Festivals and celebrationsMiddle EastJewish
Day of Salvation and Liberation
In its own language: יום השחרור וההצלה
A Jewish holiday on the 26th of Iyar to thank God for saving Jews from Nazi annihilation.
This Jewish holiday falls on the 26th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. It marks the victory over Nazi Germany and the rescue of the Jewish people from total destruction. Communities light candles and hold prayers to express gratitude for this deliverance.
When is Day of Salvation and Liberation kept?
Day of Salvation and Liberation is kept on the 26th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.
The Day of Salvation and Liberation is a Jewish holiday observed on the 26th of Iyar. It honors the defeat of Nazi Germany and the survival of the Jewish people during the Holocaust. The date aligns with the historical surrender in May 1945 according to the Hebrew calendar. Communities use this time to give thanks for their rescue.
Origins and history
German Zakharyayev proposed the idea in 2013 as a religious alternative to secular Victory Day celebrations. He sought support from Jewish leaders rather than governments. The Chief Rabbinate of Russia created specific prayers for the occasion. Initial reactions among rabbis were mixed. Some viewed it only as a day of remembrance due to the massive loss of life. Others saw sacred meaning in the salvation provided by the Allied forces. By 2014, events took place at the Knesset and the Western Wall. France hosted a major conference in Toulouse in 2015 to formalize the date. Israel passed legislation recognizing the holiday in 2018.
How it is kept
Observances include lighting three candles at home or in synagogues. The first candle honors God's will in rescuing the community. The second remembers those who sacrificed their lives. The third pays tribute to the warriors who fought for liberation. Prayer services feature a set of texts called 'Thank and Glory to Your Great Name.' Leaders gather at significant sites like the Western Wall and the United Nations headquarters. These gatherings bring together chief rabbis from many countries to pray together.
Religious significance
The holiday distinguishes itself from secular Victory Days by focusing on spiritual gratitude. It frames the historical victory as a divine act of salvation. Many compare the feeling to the freedom celebrated during Passover. The day acknowledges the miracle of surviving extermination camps. It also serves to honor the Righteous Among the Nations. Participants thank God for delivering the Jewish people from annihilation. The observance connects the military victory to a deeper religious narrative of redemption.
Global observance
The celebration extends beyond Israel and Russia. Events have been held in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe headquarters. Representatives from the White House and Russian administration have attended gatherings. Chief rabbis from nations including Italy, Germany, and Poland join the prayers. The initiative aims to unify Jewish communities worldwide in this specific commemoration. It stands alongside other holidays like Hanukkah and Purim as a rabbinically decreed festival.
How Day of Salvation and Liberation is kept
Communities light three candles and attend prayer services. The candles represent God's rescue, the memory of the dead, and the honoring of fighters. Synagogues and homes host these rituals. Leaders gather at the Western Wall and international bodies to pray together.
When and where
It falls on the 26th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This date corresponds to May 9, 1945, in the Gregorian calendar. The timing reflects the belief that the same spiritual event repeats annually on this Hebrew date.
It is strongest in Israel and Russia. Observances occur in synagogues across Europe and North America. Major ceremonies take place in Jerusalem, Moscow, and Toulouse.
What Day of Salvation and Liberation means
The holiday symbolizes divine intervention and survival against impossible odds. It transforms a military victory into a spiritual moment of redemption. The candles represent gratitude, memory, and honor. It connects the historical rescue to the ancient theme of moving from slavery to freedom.
Questions people ask about Day of Salvation and Liberation
When is Day of Salvation and Liberation kept?
Day of Salvation and Liberation is kept on the 26th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.
What is the Day of Salvation and Liberation?
It is a Jewish holiday on the 26th of Iyar. It commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany and the saving of Jews from annihilation. It focuses on religious gratitude rather than just political victory.
Why is it distinct from Victory Day?
While Victory Day is a secular national holiday, this is a religious observance. It emphasizes thanking God for the miracle of survival. It includes specific prayers and candle lighting rituals not found in secular celebrations.
Who supports this holiday?
It is supported by the Chief Rabbinate of Russia and Israel. Many chief rabbis from around the world participate in prayers. It was recognized by the Israeli parliament in 2018.
See also
HanukkahAn eight-day Jewish festival marking the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a single day'
MaslenitsaA seven-day Eastern Slavic festival of pancakes and bonfires marking the end of winter before Lent.
Mardi GrasA festive day of parades and rich foods marking the final celebration before the Christian fasting season of Lent begins
SabantuyA summer festival of folk sports and feasting celebrated by Tatar, Bashkir, Chuvash, and Kazakh communities.Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Day of Salvation and Liberation", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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