{
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  "title": "Yom Yerushalayim",
  "summary": "The 28th of Iyar — commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967.",
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      "title": "Yom Yerushalayim",
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    "article": {
      "slug": "holidays-modern-observances-yom-yerushalayim",
      "title": "Yom Yerushalayim",
      "deck": "The 28th of Iyar — commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967.",
      "summary": "Summary. Yom Yerushalayim (\"Jerusalem Day\"), 28 Iyar, commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of June 7, 1967 / 28 Iyar 5727. From 1948 to 1967, the Old City of Jerusalem (including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount) was under Jordanian control and inaccessible to Jews; on that morning, Israeli paratroopers under Motta Gur captured the Old City. The radio broadcast of Motta Gur's words — \"Har HaBayit b'yadeinu!\" (\"The Temple Mount is in our hands!\") — and the subsequent prayer at the Western Wall by Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren and General Rabbi Goren's shofar blowing are among the iconic moments of modern Jewish history.",
      "level": "essential",
      "sectionSlug": "holidays",
      "tags": [
        "yom yerushalayim",
        "jerusalem",
        "1967"
      ],
      "publishedAt": "2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z",
      "wordCount": 512,
      "readMinutes": 2
    },
    "section": {
      "slug": "sacred-time",
      "title": "Sacred Time"
    },
    "image": null,
    "blocks": [
      {
        "type": "summary",
        "body": "Summary. [Yom Yerushalayim](/glossary.json#letter-Y) (\"Jerusalem Day\"), 28 [Iyar](/glossary.json#letter-I), commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of June 7, 1967 / 28 Iyar 5727. From 1948 to 1967, the Old City of Jerusalem (including the [Western Wall](/glossary.json#letter-W) and the Temple Mount) was under Jordanian control and inaccessible to Jews; on that morning, Israeli paratroopers under [Motta Gur](/glossary.json#letter-M) captured the Old City. The radio broadcast of Motta Gur's words — \"Har HaBayit b'yadeinu!\" (\"The Temple Mount is in our hands!\") — and the subsequent prayer and [shofar](/glossary.json#letter-S) blowing at the Western Wall by the IDF's Chief [Rabbi Shlomo Goren](/glossary.json#letter-R) are among the iconic moments of modern Jewish history.",
        "text": "Summary. Yom Yerushalayim (\"Jerusalem Day\"), 28 Iyar, commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of June 7, 1967 / 28 Iyar 5727. From 1948 to 1967, the Old City of Jerusalem (including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount) was under Jordanian control and inaccessible to Jews; on that morning, Israeli paratroopers under Motta Gur captured the Old City. The radio broadcast of Motta Gur's words — \"Har HaBayit b'yadeinu!\" (\"The Temple Mount is in our hands!\") — and the subsequent prayer and shofar blowing at the Western Wall by the IDF's Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren are among the iconic moments of modern Jewish history."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Historical Context",
        "text": "Historical Context"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "In the lead-up to the Six-Day War (May–June 1967), Egypt, Syria, and Jordan threatened the destruction of Israel; massive Arab armies mobilized on Israel's borders. Israel launched preemptive air strikes on June 5, destroying the Egyptian Air Force on the ground. Over the next six days, Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), Gaza, and (most religiously significant) the Old City of Jerusalem with the Western Wall. The Israeli paratroopers' capture of the Old City on June 7 / 28 Iyar is the day commemorated.",
        "text": "In the lead-up to the Six-Day War (May–June 1967), Egypt, Syria, and Jordan threatened the destruction of Israel; massive Arab armies mobilized on Israel's borders. Israel launched preemptive air strikes on June 5, destroying the Egyptian Air Force on the ground. Over the next six days, Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), Gaza, and (most religiously significant) the Old City of Jerusalem with the Western Wall. The Israeli paratroopers' capture of the Old City on June 7 / 28 Iyar is the day commemorated."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "The Religious Significance",
        "text": "The Religious Significance"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "For 19 years (1948–1967), Jews had been forbidden access to the Western Wall and to the Old City. The Jordanian government desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, destroyed dozens of synagogues in the Old City Jewish Quarter, and used Jewish gravestones as paving for military latrines. The capture of the Old City restored Jewish access. For Religious Zionists, this was unmistakably miraculous — a fulfillment of the ancient prayers for the return to Jerusalem. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel established Yom Yerushalayim as a holiday with full [Hallel](/glossary.json#letter-H) and a special liturgy.",
