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The Religious Zionists of America led an effort that brought more than 500 people from dozens of communities across the United States to participate in a four-day mega-Yom Yerushalayim celebration in Israel on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. The conference, which was organized by and run in partnership with World Mizrachi, attracted 1200 people from across the globe and thousands more from Israel. The program included a live concert, presentations from leading rabbinic and political figures from both Israel and abroad, an uplifting Leil Yom Yerushalayim T’fillah in the Great Synagogue, an unprecedented and inspiring unified Shacharit at the Kotel, tours of the Old City and a trip to Chevron and Har HaZeitim.

Dr. Ernest Agatstein, co-president of the Religious Zionists of America, said “I was impressed by the large turnout of men and women from across the United States who picked themselves up in the middle of a busy work week to attend with their city delegations often led by their shul rabbis. US delegations included attendees from Los Angeles, Chicago, Columbus, Highland Park, Englewood, Livingston and the Five Towns. These participants joined together with delegations from England, South Africa, Canada, Mexico and Australia in celebrating this historic milestone.”

Rabbi Leonard Matanky, co-president of the RZA, joined from West Rogers Park, Illinois. He remarked, “the World Mizrachi mission was not only a huge success, it was an extraordinary kiddush Hashem, bringing together thousands of people from the four corners of the earth to celebrate God’s miracles and gift of Yerushalayim. To all who came and all who created this mission—we are so very grateful. And to anyone who missed this opportunity, I pray that they find opportunities to visit and bask in the glory of our eternal capital.”

Rabbi Elazar Muskin, senior rabbi of the Young Israel of Century City in Los Angeles, added “While walking in Jerusalem a few days ago, as part of the Mizrachi Yom Yerushalayim program, a TV reporter for Israel TV Channel 2 stopped and asked if she could interview me. Wondering why we traveled halfway around the globe, and spent thousands of dollars for the trip, she asked me what motivated us to attend. I explained that this was our way of saying thank you to God for giving us the great miracle of the Six-Day War, and more generally the great miracle of the state of Israel. It was our way of saying thank you to God for the great miracle of the Soviet aliyah, which was inspired and was a direct outcome of the Six-Day War. It was our way of saying thank you to God for the prosperity we enjoy today in Israel that was not even a dream in 1967.”

Jack Forgash of Teaneck said, “I spent Yom Yerushalayim in Israel with RZA-Mizrachi, and Shavuot following. Seeing is believing, the miracles that are taking place in our generation are just awesome. Stop for a moment, think, listen and look around—you’ll get it and thank Hashem for delivering in our time.”

Rabbi Shlomo Appel of Jamaica Estates, New York, remarked, “I was looking forward to being in Yerushalayim for this very special anniversary of the reunification of the city. The program put together by Mizrachi Olami, beginning with the concert in Binyenai Haumah, the lectures, tours and especially the tefillah at the Kotel on Yom Yerushalayim morning were moving and inspirational far exceeding all expectations.”

From the Columbus, Ohio contingent, Steven Lessnick said, “Being in Jerusalem for YY50 felt like returning from the exile. It helped me to appreciate the historical and spiritual moment we are living in.” Rabbi Howard Zack, also from Columbus, added “For me the YY50 program was transformative and energizing. Aside from the historical greatness of the event, it was amazing to see the depth and breadth of growth in the Religious Zionist community in Israel, of which Mizrachi is a central figure. I returned with a renewed commitment to connect my congregation, through Mizrachi and the RZA, with programs and opportunities in Israel and to bring more of Israel’s Religious Zionist leaders to our community.”

Rabbi Elie Mischel, rabbi of Suburban Torah in Livingston, New Jersey, remarked, “Though I have the good fortune to visit Israel often, being in Yerushalayim with Mizrachi for the 50th anniversary of its reunification was uniquely powerful. Dancing and singing together with tens of thousands of young Jews, witnessing firsthand the ever-growing spiritual strength of our people, was uplifting beyond words.”

Dr. Ernie Agatstein of Los Angeles added, “It felt like Klal Yisrael was reenacting the pilgrimage that used to take place three times a year when the Beit Hamikdash stood.”

The programming coordinated by a team led by Rabbi Doron Perez of World Mizrachi brought the most talented and recognized speakers from around the world. Presenters included former Chief Rabbi of the UK Lord Jonathan Sacks, YU Rosh Yeshiva Rav Herschel Schachter, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of South Africa Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel Rabbi David Lau, Jewish Agency President Natan Sharansky, Minister of Knesset Michael Oren, President of the Conference of Presidents Malcolm Hoenlein and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. There was even a session focused on the future of world-wide Religious Zionism that was attended by the 80 or so Religious Zionist rabbis who had attended from overseas.

