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The day before Israel Independence Day is Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), whose official title is Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Acts of Terrorism. Technically, from the point of view of Jewish law, there is no need for a general day of remembrance. Rather, each martyr should be remembered on the yahrzeit the same way as a deceased relative: reciting a prayer for the soul, a relative saying Kaddish, studying Torah, and giving charity to elevate the deceased's soul. Those who want to do even more can host a memorial event or a Torah class in their memory (14:16 above).
Nevertheless, there is great value in communally commemorating the courage of soldiers who gave their lives to sanctify God’s name, the nation, and the Land. Their sacrifice for the people and the nation has endowed each of them with a sanctity normally unattainable by an individual. We owe our survival to these young men and women. They deserve credit for everything we accomplish in settling the Land, raising children, and improving our society and the world. Their lives were cut short in this world, but they are very much alive in the eternal World to Come. People of faith know that in this sense, the fallen are more alive than everyone else.
Memorial Day carries a powerful message for the bereaved families, those who raised holy heroes. Do not give in to death. Draw on their strength to keep living. Do not bow your head. Stand tall in their honor. Look beyond to the grand vision of the end of days.
