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Monday, December 27, 2010

Diaspora Follows Israel Regarding Israeli Holidays

RCA website:
Dec 24, 2010 -- In many years, there is confusion about the proper dates for observing Yom Hashoa, Yom Ha'atzmaut, and Yom Yerushalayim is the Diaspora. After discussions and consultation with our Av Beit Din, Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz, the position of the RCA is that Diaspora Jewry should celebrate and observe these days on the dates the Chief Rabbinate of Israel designates for them. The Chief Rabbinate publishes these dates on its website.

For 5771/2011, the corresponding dates are
Yom Hashoa should be observed on Monday, Nisan 28/May 2;
Yom Ha'atzmaut on Tuesday, 6 Iyar/May 10; and,
Yom Yerushalayim on Wednesday, 28 Iyar/June 1.

On the one hand, the reasons why Israel pushes off these holidays (to prevent Shabbat desecration) doesn't really apply to the diaspora, as no Shabbat desecration will take place (especially in regard to Yom Hazikaron, which is less-commonly commemorated in the diaspora). Therefore, it makes sense to keep the original dates for these holidays in the diaspora.

On the other hand, ruling to keep the original dates divides the Jewish people more than a Yom Tov Sheni does - in that the first days of the holidays are celebrated/commemorated on two different days. Rabbi Schwartz's ruling, therefore, unifies the nation.

Yehezkel 37:22 comes to mind:

וְלֹא יהיה- (יִהְיוּ-) עוֹד לִשְׁנֵי גוֹיִם, וְלֹא יֵחָצוּ עוֹד לִשְׁתֵּי מַמְלָכוֹת עוֹד
and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all;

1 Comments:

At Thu Dec 30, 11:16:00 AM 2010, Blogger Jameel @ The Muqata said...

This is great news! Thanks for posting it...

 

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