The 4th of May is Israeli Independence Day or “Yom Ha’Atzma’ut” in Hebrew. The day commemorates the declaration of Independence of Israel in 14th May 1948 which corresponded with Iyyar 5 5708. This year it is celebrated earlier to avoid it conflicting with the Sabbath.

The re-establishment of the Jewish nation was a monumental event. It is unheard of in history, of a nation which was dispersed across 100 countries and spread across 5 continents for close to 2,000 years, which was preserved, maintained their identity and returned home twice from exile. It is as if God wants the world to notice that the events concerning Israel are extraordinary. Yet for the Jew, the exile and return to his homeland was foretold by the patriarch Moses (Lev. 26:38, 44; Deut. 28:64-64) and the Hebrew Prophets (Isa. 43:5-6; Jer. 30:11; Joel 3:2; Ezek. 36:8-10; Hos. 9:1-10).

In 1948 Israel was literally resurrected as the Jews were coming from the horrors of the Holocaust which had been orchestrated by Adolf Hitler, the Nazi Party leader. Of course the rebirth of Israel corresponds to God’s incredible declaration in Ezekiel where He promised to revive the “dry bones” of Israel and bring them back home. Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. (Ezek. 37:11-12)

There were approximately 600,000 Jews in Israel, today there are over 7 Million Jews in Israel and with thousands more making Aliyah monthly. Despite being just seventy-four years old and the hundredth smallest country (even smaller than the state of New Jersey in the US), Israel has gone from having just one asphalt road to building Ben-Gurion International Airport. She has some of the best hospitals. She built more roads and infrastructure per capita than anywhere else in the planet. Israel has transformed a barren, desolate and unproductive land to be one of the leading countries in fruits export fulfilling the words of the prophet, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden.” (Ezek. 36:25)

Israel is the third most educated country in the world according to the OECD. She has the most stat up companies except the US and China. She also has the most patents registered in the US, Russia, India, and China combined whereas these countries are three hundred times her population. Another remarkable fact is that since Alfred Nobel created his peace prize, over 20% of the prizes have been awarded to Israelis though Israel’s population comprises less than half of 1% of the world’s population. Generally, Israelis have had major contributions in scientific, social, economic, creative, and intellectual contributions to the progress of mankind.

“Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of.  His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine and abstruse learning are also very out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.  He has made a marvelous fight in this world in all ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him.”

“The Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Persians rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greeks and Romans followed and made a vast noise, and they were gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, and have vanished.”

“The Jew saw them all, survived them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities, of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert but aggressive mind.  All things are mortal but the Jews; all other forces pass, but he remains.  What is the secret of his immortality?” [Concerning the Jews in Sept. 1899 by Mark Twain]

Yom Ha’Atzma’ut celebrates the most legendary comeback story of all time. 

Happy 74th Independence Day!