The Religious Zionists of America proudly sent the largest overseas contingent—many hundreds of individuals from dozens of communities—to represent the United States at the YY50 conference.

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On Sunday night tens of thousands of people were gathered outside the Old City walls – facing the Tower of David – to witness the historic opening ceremony of Yom Yerushalayim 50. Click here to see three minute video.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Ruby Rivlin and new US Ambassador David Friedman were all in attendance. The ceremony included an unprecedented sound & light show projected onto the Old City walls. But what was most remarkable about this show was that it told the story of the Jewish People. It reminded us that our history in this location dates back, not 50 years, but 3800 years. We saw images of Akeidat Yitzchak, Jacob’s ladder, King David, prophets and centuries of Jewish presence in Jerusalem.

On Monday morning I went to daven Shacharit at the Kotel. How meaningful it was for me to pray by the Wall where my great-grandfather prayed. To touch the stones that my great-grandfather touched. HaRav Yosef Shloush Z”L was one of the great rabbinic leaders of the Sefardic community in Jerusalem. (He was the Rosh Av Beit Din – head of the Jewish Court and Rosh Chevra Kadisha – head of the burial society – of the Moroccan community in Jerusalem.) He lived in the Old City and had a Synagogue in the Old City. But in 1948 – like the rest of the Jews of the Ir HaAtika – he and his family were exiled from their home and community. He had to open a new Synagogue in Nachlaot and find a new home nearby.

On Monday evening there was an extraordinary Yom Yerushalayim celebration hosted by Mizrachi at Binyanei Haumah. We heard remarks from Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Minister Naftali Bennett and Racheli Frankel. We also enjoyed a high-energy inspirational concert lead by music sensation Yaakov Shwekey.

In the days ahead we look forward to more celebrations and opportunities to express our Hakarat HaTov for this incredible gift of a United Yerushalayim. It’s hard to believe that just 50 years ago, a barbed wire fence divided the city of Jerusalem and that sniper fire was part of life in Jerusalem.

2000 years ago the Jewish People were exiled en masse from our beloved city and homeland. Since that time, in every corner of the world, Jews recited, mournfully, the immortal words “Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim Tishkach Yemini.”  Rabbi Sacks said “In all of history, no People ever loved a city like the Jewish People loved Jerusalem. We are the People that never stopped dreaming.”

How fitting that this coming Shabbat we will read “Parshat HaDegalim.” In Parshat Bamidbar we highlight the encampments of the Jewish People when they traveled in the desert. The Jewish People traveled in a very specific, box formation. Three tribes on each side, each with their own flag and the Aron HaKodesh (holy ark) in the center. What a colorful illustration. Rashi tells us that this paralleled the way that the brothers surrounded their father’s coffin (as instructed by Yaakov before his death) when they accompanied him out of Egypt to be buried in the Me’arat HaMachpelah. Each brother was assigned a specific spot. Three on each side. The Kli Yakar informs us similarly that the travel formation in the desert also parallels what the Bnai Yisrael witnessed at Mt. Sinai. The Midrash tells us that the sky opened up and the Jewish People looked Heavenward. There they saw the angels up Above, with flags, surrounding the Kiseh HaKavod (Divine throne). Am Yisrael eagerly sought to mirror this practice.

If we could be imaginative, I would like to suggest that this idea could be extended to a fourth sketch or scheme as well. Look at a map of the world. Spread it out and notice the configuration of the continents. North and South America are to the West. Asia and Australia are to the East. Europe is in the North and Africa is in the South. Remarkably, the tiny State of Israel sits in the very center of the map. Furthermore, Jerusalem is situated in the center of Israel and Har HaBayit (Temple Mount) appears in the center of Jerusalem. How incredibly moving that much like the tribes surround the Ark of Hashem, the entire world encircles the State of Israel. Jews in every country pray toward Yerushalayim. Where ever we are, our minds are upon Jerusalem. We hold our Degalim; our Jewish pride, devotion and identity as we face Jerusalem. What a fabulous image.

Yerushalayim is our core. It is our center. It is our Neshama. It is the air we breathe. We have an unbreakable bond with Jerusalem; a bond that has lasted for thousands of years. Jerusalem is in the heart of every Jew.

Minister Naftali Bennett reminded us of this when he intimated that, growing up in America, his parents were not religious. But they always felt connected to Jerusalem. They were glued to the radio during those critical days, fifty years ago, when Jerusalem was under siege. And when they heard that Jerusalem was liberated they picked themselves up and moved to Israel.

