Jerusalem

49 years ago the Israel Defense Force did what no one thought could be done and won back Jerusalem.  There was plenty of planning and military strategy involved but if you read about how it all went down, you'll realize how much of it was pure luck, or some would say it was a pure miracle.

Somehow that was the easy part.

I moved to Israel almost nine years ago and have lived in Jerusalem the entire time.  Most days I look around and see reflections of the miracle all around me.  Jerusalem is in many ways a thriving city.  It is packed with families and single people, young and old.  We take the gan kids out for a walk and elderly people smile and wave and even bestow upon the kids eloquent blessings as we walk by.  It is the realization of Zechariah's prophecy (8:4).

But with my nine years of living here and my 31 years of accumulated wisdom (or I'd like to think so) I also see all the cracks in the walls, all the imperfections.  Many of them were always there, and many of them were even a result of what happened in 1967.

This past year I read the book Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore.  Jerusalem may have very well been a glorious place to live at one point, but for thousands of years it was actually pretty awful.  Like eyes being gorged out on a regular basis awful.  So in many ways, nothing has changed.

I also read Like Dreamers by Yossi Klein HaLevi (it was Israel/Zionist History year).  I strongly encourage everyone to read it, as it put so much into perspective for me.  I understand the mix of contradicting feelings I have when I attend the Rikudegalim on Yom Yerushalayim.  The joy and thrill of seeing throngs of people dancing through the streets waving flags, but how it hurts to know that between the streets of the center of town and the Western Wall, there will be participants who insist on banging on doors and windows of our Arab neighbors.  I love how the Rikudegalim can bring thousands of people together, but also alienate thousands of others whose love for Jerusalem is just as strong.  I think I understand a little more why the celebrations for Yom Yerushalayim are nothing like those for Yom Haatzmaut, but I wish that could change.

Jerusalem has a long history of military victories by different groups from different places.  Each victory was ultimately followed by continued bloodshed and oppression.   In 1967 the victory belonged to Israel.  It belonged to the Jewish people.  It gave thousands of people a place to come home to, including myself (but it also took away the homes of many).

The military victory is the easy part.  Jerusalem - the united city that is held together.  I look around and see all the cracks, and they make me mourn, but they also give me glimmers of hope.  Maybe this time it can be different.

Parashat Bamidbar tells about how the tribes of Israel walked together under their own unique flags.  Each flag was a reflection of their group, of their traditions.  Tribe members had a sense of belonging and group pride.  Everyone walked with their own tribe, but all the tribes walked together.  They maintained their group identity while walking together in the same direction with the same sense of purpose as the rest of the nation.

I celebrate Israel's victory on Yom Yerushalayim.  I celebrate the Jewish victory of prophecies being fulfilled.  And I continue to dream of a Jerusalem where all of its inhabitants (and I mean all), marching under our flags, can work towards creating a united and peaceful Jerusalem.  History does not have to repeat itself.  This time can be different.

Let us go up.  Let us build.