Three Barbaric individuals came to deny Israel's ownership rights to Eretz Israel

This Shabbos which falls on the Jewish calendar date 25th Sivan when we bless the  month of Tammuz. There is a sefer entitled 'Event of Day" דבר יום ביומו, where there are compiled from Midrash and T'nach all events which took place each day. There it is brought that 25th Sivan [from Midrash 'Megilas Taanis chap.3] that this day was declared a festive day, as follows:

Three barbaric individuals came before Alexander the Macedonian [the Great], with arguments against the Jewish People. The Sages of Israel, after having conferred together, sent a representative G'viha ben P'sisa to respond to their demands. Actually G'viha ben P'sisa had presented himself saying, that since he is an ignoramus [of the high rank of the Midrash - not an ignoramus of today], that should he be successful in repelling their arguments - that would be fine, but should he not be successful, the Sages would respond that he is no more than an ignoramus.

The first to present his argument before Alexander the Macedonian was a descendant of Ishmael, arguing that the Land of Israel belongs also to them: Abraham had  two sons, Isaac and Ishmael they argued, therefore Israel belongs also to them.

G'viha ben P'sisa responded: since all of your claim is Torah based, that Ishmael was the son of Abraham; the same Torah also states that Abraham gave to the sons of the concubines gifts and sent them away to the land of the East. However regarding Isaac it written [Genesis 25.5]: 'He [Abraham] gave all of his possessions to Isaac'. Hearing this, the Ishmaelites had nothing to respond, and took hasty leave.

Next came the Canaanites arguing against the Jewish People: "You are thieves. The land upon which you dwell belongs to the Canaanites - Jews came from other countries and conquered the land".

G'viha ben P'sisa responded: "In the Torah it is recorded [Genesis 9.25] regarding Canaan "He will be a slave belonging to slaves; therefore any possessions you will have will belong to the Jewish People because your status of slavery will remain [even when the Jewish People will themselves enter slavery] - 'slaves belonging even to slaves'. When the Canaanites could find no response to this, they left their tents filled with valuables and took hasty leave.

Thereafter the Egyptians came onto the scene arguing that Torah itself records [Exodus 3.22] that when the Jewish People left Egypt "they borrowed vessels of silver and gold, valuable garments and veritable emptied out Egypt"; therefore now we want the money returned to us.

G'viha ben P'sisa responded: "To the contrary, Egypt enslaved and afflicted the Jewish People for a period of 400 years with no recompense. Come, let us make a calculation and see who is the creditor to whom. Even before completing the calculation of 100 years the Egyptians took to their feet and ran.

The message we have from this historic event is as follows: when telling a gentile that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People, we should not base our claim because Henry Kissinger or Carl Marx said so or that Israel has sufficient military weaponry to respond. A contender will remain unconvinced by these arguments.

Only when the Jewish People state that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People because this is recorded in the Torah - then will the contender be receptive and make his escape.

Actually one could ask: why should a gentile be affected by this argument; he could well respond - that is what is written in your Torah, but not in my scripture!

But since a Jew make his statement with absolute truth - the gentile will accept this as fact; same as took place on 25th of Sivan when G'viha ben P'sisa spoke with all the truth of his heart - that is why the antagonists took their hasty retreat.  

   
                                                                                   Public talk Parshas Sh'lach 1974  

Ariel Sharon.: His first encounter with Chabad

It was shortly after the Six-Day War in 1967 when a small group of Chabad Chassidim from Yerushalayim set up a t’fillin stand in front of the newly-liberated Kosel. Among the tens of thousands of Jews who would put on t’fillin, many for the first time, was Ariel Sharon.   

The Rebbe Saved Ariel Sharon's Life from a terrorist Hijack!

The little-known tale of how the Rebbe prevented Ariel Sharon from boarding an El Al flight hijacked by Palestinian terrorists.

It was on July 23, 1968, a year after Sharon successfully led a powerful division into the Six-Day War as a Major-General in the Israel Defense Forces. 

