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