Israelis hailed the American moon landing this week, and the press and radio gave it greater prominence than Sunday’s Suez battles. Orthodox circles were particularly elated by what is interpreted as a symbol of the combined greatness of God’s Universe and His noblest creation — man.

Rabbi Itzhak Nissan, the Sephardi Chief Rabbi, said: “ The more we learn about the moon and stars fashioned by the Creator, the more we marvel at His sublime acts. . . . Now it will be said of man that he is little less than God, but the enormous efforts invested in space research will be worth while only if it teaches man humility. . . .

“May this sublime event herald a return to the supreme values and the removal of the threat of sword and famine from all of mankind.”

Rabbi I. J: Unterman, the Ashkenazi Chief- Rabbi, noted the special affinity between Jews and the moon, by which they set their calendar and, consequently, their festivals. He spoke of his hope that, with every, step forward in the conquest of space and with each revelation of the mysteries of the universe, humanity’s belief in the Creator would be enhanced.

Rabbi Unterman pointed to the passage in this week’s chapter from the Prophets, in which Isaiah says : “ Lift up your eyes’ on high, and behold Who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by numbers : He calleth them all by names by the greatness ol His might. . . .”

In a message to President Nixon, President Shazar and the Premier Mrs Golda Meir, expressed the hope that the moon landing presaged a new era of harmony and peace.

Originally published