Before returning to Israel, Sharon came to Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn to meet the Rebbe, with whom he had a unique relationship and countless encounters. 

While speaking with the Rebbe, Sharon periodically checked his watch, as he was scheduled to return to Israel that night, Sara Levy wrote about that fateful meeting. 

The Rebbe suggested that Sharon stay a little longer and take another flight. Sharon complied and they finished their conversation. 

El Al passenger flight 426 

Later that night, El Al passenger flight 426 was hijacked by three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Palestinian terrorist organization founded in 1967. 

Sharon was meant to be on that flight. 

The aircraft, a Boeing 707, was hijacked on the London-Lod leg of the flight and diverted to Dar El Beida (renamed Houari Boumedienne Airport) in Algiers, the capital of Algeria. 

All Jewish passengers were held for 5 weeks before being released unharmed. According to those released, the hijackers seemed to be looking for "someone important," and they were enraged when they realized that he was not aboard. 

It was later revealed that the entire incident was an operation executed to capture Ariel Sharon, known today as the greatest field commander in Israel's history. 

A while later, Rabbi Zev Segal of congregation Young Israel of Newark who served as President of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), decided to corroborate the story with the Rebbe himself. 

The story was so astounding that I decided to confirm it with the Rebbe himself. When I saw him next, I asked him, “Is it true that you stopped Sharon from going on the plane that was hijacked?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

So, of course I had to ask him the next obvious question, “Why didn’t you stop the plane from flying?” 

He answered me, “Do you really think I knew that they would hijack the plane? I didn’t know. But when Sharon came to see me, I had the sense he should not go. So, I told him to stay.”

Israel is the Front line for World Security

Interview with the Lubavitcher Rebbe:

Ron Nachman, Mayor of Ariel. Oct. 6 1991

Ron: The Rebbe gave us a blessing to grow to 20,000 residents the last time I was here. I am here to show the Rebbe that his blessing has been fulfilled. We are growing to twice the previous size to 20,000 in less than one and a half years since I was here last.

Mayor Ron Nachman showing the Rebbe growth-map of Ariel

The Rebbe: Then I bless you to grow to double the current population. You are satisfied  that  the numbers stand at double the previous figures, but I am talking about doubling that number going forward. With joy and gladness. Much success.

Ron: One question I have. I am here in on a visit in the United States now regarding the political situation, to deliver six weeks of lectures to both Jews and non-Jews. What advice could the Rebbe give me regarding guidance. What should I say on the radio, television and the media with regard to the present relationship with the Americans, with loan guarantees? How should we proceed?

The Rebbe: As I have said several times, Israel’s welfare is in the best interest of the United States, because Israel is the front line there against the Arabs, and the Arabs are against the United States; they want the United States to fail, and for Iran and similar nations to succeed. 

But outside issues have come into play, and you must be able to respond to those issues. It is easy to clarify this, by looking at the speeches of the Unites States Presidents, the way they spoke half a year ago, a year ago and more, where they explained publicly to all that it is imperative for the good of the entire world including the United States, that there be a strong Israel in order to inhibit the influence of Syria, Iran, and so forth... for they are against the USA no less than they are against Israel, and perhaps even more so.  Israel. It is so easy to explain, because there is no need to come up with anything new; just find the newspapers from two and three years ago, and you will  find  this  all spelled out already in detail.

Ron: Thank you very much.

The Rebbe: Much success. If you should need to print a further newspaper article on this issue, then this will be my participation in the costs.

[The Rebbe gave dollars to Mr. Nachman.]

Ron: Thank you very much.

The Rebbe: Much success.

The Rebbe negates an invalid and false Rabbinic view.

It is brought in the code of Jewish Law that in a situation of uncertain threat to life, even if only to one Jewish life – and certainly if it is to thousands and tens of thousands where this is a definite threat to life, the law is clear. Even if the opposing side is approaching for no more than straw and fodder– it is forbidden to relinquish territory. How much more so, when their intent is more insidious than a mere request for straw and fodder.