On this Jubilee anniversary of the Six Day War, please be encouraged to not let this day go by idly. Why not attend an event in celebration of this historic milestone? (You can see a sample listing of Yom Yerushalayim programs around the country at www.rza.org.) At the very least, go to Shul and sing Hallel. Say it slowly and with a full-heart. Utter the words written by your great-grandfather King David as he sat in his royal palace three thousand years ago in Jerusalem. Thank G-d for the gift Am Yisrael has been given and pray that we should merit to see this blessing continue until the arrival of the Mashiach.

Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!

Rabbi Gideon Shloush

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One of the feelings I had in Jerusalem, over the week I was there, was akin to what  our  ancestors  may have felt  when making the  three  times  a  year Aliya  Leregel,  visiting the Temple  on the three national holidays  when  Jews  from  all over  the  Diaspora  would join their  countrymen  in the land of  Israel in celebration. On this   mega  mission celebrating the  50th  anniversary of  the  re-unification    of  Yerushalayim under  Jewish control  after nearly  2000 years of  foreign rule,  delegations  with their  rabbis   took  time off  from  their  work  schedules and  came  from  the USA, South Africa, England , Canada , Australia, Mexico   and France all for one purpose – to give  thanksgiving   to Hashem  for the miracles  of the  6  Day War and  to  participate  with hundreds  of thousands  of  Israeli   citizens in their  celebration of  this special  Yom Yerushalayim .

The  Mizrachi program  would only   begin Monday night. My wife  and  I arrived before  Shabbos to  experience  what is  known  as  Shabbat Yerushalayim . Davening Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel was   truly magical. The  plaza in front  of the Kotel was  completely filled, unusual  for  a  regular Friday night. Sitting down in chairs  in the  middle of the plaza   were  hundreds  of  white shirted, kippot  srugot wearing Yeshivot Hesder students who davened  a Carlebach  nusach without a chazzan, all singing  in unison. To the sides  of them  were  Shtreimel  wearing Chassidic  Jews davening their  nusach.  Behind  them  was  a group of  Litvish  yeshivish students  with their  rebbe . By far  the  dominant  group on this  Shabbos  were  the  religious   Zionist  contingent  in terms  of  numbers . At the  end  of  Lecha  Dodi  when  they came  to the verse   Boi  Beshalom  a  large  circle was  formed  with  dancing as  is  typical  for  a Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat. Each group  formed  their  own circle. At one point  I  thought to myself, wouldn’t it be a great Kiddush  Hashem  for  all the  groups  to join  in one  circle  and  demonstrate  achdus? But then in a  flash, I remembered the  Midrash of Krias  Yam  Suf, the splitting of the Red  Sea  when  the  sea  split into 12  rows, one  for  each  tribe, demonstrating  that  for  Klal Yisrael, we  can have  different  modes  of dress, different customs, different  niggunim, but as  long as  we  are devoting our  thoughts  to Avodas  Hashem,  the service  of G-d, all  groups  are  considered  equally pleasing  in the  eyes  of Hashem.

Shabbos before  Yom Yerushalayim is designated  Shabbat  Yerushalayim. At the  Beit Knesset  Hagadol, the  Great  Synagogue, in the  heart of  Jerusalem, in honor  of this  auspicious  Shabbos, the two  Chief   Rabbis  of  Jerusalem  are sitting  on the  dais  with  the  Chazzan  and the  choir.    It feels like  a  Yom Tov.    Every  seat  is  filled. Ashkenazi Chief  Rabbi  Aryeh  Stern speaks  before  Krias  Hatorah. He  asks,  why is Mount Sinai,  after the giving of the Torah never  given  any  prominence-we  don’t  even  know  where  it is. On the  other hand,  we  say  Ki Mitzion Tezeh Torah  Udvar Hashem  Miyerushalayim –from Zion shall  go  forth Torah  and  the  word  of G-d  from Jerusalem.  He  answered  that Torah  must  have  mesirus  nefesh, self  sacrifice,  connected  with it, for  it to  be  spread. He pointed  out  that  Akedas  Yitzchak,  the  binding of Isaac,  the ultimate  example  of  mesirus nefesh occurs  on Mount Moriah, the site of the future temple.  In  1967, 175  paratroopers  gave  their  lives  to   liberate  the  Kotel .Chazal say that the  ultimate  way  to gain  Torah  knowledge is to  study “Pas  Bamelach Tochal”- “eating  bread  with  salt”- a  euphemism  for studying  in deprivation and  want  with  great  self  sacrifice. Tzahal, the Israel Defense  Forces,  protects  all  the  people of the State  of Israel to allow  them  to study  Torah in peace with  great  mesirut  nefesh. Thus  indeed  does  Torah  disseminate  throughout  the world  due  to the  mesirut  nefesh  that  emanates  from  it. Rabbi Stern noted  that the  Omer  period has traditionally been  associated  with  mourning  for the  24,000  students   of  Rabbi Akiva  who died  during this period.  In our own  generation,  we  have seen the beginnings  of  comfort  to Klal  Yisrael during this very  same  period. At the beginning of the Omer, close in time  to Pesach,  when  we  were  born as  a   nation,  comes  Yom Haatazmaut when Klal  Yisrael once  again is reborn  as  a nation on its  own sovereign soil .  At the end of  the Omer  period,   close  to Shavuos  when  we  received the Torah,  comes  Yom  Yerushalayim   when spirituality  was  re-infused  into  a  modern secular  State  of  Israel. The Jewish people return to the  Kotel, Kever  Rachel,  Maarat   Hamachpela,  Judea  and Samaria  and an  overall refocus  on Torah,  Yeshivot,  and  Ba’al  Tshuvah  movements.

