Q&A: Hallel on Independence Day
Hallel on Independence Day
Question
Hello Rabbi,
As Independence Day approaches, I wanted to ask what your opinion is regarding Hallel on Independence Day: should Hallel be recited, and should a blessing also be made over it? And what are the considerations behind deciding one way or the other?
With blessings,
Answer
These are old matters and they have been discussed extensively in many places. In my opinion, Hallel should be recited, like after any miracle and thanksgiving for a miracle. It is no less than Purim of Frankfurt and the like. As for the blessing, the discussion arises because a blessing is recited over a commandment that is a halakhic obligation ("and commanded us," as the Talmud asks in tractate Shabbat regarding Hanukkah: where did He command us? In "do not deviate"). Since nowadays we do not have an institution that can establish a halakhic obligation, perhaps there would be room to say that one should not make the blessing. But straightforwardly, this is included in all the enactments of reciting Hallel for a miracle and deliverance, and therefore there is no need for a new enactment; or alternatively, the sages of this generation can interpret that the ancient enactment—which according to some opinions is Torah-level—applies here as well. Some do not make the blessing because of the doubt.
Discussion on Answer
What about the blessing of Shehecheyanu? Is it appropriate to recite it?
Shaving during the Omer period is a custom, and I think those who celebrate Independence Day have the custom of shaving. The second custom is no less weighty than the first. On the contrary, it overrides it because of lex specialis.
As for the blessing of Shehecheyanu, I think there is no reason not to recite it. The Bach, Orach Chayim 29, wrote that with the blessing of Shehecheyanu the concern of a blessing in vain does not apply, since if he is happy he may recite it. See a discussion, for example, here:
http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/20990
It is presented there as a dispute, but this reasoning seems simple and clear to me. Is the establishment of the State really worse than eating an apple? (True, they already raised a similar objection regarding Shehecheyanu over a new garment at a wedding canopy, but this is not the place to go into it.)
Hello Rabbis, I would be glad if you would look into the sources.
The Halakhot Gedolot does not write anywhere that all of Israel must be in danger; on the contrary, it writes that for the rescue of several thousand one does not recite Hallel, but for tens of thousands one certainly does.
And also, the Bnei Yonah did not come to say that saving the Temple is like saving all of Israel; rather, it came to teach that there is no real need to actually assemble, only a reasonable assumption that most of the Jewish people would want to give thanks. Therefore, for the saving of the Temple, certainly most of the Jewish people would want to give thanks, just as for the rescue of tens of thousands of Jews most of the Jewish people would want to give thanks.
And what about shaving on Independence Day?