Overview: Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem
Day)
Yom Yerushalayim--Jerusalem Day--is the most recent
addition to the Hebrew calendar. It is celebrated on the 28th day of Iyar (six
weeks after the Passover seder, one week before the eve of Shavuot). Although
Jerusalem has been considered the capital city of the Jewish people since the
time of King David--who conquered it and built it as the seat of his monarchy
in approximately 1000 B.C.E.--there has never been a special day in honor of
the city until the Israeli army took over the ancient, eastern part of the city
on the third day of the Six-Day War in June 1967.
Shortly after the Six Day War, "a municipal
unification" of the two sections of the city took place, ending 19 years
of separation between predominantly Arab and Jewish suburbs of Jerusalem,
following the War of Independence in 1948.
Due to the young age of this holiday, there is still not
much which makes it unique in terms of customs and traditions. It is gradually
becoming a "pilgrimage" day, when thousands of Israelis travel (some
hike!) to Jerusalem to demonstrate solidarity with the city. This show of
solidarity is of special importance to the state of Israel, since the
international community has never approved the "reunification" of the
city under Israeli sovereignty, and many countries have not recognized Jerusalem
as the capital of the Jewish State (The United Nations "partition
plan" of November 1947 assigned a status of "International City"
to Jerusalem).
The Israeli education system devotes the week preceding this
day to enhancing the knowledge of the history and geography of the city, with a
special emphasis on the unique role that it played in Jewish messianic
aspirations since Biblical times.
The status of Yom Yerushalayim in Jewish religious life
seems more ambiguous than the religious status of Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel
Independence Day). Following the model of Yom Ha'atzmaut, the Chief Rabbinate
of Israel has decided that this day should also be marked with the recital of
Hallel (psalms of praise), and with the lengthier version of Psukei d'Zimra
(the psalms in the earlier part of the morning service). It is quite clear that
ultra-Orthodox Jews, in Israel and abroad, have not accepted Yom Yerushalayim,
but it is not clear how many Orthodox Jews chant the Hallel psalms on this day.
Israel's Progressive (Reform) prayerbook notes that Hallel
should be recited on Yom Yerushalayim, but not so the Masorti
(Conservative) prayerbook, which does suggest a list of supplemental readings
for this day. The American Conservative siddur, Sim Shalom, mentions
that Hallel is recited "in some congregations" on Yom Yerushalayim.
The ambiguity of the religious status of this holiday is
reflected in celebrations--or lack thereof-- outside of Israel. While the city
of Jerusalem has significant meaning for all Jews, Yom Yerushalayim has yet to
obtain the popularity of Yom Ha'atzmaut and is not observed extensively outside
of Israel.
In
addition, unlike Yom Ha'atzmaut--which is a day to celebrate the existence and
successes of the modern Jewish state--Yom Yerushalayim can make some
politically liberal Jews outside of Israel uncomfortable, due to the continuing
conflicts over the future of the city. Even some Jews who believe that the city
should remain undivided and under Israel's control choose not to emphasize Yom
Yerushalayim as a day of joy because of the deeply emotional, violent, and
controversial state of affairs surrounding the Arab portions of Jerusalem.
Others, however, believe that despite the current political conflicts, an
undivided Jerusalem is something to be celebrated openly and unhesitatingly, a
sign like Yom Ha'atzmaut of Jewish political independence.
A common citation in Yom Yerushalayim celebrations in Israel
is the quote (Psalm 122:4) Ir shehubrah lah yahdaiv-- "a city that
is compact together" or "a city uniting all." (This translation
is probably influenced by a rabbinic midrash on this verse which interpreted
the phrase to reflect events in rabbinic times. In using the citation today, a
modern midrash has been built on the rabbinic interpretation.)
The course which Yom Yerushalayim will take in future
decades will be influenced, undoubtedly by the political developments which
will determine the status of the city in future times.
