Editing The State of Israel (section)

== Torch Lighting Ceremonies ==
Before the Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations of 5771, the State of Israel honored Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, father of Rivky Holtzberg who was murdered by terrorists in the Mumbai attack in India, with lighting a torch at the Yom Hazikaron ceremony.

Rabbi Meir Drukman, Rabbi of Kiryat Motzkin and Chabad community Rabbi, publicly called for him to refrain from doing so. Later, Chabad Rabbis in Eretz Hakodesh, together with other Chabad Rabbis, issued a joint statement dissociating themselves from the torch lighting by a Chabad Chassid. In practice, Rabbi Rosenberg modified the traditional formula and said: "I am lighting this torch for the glory of the State of Eretz Yisrael."

Before the Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations of 5780, Chani Lifshitz, Chabad Shlucha in Kathmandu, was chosen to light a torch at the torch-lighting ceremony. The reason given by the Minister of Culture on behalf of the committee was "that she symbolizes mutual responsibility, warm hospitality, and love of the state, which characterize the holy work of Chabad houses worldwide, having established the Chabad house in Kathmandu with her husband about 20 years ago." About a week later, she canceled her participation at the request of the Chabad Beis Din.