Day to Praise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Day to Praiseיום הלל
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Logo of the Day to Praise Global initiative
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Dancing at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
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| Genre | Religious worship |
| Frequency | Annually on 5 Iyar |
| Location(s) | Israel and international satellite locations |
| Inaugurated | 23 April 2015 |
| Founders | Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, David Nekrutman |
| Most recent | 14 May 2024 |
| Previous event | 26 April 2023 |
| Next event | 1 May 2025 |
| Activity | Reciting of Hallel (Psalms 113–118) in synagogues, church groups or by individuals to celebrate the State of Israel on Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) |
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Day to Praise (Hebrew: יום הלל, romanized: yom hallel) is a special yearly event. It brings together people from different faiths, mainly Jewish and Christian. They come together to praise God for the State of Israel.
This event happens every year on Yom Ha'atzmaut. This is Israel's Independence Day. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin and David Nekrutman started this idea. They invite Christians around the world to say special prayers called Hallel (from Psalms 113–118) with Jewish people.
Contents
What is Hallel?
Hallel is a group of six Psalms (113–118) from the Bible. These psalms are read together on happy occasions. Jewish people read Hallel on important holidays. These include Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. They also read it on Hanukkah and at the start of each new month (Rosh Chodesh).
After Israel became a country in 1948, its religious leaders decided something important. They said that Yom Ha'atzmaut should be a minor Jewish holiday. On this day, people should read Hallel. In 1973, Rabbi Shlomo Goren added a special blessing before reading Hallel.
How Day to Praise Started
The Idea Begins
In October 2014, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin had an idea. He is a leader at the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC). He invited Christian visitors to Israel to join a "praise rally." This was during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
During this event, Jewish and Christian leaders read Hallel together. This happy gathering became the starting point for the global Day to Praise event.
The First Event in 2015
The Day to Praise idea officially began in March 2015. Rabbi Riskin sent an email to supporters of Israel worldwide. He wrote that God had put it on his heart to fulfill a Bible verse. This verse (Psalm 117) says: "Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples."
He wanted people from different nations who believe in God to read Psalms 113–118. He wanted them to do this with the Jewish community on Israel's Independence Day. So, he launched the Day to Praise initiative.
Day to Praise also created songs inspired by the Hallel Psalms. Some money from these songs helps a program called Heart to Heart. This program helps with blood donations in Israel.
Not everyone agreed with this new idea at first. Some Jewish leaders had questions about Jews and Christians praying together. But Rabbi Riskin explained that it was a prayer of thanks to God. He said it was for Christians who appreciate God's actions toward the Jewish people and Israel. Other rabbis also supported his view.
The first Day to Praise event happened on April 23, 2015. The main gathering was at HaZvi Israel Synagogue in Jerusalem. Many thousands of people around the world also joined in their own groups.
Later in 2015, during the Sukkot festival, another interfaith event took place. About 200 Christians and Jews came together in Efrat. They sang praises to God as one group. Rabbi Riskin believed this event would help bring about a time of peace and unity.
Day to Praise in 2016
The second yearly Day to Praise was on May 12, 2016. The main event was held in Gush Etzion. This area has seen many difficult times. About 120 people from Jewish and Christian faiths attended. They came from Israel, the United States, Germany, and Brazil. Groups like "Bridges for Peace" and "Christian Friends of Israel" were also there.
During the event, each person read Psalm 117 in their own language. Then, they all read it together in Hebrew. David Nekrutman, one of the founders, said this gathering fulfilled a Bible prophecy. It spoke of people speaking a "pure language" to serve God together.
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Bishop Armando Cruzem and his congregation in the Philippines, 12 May 2016
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Bishop Armando Cruzem and his wife Joy in the Philippines, 12 May 2016
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The "Bridges for Peace" group in Melbourne, Florida, 12 May 2016
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Rabbi Alan Yuter speaking at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
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The Portnoy Brothers performing at the central Day to Praise event, 12 May 2016
Day to Praise in 2017
The third annual Day to Praise took place on May 2, 2017. The main event was in Jerusalem. As before, Jewish and Christian attendees celebrated. They read Psalms 113–118. Hundreds more people around the world joined in.
David Nekrutman said a main idea this year was "walking together." This event also marked 50 years since Jerusalem was reunified. A week before, a Hallel service was held in Germany by 125 Christians. Also, a synagogue in Youngstown, Ohio invited Christians to join their Hallel service.
Day to Praise in 2018
The fourth Day to Praise happened on April 19, 2018. The main event started on the evening of April 18. It began with a Memorial Day ceremony for Israel's fallen soldiers. Jews and Christians joined together. They moved from sadness over Israel’s losses to joy for Israel’s 70th anniversary.
This event was held at the John Hagee Center for Jewish Heritage. About 350 Jews and Christians attended. Like every Day to Praise event, they read the Psalms of Praise. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki said that Christians praising God and praying for Israel is a very important part of Bible prophecies about Israel's future.
See also
In Spanish: Un Día de Alabanza para niños