There are such people who justify the handing over of territories by distorting the true interpretation and by saying that in order to save lives it is imperative to hand over land or give the reason of the Talmudic ‘three vows’. By permitting the handing over of land whether for these or other interpretations, it is not just that they are ‘playing’ with the words of Maimonides, but a real threat to the lives of the Jewish People, may this never happen! They base their view on the decision given out by a Rabbi...... who decided to permit relinquishing land claiming that there are experts who say that for the sake of saving lives one must give up land. 

I have never seen this Halachic response. It is unbelievable that there can be such a response. This view must be negated. In fact, when the delegation arrived at Camp David they once again asked the opinion of high [U.S.] military experts (who serve in the army). Every one without exception responded in a united voice that if they will relinquish any of the territories it would create a life threatening situation for all of the Jewish people in Eretz Israel! 

After the (Israel) delegation traveled to Washington (offering to relinquish all captured territories), knowing which territories the Arabs wanted, and after explaining the autonomy program in all its detail, the experts concluded: This threatens the lives of all Jewish People living in the Land of Israel. 

However, the (U.S.) military expert could not openly state this, because the high level of his office forbade him to make such a statement. He was bound to follow orders. Yet when he was asked off the record, he responded that the relinquishing of territories is absolutely life threatening. As one army officer who is versed in Torah study expressed himself from a military viewpoint and of saving lives, the agreement (to relinquish) is one (of a servant going free with the loss of his teeth and eye) of great military disadvantage, and he brought many proofs. 

Furthermore, another military man stated that from the point of view of threat to life this represents a clear and open threat with no doubt whatsoever.  If regardless of all the above there is a Rabbi who is so convinced that in order to save lives one must give up land; since it is possible that he was misled, bearing in mind that this is an issue regarding endangering lives, he has the option to call into his room a security expert and ask his opinion regarding this. He will hear from him that which has already been heard from so many security experts: relinquishing land endangers the lives of every single Jewish person living in Eretz Israel! 

                                                                Public address Moitzo’ei Shabbos Ha-azinu 1979

The Rebbe spoke of the Ma-alot Massacre

Background:

The Ma'alot massacre was a Palestinian terrorist attack [May 1974] of a two-day hostage-taking of 115 Jewish people ending in the murders of over 25 hostages. Three armed members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine entered Israel from Lebanon, attacked a van, killing two Israeli Arab women injuring a third, entered an apartment building in the town of Ma'alot, killing a couple and their four-year-old son. They headed for the Netiv Meir Elementary School, took more than 115 people (including 105 children) hostage in Ma'alot. The hostage-takers issued demands for the release of 23 Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons, or they would kill the students. On the second day of the standoff, a unit of the Golani Brigade stormed the building. During the takeover, the hostage-takers killed children with grenades and automatic weapons. Ultimately, 25 hostages, including 22 children, were killed and 68 injured.

The Rebbe’s Comment:

A few days ago there took place the slaughter of children in Ma-alot, an act which runs contrary to intelligence and humanity - regardless the nations are not responding. Rather than making a declaration that such action is unacceptable - they remain silent. And not only do they remain silent, but there are those who rejoice at this.

The silence of the Nations is not something out of the ordinary for us. Also at the time of the Nazis - may their name and remembrance be blotted out - the nations remained silent!

                                                                                                                      Pashat Noso 1974.

Do not Trust Egypt. They are sending terrorists into Israel!

On the verse (Psalms 40.5) ‘Fortunate is the man who has placed the reliance on G-d’ quoting the last phrase of the verse ‘and has not turned to the arrogant ones’, Rashi comments (Bereishis the 40.23) – “and did not rely upon Egypt who is called arrogant one”. 

Sinai Desert Buffer Zone - surrendered!  