        "text": "For 19 years (1948–1967), Jews had been forbidden access to the Western Wall and to the Old City. The Jordanian government desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, destroyed dozens of synagogues in the Old City Jewish Quarter, and used Jewish gravestones as paving for military latrines. The capture of the Old City restored Jewish access. For Religious Zionists, this was unmistakably miraculous — a fulfillment of the ancient prayers for the return to Jerusalem. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel established Yom Yerushalayim as a holiday with full Hallel and a special liturgy."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Observance",
        "text": "Observance"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Modern Orthodox](/glossary.json#letter-M) and Religious Zionist communities observe Yom Yerushalayim with festive liturgy: Hallel, the special [Haftarah](/glossary.json#letter-H), the prayer for the State of Israel, the prayer for the IDF, and substantial communal celebration. In Israel, the day includes the Yom Yerushalayim Flag March — a massive procession of religious Zionist youth through the Old City, ending at the Western Wall. The march has become controversial in recent years, particularly the portion that passes through the Muslim Quarter. Israeli [Haredi](/glossary.json#letter-H) communities are largely abstainers from Yom Yerushalayim observance. Diaspora observance is most active in Modern [Orthodox](/glossary.json#letter-O) and Religious Zionist settings.",
        "text": "Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist communities observe Yom Yerushalayim with festive liturgy: Hallel, the special Haftarah, the prayer for the State of Israel, the prayer for the IDF, and substantial communal celebration. In Israel, the day includes the Yom Yerushalayim Flag March — a massive procession of religious Zionist youth through the Old City, ending at the Western Wall. The march has become controversial in recent years, particularly the portion that passes through the Muslim Quarter. Israeli Haredi communities are largely abstainers from Yom Yerushalayim observance. Diaspora observance is most active in Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist settings."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Where Denominations Diverge",
        "text": "Where Denominations Diverge"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist communities observe with full liturgy. Conservative observance varies. [Reform](/glossary.json#letter-R) congregations often note the day. Haredi observance is largely absent.",
        "text": "Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist communities observe with full liturgy. Conservative observance varies. Reform congregations often note the day. Haredi observance is largely absent."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Sources",
        "text": "Sources"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Israeli Knesset Law on Jerusalem Day (1968, refined 1998).",
        "text": "Israeli Knesset Law on Jerusalem Day (1968, refined 1998)."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Chief Rabbinate of Israel, liturgy for Yom Yerushalayim.",
        "text": "Chief Rabbinate of Israel, liturgy for Yom Yerushalayim."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day](https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/yom-yerushalayim) — Hebcal.",
        "text": "Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day — Hebcal."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[The Western Wall (Kotel)](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/588219/jewish/Western-Wall-Kotel.htm) — Chabad.org.",
        "text": "The Western Wall (Kotel) — Chabad.org."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[The Six-Day War: Background & Overview](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and-overview-six-day-war) — Jewish Virtual Library.",
        "text": "The Six-Day War: Background & Overview — Jewish Virtual Library."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "[15 Jerusalem Facts Every Jew Should Know](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4066879/jewish/15-Jerusalem-Facts-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm) — Chabad.org.",
        "text": "15 Jerusalem Facts Every Jew Should Know — Chabad.org."
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "body": "Further Reading",
        "text": "Further Reading"
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Yossi Klein Halevi, Like Dreamers.",
        "text": "Yossi Klein Halevi, Like Dreamers."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Michael Oren, Six Days of War.",
        "text": "Michael Oren, Six Days of War."
      },
      {
        "type": "paragraph",
        "body": "Daniel Gordis, Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn — Six-Day War chapter.",
        "text": "Daniel Gordis, Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn — Six-Day War chapter."
