Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 10/8/2003

Question
HI im a 28 yr old recent catholic turned christian. Becoming more interested in our lord Jesus' land,i'm just learning so forgive me if I appear ignorant, I am. I have no idea if you believe jesus to be God or prophet,but that is irrelevant to my question. my question is about the 6 day war in isreal. I believe it was 1967.I once seen a news piece on it years ago, dateline or such. On the program they spoke to I believe it was egyptian soldiers who were fighting at the time. some said they seen the impossible, thousands upon thousands of soldiers if not millions,they were so scared by this they dropped arms and ran, thus partly responsible for the eventual surrender. I have been searching for a long time to see if anyone else heard of this, and if so , what? Is there a signifigance to the bible? where can I go to find more on these men who seen millions of what they themselves called God's army of angels? Have you heard what im talking about? please any info you have or could direct me to would be so appreciated.  thank you  

Answer
Dear Stacey,

Thanks for writing, and I hope you will forgive me if I don't share your religious perception of placing everying into Biblical text.

The 1967 war was forced upon Israel when Egypt closed the port of Eilat in the Gulf of Akaba, a violation of UN standards. When Israel finally went to war to defend herself, it wasn't a miracle as much as it has always been the "secret weapon" of the Israeli weapon - in Hebrew "Ain Berera" - "no choice." If they lose they will be anhilated, man, woman and child.

Not only did Iraq and Syria and Egypt open the war, they persuaded Jordan to attack as well, and then Israel freed the city of Jerusalem for all faithers and the West Bank was once again in Jewish hands - as of the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and the 1947 UN map.

No miracles. Luck and no choice.  Good luck to your in your new faith.

Rabbi Dov