Sinai Peninsula Buffer Zone - 23,000 square miles

Therein lies a lesson for our time. In the past we had to search for a clue; one verse alludes to the Kingdom of Greece, another to the Kingdom of Edom, yet another verse to Rome. In our days of double-fold darkness at the end of the exile, G-d shows everything openly with no need to search for signs: - ‘Do not trust Egypt the arrogant one’. 

We see this openly in the Camp David Agreements to which the Egyptian minister placed his signature. On the very day of signing never was it the intention of the Egyptian signatory to adhere to the agreement. Immediately thereafter he began his violation as is known to all! 

Rashi further comments on the verse ‘The palace cup-bearer did not remember [Joseph]’ - on that very same day. The verse continues: “he [the palace cup bearer] forgot him afterwards”. Even after Egypt saw how the Jews kept their side of the agreement down to the finest detail – generously giving Egypt broad territories - Egypt continued to violate her side of the agreement by penetrating Israel with terrorists from her border! 

Before returning the territories to Egypt [as agreed to at Camp David] the Egyptian border was several hundred miles from Jewish towns unable to send in terrorists to cause harm, G-d forbid.

When however the government returned those buffer zones to Egypt, they brought the Egyptian border closer to Jewish inhabited areas creating an immediate security danger. 

When they ask the Egyptian minister to explain: “Why do you not honor the agreement which you signed?”, he had a ready reply: “In your Torah it is written: ‘Do not turn to the arrogant, do not put your trust in Egypt’. You yourselves were the cause of all this– you placed your trust in Egypt!” 

As we have spoken in the past, all of this comes from an inferiority complex before the gentile. They put their trust in him and wish to find favor in his eyes! Even after they see the results of this conduct – all unanimously agree that a serious mistake was made at Camp David having given back everything in return for nothing. Now, instead of learning from past mistakes and changing future conduct, they continue down the same path!  If they already speak of a committee of investigation, they need to investigate those guilty of the serious sin perpetrated by the signing of the Camp David agreements. 

Ministers must be toppled. 

The main question is: who should replace these men so that this mistake not be repeated? “A man who will put his trust in G-d and not turn to the arrogant!” A Jew who trusts in G-d and conducts himself in accordance with the guidelines of Torah!

                                                                                Public address Parshas Vayeishev 1983 

The menace coming from Damascus could have been averted....

 ...had Damascus been conquered!! Currently they are apprehensive that there are menacing signs coming from Damascus. 

On Simchas Torah we spoke that they should have advanced those last remaining 15 – 20 kilometers and conquered Damascus. At that time there were no impediments in achieving this. Had they done so, the current problems would be non-existent, and all captives would have been freed. There would have been no burdensome efforts necessary to advance those remaining kilometers, as there would not have been any opposition coming from the enemy.

There was no need for the government [of Israel] to command the IDF to withdraw. The reason that was given as to why this command was ordered was because the USA would have been “angry” had they not done so. The gentile nevertheless remained “angry”, and even more so, wishing that Damascus would have been conquered, thereby saving all the pain and tribulations currently coming from there. Damascus would have been conquered and when returned – would have remained a downtrodden kingdom.

The reason for these failures is because they [the government of Israel] bows down before the gentile, fearful they will not find favor in his eyes. 

This is the guiding instruction which we need to learn from the narrative brought down in the Talmud about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: not to be fools, reliant on the “kindness of the nations” who are self-serving. Rather, one needs to make the necessary effort with the [ruling] gentile as did Rashbi who traveled to Rome. On the other hand, one must realize that the success of the mission comes exclusively from G-d [one who takes action in accordance with nature is following the wish of G-d because the ultimate salvation is from Him alone]. One must make the appropriate preparations so that deliverance and success follow. The preparations are to study Torah and conduct oneself in accordance with the path of Torah and Torah law, as did Rashbi whose preoccupation was with Torah. 

