Editing The State of Israel (section)

== Independence Day Celebration ==
The Rebbe rejected saying Hallel on the 5th of Iyar, even after the victory in the Six Day War, and said it was a blessing in vain. Additionally, he criticized the expression "my strength and might of my hand" that was heard in those days by military leaders, even though it was clear to everyone that these were open miracles:

"There is no place this year specifically, and even after the victory of the Six Day War, to change the conduct on Independence Day, and there is also no basis for the perspective of joy - for after such revealed miracles, the expression of joy should have been with an increase in matters of the Miracle Maker - Torah and holiness. Yet we see the opposite, the feeling of 'my strength and might of my hand' has grown (and they don't even emphasize so much the self-sacrifice of the fighters), despite that even the high-ranking officers admitted that 'this was the hand of Hashem'..."

After the 5th of Iyar 1948, the Rebbe painfully expressed regarding the claim that establishing the state is Atchalta D'Geulah: "Did we suffer 1900 years just to have a flag and representation in the UN?" On one occasion, the Rebbe said regarding Independence Day: "Not only is this not Atchalta D'Geulah, and not only is this not a holiday and day of salvation for Jews etc. - but this delayed the redemption for so many decades!" When the Center for Jewish Education printed a calendar, Rav Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov erased the words "Independence Day" that were written on the 5th of Iyar, and this received the Rebbe's approval.