      }
    ],
    "related": [
      {
        "slug": "holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah",
        "title": "Rosh Hashanah",
        "href": "/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.json"
      },
      {
        "slug": "holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur",
        "title": "Yom Kippur",
        "href": "/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.json"
      },
      {
        "slug": "holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot",
        "title": "Sukkot",
        "href": "/articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.json"
      },
      {
        "slug": "holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah",
        "title": "Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah",
        "href": "/articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.json"
      }
    ],
    "goDeeper": [
      {
        "slug": "calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day",
        "title": "Daf Yomi: A Page a Day",
        "level": "deeper",
        "href": "/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.json"
      },
      {
        "slug": "holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts",
        "title": "The Four Minor Fasts",
        "level": "deeper",
        "href": "/articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.json"
      }
    ],
    "glossary": {
      "hallel": {
        "term": "Hallel",
        "hebrew": "הַלֵּל",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The sequence of praise Psalms (113–118) sung on festivals, on Rosh Chodesh, and throughout Hanukkah.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "haredi": {
        "term": "Haredi",
        "hebrew": "חֲרֵדִי",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Literally 'trembling' (before God) — describing the strictly Orthodox communities, including the Hasidic and Lithuanian-yeshiva worlds, marked by intensive Torah study and deliberate distance from secular culture.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "iyar": {
        "term": "Iyar",
        "hebrew": "אִיָּר",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The spring month that follows Nisan in the Jewish calendar; it holds Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut, Lag BaOmer, and Yom Yerushalayim.",
        "moreSlug": "calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works"
      },
      "modern-orthodox": {
        "term": "Modern Orthodox",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Modern Orthodoxy is the stream of Orthodox Judaism that combines full Halachic observance with active engagement in general society, secular education, and often Zionism — distinct from Haredi communities that maintain greater separation from the surrounding culture.",
        "moreSlug": "essentials-essential-judaica-kippah"
      },
      "motta-gur": {
        "term": "Motta Gur",
        "hebrew": "מוטה גור",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Mordechai 'Motta' Gur (1930-1995), the Israeli paratroop commander whose radio call 'Har HaBayit b'yadeinu' ('The Temple Mount is in our hands') during the Six-Day War announced the capture of Jerusalem's Old City; he later served as IDF Chief of Staff.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-modern-observances-yom-yerushalayim"
      },
      "orthodox-judaism": {
        "term": "Orthodox Judaism",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations.",
        "moreSlug": "how-to-use-this-field-guide"
      },
      "shlomo-goren": {
        "term": "Rabbi Shlomo Goren",
        "hebrew": "שלמה גורן",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Chief Rabbi of Israel and formerly Chief Rabbi of the IDF (1917-1994), remembered for blowing the shofar at the Western Wall moments after its capture during the Six-Day War in 1967.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-modern-observances-yom-yerushalayim"
      },
      "reform-judaism": {
        "term": "Reform Judaism",
        "hebrew": null,
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis.",
        "moreSlug": "how-to-use-this-field-guide"
      },
      "western-wall": {
        "term": "Western Wall",
        "hebrew": "הַכֹּתֶל הַמַּעֲרָבִי",
        "translit": "HaKotel HaMa'aravi",
        "definition": "The surviving retaining wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem — Judaism's most cherished place of prayer, accessible to Jews again since 1967.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "yom-yerushalayim": {
        "term": "Yom Yerushalayim",
        "hebrew": "יום ירושלים",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "Jerusalem Day (28 Iyar), commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967, when the Old City and the Western Wall returned to Jewish hands.",
        "moreSlug": "holidays-modern-observances-yom-yerushalayim"
      },
      "haftarah": {
        "term": "haftarah",
        "hebrew": "הַפְטָרָה",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "The selection from the Prophets chanted after the Torah reading on Shabbat and festivals, chosen for its thematic link to the day or the weekly portion.",
        "moreSlug": null
      },
      "shofar": {
        "term": "shofar",
        "hebrew": "שופר",
        "translit": null,
        "definition": "A ram's horn sounded on Rosh Hashanah and at the close of Yom Kippur, producing the piercing blasts that call the listener to repentance.",
        "moreSlug": null
      }
    }
  },
  "links": [
    {
      "rel": "parent",
      "title": "Sacred Time",
      "href": "/sections/sacred-time.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Rosh Hashanah",
      "href": "/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Yom Kippur",
      "href": "/articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Sukkot",
      "href": "/articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah",
      "href": "/articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "Daf Yomi: A Page a Day",
      "href": "/articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.json"
    },
    {
      "rel": "related",
      "title": "The Four Minor Fasts",
      "href": "/articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.json"
    }
  ]
}