by Rabbi David Woznica
This Monday will mark 50 years since June 5, 1967, the first of six days that would shape Jewish and world history. In May of that year Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced, “Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel.” Iraq’s president Aref declared: “Our goal is clear – to wipe Israel off the map.” Egypt and Syria agreed to combine armies and later Jordan agreed to join in. Now the three largest countries around Israel had joined together with the intent to destroy the Jewish state as other surrounding Arab countries agreed to send troops as well. The level of fear among Jews worldwide was extraordinary.
By the end of the war, which Israel so wished to avoid, Israel had defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria. The war concluded on June 10 with a ceasefire agreement the next day. Yitzhak Rabin was given the honor of naming the war. Among the proposed suggestions were, “War of Daring,” “War of Salvation,” and “War of the Sons of Light.” Michael Oren notes Rabin “chose the least ostentatious, the Six-Day War, evoking the days of creation.”
Judaism’s holiest sites were now in Israel’s hands. Today’s generation of Jews has grown up knowing they have access to the Kotel (Western Wall — the outer wall surrounding the Temple Mount). May they, and we, never take this blessing for granted.
And may Israel and her neighbors know peace.
