Who is a Jew?

“The reason why I am speaking of this now is because it is possible that this will have its impact. The proof being, that when I stormed with the issue of Mihu Yehudi (Israeli Government’s illegitimate strategy of registering non-Jews as Jews– editor’s note); as a result they closed several “factories” (government initiated centers with so called “rabbis” who distributed false quickie worthless conversion documents in Russia to countless thousands of non-Jews making them eligible for monetary rights as a new immigrant and who now live in Israel) for mass-producing proselytes not in accord with Jewish Law. This even had the effect, that many of these people who underwent further steps to become genuinely Jewish. Now they realize that there is nothing to be proud of (their fraudulent process of conversion exposed by the Rebbe), so now they attempt to continue their conversions under cover. 

For reference we have the well-known analogy, there once dwelt for a considerable time a group of people in a dark underground pit. After some years a man reached them, and when he saw them dwelling in darkness he was amazed. Upon asking them: “Why are you living in darkness?” they answered him– “this is no darkness, this is light!” Having sat in darkness for so long, they actually thought they were living in light!

The same is true in our times. We are living in the greatest darkness of exile. Regardless, there are people who see darkness as light, and who say (that their activities of bringing from Russia their fictitious converts to Israel – ed. note) we are living in the beginning of the Redemption, the Geula! This is a result of them living for so long in the state of darkness of exile that they see this as light.  Just like this very government representative (a religious man who headed the false conversions operation), when he was told to give up his Knesset seat and to go home and learn some Torah and perform some mitzvos, he replied that this is undemocratic. Since he has occupied his Knesset seat for so long, he must keep his seat!

Publicize the Legal Ruling of the Grand Rabbinical Council of 1936 תרצ"ז

The Lubavitcher Rebbe is with us....

 – The following talk by the Rebbe was spoken several days prior to the gathering of the Sixth World Rabbinical Gathering. Through the course of the gathering not one word was spoken of the safeguarding of the Jewish People in the Holy Land.

Publicize the Legal Ruling of the Grand Rabbinical Council of 1936 תרצ"ז

 To this gathering the Rebbe sent a letter dated the last days of Chanukah 1980 asking for the letter to be read out aloud. The letter was not read out.

The Letter:...With regard to the timely matter, to receive maximum publicity – the decision of the Grand Rabbinical Council – Elul 1936: 

“The Holy Land, the Holy One Blessed be He has set her borders in the Holy Torah, given to the Jewish Nation, the Eternal Nation; any surrender whatsoever with regard to these Holy Lands given to us by the Holy One Blessed be He with regard to her borders, are utterly void”. 

AMONA How the government destroys Jewish towns [1]

Especially since that time, the situation in this regard has become more severe in the most fundamental way, and any surrender whatsoever is actual life-threatening. This is a clear Halachic ruling in the Code of Jewish law, laws of Sabbath 329, may G-d protect us, that the land not be conquered by them with ease. G-d, who protects his People Israel – may He protect each and every one, both in the Holy Land and Diaspora. And speedily, actually in our time, may He put an end to the darkness, the re-doubled darkness of the generation of the footsteps of Moshiach. That He redeem us from our bitter darkness, that he (Moshiach) battle the wars of G-d and succeed, and build the Temple in its rightful place, and bring about the ingathering of the dispersed ones of Israel and the world be filled with the knowledge of G-d.

The Talk: There gather together many tens of Jews all of whom observe Torah and Mitzvos, read the portion of the week regularly, also on those weeks when the true borders of Eretz Israel are delineated. Some read newspapers and know the present world [dangerous] situation. The purpose of this convention is in order to strengthen Torah and Judaism. If this is so, how is it possible that they sat together for three days discussing matters of high importance, accepted good decisions, yet the situation of threat to life of great numbers of Jewish people in Israel is not mentioned? Nobody raises any voice of protest! Thereafter they print an account of the proceedings and good decisions accepted by all and yet not one word is mentioned of the life threatening danger to Jewish life! You respond that you do not want to make public this situation? What does this mean “not make public?” The entire world knows of this situation! You cannot make a secret of this! The only response, which I received, is that since those involved are already over Bar Mitzva, ask them directly! I did so. They replied: “We have already taken action”. I asked: “What action was taken with regard to this situation of danger to Jewish Life?” They replied: “Now is not the time to speak at length about this. On another occasion we will take up the issue. In the mean time there are many good decisions that were accepted and activated.” 

I responded: “Could you ask: there is a Jewish law that a Rabbi who remains silent or who waits until asked on a matter pertaining to Pikuach Nefesh [life threatening danger] is classed as ‘shameful’. “He himself knows of this law! Now, since he is a Jew who knows how to learn, he responded: “The Talmud states: Just as it is a Mitzva to say that which will be listened to, it is a Mitzva to refrain from that which will not be listened to.” They know that they will not be listened to, so they didn’t make a statement. 