Rabbi Shlomo Amar Sephardic  Chief  Rabbi  of  Jerusalem  spoke  before  Mussaf.  He  quoted from the  Parsha  of that week  Parsha  Bechokosai  when   after  recounting  the  calamities  of the Tochecha  the Torah   speaks  in comforting tones-Vezacharti  Es  Brisi  Yakov-and I will remember  my  covenant  with Jacob.   Here  Yakov is spelled   with a superfluos  Vav .  Only five times  in Tanach is Yakov spelled in this  full format. Says   the   Midrash, Elijah  the  Prophet   is spelled  five  times  without a vav  as  in  the  verse   of  Malachi 3:25,   “Hineh Anochi Sholech  Lachem es  Elia   Hanavih – Behold  I  shall send  you  the  prophet  Elijah” –  there  the    Eliahu  is spelled  without a vav-Elia.  Yakov  is  homiletically holding  Eliyahu’s  letter   vav  hostage   until he  comes  and  announces  the  coming of the  Messiah.  Asks  Rav  Amar  -why the letter  vav and  not another  letter?   Answers Rav  Amar  quoting Rabenu Bechaya- In  Shmos  8:19   “Vesamti Pedus Beyni Uven Amecha  I Shall make  a  Distinction  Between  you  and the  Egyptians”      There  the  word   pedus  is   spelled  without a  vav. The redemption from   Egypt is destined  to be   incomplete. The  Children of Israel  wander  in the desert    for  40 years  with all of the  Yotzai  Mitzrayim dying  before  entering the  land. We, Klal Yisrael  wander  in exile  for  2000  years. This is not full redemption.  The  pedus the  term  for  ultimate  redemption   is  Chaser –lacking .  Yakov   holds  Eliyahu’s  vav  hostage  and  says  I am not  making  your  name  whole  unless  you  return and  announce  the   true full redemption with Mashaich  Tzidkenu.  Why The vav? The vav is  the letter  of  chibur , of  connection. The name  Yerushalayim comes  form a  combination of  what  Avraham  called  Jerusalem  Yireh and  what Malkitzedek called  it Shalem;   but the heh  of Yireh is replaced  by a vav –  Yer  – U  – Shalayim. Jerusalem  is  the Ir Shechubra  La  Yachdav,   the  city that  King David  says  brings  all the  tribes  of  Israel together  as  one.  The  Vav  is  the  ultimate  connector , the  unifier and  we  know without  unity of the Jewish  people  we  will never  merit  full redemption .  Jerusalem  helps us  in this  unification process.

Nir  Barkat, the  Mayor of  Jerusalem,  spoke in shul after  Musaf as well.  A  secular  Jew  who  nevertheless spoke  about  Isaiah  the  prophet  roaming the  streets  of  Yerushalyim shows  how  the  term “secular’  is a misnomer. It seems that all Jews who live  in Medinat Yisrael whether  they  are  shomer Torah  Umitzvot or not have  a connection to the land and to  our  ancient past that is  unbreakable  and part of their  daily lives  and  rituals. He pointed   out that  Jerusalem  today  is one of the  top five high tech  cities  in the  world. Mobileye, a company that was bought by Intel for  15  billion dollars, is  pioneering the  technology that  drives  driverless  automobiles.  The  same  technology  is being used  to develop “Ohr Kam ”  a  company attempting   to  develop  sight  in the blind. He  noted  that  2/3  of  all students  in Jerusalem elementary  school  today  are Chareidi.  He  told us  that Machon Lev, a  religious science  college, has a program to train Chareidi students  who have  had  no elementary  or high school  education  and  in 15  months  prepares  them  to  start college, studying for an engineering  degree. This year the  school received  900 applications  from Chareidi  applicants  for  the  available  40  spots. If  “Torah” is taken  broadly  to mean “Torah Ohr”    wisdom of all types, then indeed  Ki Mitzion Teze  Torah- wisdom is  emanating  from Jerusalem to the  whole world  to better  humanity.

