Jewish Art

Jerusalem Day: A Dream Come True

Jerusalem-Photography-Poster-Kotel-Temple-Mount_smallYom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) is the newest holiday on the Jewish calendar, one that commemorates the liberation and reunification of Israel’s capital on the third day of the Six-Day War in June 1967. Since the War of Independence in 1948, Jerusalem had been divided, with the western side of the city under Israeli control, and the eastern side under the control of Jordan. After eastern Jerusalem was liberated, the dividing walls were destroyed and soon after the Knesset passed legislation officially extending Israeli sovereignty over the entire city.

Although Jerusalem has been considered the capital city of the Jewish people since the time of King David, who conquered and built it as the capital of his kingship in approximately 1000 B.C.E., 1967 marked the first time in thousands of years that the entire city of Jerusalem, the holiest city in Judaism, was under total Jewish sovereignty! The following year, on May 12, 1968, the Israeli government voted to commemorate this day as “Jerusalem Day.”

15365240-panoramic-view-of-jerusalem-from-mountain-of-olives--israelThe aftermath of this day was far-reaching not only in the Jewish collective consciousness, but on the ground as well. Jerusalem underwent an intensive process of development. Institutions were built, new neighborhoods were set up, an extensive system of transportation infrastructure was constructed, and the city’s population skyrocketed.

Almost fifty years later, Jerusalem day continues to be an annual celebration of the Israel’s unbreakable bond with Jerusalem. Sung at every Jewish wedding throughout history were the words: Im eshkachech Yerushalayim tishkach yemini. Tidbak l’shoni l’chiki im lo ezkerechi, im lo e’aleh et Yerushalayim al rosh simchati. (If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy.) Even in the moment of greatest joy, we were always mindful of our unfulfilled national destiny as symbolized by the ruins of Jerusalem. The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE began thousands of years of exile of the Jewish people. The reunification of Jerusalem was considered another important step in their long awaited redemption, an ancient dream finally coming true.

JWS POST YOU MAY LIKE

Israeli navy. Warship at sea. Israel flag over ocean. Israeli defense forces navy. Warship under blue sky. Navy to participate in war. Israeli warship blurred. Ship TSAHAL in ocean.
The Untold Story of the Israeli Navy
The Israeli Navy was established in 1948 as part of the Israel Defense Forces, and has evolved into a formidable
top view of kippah, matza and wine, jewish Passover holiday concept
Your 2024 Guide to Passover Prep & Shopping
Passover 2024 begins at sundown on Monday, April 22 and lasts for seven days in Israel and eight in the diaspora,
Passover Seder plate with traditional food on table
Passover 2024 Is Coming!
Passover Is Sooner Than You Think! Passover 2024, one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar, begins at
Colorful painting portrait art of the biblical Queen Esther of Persia. Christian illustration. Generative AI.
The Special Fast of Esther
March 21, 2024, is the Fast of Esther on the Jewish calendar in preparation for the holiday of Purim. Read
Preparing pastries with poppy seed (Hamantaschen) for Purim
Our Top Hamantaschen Recipes for Purim
Get ready for Purim 2024 with these scrumptious and easy-to-follow hamantaschen recipes – whether you’re into classic, traditional flavors or
AdobeStock_234001105-1-2048x1184
Our Top Mishloach Manot Tips & Ideas for Purim 2024
  Purim is arguably the happiest of Jewish holidays: a day spent masquerading in costume and fun outfits, drinking and