Question: Is it
permissible to stand in silence during the siren on Yom Ha-Shoah and on Remembrance
Day for fallen soldiers of Tzahal?
Answer: Some say
that it is forbidden on account of "Chukot Ha-Goyim" (following the
practices of the non-Jews). This is not "Chukot Ha-Goyim." The
Tosafot (Avodah Zarah 11a) define "Chukot Ha-Goyim" as an act rooted
in idol worship or devoid of meaning and the Maharik (#88) says that it has a
taint of heresy. But it is permissible to do something which non-Jews do if it
does not have roots in idol worship and is logical, such as doctors wearing
white coats or wearing glasses. Standing in silence for the Shoah or for fallen
soldiers is therefore not considered "Chukot Ha-Goyim," since it is
to honor them. Furthermore, there are no other nations in which the entire
nation stands in silence for a tragedy or for fallen soldiers.
Others
claim that this act is "Bitul Torah" (taking time away from learning
Torah). But there is no problem to think about Torah or learn Torah by heart
related to the self-sacrifice during that time.
I once saw
in the name of the Kabbalist, Ha-Rav Ashlag, that the siren has an aspect of
wiping out the memory of Amalek similar to making noise upon hearing Haman's
name. If this is so, then there is certainly no problem. It is difficult to
agree or disagree since it is not clearly exact how this wipes out the memory
of Amalek.
Regardless,
the entire community stands in silence for the Holocaust or for fallen soldiers
and one should not separate himself from the community. There are certainly
better paths in our traditions for remembering the deceased – learning Mishnayot,
reciting "Kel Maleh Rachamim," etc… - but here one should not
separate from the community.
