Background:
The Six-Day War was fought between June 5th–10th, 1967 between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.Following the mobilization of the Egyptian forces along Israeli border in the Sinai Peninsula, Israel launched a series of pre-preemptive airstrikes against Egyptian airfields on June 5th.
The entire Egyptian air force was destroyed in a matter of hours, with few Israeli losses. Simultaneously, the Israelis launched a ground offensive into the Gaza strip and through the northern and central routes of the Sinai. Egyptian leader Nasser ordered evacuation of Sinai. June 6th-7th Israeli forces rushed westward in pursuit of the Egyptians’ disorganized and chaotic retreat inflicting heavy losses. By June 7th the Israelis had reached the Suez Canal and taken Sharm el Sheikhin the south of the peninsula. The conquest of Sinai was completed on June 8th.
The entire Egyptian air force was destroyed in a matter of hours, with few Israeli losses. Simultaneously, the Israelis launched a ground offensive into the Gaza strip and through the northern and central routes of the Sinai. Egyptian leader Nasser ordered evacuation of Sinai. June 6th-7th Israeli forces rushed westward in pursuit of the Egyptians’ disorganized and chaotic retreat inflicting heavy losses. By June 7th the Israelis had reached the Suez Canal and taken Sharm el Sheikhin the south of the peninsula. The conquest of Sinai was completed on June 8th.
On June 5th Syria and Jordan attacked Israel who retaliated immediately. Israel launched an offensive on June 7th against East Jerusalem, and Judean and Samarian cities Nablus and Bethlehem. King Hussein ordered Jordanian forces to retreat across River Jordan. Israeli forces moved forward into the rest of the Judea and Samaria unopposed. Israel’s retaliation against Syria came June 5th. The air strike in the evening destroyed two-thirds of the Syrian air force, giving Israel air superiority over Syria.
On June 9th General Moshe Dayan ordered the ground invasion of the Golan Heights. Despite extensive fortifications and heavy fighting, Israel broke through the Syrian first line of defense. By June 10th Israel had taken the Golan Heights and the Syrians retreated eastward.Soldiers after the Six Day War at the Western Wall On June 11th a ceasefire was signed. Less than a thousand Israelis had been killed compared to over 20,000 Arab forces. Israel’s military success was recognized worldwide as a stunning miracle from G-d Almighty. The area under Israeli control tripled, significantly contributing to the country’s defense. Israeli morale and international prestige was greatly increased by the outcome of the war. Across the Arab world Jewish communities were expelled.
On June 9th General Moshe Dayan ordered the ground invasion of the Golan Heights. Despite extensive fortifications and heavy fighting, Israel broke through the Syrian first line of defense. By June 10th Israel had taken the Golan Heights and the Syrians retreated eastward.Soldiers after the Six Day War at the Western Wall On June 11th a ceasefire was signed. Less than a thousand Israelis had been killed compared to over 20,000 Arab forces. Israel’s military success was recognized worldwide as a stunning miracle from G-d Almighty. The area under Israeli control tripled, significantly contributing to the country’s defense. Israeli morale and international prestige was greatly increased by the outcome of the war. Across the Arab world Jewish communities were expelled.
Just days before the outbreak of the Six Day War the Rebbe spoke at a children’s rally, 18th Iyar 5727, May 28th 1967.
The Rebbe’s Talk:
All of us have gathered together in honor of the day of Lag B’Omer. Surely you all are aware of the main events of this day, that the disciples of Rabbi Akiva, from Lag B’Omer [33rd day of the counting after Passover] on, conducted themselves as their teacher, Rabbi Akiva taught them “Love your neighbor as yourself”, treat each other with honor. Secondly this is the day when Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai [author of the Zohar], one of the principle pupils of Rabbi Akiva, said that this is his day of rejoicing [and his passing] having reached the pinnacle of his studies and comprehension in Torah which he handed down to his pupils and they to their pupils finally reaching our times until the time when Moshiach will come and lead us all to the Land of Israel, may it be speedily in our time. All of these events that are related to Torah and the Commandments, as the Baal Shem Tov [the founder of the Chassidic movement] said, are not something of the past, an old story which once happened, which we retell from time gone by, but rather to teach, lead and instruct us as to how we must conduct ourselves, to be the fitting children of G-d, as the verse says “You are the children of the Lord your G-d”. Although the Temple of wood and stones for the time being lies in ruins, nevertheless the Holy Temple within the heart of every Jew remains intact. It is the duty of each of us to spread its light and holiness into our own lives and the lives of all those around us. Here is the special mission and directive for the children themselves and their friends, and also to influence their parents. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai accomplished this – that every Jew has the merit to be endowed by G-d with blessings for success in that when a Jew becomes more involved with Torah and Mitzvos he can bring deliverance to all those around him, bringing G-d’s blessings in everything they need.This brings us to a special lesson for today’s situation.
Your brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel are currently in a situation where G-d is protecting them and sending them His blessings, success, and salvation in an added measure so that they may emerge, and they will emerge from their current situation with success.
You have the special privilege to help them. Every time you study one more verse of Torah and through your performing another Mitzvah without missing any opportunity to do so, and love your friend as yourself, influencing your friends and relatives to use every opportunity to spread Torah and Mitzvos, you are helping them. As Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said, this saves every Jew wherever he may be, from the difficulties he is facing, and brings G-d’s salvation and success.
Then there will be fulfilled that which we read in yesterday’s Torah portion “You will dwell securely in your Land” – Jews in the Land of Israel will dwell there in security; “And I will place peace upon the Land”– G-d will draw down peace upon the Holy Land and “I will be your G-d”– G-d will be our G-d and the G-d of all Jews wherever they may be; “And you will be for me a Nation” – every one of you and all of us together, especially Jews in the Holy Land will be G-d’s People whom He will lead with “His full, open, Holy, wide Hand” out of all difficulties. He will bring them peace and security in everything they need, and very soon there will be fulfilled the verse of last week’s Torah portion “And I will lead you upright” [to your Land]. G-d will lead every Jew and all Jews with an upright posture with heads held high, very soon, in the true, complete and full Redemption through our righteous Moshiach who will come soon and take us, and especially the Jews who are in the Holy Land, out of this exile and He will draw down the Kingdom of Heaven with the true and complete redemption very soon, Amen. May it be G-d’s Will.
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