Sunday  night was  the official State  Of  Israel’s  celebration of  50  years of  Jerusalem’s   reunification . Hundreds  of  thousands  of  Jews of  all types gathered at Jaffa  gate  outside  the walls  of the Old City, sitting  in the  streets  with  their  children and  grandparents. The massive crowd included   secular  and  Chareidis  but  the  majority being of the religious  Zionist  persuasion.  In attendance  were  Prime  Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu and President    Reuven Rivlin,  both  who addressed  the  throngs  of  humanity with  stirring  and  inspirational words.  Projected  on the walls  of the  Old  City were  images of Akedas  Yitzchak  and  of  Yakov’s ladder  along  with  more  modern  images  of  the  tanks  of  1967  breaking through  to the  Kotel.  One  heard  the  voice  of  Colonel Motta  Gur announcing  Har  Habayit Beyadenu,  Rabbi Shlomo  Goren blowing the  shofar  at the liberated  Kotel,  images  of the  crying paratroopers  as they  hugged  and  kissed the ancient holy  stones.  As I watched  the spectacular  fireworks  and glorious  light show  projected  on the walls  and over  the walls  as  we  sat  in the streets  I could not help  but  remember   the evocative  phrases of  the prophet  Zecharia -od  yeshvu zekenim uzkenot birchovot  yerushalyim –once  again will sit elderly men and  women in the  streets  of  Jerusalem! The words  of  King David-Al  chomotaich yerushalayim hifkadeti  shomrim –on the  walls  of  Jerusalem we have appointed  watchmen.

Od  yeshama   beharei  yehuda  uvechuzhot  yerushalyim –once  again will be  heard   joyous song in the hills  of Judah and  the courtyards  of  Jerusalem. We  saw  all of this  with our  own  eyes  in our  own time!

On Monday night was  the  opening  event of the  World Mizrachi Mega  Mission.   Close  to  three  thousand   people  thronged  the  Binayanei Hauma to  take part  in  what could  only be termed an  extravaganza. The three  iconic  paratroopers  whose  image  was seen in all of the  newspapers  in 1967  gazing  up at the  Kotel were  there  50 years  later. People  clamored  to have their  picture taken  with them at a makeshift Kotel, trying to recapture  the magic  of  that  time  so long ago. Governor  Mike  Huckabee  among many  notable  speakers stood  proudly  with the  Jewish  people in requesting  the  move  of the  U.S.  Embassy  to  Jerusalem. A concert   given by  Yakov Shwecky delighted  hundreds  of  seminary girls  and  yeshiva  students  from  all around  Israel  who  were in attendance among the  audience.  The  ruach  of  joy  and celebration  for the miracles  of  1967  was  palpable in the  crowd.

Tuesday  brought  a  full day  Mizrachi  conference held  at the  Ramada  Renaissance  Hotel. Rabbi  Lord  Jonathan Sachs, former  Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth opened  the sessions.  He told how  he  used  to study Torah  with  Prime  Minister  Tony  Blair. On one occasion, Prime Minister  Blair  asked  him  why   did  the Creator devote only 34  verses to the creation of the  universe but  devoted  over 600 verses to the building of the Mishkan?  Rabbi Sachs  answered  evocatively- it  is  easy  for the Creator to build  a  home  for  human beings   in the  universe   but  very hard  for human beings  to build a  home  for the Creator  here on Earth. I thought  of the Midrash where  on  arriving  in  heaven to receive the Torah, the angels  confront  Moshe Rabenu and  ask Hashem   what is  a human being  doing here  in Shamayim? Hashem charges  Moshe  to give the  angels  an answer. He  asks  them –  do  you work  six  days  that  you  need  a Shabbos?  Do   you have  a  Yetzer  Hara that  you  can be given a  command  of  do not  commit  adultery? Rabbi Sachs reminded us  that 2017  is also the  100th  anniversary of the  Balfour  Declaration.  He asked   the  audience  to whom was  the declaration sent  to?  Of  course  to Lord  Rothschild, he  responded   casually remarking that the Knesset  building which houses   Israel’s  Parliament  was  donated  by the Rothschild family (among the   other  countless projects in Israel  they sponsored such as  the  magnificent  Supreme  Court  building  and  the  planned  National Library).

