When Grief Turns to Dancing
Every year around this time, Israel engages in something the world rarely experiences with such intensity. In the course of just a few days, the nation plunges into collective mourning and then rises into joyful celebration. Sirens blare, streets fall silent, tears are shed, flags are lifted, and fireworks burst into the sky.
These are not isolated holidays; they are deeply interconnected commemorations:
Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day
Yom HaZikaron — Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror
Yom HaAtzmaut — Independence Day
Each day carries its own gravity. But together, they form a profound narrative of suffering, survival, and sovereignty - a story that Christians should not merely observe from a distance, but understand as a testimony to the unwavering faithfulness of God.
Remembering the Unfathomable: Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) was established in 1951 by the Israeli Knesset to memorialize the six million Jews systematically murdered by the Nazi regime. This is not simply historical reflection; it is existential memory. The Holocaust remains the single most devastating trauma in Jewish history, fracturing families, decimating communities, and leaving scars that have shaped the modern Jewish psyche.
At 10:00 AM on Yom HaShoah, a two-minute siren wails across Israel. Everything - literally everything - stops. Pedestrians halt mid-stride, conversations end, vehicles pull to the roadside. It is a collective pause, a communal bearing of unspeakable grief.
Theologically, the Holocaust forces profound wrestling: How could such evil occur? Where was God? Yet within the Jewish worldview, even amid unanswered questions, the response has been one of collective perseverance rather than theological abandonment.
For Christians, Yom HaShoah serves as a somber reminder: when the Church ignores or distorts its relationship to the Jewish people, unspeakable horrors can take root. It underscores the absolute necessity of standing against anti-Semitism in every generation.
Honoring the Cost: Yom HaZikaron
Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) occurs just days after Yom HaShoah. Unlike the American concept of Memorial Day, often associated with leisure activities, Israel's Memorial Day is marked by solemnity and national mourning.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, more than 25,000 soldiers and victims of terrorism have fallen. In a country as small as Israel, nearly every citizen has a direct connection to someone who has died in service to the nation. It is a day that touches every home.
Again, a siren sounds, and Israel stands still. Schoolchildren recite poems and sing songs of remembrance. Families gather at cemeteries. The national consciousness is centered not on the glory of military victory but on the profound cost of national existence.
It must be understood: Israel’s very survival has always been existentially threatened. Yom HaZikaron is a necessary acknowledgment that freedom and security are not entitlements; they are purchased with sacrifice.
From a biblical perspective, the defense of Israel is tied not merely to nationalistic pride but to covenantal destiny. God promised Abraham:
Genesis 12:7 (ESV):
"To your offspring I will give this land."
The existence of Israel today, preserved despite overwhelming odds, testifies to God's ongoing faithfulness to His ancient promises.
From Mourning to Joy: Yom HaAtzmaut
In Israel, Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) immediately follows Yom HaZikaron. The transition is striking: from national mourning to national celebration in the space of a few hours.
This juxtaposition reflects a deep theological and existential reality—joy is always intimately tied to grief; freedom is always costly.
On May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708 on the Hebrew calendar), David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the modern State of Israel. But this was not the beginning of the Jewish claim to the land. Rather, it was the revitalization and reassertion of an ancient connection that dates back over 3,000 years.
The land was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was ruled by Kings David and Solomon. It was the setting for the ministries of the prophets. It was the soil that bore witness to the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.
Amos 9:14–15 (ESV):
"I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them... I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them."
Israel’s rebirth is not a historical accident - it is a fulfillment of prophecy.
Two Memorials, One Covenant
The proximity of Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron highlights two critical realities:
Yom HaShoah reminds us of the cost of not having a homeland. The vulnerability of the Jewish people during the Holocaust was exacerbated by the absence of a sovereign refuge.
Yom HaZikaron reminds us of the cost of having one. Independence and sovereignty demand continual defense in a world still rife with hostility.
Both days together reflect the Jewish understanding that survival and flourishing are inseparably linked to suffering and sacrifice.
Why It Matters to Christians
For Christians living in America, it might be tempting to see these holidays as distant ethnic commemorations. They are not. They are living reminders that God’s covenant with Israel has not been nullified.
Romans 11:1 (ESV):
"I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin."
Paul’s rhetorical passion is clear: God's covenant faithfulness to Israel stands as the bedrock of His character. If God could abandon Israel, what assurance would Gentile believers have that His promises to them would endure?
Israel’s very existence - especially following centuries of exile, persecution, and attempted annihilation—is visible proof that God's promises are irrevocable.
Moreover, Israel's story serves as a mirror to the Church. The pattern of exile and return, judgment and restoration, suffering and redemption, is not merely Israel’s story. It is the pattern through which God works His redemptive purposes in the world.
Romans 11:17–18 (ESV):
"But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches."
Christians are not the "new Israel" replacing the old. They are grafted into the existing covenantal story, rooted in the same soil of God's unchanging promises.
Trusting a God Who Remembers
Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut invite all of us to remember:
God sees suffering.
God honors sacrifice.
God fulfills promises.
Even when the world seems to burn, Even when evil appears to triumph, Even when hope seems buried beneath centuries of sorrow—God remains faithful.
Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV):
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
The existence of Israel today - reborn, defended, celebrated—is a powerful testimony that no word of God falls to the ground unfulfilled.
How We Can Respond
As Christians today, we are invited to:
Stand with Israel — not politically, but covenantally, praying for her peace and redemption.
Resist anti-Semitism — in all its modern and ancient forms.
Embrace the Jewish roots of our faith — understanding that our Messiah is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Trust God's faithfulness — knowing that the God who kept His promises to Israel will keep His promises to us.
In a world of broken promises, Israel's story offers stubborn hope: God remembers. God restores. God reigns.
May we stand still long enough to hear the siren. May we bow low enough to honor the sacrifice. May we lift our eyes high enough to see the fireworks of promise fulfilled.
Because the God of Abraham is still writing the story.
And the end will be glory.
About The Jewish Road
At the heart of The Jewish Road lies a passion ignited by a father-son duo, Ron and Matt Davis. Our journey began with a simple yet profound desire: to bridge the gap in understanding that has kept two faith communities apart for too long. We're here to help Christians connect with the roots of their faith and for Jews to explore the life and teachings of Jesus with an open heart.
Imagine a world where every believer, be they Jewish or Christian, not only knows their faith but truly understands its origins and interconnectedness. We strive to restore the Jewish essence of the Gospel, offering insights that deepen knowledge, bolster faith, and propel the growth of the Kingdom. The narrative of faith, we believe, is a two-act play where both acts are essential for a comprehensive grasp of the story. By uniting these acts, we're presenting a more holistic and enriching perspective.
Life is too short to wander without knowing the full essence of your beliefs. Whether you're attending a synagogue or a church, there's so much more to discover. The Jewish Road is here to guide, enlighten, and, most importantly, bring both halves of the story together. Join us on this journey; together
