The Price of Miracles

The lore and miracle of six days in 1967 lives large, even for those who were not alive to witness it.

Retelling the radio transmission of Motta Gur claiming the Temple Mount is in [Israel’s] hands, still gives me chills. Each time I hear it replayed, I bite my lips to hold back tears.

I imagine this moment and the many feelings surrounding it, is much like 1967:

• Preemptively removing an imminent threat.
• Precise coordination of all the arteries of the Israeli Defense machine.
• Unity of the people, even amidst political divides.
• Pinpoint accuracy on targets and perfect execution of years of planning.
• Crippling the enemy and silencing their hubris.

We are witnessing another miracle.

Even miracles have prices to pay. While we can and should celebrate our swift dominance over Iranian airspace and the continued removal of existential threats, it comes with a price tag. Jews worldwide are carrying the receipts.

In almost 80 years of existence, Israel has never had half ton bombs land on its citizens. As of the time of this writing, there are 24 Israeli souls which have been killed by Iran’s nefarious actions. Countless are injured physically. Innumerable people will have emotional trauma that this war will cause. All this is happening in the backdrop of a nation still nursing its debilitating wounds from October 7, 2023.

This moment reminds me of a potent story that is emblematic of the Jewish narrative.

In 1967, when the Old City of Jerusalem was recaptured, then chief rabbi of the IDF, Shlomo Goren gathered a large group of soldiers, and they prayed at the Western Wall. This was the first time Israelis could pray at this ancient site in modern times. It was a wonder and a miracle.

Goren, a wildly learned and deeply respected rabbinic figure declared amongst the soldiers that on that day, June 7, 1967, which corresponded to the 28th of Iyyar, Hallel would be recited.

The dates in the calendar held no significance. The events unfolding, however, were unprecedented and Divinely inspired. Thus, Goren claimed that this moment was deserving of Hallel – the collection of Psalms and song that are recited on holidays.

Before Goren could begin the blessing over the Hallel prayer, some rank-and-file soldiers -not generals with clout or colonels with pull- challenged Goren saying, “We cannot recite Hallel. In fact, today we need to say Tachanun “- the penitential prayers admitting sin, acknowledging regret and asking for God’s mercy.

Goren looked at the sweaty and bloody fatigue-clad soldiers awaiting an explanation for their demand.

They continued, “We spent the last three hours collecting bodies of our comrades. They died so we can have this miracle. Dozens were dispatched to the hospital with unspeakable wounds. We will never erase from our memories the horrific sights we witnessed. Today is a day for lamentation. Not celebration. Tachanun. Not Hallel.”

Goren took a long pause. There was silence amidst the surrounding sounds of war.

He then declared adamantly, “No Hallel and no Tachanun.”

The soldiers slowly nodded in ascent at the Solomonic decision and then all the soldiers prayed in this sacred space. Religious and secular. Ashkenaz and Mizrahi. Those who captured the city and those that gathered bodies.

This moment, and I would contend our existence as Zionists, is embodied in this story.

We are a people that hold miracles and tragedy, pain and purpose, hope and fear in the same hand and often, at the same time.

As the nation of Israel continues to fight for its existence and provide safety of her citizens, may the urge for Hallel continue to be strong and may our collective hope of living in peace outshine the existential fear we have been inhaling deeply these days.

May God protect the soldiers and citizens of the State of Israel.