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pp. 1350-1351
Guide to the Jewish Year
מַדְרִיךְ לַשָּׁנָה הַיְּהוּדִית
Visible layers
generally planned to end at nightfall, when the celebrations of Yom HaAtzma'ut begin.
יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת
Yom HaAtzma'ut (5th of Iyar)
259 If the 5th of Iyar falls on Friday or Shabbat, Yom HaAtzma'ut is moved back to the preceding Thursday. If the 5th of Iyar falls on a Monday, Yom HaAtzma'ut is postponed to Tuesday.
260 On Yom HaAtzma'ut, the mourning customs of Sefirat HaOmer are suspended. It is permissible to cut one's hair, shave, attend parties, celebrate weddings and bar/bat mitzvas, and listen to music. The custom is to permit shaving and cutting one's hair before nightfall in honor of the holiday.
261 Ma'ariv: Customs differ (see pages 965-973). The service adopted by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is as follows: selections from Psalms and other readings precede Ma'ariv for weekdays. It is customary for the Shaliaḥ Tzibbur to lead Ma'ariv using melodies associated with Yom Tov. After the Amida, the Shaliaḥ Tzibbur says Full Kaddish. Responsive readings and Psalm 126 to the tune of "HaTikva" follow. The service concludes with the counting of the Omer, Aleinu, Mourner's Kaddish and communal singing of אֲנִי מַאֲמִין.
262 Shaḥarit: Pesukei DeZimra as for Shabbat and Yom Tov, but after Barukh She'amar, מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה (page 73) is said and prayers continue with Shaḥarit for weekdays. The Repetition of the Amida by the Shaliaḥ Tzibbur is followed by Hallel and Half Kaddish. On a Thursday (see law 259), the Torah is taken from the Ark and the appropriate section of the Torah is read. After the Torah reading, Half Kaddish is said. Haftara is said without blessings (page 975). The Prayer for the State of Israel (page 589) is said, followed by the Memorial Prayer for fallen soldiers (page963). Shaḥarit continues as for weekdays (page 173). At the end of the service, the congregation sings אֲנִי מַאֲמִין (page 977).
263 Taḥanun is omitted during Shaḥarit and Minḥa on the 5th of Iyar, even if Yom HaAtzma'ut is celebrated on a different day.
פֶּסַח שֵׁנִי
Pesaḥ Sheni (14th of Iyar)
264 Taḥanun is omitted during Shaḥarit and Minḥa but not on Minḥa of the preceding day.
לַ״ג בָּעֹמֶר
Lag BaOmer (18th of Iyar)
265 The mourning customs of Sefirat HaOmer are suspended. It is permissible to cut one's hair, shave, attend parties, celebrate weddings and bar/bat mitzvas, and listen to music [שו״ע ורמ״א או״ח, תצג:ב].
266 For most communites, the mourning period that started at Pesaḥ, ends after Lag BaOmer. For others, it continues until three days before Shavuot [שם] (see law 253).
267 When Lag BaOmer falls on Sunday, shaving and cutting one's hair are permitted on the preceding Friday, in honor of Shabbat.
268 Taḥanun is omitted during Shaḥarit and Minḥa [משנ״ב או״ח, תצג:ט].
יוֹם יְרוּשָׁלַיִם
Yom Yerushalayim (28th of Iyar)
269 The mourning customs of Sefirat HaOmer are suspended. It is permissible to cut one's hair, shave, attend parties, celebrate weddings and bar/bat mitzvas, and listen to music.
270 Shaḥarit: Pesukei DeZimra as for Shabbat and Yom Tov, but after Barukh She'amar, מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה (page 73) is said and prayers continue with Shaḥarit for weekdays. The Repetition of the Amida is followed by Hallel and Half Kaddish. On Mondays, the Torah is taken from the Ark and the appropriate section of the Torah is read. After the Torah reading, Half Kaddish is said, followed by the Prayer for the State of Israel. On Monday or Thursday, the Torah is returned to the Ark. Ashrei and וּבָא לְצִיּוֹן are said, followed by Full Kaddish, and the conclusion of the service is as for weekdays.
271 Taḥanun is omitted during Shaḥarit and Minḥa.
272 On the Shabbat preceding Rosh Ḥodesh Sivan, אָב הָרַחֲמִים is said (see law 146).
סִיוָן
SIVAN
273 From Rosh Ḥodesh Sivan until the day after Shavuot, Taḥanun is omitted in Shaḥarit and Minḥa [רמ״א או״ח, תצד:ג].
שְׁלֹשֶׁת יְמֵי הַגְּבָלָה
Sheloshet Yemei Hagbala (3rd-5th of Sivan)
274 The three days prior to Shavuot commemorate the three days before the Torah was given at Sinai, when the Jewish people were enjoined to prepare themselves for the Divine Revelation.