This is why the Jewish people at that time specifically wanted Rashbi to travel to Rome as their representative to make the efforts on their behalf. Since his total occupation was with Torah study, we can well understand that while in Rome he studied Torah there also. Thereby was he able to draw down a demon as needed – as mentioned before. 

Washington

The same holds true today. We need to travel to Washington, as is the Will of G-d – that we act in a natural way. With this, we need to understand that the decisions of the nations are based on self interest, but we must rely solely on G-d. And when we rely upon Him in truth and with perfection, then should the gentile be unwilling to help - we can bring down a demon exactly as did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai......... 

Shluchim, Simcha and Israeli Soldiers

 We will recount a story which has just taken place from which we see that when a Jew walks with his Judaism with determination, he has nothing to fear; to the contrary, not one was harmed. Information of this story has just reached us from the Holy-Land. 

Before the festival of Purim a convoy of Chabad Shluchim went out to soldiers stationed in Shechem who have the merit to protect Jews living in the Holy Land. Lately, there had been disturbances, so they were accompanied by a driver and several soldiers. As they approached the town, they saw from a distance a barricade of wood and rocks blocking the road which had been set up by Arabs who were antagonistic to Jews and soldiers reaching Shechem and its surrounding area. Those travelling in the car realized that this was not just a blockade of rocks but there were people there – Arabs. When the driver saw this he thought: ‘why should I endanger lives and undertake the responsibility of the emissaries bringing gifts of festive food to the soldiers? Let them do this another time rather than put themselves in danger by breaching the barrier and provoking the Arabs standing nearby!’ 

However, the shluchim stated with simple faith that they have a mission to encourage and bring joy to Jewish people on the festival of Purim, telling the soldiers [the story of Megillas Esther] that ‘the Jews had light, joy, happiness and dignity’, this, now also, not just in one location, but in one hundred and twenty seven countries throughout the world. We have to disregard the barricade of wood, stones and earth, even if there are Arabs there; they have no freedom of choice (to harm us). Certainly, the shluchim argued, when one does an act of good to bring joy to Jewish people, no bad will befall us. 

They convinced the driver and the soldiers accompanying them that they have nothing to fear, rather they should continue travelling forward. And lo, they broke through the barricade! The Arabs began throwing rocks and the soldiers were forced to fire at the Arabs to shock them. Actually no one was harmed neither Jew nor Arab. The shluchim reached the soldiers and burst into a joyous Chassidic gathering as befitting Purim, and later returned to the Holy City of Jerusalem healthy and well. 

Chabad shluchim dancing with Israeli soldiers

As we said, this story took place this Purim for us to take as a role model and instruction: "disregard obstacles and difficulties both from still life – rocks, wood, and human". A Jew is on a G-dly mission to bring joy to another Jew and to himself with the joy of a Mitzva, of Purim, together with the light of Torah, and the dignity of Tefillin. 

They put on Tefillin with all the soldiers and there was real light, joy, happiness and dignity. This was successful precisely because they went with the power of Torah, fearless. All barriers became null and void. 

Now with this determined power, the dread of the Jewish People will once again fall upon them. G-d assures us: ‘I will give peace unto the land’. Shalom – peace, also from the grammatical root, shleimus– complete - the Complete Land, together with all the Jewish People intact who are bound up with the Complete Torah. And this is how we will bring about the Complete Land to include Shechem, Hebron, and Jerusalem. 

                                                                                                            Public talk Purim 1976

No permission to renovate synagogue of Avraham Avinu

The following talk was given by the Rebbe in response to the government of Israel forbidding Jewish people from restoring the Abraham the Patriarch Synagogue in Hebron. This was after Professor Ben-Zion Tavgar together with members of the Jewish community of Hebron were searching for the synagogue buried under a goat shed. Through the trials endured by the professor and his helpers to expose the synagogue, they were evacuated time and time again by instruction of the Government of Israel.]  

