The true miracle of the war was simply the way it began. Good intelligence, foresight and planning allowed for the Israeli army to carry out a pre-emptive strike on the enormous enemy forces. The timing had to be right.

It is ironic that Shavuot is such a little-known holiday. Because in fact, Shavuot commemorates the single most important event in Jewish history - the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

I never met Raz but I am grateful for his heroism, and mourn his loss along with his family and those who were privileged to know him.

“Fifty years ago we returned to the heart of our capital and our country, and 50 years ago we did not conquer it, rather we liberated it,” Netanyahu said at the ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem's unification.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was visibly moved when presented with a historic book, compiled by United with Israel, of over half a million signatures of members from around the world declaring support for a united Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish state.