Sunday, May 3, 2009

Firing Silly String on Independence Day


Israelis celebrate their Independence day in the Hebrew month of Iyar. This is usually in late April or early May.

They have sung the national anthem for about 60 years as part of this celebration. However, for the past 10 years or so a new tradition has arose. That new tradition is firing silly string at people to celebrate during the fireworks part of the event.

A 2009 post remembering a 1998 celebration documents this event that year. A 2009 webpost anticipates it this year.

Incidentally, Israeli Synagogues have a variety of different liturgical customs for independence day. Some recite the Hallel (Psalms 113-118). Of the ones that do this, some precede the Hallel with the blessing (Blessed is...who commanded us to say the Hallel) and some don't. Most congregations do not say Tachanan (the self-admonition and confessional). One Rabbi of a synagogue which says neither the Hallel nor the tachanan was asked why that congregation had that custom. The Rabbi responded that they adopt the practice of one of the founders of Israel, David Ben Gurion who said neither Hallel nor Tachanan (D B-Gurion was secular).

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