The beautiful Synagogue of
Avraham Avinu in Hebron
after Renovation

The entire land of Israel was given (by G-d) to the Jewish People as an everlasting inheritance. No one has the right to cede any area of the Land of Israel. The question arises: this is a matter which is so obvious, why then do we have to review this repeatedly? The reason is: the exile is so dark that there are Jews who point a finger of accusation at the Jewish People: “You are thieves”. We need to conduct ourselves with righteousness and return the territories of the Land of Israel. They misinterpret the Torah, may G-d protect us, by saying we must confiscate land owned by Jews and give it the to gentiles to avert life threatening danger. In actual fact, the opposite is true!As we saw, after the signing of the unfortunate Camp David Accords, security experts stated that the signing was a severe blow: if they will return Judea and Samaria, it will be a cause of severe danger to every Jew in the Holy Land. 

The legal ruling in Shulchan Aruch 329.6 states: ‘even gentiles who argue that they are approaching merely for stubble and straw, it is forbidden to open the borders to them because the entire land will thereby be at risk’. Nevertheless, regardless of serious danger, the government is determined to return Judea and Samaria, but dress this in various façades such as autonomy, self-rule etc, which are concepts of no real content. One should not think that they will be satisfied with this. In this great darkness a shocking event occurred. 

All agree that Arabs may purchase land in Hebron, as may Jews. Certainly the Arabs agree that the synagogue of Abraham the Patriarch is rightfully a Jewish place. [It is irrelevant whether or not this was in fact the synagogue of Abraham]. If an Arab may renovate his own house, Jews should be permitted to renovate their synagogue. In actuality however, the government conducts itself in accordance with the words of our sages, ‘one sin leads to another’. 

The government wants to give self rule to the Arabs of Judea and Samaria regardless of the fact that this poses great danger, as attested to by all military experts. More so, they do not permit Jews to renovate the synagogue of Abraham the Patriarch because they are afraid of the Arabs, and have no shame in stating so.Similarly they do not want to interfere with the internal affairs of the Arabs. Only the Arabs benefit from this. The government of Israel comes and pats the Arab on his back and says to him: “You are our brother! Choose for yourself a leader and no one will mix into your affairs!” One sees the direct clash of these two issues– the synagogue of our Patriarch Abraham and the internal affairs of the Arabs, and no one utters a word of protest on this shocking situation! 

And as if this is not enough, they take soldiers who sacrifice themselves to protect our Holy Land and our Holy People, and make use of their self sacrifice to throw out Jews from the synagogue of Abraham our Patriarch in Hebron! Nevertheless, everyone is silent.  

                                                                                           Public talk Simchas Torah 1979

Fear of the Nations is holding back the Redemption!

 In this week’s Torah reading Balak, we are told that the Jewish People already stood on the banks of the Jordan River. All that remained was to cross the Jordan and enter into Eretz Israel. 

The very same is true of our time. We find ourselves at the final moments of the Exile, truly just before the Redemption. We must not be intimidated by the enticements and devious claims of the Nations and of Jews; it is imperative that we keep the Land intact. Due to their perverse and dishonest reasoning, they have not yet comprehended the truth, that the entire Land of Israel with all of her borders belongs to the entire Jewish People. 

Even according to international law, not one of them has the domination, the ability nor the right to enforce us to abandon parts of the Land of Israel. If this Jew imagines that by hiding the truth (regarding the connection of Eretz Israel to the Jewish People) he is fooling anybody, he should know that aside from himself he is not deceiving anyone. 

Already since the prophecy of Bilam, the nations of the entire world know that in the end of days the Land of Israel will belong to the Jewish People. They see without doubt that we find ourselves already at ‘End of Days’ by G-d performing open miracles in the Holy Land. Had we merited, the Exile would have ended and the true and final Geula would have begun after the victory of the Six Day War. 

