Aliyah Day in Israel (01/11)

In June 2016, the Israeli Parliament – Knesset adopted a law establishing a new national holiday in the country. It was called Aliyah Day.

Translated literally from Hebrew as «ascent», «ascent» or «ascent», the word «alia» has become a term for the repatriation of Jews to Israel. Before 1948, aliyah refers to the return of Jews to the country of Israel, and after – to the state of Israel.

The date for the celebration of Aliyah Day is set at 7 hashwan according to the Jewish calendar. This date, when translated into the Gregorian calendar, falls in the month of October-November and is not fixed in it. The choice of date was not immediately determined.

Initially, it was proposed to celebrate Aliyah Day with 10 Nisan, corresponding to the month of March-April in the Gregorian calendar. However, given the fact that the celebration of Aliyah Day is given great importance, the awareness of which should be instilled in citizens from school, a different date was chosen: 7 hashwan.

The fact is that the date 10 Nisan falls on school holidays and it is impossible to hold events in educational institutions in such a case. The search for another symbolic date fell on 7 hashwan for the reason that this day always falls on the week when the reading of the Torah chapter «Lech Lech» begins, which tells how Abraham, having heard the words of the Lord, went to the Land of Israel. In fact, the sending of Abraham (who at the time of his release was called Abram) to the land indicated by the Lord is called the very first (ancient) aliyah.

The establishment of the Aliya Day holiday in Israel is intended to emphasize the importance of the return of Jews to the historical land given to them by the Lord. This holiday should contribute to the education of the consciousness that the modern state of Israel – is a state of repatriates who returned to historical soil in several waves of aliyah. This leads to recognition of the value of Jews returning to their homeland for its strengthening and successful development.

The history and significance of aliyah in the life of the state becomes a topic for study at school, which is updated on the eve of the celebration of Aliyah Day. Studying this topic and covering it in the state is also aimed at resolving relations between repatriates newly arriving in the country and natives of Israel.

In general, the establishment of this holiday – is a natural step in the history of Israel, paying maximum attention to the problem of the return of Jews from all over the world to their historical homeland. There is even a separate ministry in the state, called the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, whose task is to create conditions for repatriates for painless socialization and integration into Israeli society.

The celebration of Aliyah Day takes place in Israel in all government institutions, schools, the army, and government bodies. A special meeting is dedicated to this day in the Knesset. Organization of lectures and thematic lessons in educational institutions, festive events, concerts, official ceremonies with the participation of government officials and cultural and artistic figures – is a traditional program for Aliyah Day, celebrated in Israel since 2016.

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