Rabbi  Sachs invoked   the Nazir, the prized student of  Rav Kook. In English, the metaphor  for  thoughts  and  ideas  is sight –one has foresight or  insight.  One  makes  a keen observation . In Judaism the metaphor  is  hearing- Shma  Yisrael –Hear O Israel  To  Shma   of the Talmud  – come and learn. The  exception in Judaism  is  when discussing Jerusalem Irya  Hayefeffia -the  beautiful city-   Mesos  Kol haaretz.   We  say mareh  Kohen on Yom Kippur  how beautiful is the sight of the Kohen   Gadol as  he  emerges from  the Kodesh Kadososhim. The aesthetic in Judaism is  linked  inextricably with Jerusalem  and the Beit Hamikdash.  On one of the  afternoons,  my  wife  and I  wandered  into the new  Museum  of  Hebrew  musical  instruments . At the end  of the tour  you put on a virtual reality headset  and  you  are suddenly transported  into the second  temple.  The  beauty  is  overwhelming. You look  right and left  and  you  are  with the Kohanim and  Leviim . As you  approach the Mizbeach  you  feel warm(your  brain  palying tricks)  You smell the incense.  You are   taken  up  by a lift that was  used  by the priests  to  clean the  Kodesh  Kadoshim and  you  enter  the inner  sanctum – the Holy of  Holies- on the  way  up you see  the  city of Jerusalem  as it  stood  2000 thousand  years  ago. You  are  connected  in a  powerful way  to our  ancient  and  glorious past  but  using  21st  century  technology in modern day Jerusalem.

One final thought from  Rabbi Sachs   resonated  with me. He   told a group of 700  seminary  girls  later  in the afternoon  the  value of  spiritual  goods  over  material goods.  If you  start  with  one thousand  dollars  and  give  one  hundred  away  you  are  left  with less.  If you give  love  and  add  friendship to  your  life   you end  up with more,  and not less .

Rabbi Hershel Shechter, Rosh Yeshiva  of  Yeshiva University, gave  a shiur  on Har  Habayit  to  over  700  yeshiva  students  in the morning. Michael  Oren,   the former  ambassador  of  Israel to the U.S.  and  author of  The   6 Day War, recounted  the  military  miracles  of the war. He noted that  the day after  the successful prosecution of  the  war,  the United  States  who had  not  provided  even one bullet to the State  of  Israel   pre  1967, now  switched  its  strategic alliances  and  became a staunch ally.   This   was  reflected  that very  day  by  the  sight of  President Trump  landing Air Force One  in Tel Aviv   that very day directly from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  .   He  was  asked  by someone in the crowd  why, if  Israel  has the  truth  behind  it, it  often  loses  the propaganda  wars .  He  gave  the following  brilliant  metaphor.  Knowing the  truth is  not  enough. He noted  that  a modern  warplane in the air  is  a powerful tool  of  war, capable of  immense  destructive power.  However, if  destroyed  on the  ground(as  450 Egyptian and Syrian planes  were  in the first hour  of the  6 Day  war  which  ultimately  was the cause of the great  victory) it  is  a  worthless  piece of machinery.  So  too , if  we  keep   the  truth about Israel and its  rightful place in the Middle  East  to ourselves  and don’t share  it  with the outside  world  and  “keep it on the  ground as opposed   to  in the air  ” it  will also  not  be  the powerful tool  it could be.  It spoke to the need   for  all of  us  to be  vocal  ambassadors  of  that truth to  all with whom  we  come into contact .

Tuesday  night, the  start  of Yom Yerushalyim was  observed   at the  Great  Synagogue  with  a packed  house  and  the Chazan and choir davening  a Tefila  Chaggigit  with Hallel(no bracha) and  a major address  by Chief Rabbi of the British Isles  Ephraim Mirvis  and  executive  director  of the  Major Conference Presidents   Malcom Honlein.  The  following  morning we  joined  thousands of our  fellow  Jews  at the Kotel  for  Shachris  at  730 AM.   There was one  minyan  with one  chazzan leading the immense  crowd  that filled  the Kotel Plaza. When  we  reached the Amidah ,  a  hushed intense   silence  fell over the Plaza  . The  Hallel  was  recited  with a Bracha enunciated  by  thousands  with great  Kavana. It  honestly  felt  like  Yom Kippur  with  the intensity of  feeling,  recognizing that we were standing  and  giving  thanks   to  Hashem at the very site  that was  liberated  by those  brave  paratroopers.  Rav Chaim Drukman   said  the Tefila  Lishlom Hamedina   and Chief Rabbi Lau  recited  the  Achenu  Kol Beit Yisrael  with tears .