Since however we have not merited, there have come along men of timid hearts, fearful-ones, who have an inferiority complex vis-à-vis the nations. They immediately sent a delegation to Washington to inform them of their preparedness to give back the conquered territories because they do not want to incite the ‘gentile’ (USA), rather, only to please them. This prevented the Redemption! In the meantime the multi-fold darkness of the Exile continues its path because these faint-hearted ones do not have the tenacity to hold on to the open gift G-d gave to them. They only have the strength to weaken the hearts of Jewish People as their own hearts are weak. G-d has bestowed on the Jewish people all the available strength. He has also given them the power to choose how to use it and not to be ashamed before those that mock. This was meant among Jewish People, how much more so not to be ashamed before gentiles that mock. ‘The Gentiles storm and plot’ all of which will come ‘to naught’. 

Instead, they use these G-d-given powers to weaken other Jews! The fear of the gentiles is the very factor which has prolonged this difficult and bitter Exile and the multi-fold darkness for so many years!  

                                                          Public address Moitzo’ei Shabbos Parshas Balak 1978

Do not tread on your brother’s blood

The Rabbis outside of Israel are doing nothing and raise no voice of protest that territories are being given away. When I ask them “Why?”

The Rebbe

They answer that they cannot do anything without a directive from Eretz Israel! When it is some other negative issue, they do make forceful statements. Yet when the issue is to take positive action, a protest to keep the Land intact [Shleimut Ha-aretz], they respond that they are unable to mix into matters pertaining to the Holy Land because there are many Rabbis in Israel. 

Their argument is incomprehensible: There is a negative command in Torah “Do not tread on the blood of your brother”! Also when your brother is not close by in the house, but in a distant place and in danger, the obligation is upon you to save him! 

They (the Rabbis) hear that the Israel government wishes to return the territories, thus posing a serious threat to life!  They choose to remain silent and do nothing but bury their face in the earth. The repercussions for this are most serious, as recounted in the Talmud [Tractate Shabbos 119.2]. As we have said earlier, such a path was already practiced in Egypt. Regardless of the fact that Moses proclaimed that the Geula has arrived, still Jewish People continued to bring Egyptians into their homes. Similarly now, Moses is saying that behold – Moshiach is coming, and yet, regardless, the Jewish leaders are intimidated and are running after the Nations and bringing in the enemy to be among the Jewish People G-d save us!! May it be the will of G-d that we merit the coming of Moshiach immediately in our time!  

                                                                                      Public talk Shabbos Parshat Bo 1976

It is Forbidden to Relinquish Any Part of Eretz Israel

It was for the representatives of Israel to present the argument that they are unable to cede the lands of Judea and Samaria (which are of no interest to Egypt). The Torah explicitly forbids any disengagement (‘Do not cede any part of Israel to the Nations’). Primarily the territories of Judea and Samaria are border lands serving to protect Eretz Israel. Had they argued this forcefully, they would certainly have succeeded in their quest. 

The Shomron

Jerusalem stands as a proof. The President of Egypt demanded Jerusalem with the same fortitude with which he demanded other issues. When he was told in no uncertain terms: “NO!”, he fell into agreement. As they stood their ground on Jerusalem they could have stood their ground regarding Samaria. But since they faltered, they were unsuccessful in holding on. This was well known to all those who knew of the diplomatic issues at hand, in addition to the information which filtered through from behind closed doors. After this failure, some consider that since we have signed, it is as if the territories are already given and cannot be retrieved. But note, this is not yet a fact on the ground. Actually the matter has not even begun. Initially they need to discuss the subject in question down to the finest details. At that stage the decision to retract and annul will become the issue. This is not a matter of which we can speak publicly. 

I say with full responsibility: “It is forbidden to relinquish any part of Samaria according to Jewish Law, because this is life threatening!” 

The United States needs to see that they have dealings with men who know how to take a powerful stand; a stand of Jewish Law, a Torah stand– the Torah of Truth. The Torah of Life states that since this is life-threatening, it is forbidden to open the borders even to the extent of a small finger because this will open up the entire land before them. 

