The 5th of Iyar, or May 14th 1948, was one of the greatest days in the history of the people of Israel. That day, Israel's Independence Day or Yom ha'Atzmaut, we regained our political independence and sovereignty (ribbonut) over the land of Israel, after almost 1900 years of exile.
Many contemporary rabbis saw the establishment of the State of Israel as the atchalata de-gueula, the beginning, a first step toward our final divine redemption. From being at the mercy of uncountable tyrants, and our fate being determined by the whims of other nations, we finally are able to determine our own destiny.
The land of Israel, its ground, after being abandoned and barren for centuries, is now giving its fruits to its children, in fulfillment of many prophecies that indicated that the land will welcome back the Jewish people flourishing and giving again its fruits. As Rabbi Abba said in Masekhet Sanhedrin 98a: "There is no sign of redemption more obvious than this one (Yechezqel 36:8) "'But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruits for my people Israel, when they will be close to come (back)". Rashi explained there: 'When the land of Israel will produce its fruits generously, then you will know that our redemption (geula) is near. There is no sign of redemption more clear that this' "
Our return to the land of Israel as the fulfillment of uncountable prophecies from Israel's Prophets. As Yechezqel the prophet who witness our first exile, prophesied to the Jewish people 2500 year ago (36:24)" "For I [HaShem] will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land".
YOM HAZIKARON, THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE FALLEN SOLDIERS OF ISRAEL, THOSE YOUNG FIGHTERS THAT OFFERED THEIR LIVES FOR THESE PROPHECIES TO BECOME TRUE.
Click HERE to watch: Major Roi Klein z"l , "Loving Hashem with all your life"... in the battlefield.
Click HERE to read about Michael Levin, z'l.
Click HERE to watch HEROES OF ISRAEL