After davening ,we  went on a walking tour , recreating the  very steps  of the paratroopers  who liberated  the Kotel  walking all the way  to the Lions gate We  could see  Har  Habayit  through many  doors  that opened  to it  from the  Arab   quarter.  We  were told that almost  one thousand  Jews  went to the Mikveh and    physically  ascended    up to the Har Habayi, the Temple Mount itself  that  morning.   The  previous day,  a seminar  was held  between Rabbi  Glick  and  Rabbi Tarragon  debating what are the halachic  disputes  that  govern whether  we  should or  should not  ascend  to the  holy  site. It was just  thrilling and  emotionally  uplifting  to  just be in proximity to our  holy temple  site  of  distant past.  On the  march  to the  Lions  gate  we  asked  ,why  didn,t  the  soldiers stop  at the har  habayit itself?  Why did   they  run   only to the Kotel , the retainng wall that  surrounds  har  habayit ?  They  understtod  that the  Kotel  represented  2000 years  of  Jewish  yearning to return once  again to Jerusalem ,  Leshana   Haba  Biyurushalyim

Later  that  afternoon, we  gathered at The  Beit Knesset Hagadol  to hear Chief  Rabbi  of  South Africa  Warren Goldstein recount some of the miracles  of the  6 day  war.  He  noted that  between    7  and  8 AM, when the  Israel Air  Force  were destroying the  Egyptian planes on the  ground, the  Egyptian  commander  of the base had been  sent  entertainers  the night before  and  had  overslept  because  of  it.  The  Jordanians had  radar  that actually  detected  the  Israeli  armada in the  air  and attempted  to alert the Egyptians  but the radio code had  been  changed  the previous night and the Jordanian   messages had  not gotten through.    Zeh hayom asa  hash em nagila  venismaechah bo   This  day Hashem  has  made   – rejoice in it ,  sang   King David .The    open  miracles seen  during the  6  day  war were  indeed  wondrous.

Yossi Klein Halevi, the noted  author, spoke next.  He pointed  out  the   ways  in which Jewish   history  changed  because  of the  6  day  war.

It  returned   Judaism  to the  Israeli  narrative.  From 1948  to 1967 the secular narrative had  predominated. Achad Haam’s  quest to build  “a new  Jew” , with a  new  “Israeli”  culture,   strong   and  muscular,  exemplified by the kibbutz movement. Now  after  1967,  there  is  talk of messianism,  a  return  to the  holy places ,  a  resurgence  of Torah  with blossoming  of  new  yeshivot and seminaries  by the hundreds  so that  today there  is  more Torah being learned  in Israel  than in all prior generations.  Jews   from all over the  world  begin to  visit on a regular  basis after  1967 many sending their children  to study  for  a  year  after  high school. Many  make  Aliya  , particularly  to establish new  communities  in the biblical lands  of  Judea and  Samaria.  A massive  worldwide   baal  tsuvah  movement  begins  in earnest, returning  hundreds of thousands  to long lost  customs  and rituals. All of these events  are  triggered  by the victories in 1967.

The  6  day  war   returned  G-d  to many Jews. Many  survivors  of the Shoah, broken  in spirit as well as  body,  had  lost their  faith in the  Almighty. After  the  miracles  of 1967, many  forgave  G-d in seeing    the  mighty  hand of  Hashem and  his  miracles  in saving the  Jewsih  people  from potential destruction  and  returning  the  lost holy places  to our  control.  Why  no forgiveness  after  1948  and the establishment of the  State? Perhaps  it was  too  soon.  Perhaps  because  we  had lost the Old  City  of  Jerusalem .  It was  pointed  out that  perhaps  the Old  City  was  lost in 1948  because  of  lack of  unity  among the   nascent  Jewish  army   then –the  myriad fighting  forces  -the Hagana, the Palmach,  The  Irgun, the Stern  gang.   Perhaps  it was  won in   1967 because  of  unity- shomer  hatzair ( the  left wing  communist thoroughly secular  youth  movement) kibbutzniks side  by side  with their  Bnai Akiva (the  religious Zionist  youth  movement)  compatriots  in fighting their way, inch  by inch ,  to the  Kotel.

