Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day
2006 - 26th May
2007 - 16th May
2008 - 2nd June
2009 - 22nd May
2010 - 12th MayOn Yom Yerushalayim, the Old City of Jerusalem was liberated during the Six Day War of 1967. Yom Yerushalayim is celebrated on the 28th of the Jewish calendar month of Iyar, which this year (2004) falls on May 19th. Jerusalem has always been considered to be the heart of Israel, and of the Jewish nation worldwide. It has served as the Jewish capital for 3,000 years, since the reign of King David. Both Temples were built in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, the holiest site in the world for all Jews. The first was built during the reign of King Solomon in 950 BCE and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. The second was completed in 515 BCE and was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. Three times a year (the Shalosh Regalim - Pesach, Shavuot and Succot), the Jews of Israel would make a pilgrimage to the Temple with thanksgiving offerings. Our siddurim (prayerbooks) are full of references to Zion and Jerusalem. Observant Jews face Jerusalem as they pray. Jewish poetry and liturgy speak of Jerusalem with beautiful imagery and fervent longing. "For the sake of Zion, I will not keep silent
And for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest
Until its righteousness flares like a comet
And its deliverance, like a flaming torch."
(Isaiah 62:1) "A song shall be heard
In the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem
The voice of joy and the voice of gladness,
The voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride."
(Jeremiah 33:10-11) "Thus says the L-rd:
I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
There shall yet old men and old women
b Sit in the broad places of Jerusalem.
And the broad places of the city
Shall be full of boys and girls playing."
(Zechariah 8:3-5) "By the rivers of Babylon
There we sat,
Sat and wept,
As we remembered Zion.
…If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand wither;
Let my tongue stick to my palate
If I cease to think of you,
If I do not recall Jerusalem
In my happiest hour."
(Psalms 137) For an excellent retelling of the recapturing of the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six Day War, check out the Virtual Jerusalem site at www.virtualjerusalem.com To celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, thousands of people march around the city, and a public memorial ceremony is held for Israeli soldiers who fell in battle for Jerusalem. Thousands flock to the Kotel, (the Western Wall still remaining from the Second Temple,) for festive prayer services and to sing and dance. Also on the WUJS site:
Yom Yerushalayim Activity.
More Jewish Activities on various topics.
This year's dates for Yom Yerushalayim can be found in our Jewish Calendar.
Backgrounds on other festivals in the Jewish Calender Elsewhere on the web:
Background on Yom Yerushalayim from the Jewish Agency - Pedagogic Center |
