The Order of the Hour: Settle all territories of the Land of Israel!

Talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe spoken from his room, shortly after suffering a heart attack, Moitzoi Shabbat Parshat Lech Lecha, November 1977.

The Order of the Hour: Settle all territories of the Land of Israel!

From the verse in the portion of Lech Lecha spoken by G-d to Abraham: “to your progeny have I given this Land”, we learn that in spite of the fact that there are nations protesting the ownership of certain areas of the Land of Israel by Israel, they go even further in their objection arguing "you are robbers". Regardless, we should take no notice of any of their protestations. And more: these protests are no more than temporary and for a show-effect, because essentially and truthfully they know that the entire Land and her borders belong to the Jewish Nation.

The Order of the Hour: Settle all territories of the Land of Israel!

But in order for the Jewish People to bring this to the surface it is necessary is for us to follow in the footsteps of our Patriarch Abraham as he was instructed: “Arise and traverse the length and breadth of the Land”, that we inhabit all of the territories of the Land of Israel, specifically disputed areas.   

Taking full possession must be exactly as performed by Abraham our Patriarch (“the actions of our fathers set a precedent for their progeny”). When traversing the Land of Israel he built ‘an altar unto G-d’. Similarly we need to build in all of those locations a house of Torah-learning and a Mikva for purification. 

Thereby everyone will openly see the fulfillment of the verse “to your progeny have I given this Land”, and recognized even by nations of the world. Should nations rage and spend their time focusing on Israel for a short while, we need to know the truth - that nations themselves also know the truth, as the verse in Psalms concludes - their protestations are 'empty' - for appearance sake only.  

But in order to expose the truth which the nations known only too well in their hearts of hearts, Jewish people must state with truthful conviction that the entire Land belongs to us.

In order not to cause G-d forbid international pressure it is imperative not conduct ourselves in a strange manner inhabiting no more than some locations because this shows that we our taking into account arguments of those protesters! Furthermore, there is absolutely no sense or logic to make a distinction between settling some locations as opposed to settling the entire border and all of the territories, because the same international fury and preoccupation with Israel would exist either way and to the same degree! 

Should Israel take a truthful stand, difficulties will cease, as G-d states “And I have given (written in the past tense) to you this Land” - it has already been given! The main point is to take appropriate action (not mere talk), by placing facts on the ground and actually inhabiting the Land. 

There is no need for grandiose announcements, and certainly no room for self-pride - ‘that it was our strength and forces which brought us this enrichment’ because, not only is this untrue, but can cause harm. We must proceed as emissaries so greatly empowered by G-d, that there will be no opposition.

Should the government of Israel adopt this policy, not only will nations not protest, (and most certainly be no casualties - no Jew will be killed or even injured G-d forbid, but to the contrary: “All nations will sing unto G-d, all peoples will praise Him because G-d’s overwhelming kindness shields us” (Psalms 117), nations will assist us in all of our need because the Jewish people are still in exile, still prior to the final Redemption.

Not inhabiting the territories runs against normal thinking!              

To our incredulity and great pain, to this very day the territories have not yet been inhabited even though that this policy runs contrary to normal straight thinking, and bringing relentless pressure!

By living in the darkness of mental exile, Israel remains fearful and submissive even to “the rustling of leaves” of a non-Jew; every normal thinking person knows full well that this is no more than “the rustling of leaves”. In reality, exile has power only over the body of a Jew, as is well known: only bodies entered the exile; our souls never did enter into the exile. Yet, there step forward from amidst the Jewish people a small number of individuals  who attempt to drag souls down into the exile that they also be subservient to the gentiles. 

Whatever has taken place till now - one does not cry over the past. But going forward, May it be the Will of G-d that a Spirit from above will envelope even this small group, that not only should they not interfere, but will assist the Jewish nation to settle all of territories of the Land of Israel; not to delay to a later date but carry this forth immediately “in one moment, within the span of one single day” - because this policy will yield success. 

By specifically by taking this path, does G-d state: “and I will give peace upon the Land and you will lie down and none will be afraid”; all blessings enumerated in the Torah (Bechukotai) will culminate in G-d's assurance “and I will lead you upright”. 

May it be the Will of G-d that whilst still in the last days of exile, G-d leads every Jew, both those outside of, and those within the land of Israel, to stand upright and with Jewish pride.  

Two hand written notes by the Lubavitcher Rebbe given out for publication

Subsequent to the previous talk, two hand written notes were given out by the Rebbe with further explanatory points of the ability and urgency to widely inhabit the territories. The two notes were combined as follows and put out for publication in the newspapers. November 1977

1. The [international] outcry and pressure which took place following the establishment of five townships would never have gained such force had the government established townships along the entire length of the border.

2. Absolute proof is as follows. The building of atomic weapon facilities in the Holy Land was internationally well know (including Washington, Moscow, and the capital cities of Arab nations), and now exist, expanding from time to time over the years. Initially the world community wanted to prevent and put a stop to this by applying pressure on Israel. However when Israel immediately responded with absolute firmness that they will continue all of these activities, the international community’s pressure was reduced to a just an official protest stating that this is unacceptable, and therewith the pressure came to an end.  

Furthermore countries who had previously protested in unison actually contribute towards the building of those power plants in many ways, this continuing now for many of years. 

With regard to building of the territories, the incredulity is, and to my great pain, has to date not been carried forward with the required urgency and greatest of speed. And more, the fact is that this can go ahead absolutely within the legality of law, that, at this time can realistically be achieved in one single day should the decision be made, the order given for immediately implementation, requiring no more that two people - the Prime Minister and the official responsible for country planning!

Should an inquiry become necessary with a meeting of the entire government and various committees of the Knesset the following day, after having been firmly established, the winds of protest will die down, especially when all will see the tremendous enthusiasm of the decisive majority of all the Jewish People both from within the Holy Land and also outside of Israel when informed that the territories have been inhabited.

However, this must be done absolutely without clamor or publicity. 

The very existence of Esau is for the success of Jacob

Talk by the Rebbe spoken from his room one week later, shortly after suffering a heart attack, Moitzoi Shabbat Parshat Chayei Sarah November 1977.

The very existence of Esau (the nations) is for the success of Jacob (the Jewish People)

The very existence of Esau (which in a spiritual sense represents life's difficulties) is solely that Jacob carry forth and fulfill his life’s purpose.

The complete Jewish Nation returning to the complete Land of Israel, by and with the arrival our righteous Moshiach.

It is mandatory that the Jewish People settle all of the territories of the Land of Israel as did Abraham our Patriarch, the role model for his descendants. The verse states “And he (Abraham) built an altar to G-d” - that throughout these areas Abraham build places of Torah and prayer, and also Mikvaot for purity. 

By inhabiting all of the territories this will bring nations of the world to contribute to this success and they themselves will have a feeling stemming from their own souls that their role is to contribute to the success of Jacob.

This will be the imminent preparation for the ingathering of all the sons and daughters of Israel - the complete Jewish Nation returning to the complete Land of Israel, by and with the arrival our righteous Moshiach. “G-d will expand your borders“ that the complete Land of Israel will attain her full breadth by the additional lands of the Kenite, K’nizite and Kadmonite nations east of the Jordan river.