07 May HALLEL ON YOM HA’ATZMA’UT

Ever since the State
of Israel came into
existence, there has
been a debate whether
or not to recite Hallel
on Yom Ha’atzma’ut.
We will discuss the
reasoning of those
who feel it should
be recited and the
majority opinion which
maintains that it is not recited. The goal
is to discuss the halachic sources, not the
controversy.
What Is Yom Ha’atzma’ut?
Yom Ha’atzma’ut (the fifth day of Iyar)is that
day that Israel was established as a Jewish
State. After thousands of years of exile, the
land was returned to us. To commemorate
this day, there was much celebration across
the world.
The Many Reasons for Not Reciting Hallel
on Yom Ha’atzma’ut
Hallel is only recited for a miracle which
happened to all of Klal Yisrael, and this
miracle only affected those who live in Eretz
Yisrael. In addition, a miracle which can be
explained by nature and not the guiding hand

of Hashem is not subject to the recitation
of Hallel. The argument to recite Hallel
because it is the “start of the Geulah” (see
below) is refuted by the fact that there is no
peace in the land. In the realm of ruchniyus
there is also no rest, as there is so much
chillul Shabbos, such a lack of tznius, and so
many other shortcomings that we are very
far from the actual Geulah. Furthermore,
full Hallel is not recited on the last day of
Pesach because the Egyptians drowned in
the sea. Similarly, the declaration of the
State triggered a war that cost the lives of
thousands of Yidden; therefore, no Hallel is
recited.
Some explain that on Chanukah and at Krias
Yam Suf we overcame our enemy and sat
quietly without fighting, but here there still
is bloodshed and fighting. Many poskim
in Yerushalayim, including Harav Tzvi
Pesach Frank zt”l, ruled that one should
not recite Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut.
Accordingly, Hallel should not be recited on
Yom Ha’atzma’ut since it might result in a
brachah l’vatalah. Nonetheless, if a tzibbur
recites Hallel after Shemoneh Esrei without
a brachah they should not be rebuked.
Reasons of Those Who Recite Hallel on
Yom Ha’atzma’ut

Some say that the reason for reciting
Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut is
because the Jews have their own
land, and it is the “start of the
Geulah.” Others explain that it is the
day on which we were saved from
death, since our enemies wanted
to destroy us, and having our own
state saved us from their plots. They
compare this to Purim, where we
have a day of joy when we were
saved from death. In addition, some
say that the new state enables us to
renew our acceptance of the Torah.
Some say that it is like Chanukah when
we were saved through a war. So too, after
winning a Jewish state through a war, we say
Hallel. Similarly, the Pri Chadash asks why
we light eight lights on Chanukah if there
was no miracle on the first day. He explains
that the victory itself warrants an extra light.
Others compare this to a situation of one who
does not have a megillah on Purim, where
the rule is that he publicizes the miracle with
the recitation of Hallel. This applies to Yom
Ha’atzma’ut as well. Some say that Hallel
does not require an open miracle, and even
a miracle of salvation would warrant the
recitation of Hallel.
Finally, others rely on the Magen
Avraham who rules that a city may make
its own Yom Tov on the day that a miracle
occurred.
The Custom
Those with yeshivish and chassidic
background do not mark the day of
Yom Ha’atzma’ut as a holiday at all.
Besides the earlier points, there is another
argument that the Israeli government is
run by Jews who are far removed from
Torah principles, so it does not warrant a
day of celebration.
Those who consider it a holiday are from
the Mizrachi sect. In earlier years, half
Hallel was recited at night and whole
Hallel in the day, with a brachah. Later,
whole Hallel was recited at night as well.
Today, Hallel is recited (where the custom
is to recite it) only during the day and
without a brachah. This signifies that we
realize that Yom Ha’atzma’ut is a day of
thanking Hashem, but on the other hand
we are pained by the shortcomings (i.e.
political divides, poverty, social divides,
Arab fighting, and the disengagement).
Nevertheless, we anticipate the future,
which is the beginning of Mashiach
(nonetheless, there are many who do not
agree to this line of reasoning). Although
many celebrate it as a holiday, some were
against the addition of tefillos during
davening and mentioned to recite it after
davening.

Although the author of this article is from
the sect that does not view this day as a
holiday, it is worthwhile to understand why
some may consider it a holiday and do in
fact recite Hallel, albeit without a brachah.
In a Place Where Hallel Is Said
One who is from a sect that does not treat
Yom Ha’atzma’ut as a Yom Tov and finds
himself in a place where they do recite
Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut should not say
Hallel with them.
Synopsis of Poskim
Below we will list the opinion of leading
poskim and their opinion in relation to
Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut.
The following poskim did not permit Hallel,
Harav Zvi Pesach Frank zt”l, Harav Yosef
Eliyahu Henkin zt”l, Tzitz Eliezer, Minchas
Yitzchak, Steipler zt”l, Lubavticher Rebbe
zt”l, and the Satmar Rebbe zt”l. It seems
logical to assume that the following did not
allow it either, Harav Menashe Klein zt”l,
Harav Wosner zt”l, Harav Elyashiv zt”l,
Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Harav Shlomo
Zalman Aurbach zt”l, and Harav Yitzchak
Hutner zt”l. Harav Mordechai Gifter zt”l did
-not allow Hallel.
The opinion of Harav Yosef D. Soloveitchik
zt”l was to recite (half) Hallel but without
a brachah, as well as Harav Ahron
Soloveitchik zt”l, Harav Ahron Lichtenstein
zt”l, and Harav Hershel Schachter shlit”a.
In addition, this is the opinion of the Yaskil
Avdi and Harav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, Yalkut
Yosef,and many others quoted in Yabea
Omer.
Some were of the opinion to say Hallel with a
brachah, while this is not the overwhelming
custom.
Conclusion
No matter what one’s custom is regarding
saying Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut, even
if one does not recite it, one should still
be thankful that we have Eretz Yisrael as
a Jewish homeland, and not saying Hallel
is not a contradiction to showing hakaras
hatov for Eretz Yisrael in other ways such
as visiting, learning there, and supporting
the state.