Finally, the  6 Day  war  returned  a million Soviet  refugees  eventually to   the  State   of Israel. Many of the early  refuseniks point  to their  hearing of the lightning  victories  by the Israeli  army in 1967 as  the  catalyst  to their return  to Judaism  after   the 70 years  of  bitter Soviet  persecution .

Wednesday  afternoon, 4 PM,  as  Yom Yerushalyim  begins  to  wind  down the  celebration begins in earnest. Hundreds of thousands  of marchers carrying Israeli  flags fill the streets  like  rivers  and  dance  and sing  towards the  Kotel. Streaming through the Damascus  gate , they are  an  unstoppable  force . If one has  not  observed  this  sight in person it is hard  to  describe  I  certainly  have never  seen this  display  of  patriotism  in the  United States or  perhaps  in any  country on Earth. This connection    between the  people  and  their State is visible  and  moving. It  truly  makes  one  feel  that one  who does  not  live here misses out on this aspect  of  our  religion- the nationhood attached to its  land  as Hashem  has  destined  us to be.

I say- next  year is the  70 th anniversary of the founding of the modern  State  of  Israel.  Lets  all make  plans  to be there  to  celebrate!

The post Fifty Years of United Jerusalem – A Celebration by Dr. Ernest H. Agatstein first appeared on The Religious Zionists of America.

Clause 5 contradicts the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, which states clearly in its first operative clause that “Jerusalem should remain an undivided city.”

President Trump recently went to Israel and made no mention of a two-state solution. When he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in February, he said: “I am looking at two states or one state, and I like the one that both parties like.” Prejudging the diplomatic process that President Trump is initiating would be a mistake.

The United States must recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as it has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3000 years and is the seat of government of the modern Jewish state. Just as the Jerusalem Embassy Act became law regardless of the diplomatic process being taken at the time, the American embassy should be moved to Jerusalem, without regard to whatever diplomatic process ensues during the Trump administration.

The RZA, who initiated a well-attended, bipartisan event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, calls upon Congress to pass Resolution 176, without the unnecessary and harmful fifth clause.

The post New Senate Resolution Commemorating Jerusalem Reunification by Martin Oliner first appeared on The Religious Zionists of America.

Dr. Ernie Agatstein of Los Angeles added “it felt like Klal Yisrael was reenacting the pilgrimage that used to take place three times a year when the Beit Hamikdash stood.”
The programming coordinated by a team led by Rabbi Doron Perez of World Mizrachi brought the most talented and recognized speakers from around the world. Presenters included former Chief Rabbi of the UK Lord Jonathan Sacks, YU Rosh Yeshiva Rav Herschel Schachter, Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of  South Africa Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel Rabbi David Lau, Jewish Agency President Natan Sharansky, Minister of Knesset Michael Oren, President of the Conference of Presidents Malcolm Hoenlein and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. There was even a session focused on the future of world-wide Religious Zionism that was attended by the eighty or so Religious Zionist rabbis who had attended from overseas.
RZA Executive Vice President Rabbi Gideon Shloush noted “we are pleased that RZA-Mizrachi is making strides with advancing the mission of Religious Zionism here in America. We proudly sent the largest overseas contingent – hundreds of individuals from dozens of communities – to represent the United States at the World Mizrachi YY50 conference. This was an extraordinary event and one of several initiatives RZA-Mizrachi ran in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem.”

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The post Watch – Incredible Yom Yerushalayim 50 – Sound & Light Show first appeared on The Religious Zionists of America.

Published in The Jerusalem Post May 22nd, 2017.

In a parting interview with The Jerusalem Post six years ago, Arizona Senator Jon Kyl said his biggest regret in three decades of public service was adding a presidential waiver to the Jerusalem Embassy Act that he authored in 1995.

The law requires the US to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and passed by a 93 to five vote, despite the objection of president Bill Clinton. But the waiver enables American presidents to suspend implementation of the law for six months. Kyl said he was a brandnew senator then, so he let himself be talked into it by veteran pro-Israel senators.

“What I regret is that when we did this, we were told that it couldn’t happen by ‘friends’ of Israel in the Senate who insisted that they would be supportive as long as the waiver was included,” Kyl recalled. “I should have tested them and seen if they would have voted against it without the waiver. In a spirit of reconciliation, I put in the waiver, and the rest is history.”

President Barack Obama signed the last waiver in December. That means moving the embassy has been delayed to the end of May.

The post Push for embassy move to Jerusalem with head held high by Martin Oliner first appeared on The Religious Zionists of America.