding the correct attitude to Yom Ha'assmauth and the reciting of Hallel. Some of the participants expressed doubt about the previously unchallenged practice of reciting Hallel. Indeed at least one yeshiva, under instructions from its rosh yeshiva (dean), has ceased celebrating the day altogether.
The article takes a dramatic turn, so don't comment unless you've read the WHOLE THING. To read more, go to http://machonshilo.org/content/view/79/1/.
The story is told of the Hassidic rebbe who, upon the establishment of the State of Israel, began to recite the thanksgiving prayer of Hallel on Yom Ha'assmauth, Israel's Independence Day. After a few years, his followers noticed that the rebbe no longer recited Hallel. When queried about this he explained: "When a child is born, everyone is happy. But if, as he grows up, he goes off the correct path and moves away from the Torah, the earlier jubilation becomes inappropriate".
It is becoming increasingly apparent that certain circles of the National-Religious camp feel the same way. Exactly one year ago, in the weeks leading up to Independence Day - nearly a year after the unprecedented tragedy and debacle that was the "disengagement"--a lively debate was conducted in National-Religious newspapers and Internet forums regarding the correct attitude to Yom Ha'assmauth and the reciting of Hallel. Some of the participants expressed doubt about the previously unchallenged practice of reciting Hallel. Indeed at least one yeshiva, under instructions from its rosh yeshiva (dean), has ceased celebrating the day altogether.
The article takes a dramatic turn, so don't comment unless you've read the WHOLE THING. To read more, go to http://machonshilo.org/content/view/79/1/.
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