The Flag Over Ponovezh

On Israel's Independence Day the Ponevezher Rav insisted that the flag of Israel be flown outside the Ponovezh yeshivah, a practice that continues to this day. He also did not say Tachanun, the daily prayer of penitence, that day, as a sign of celebration.

When he was asked how he could omit Tachanun but not say Hallel, a prayer of celebration, he answered with a smile that he was following the practice of David Ben Gurion, who also said neither Hallel nor Tachanun on that day.