For over two thousand years the Jewish people have dreamed of returning from exile to Jerusalem. When the state of Israel was born, Jews all over the world realized that their dreams and prayers were finally being answered and the aliyah (going up) began.
The video below is a joyful song telling of Jews from around the world making their return to Jerusalem. Verse one depicts the aliyah from Yemen, verse two tells of the Jews coming from Iraq and Morocco, while verse three describes the mass return from the former USSR and Ethiopia.
My heart is dancing in Jerusalem, Soon we’ll be dancing in Jerusalem
The whole world dancing in Jerusalem, Your heart is dancing in Jerusalem
Time to come home to Jerusalem
The whole world dancing in Jerusalem, Your heart is dancing in Jerusalem
Time to come home to Jerusalem
“And to Jerusalem, Your city, may You return in compassion,
and may You rest within it, as You have spoken”
The above verse is taken from the daily prayers of the Jewish people, which contain numerous references to Jerusalem. This line is from the Amidah (Standing Prayer), which is recited three times on weekdays, and must be said facing towards Jerusalem. The full verse reads:
“And to Jerusalem, Your city, may You return in compassion, and may You rest within it, as You have spoke. May You rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure, and may You speedily establish the throne of King David within it. Blessed are You, Gd, the builder of Jerusalem…May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in compassion. Blessed are you Gd, who restores His presence to Zion”.
My Heart is Dancing in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) by Sam Glaser