Yom Yerushalayim

Yom Yerushalayim is the newest holiday in the Jewish calendar. We celebrate the great victory of the Six Day War, when the entire city was back in Jewish hands. After nearly 2000 years, the Kotel was again available to receive our prayers.

The name, “Yerushalayim” was created by way of a joint effort between Shem, the son of Noach, and Avraham Avinu.

The Torah tells us that Shem called the place, “Shalem,” which means both “complete,” and “peace.” When Avraham came to sacrifice his beloved son, Yitzchak, he called the place “Hashem Yir’eh,” meaning, “G-d will see.” It also means to be in awe.

The combination of the two words, יראה and שלם, gives us the name, “Yerushalayim.” It reflects the idea of “seeing” in a complete and peaceful manner.

During our exile, we only saw Jerusalem in our prayers. We are fortunate enough today to be able to come to this holy city and feel its magic. There is a unique feeling of awe and peacefulness that permeates this place.

There is no other place on earth that equals it in sanctity. Many people have described their first visit to Jerusalem, when they broke down in tears when they saw the completeness of this part of the world, and how awesome it is. How fortunate are we to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim.