This post presents an excerpt from the evening Yom Ha’atzmaut service from the Rinat Yisrael Siddur, popular among many Religious Zionist communities in Israel. A helpful guide for anyone who may be attending a similar service for the first time, this excerpt details popular customs, such as what people may be wearing and how they may greet one another. Published in connection with the Israeli Ministry of Education, the siddur is designed to help youth become more comfortable with the prayer services.This translation was shared by the World Union of Jewish Students.
From the Rinat Yisrael Prayer Book
Festival clothing is worn and then the community gathers in the synagogue… the evening prayer is recited in a festive melody.. .The cantor recites the following, and the congregation repeats:
Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.
The Lord is God (3 times)
The cantor recites the following, and the congregation repeats:
May He who has performed miracles for our ancestors and for us and Who has redeemed us from slavery to freedom, redeem us speedily with the ultimate redemption. May He gather our scattered ones from the four corners of the earth, all of Israel becoming comrades. Now let us respond: Amen
The cantor reads: (from Numbers 10:9-10)
When you are at war in your own land against an aggressor who attacks you, you shall sound short blasts on the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God and be delivered from your enemies. And on your joyous occasions, your fixed festivals and new moon days, you shall sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being. They shall be a reminder of you before the Lord your God: I the Lord am your God.
The Shofar is blown with one long blast and all declare:
Next year in rebuilt Jerusalem
The entire congregation recites:
May it be your will, Lord, our God and the God of our forefathers, just as we have merited the start of the redemption, may we also be worthy to hear the sound of the Shofar of the Messiah, speedily in our days.
The following Psalm (126) is sung to the tune of Hatikvah:
A Song of Ascents. When the Lord restores the fortunes of Zion – we see it as a dream – our mouths shall be filled with laughter, our tongues, with songs of joy. Then shall they say among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them!” The Lord will do great things for us and we shall rejoice. Restore our fortunes, 0 Lord, like water courses in the Negev. They who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy. Though he goes along weeping, carrying the seed-bag, he shall come back with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves
The “Ani Maamin” is sung:
I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may tarry, nevertheless I anticipate every day that he will come.
Congregants greet each other:
Joyous holidays towards full redemption!
A festive meal is eaten accompanied by songs of praise. During the meal candles should be lit.