Miracles of the Six-Day War: Stories from the Western Wall's Liberation

The Six-Day War, which took place from June 5 to June 10, 1967, was a decisive conflict in the history of Israel. One of its most central and famous events was the liberation of the Western Wall—a place that the rabbis of the past said had always been graced by the divine presence. The stunning victory and the liberation of the Wall were seen by many as a miraculous occurrence. In this article, we will review the events that led to the liberation of the Western Wall, the testimonies of miracles and supernatural occurrences during the battle, and the impact of this event on the Jewish people and the entire world.

Background to the Six-Day War and the Liberation of Jerusalem

In the months leading up to the Six-Day War, tensions between Israel and its neighbors were escalating. Jordan, which had controlled East Jerusalem and the Western Wall since 1948, was part of the Arab coalition preparing to attack Israel. On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a comprehensive offensive aimed at the armies of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. The attack on the Jordanian front began following relentless fire from Jordan into West Jerusalem.

The Battle for Jerusalem and the Liberation of the Western Wall

On the night of June 6, 1967, the IDF high command decided to embark on an operation to capture East Jerusalem. The paratrooper brigade commander, Motta Gur, received the order to capture the Old City and liberate the Western Wall. The paratroopers moved toward the Old City with the aim of entering through the Lion's Gate. On the morning of June 7, 1967, after fierce battles at the Lion's Gate and throughout the Old City, the paratroopers succeeded in breaching the Old City and reaching the Western Wall. The moment was intensely emotional. Soldiers, both religious and secular, leaned against the Wall, wept with emotion, and offered prayers of thanks. Brigade Commander Motta Gur announced loudly and emotionally over the radio: "The Temple Mount is in our hands!"

Testimonies of Miracles During the Liberation of the Wall

1. Jordanian Soldiers Who Saw "Giant Soldiers"

There are reports of Jordanian soldiers fleeing the area of the Wall even before the Israeli forces arrived. These soldiers reported seeing immense and terrifying soldiers before their eyes, causing them to flee in panic. Such reports bolster the belief in a higher presence aiding the IDF in its mission. ("The History of the Six-Day War: From Operation Sinai to the War of Attrition").

2. A Sense of Higher Guidance

One commander recounted that when they reached the Lion's Gate, they witnessed a bright light guiding them toward the Wall, as if an unseen hand was showing them the way. The soldiers felt there was a divine force directing and protecting them. The feeling was that the divine presence was with them throughout. ("Champions of Hope: The Story of the Six-Day War").

3. A Sense of Sanctity and Spiritual Uplift

Many soldiers reported a sense of holiness and spiritual uplift when they reached the Wall. One fighter, Avraham Dinur, described in his book "The Six-Day War" the feelings he experienced when he touched the stones of the Wall: "It was as if I was touching the hand of God. A feeling of holiness and spirituality overwhelmed me, and I couldn't stop the tears". ("The Six-Day War").

Rabbi Zamir Cohen on the Amazing Miracle of Jerusalem's Liberation:

The Soldiers' Testimonies on the Liberation of the Wall

Motta Gur

Motta Gur, the paratrooper brigade commander, was among the first to enter the Old City and reach the Wall. In his book "The Temple Mount is in Our Hands", he describes the moments of reaching the Wall as "a historic event beyond words". He talks about the deep emotion felt by all the fighters, the tears in their eyes, and the moment they realized the immense significance of the event for the entire Jewish people. ("The Temple Mount is in Our Hands").

Rabbi Shlomo Goren

Rabbi Shlomo Goren, who was the chief rabbi of the IDF at that time, joined the fighting forces and was among the first to pray at the Western Wall after its liberation. He blew the shofar at the Wall and recited the "Shehechiyanu" blessing. Rabbi Goren spoke about the sense of holiness that enveloped the moment and the feeling of standing in a place where our ancestors stood thousands of years ago. ("Am Yisrael Chai")

Ordinary Soldiers

Many soldiers who participated in the liberation of the Wall shared their deep feelings of emotion when they first touched the stones of the Wall. One of them, Yaakov Tzur, writes in his book "Following the Fighters" about the tears streaming from his eyes when he realized he stood at the holiest site for the Jewish people. He speaks of a sense of belonging and a deep connection to his ancestors and Jewish heritage. ("Following the Fighters").

Danny Mass

Danny Mass, one of the soldiers fighting in the Wall's liberation, recounted in his book "Between the Wall and the Walls" the moment he reached the Wall and saw the ancient stones. He described the feelings he experienced: "I stood before the Wall and felt as if I was in a place where our ancestors had stood thousands of years ago. The feeling was as if time had stopped, and history and the present met in a single moment". ("Between the Wall and the Walls").

David, the Jerusalemite Symbol

David, a symbol of Jerusalem, recounts: "After Jenin, we advanced to conquer the 'West Bank', and suddenly, shots were fired at us from an orchard. I thought it was some lone soldier or a local resident deciding to fire his weapon. I told the unit to move forward while I entered the orchard alone. What did I find there? About forty soldiers and irregular Arabs, members of a civilian guard who joined them, all armed. For a moment, I was stunned and thought this might be the end for me. Why did I dare to venture out alone after gunfire, only to find myself in a no-win situation? At the last moment, I decided not to surrender easily, to fight to the last bullet, and then fall. In fact, I did not have to fight, nor did I fall. From above, their hands were bound; they raised their hands in surrender to just one soldier—me—and I only had to complete the task."

Yoav Gal

Yoav Gal, one of the fighters who participated in Jerusalem's liberation, described his feelings when he touched the Wall: "It was a moment beyond words. The feeling was as though an invisible hand touched my shoulder and guided me. I felt the divine presence was with us all along." ("On the Way to the Wall").

The Impact on the Jewish People

The liberation of the Western Wall was a defining moment for the Jewish people. After 19 years when access to the Wall had been denied to Jews, the Wall once again became a focal point for prayer and pilgrimage. The event of liberating the Wall resonated worldwide, enhancing the sense of unity and national pride among the Jewish people.

The miracle of liberating East Jerusalem and the remnant of the Temple brought significant changes to the political and diplomatic arena. Israel declared united Jerusalem as its eternal and undivided capital, despite international opposition. This declaration increased tension in the Middle East but also solidified Israel's status as a sovereign nation with control over Jerusalem.

The capture of East Jerusalem and the liberation of the Western Wall in the Six-Day War is one of the central moments that left a deep impression on the memories of the soldiers and participants in the battle. The events leading to the liberation of the Old City, the miracles that occurred during the battle, and the testimonies of the soldiers on the ground paint a picture of miraculous and supernatural victory, accompanied by a sense of holiness and spiritual elevation. The stories and testimonies of the miracles and supernatural occurrences during the battle reinforce the belief in the divine presence that was with the soldiers.