Independence Day of Israel (Yom Ha-Atsma'ut). Israel's National Day, the Anniversary of the Proclamation of Its Independence on 5 Iyyar, 1948 (5708). It Was Declared a Religious Holiday by the Israel Chief Rabbinate Which Formulated a Special Order of Service for the Evening and Morning Service Now Incorporated in Many Standard Editions of Israeli and Diaspora Prayer Books. The Service Included the Hallel, and a Prophetical Reading (Isa. 10:32-11:12) to Be Said without the Accompanying Benedictions. The Rabbinate Also Suspended Any Fast Falling on That Day, Recitation of the Tahanun Prayer, and the Suspension of Mourning Restrictions of the Omer Period. By Knesset Statute, Independence Day Is Moved to the Preceding Thursday If It Falls on Friday or Saturday to Avoid Desecration of the Sabbath. Many Worshipers with the Support of Rabbi Shlomo Goren and the Religious Kibbutz Movement Felt That the Rabbinate's Response Was Inadequate. They Recite the Accompanying Benedictions and the She-Heheyanu Blessing. Reactions of the Ultra-Orthodox Have Ranged from the De Facto Acceptance by the Agudat Israel Movement of the Secular Character of the Day as a National Holiday, Carefully Refraining from Giving It Any Religious Expression, to Proclaiming It a Day of Mourning and Lamentation as Do the anti-Zionist Neture Karta.   The Normative Halakhic Opinion on the Liturgical Prescriptions for Independence Day Is Expressed in a Responsum Issued by R. Meshullam Rath, a Leading Halakhic Authority at the Time. He Wrote: "There Is Not the Slightest Shadow of a Doubt That It Is a Religious Duty to Celebrate This Day Which Commemorates the Miracle of Our Deliverance and Liberation... All Authorities Concur That for a Miracle Which Affects the Whole Jewish People, Which This Event Certainly Did, the Hallel Should Be Recited Complete with Its Benediction, with Eulogies for the Dead and Fasting Forbidden...Nevertheless concerning the Pronouncing of the Hallel Benediction I Cannot Render a Decision Binding Future Generations since This Would Be an Innovation after a Lapse of 2,000 Years. For This I Need the Prior Assent of the Leading Rabbinic Authorities. Similarly the Recital of the She-Heheyanu Is Halakhically Justified but Cannot Be Imposed. Whoever Wishes to Is Certainly Authorized to Pronounce It...the Person for Whom the Anniversary of the State Constitutes an Occasion of Genuine Happiness and Joy Is Not Only Permitted to Pronounce the Blessing, but He Is Obliged to!" (Kol Mevasser No. 21 P.68).   In Israel, the Previous Day (4 Iyyar) Is Set Aside as a Day of Remembrance (Yom Ha-Zikkaron) for Remembering Israeli Soldiers Who Fell in Battle.   Yizkor (Memorial) Prayers, Including the Kaddish, Are Recited on That Day, and Next-of-Kin Visit the Military Cemeteries. In the Home, Memorial Candles Are Lit and in Many Congregations Psalm 9 - "over the Death of the Son", Is Also Read.