Six Day War Reflections

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS

In 2009, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the founder of the Temple Institute, shared with us on film his experiences of the Six Day War. In the 1967 Six Day War, Rabbi Ariel was an IDF paratrooper who took part in the liberation of Jerusalem's old city and Temple Mount.

At the time we edited Rabbi Ariel's reflections and posted a short video. We feel that the historical value of Rabbi Ariel's vivid memories of the events he lived through leading up to and during the war, and, of course, his memories of the first days and nights on the Temple Mount following nearly 2,000 years since the Holy Temple was destroyed by the Romans, make the posting of Rabbi Ariel's reflections in their entirety, imperative.

We have divided the full interview into smaller segments and will be posting them every few days. We have added English subtitles and no additional footage. We believe you will find Rabbi Ariel’s words both informative and compelling.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 1: THE GATHERING STORM

In part 1, Rabbi Ariel recalls the national feeling of impending doom, in the weeks and days leading up to the Six Day War.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 2: START OF THE SIX DAY WAR

In part 2 of Rabbi Yisrael Ariel's reflections on the Six Day War, he recalls the opening hours of the Six Day War, fake news and the fears for the worst.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 3: CHANGE OF PLANS: JERUSALEM!

In part 3 of Rabbi Yisrael Ariel's reflections on the Six Day War, he recalls the sudden change of plans: his paratrooper division will not be parachuting over enemy lines in Sinai, but are redirected to Jerusalem!

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 4: TAKING THE OLD CITY

Rabbi Yisrael Ariel recalls arriving in Jerusalem, hearing the difficult news of friends who had died in battle, still not knowing what was happening in the other arenas... Seeing his soldiers' low spirits, Rav Goren, the Chief IDF Rabbi, inspires them with some tough love!

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 5: THE TEMPLE MOUNT!

To take the city or not to take the city? That was the question that the government of Israel deliberated on all through the night. Only the following morning did they decide: take the old city of Jerusalem! As a paratrooper waiting for his orders, Rabbi Ariel was focused on the religious practicalities of entering into the sanctified areas where the Holy Temple had stood!

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 6: THE TEMPLE MOUNT IS IN OUR HANDS!

Arriving on the Temple Mount, Rabbi Ariel, realizing the tremendous import of the moment, and the fact that he is treading upon sacred ground, is convinced that the Messianic era has begun!

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 7: MIXED FEELINGS AT THE WESTERN WALL

At the Western Wall Rabbi Ariel is reunited with his teachers and rabbis. Rav Goren, Chief Rabbi of the IDF arrives, and Rabbi Ariel realizes that things will never be the same again.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 8: GUARDING THE DOME OF THE ROCK

Ordered to guard over the Dome of the Rock, Rabbi Ariel, struck by the unparalleled significance of the place upon which he is standing, realizes the historical import of the moment, and understands that the age of rebuilding has begun.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 9: "IF YOU FOLLOW MY STATUTES"

"Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand..." (Leviticus 26:8) Rabbi Ariel, from his post at the Dome of the Rock, witnesses this verse come to life before his very eyes!

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 10: SHABBAT SHALOM!

Only while heading north on the eve of Shabbat to join in the battle on the Golan Heights does Rabbi Ariel learn for the first time that Israel is not on the eve of a new holocaust, but has sped to a miraculous victory over her enemies!

Glossary:
Muktze - objects that are forbidden to use on Shabbat.
Lechem mishne - refers to the two loaves of challot over which a blessing is made on Shabbat.
Lecha Dodi - traditional song sung during kaballat Shabbat - welcoming in the Shabbat.
Hesder soldier - a religious soldier who has enlisted in a program that combines religious studies with military service.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 11: BIRTH OF THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE

The war ends and the miracles that enabled Israel's return to her holy places are undeniable. Twenty years hence, seeing that the doors opened by the war are not being entered into, Rabbi Ariel establishes the Temple Institute.

RABBI YISRAEL ARIEL: SIX DAY WAR REFLECTIONS: PART 12: EPILOGUE

When Rabbi Ariel concluded his reflections, we asked him three questions.

More on Rabbi Ariel's wartime experiences!