Simchat Torah Flag, 1967

Simchat Torah flag created in Israel in the period after the Six Day War in 1967.

In the middle of the flag is the symbol of the IDF, the sword with an olive branch, while on each of the leaves is a picture of one of the heroes of the Six Day War: Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Ariel Sharon, Haim Bar Lev, and Motti Hod. In the background is the Kotel and the walls of the Old City. On the left are illustrations of soldiers in red berets and a man wrapped in a talit (prayer shawl) carrying Torah scrolls. A squadron of planes in the shape of the Magen David (Star of David) flies in the sky, while the symbol of the Tanks Corps is embossed on the top of the flag. At the base of the flag is written: "Rejoice and be happy in the joy of Torah (Simchat Torah)." The entire flag is covered with shiny, gold dust.

After the Six Day War, there was an atmosphere of victory in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. The flag shows a variety of symbols that represent the strength of the army and the heroes responsible for victory. The five people who appear on the flag all held important positions in the war: Moshe Dayan was the minister of defense, Yitzhak Rabin was the IDF chief of staff, and Ariel Sharon, Haim Bar Lev, and Motti Hod were all senior commanders in the IDF. The soldiers with the red berets symbolize the paratroopers who played an important role in the liberation of the Kotel and the Old City. There are also symbols and images representing different IDF forces that took part in the war: the Tank Corps, the Infantry, and the Air Force. The image of the Kotel also hints at the reunification of Jerusalem, which is considered one of the major victory of the war.

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Discussion Questions

Observation

• What is this?
• What text is printed at the bottom? What does it mean?
• Who are the figures printed on the flag?
• In the center of the flag is a large symbol of a sword surrounded by olive leaves. This is the symbol of which Israeli organization?
• What other images appear on the flag?
• How is Jerusalem represented on this flag?

Reading Between the Lines

• When do you think this flag was made?
  How did you come to this conclusion?
• What was the aim of printing the flag?
• Why do you think these figures were depicted on the flag?
• What other symbols appear on the flag? What is the meaning of these symbols?
• How do those symbols characterize the achievements of the Six Day War in the eyes of Israelis?
• Why do you think the figures are illustrated on the olive leaves rather than the sword?
• The walls of the Old City are illustrated on the flag. What did Israel achieve during the war, and why are the walls, in particular, illustrated on the flag?
• The symbol of the Tank Corps and planes in a Star of David formation are illustrated on the flag. Why do you think these designs were included in the flag?
  What was the role of the Tank Corps and Air Force in the war?
• Why do you think that the soldiers in uniform were chosen to carry the Torah scrolls on the flag?
• The soldiers on the flag are wearing red berets.
  Which IDF unit wear this color beret?
  Why do you think this unit is depicted?
• Why do you think the creators of the flag chose the Six Day War as its theme?
• What does the flag tell us about the general atmosphere in Israel at the end of the war?

Connections

• Have you ever heard of any of the figures illustrated on the flag?
  What do you know about them?
  Look up information in books or on the internet.
• Ask your grandparents if they remember the days after the Six Day War. Do they remember any of the figures who appear on the flag?
• One of the figures on the flag is Yitzhak Rabin. What do you know about him?
• Have you ever celebrated Simchat Torah?
• How did you celebrate it?
• Did you enjoy it?

Creative Ideas

• If you wer​e creating a flag after the Six Day War, what would you chose as illustrations?
• Choose another Jewish symbol and decorate or create it using symbols from the Six Day War.
  Explain your choice of symbols.
• Create a Simchat Torah flag that includes important people of today.
  Who would you include?
  What design would you use?​

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