8 Responses

1. “hundreds of people gathered on the two highest roads to enjoy the displays”

   I thought the frum people do not participate in the festivities of yom ha-atzmot.

2. If you had gone to the entrance of Chashmonaim you would have seen hundreds more Kiryat Sefer people there, and had an even better view. Thankfully the times are changing. I remember when the majority of families in KS used to put their kids to bed early and close the blinds so they wouldn’t see the fireworks. Israel is a State and as such has been able to absorb thousands of Jews from all over the world who otherwise would have had nowhere to go. We may not agree with everything a secular state does but at least it’s ours.

3. To# 1, YES, Frum (Torah Jews) people participate in this celebration, the ones that do not participate are the anti-zionist chassidic “charedim”, in Beit Shemesh and in Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef there were nice gatherings, singing and enjoying the fireworks. Being frum does not mean to be anti-zionist and being anti-zionist doesn’t have to be frum.

4. Hey, I am religious and watched the fireworks from my merpessit. We also talked about about the miracles that have taken place over Israels history and have concluded that it is a wonderful place to live. It was an aliyah experience in itself!

5. Ze`HaYom Asah HaShem Nagila VeNismecha Bo. Chag Sameach!

6. we have all heard the words of the brisker rov that the medina only do damage, and because of them there are casaulties [due to thier unfortunate chilul of torah and mitzvos], and the nisim are credited to those who sit and learn torah [without interupting for fireworks done by our stray brothers]
   may we all be zocheh to do teshuva shelaime

7. I am also not anti the Medina. But I would just like to know what would be the Heter to make a celebration of live music during the mourning period of Sefira?

8. there is no greater mourning than dancing with the success of our chiloni state