Getzel: Let me try to explain the basic logic behind it. What do people do when they hear of tragedy. Imagine, Chas V’shalom, someone receiving a phone call that a loved one just tragically passed away in the prime of life in a crazy accident. Is that person’s response to immediately reach into a pocket to give Tzedaka? Do they immediately start learning Mishnayos? No. They are shocked, and silent, and immediately reflect on the person and what they just lost.
Whether it is a Jewish concept or not, that is what the silence is meant to recreate. We are all imagining ourselves in that immediate state of shock over all of the loved ones that Klal Yisrael has lost. It is a way of doing exactly that. Remembering. It may not be the best way to remember someone. Most Frum people will say that it probably isn’t. But it has a point and a meaning. And, once it was determined by the country that that is a way to do it, it is incredibly disrespectful to ignore it.
Israel creates a huge Kiddush Hashem every year when videos on the internet go up of major highways just stopping on Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron. It’s the only place in the world to show such incredible respect to those we love. And while you think it might be silly, it absolutely is respectful. And intentionally ignoring that is both disrespectful and therefore a Chillul Hashem. It’s fine to debate whether or not this is the right way to show respect every other day of the year. But, L’ma’aseh, since this is the way that people attempt to show respect, ignoring it is a blatant disrespect that just isn’t worth it.