As was seen previously, when they argued forcefully, their demands were accepted. This is the view of all the military. They can once again call a meeting and ask them the situation purely from a military perspective and then come to a conclusion. All the military will state in one unified voice that to cede territories will create a life threatening situation to all of the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Land, may it never happen. Therefore it is impossible to cede Judea and Samaria. 

This argument will be accepted even now: Egypt is not desperate. The West Bank is irrelevant to her. The United States will not permit the parties to leave Camp David without some sort of signature of a break through to peace between Egypt and Israel. When the USA will see that Israel will relinquish Judea and Samaria they will exert their influence that Israel and Egypt sign some statement of peace to prevent war. (As is known there cannot be war without Egypt being involved). In order for this to take place, in the few hours they remain there, they must stand strong and declare clearly the view of the military. They need not say this is written in the Code of Jewish Law, but rather state that this is the unified voice of the military. 

                                                                                      Public talk Moitzo’ei Shabbos 1979

Busy with clause 242 – not with danger to life!

 There is a situation in the Holy Land which makes no sense. It is public knowledge that returning the West Bank is life threatening. One does not need a great expert to say this. When one looks at these territories, at their (short) distance from the sea, those (the enemy) who are positioned on the East Bank (Gaza) who man war-ships, one can see mortal danger, G-d protect us!

Regardless, the government has ceased discussing the threat. They should be speaking of the clear ruling– the obligation to ‘go to war fully armed lest the city be taken captive and the land easily conquered’. 

Instead, they argue about the UN clause 242, preoccupied with its interpretation (the decision of the UN which calls for Israel to withdraw from the territories liberated in the Six-Day War). Does this mean ‘territories’, or ‘the territories?  Is the withdrawal before or after negotiations?’)

The document’s meaning is irrelevant! The issue at hand is life-threatening danger, to save many times 600,000 Jewish lives! He (the Israel Prime Minister) had no right to sign it. He did so because he is a man of a fearful and weak heart. His very nature is to fear even sound of ‘a leaf blowing in the wind’. He thinks that since he is the Prime Minister, everyone is obliged to follow his orders, so he continues to do all he can ‘to melt the hearts of his brothers as his own’.

All know that Sadat (P.M. of Egypt) himself states that he is not master over those who dwell on the East Bank (Gaza). He only hopes that if he were to retain his position, the PLO will agree to talk peace. Only then will it be possible to discuss peace terms. Peace does not depend on him! Yet, the Israel government avoids mention of these vital conditions. They simply continue to argue among themselves if it is worthwhile to take certain steps for the sake of peace. They say that peace depends on parties who are at war with each other, but they are all in agreement that their enemy is the Jewish People everywhere, especially those in the Holy Land. The situation has reached such a low that for the sake of such ‘peace’ they are prepared to fall, bow down, and submit themselves to find favor in his (Sadat) eyes to influence him to take over everything they will give him– Sinai, Yehuda, the Shomron, thereby threatening the lives of millions of Jews!

The saying goes ‘A wise man’s question is half the answer’. One may ask: how is this half the answer? Because it depends on how the question is phrased (to evaluate if the one asking has any wisdom whatsoever!). Were they to state the reality – relinquishing territories is life threatening, then there would be no more discussion. Instead they question clause 242 and bring this to the vote in the Knesset. Among the voters are Christians and Muslims who are actively working to recognize the PLO, and it is they who have the power to vote on how Israel conducts herself! There was a time when vital issues were considered.

Last summer representatives of Israel visited the USA and placed the map on the table of the President in Washington showing him the distance between the territories and the sea, how easy it is for the Arabs to cut across the land G-d forbid, and he was in agreement. This was publicized in all the newspapers.

Even a simple man understands that when his wife and children are at risk, he puts aside all issues and turns his attention to the vital issue at hand – the security of his household!  

                                                                                   Talk Moitzo’ei Shabbos Sh’mini 1978