I further responded: “This is contrary to Jewish Law! There is an injunction: “Do not stand on your brother’s blood”, meaning, that according to Jewish law when Jewish life is in danger, even if there is only a very slight chance that the warning will help, one is obligated to declare a warning!” 

We are not speaking theoretically. In times gone by, they argued about which way the stamp was glued to the envelope. At the time of the judgment of Beilis in Russia, even after a complete investigation they argued whether or not to punish him. They confronted the prosecution: “You received a letter in which all proofs for conviction were categorically annulled!” Having nothing to answer, he replied: “You know full well that the letter had its stamp stuck [with the head of the Czar] upside down!” This was the response of the prosecution of Beilis.

With regard to our issue– who is talking of a stamp whether the stamp head is up or down?! Here there is no room for discussion; no one needs to be asked. The Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish law] was printed in Tzfas by the leading rabbinical authority of Israel, the Bet Yosef. There we have the clear halachic injunction. The law is not written without the reason, which would leave a loophole to argue “on what is the basis for the Law?”! The reason is given: “lest the land be opened up before them [the enemy]”. 

The classifiers of Jewish law state that this law applies outside of Israel. [Only in the tractate Eruvin, regarding an eruv can it be argued as to whether this applies to Jewish cities only within Israel or also in the Diaspora.] However, commentators of the Talmud and Code of Jewish Law state that this ruling [regarding life threatening danger] is pertaining both to the Diaspora, and in our times without any difference, and brought this ruling into the laws of Shabbos with the reasoning “lest the land be opened up before them [the enemy]”. 

This being the case, there can be no argument whether this applies to this or that area of land, whether it was conquered land or liberated land, given that this ruling applies also with regard to the Diaspora which is not “our country” or “our land”, that which never belonged to the Jewish People. Nevertheless, the ruling is that, given that there are so and so many Jewish People there, [in the event of life threatening danger, this would apply even to one solitary Jewish life], in such a 

case, even if the land ownership belongs to others of the Diaspora, nevertheless since there dwells there a Jew and “the danger of the land being opened up”, therefore this ruling stands with full force.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe: Millions of Jewish Lives are in Danger!

Fires burning across Israel

“Someone wrote to me that there is now a new phrase in Eretz Israel – ‘be killed and don’t let go’. 

There is a Jewish Law: ‘allow yourself to be killed and don’t transgress [certain prohibitions of Torah’. 

I asked him: “What is the meaning of this?” 

“Why don’t you understand?” he replied, “let them be killed and don’t let go. 

They are prepared to do anything and everything, even to permit Jews to be killed. The main point is don’t let go of their Knesset Seats.” 

In order to hold on to their Knesset Seats they are prepared to endanger millions of Jewish lives. G-d Save us! May it never happen!” 

Public address Shabbos Parshas Beha’alosech 1970

Just take a stand! Don’t kneel or bow down!

There is a clear guideline to be learnt from the leadership of Mordechai (not to compromise our principles of faith) ‘as in those days – in our time;’ we take a firm stand ‘not to kneel or bow down’. And this must stand true not only in a synagogue or a house of learning, but openly even at the gates of a king. Even in the presence of Haman, knowing full well his demand that all the servants of the king are obliged to kneel and bow to him. ‘They had informed (Haman) of the nationality of Mordechai (Book of Esther 3.2).’ 

Wherever Mordechai was, not only would he not serve the idol, but would deny its very existence. Even when told of the command of Haman [who had paid the huge sum of 10,000 silver shekels to annihilate the Jews], Mordechai responded: ‘since I am a Jew, I refuse to kneel or bow down.’ 

A Jew must say unequivocally today: ‘I belong to the People of Mordechai who has set the order of action before the eyes of the entire world’. Gentiles would never have initiated such a difficult path for a Jew to tread. The problem has arisen from (the Jewish People) themselves. G-d has in His world a Nation of wise and understanding people, beginning with “heads of your legions down to wood choppers and water drawers”. Amongst these are also those who are afraid and weak hearted arguing ceaselessly: ‘don’t argue even with a minor nation, certainly not with a world power.’ How can the retention by the People of Israel of the Land of Israel be interpreted as ‘inflammatory’? Who is creating an argument here? The Jewish People are doing no more than retaining their G-d given Land!

We see clearly that gentiles themselves would be in agreement with the Jewish People’s presence in the Land of Israel were it not that they see the Jewish People themselves conduct (as the spies did in the land) ‘we saw ourselves as grasshoppers’, and therefore ‘that is how they regarded us’. Just take a stand! Don’t kneel or bow down! See for yourselves that immediately ‘the fear of the Jews will befall them!’ However, this politician is afraid and of a weak disposition. His interpretation (of one who takes this stand) is that this man is a fool who does not understand the world of politics. This man belongs to the yeshiva or house of study, to remain amongst Jews, not amongst cultured individuals, diplomats, world leaders! In his personal affairs this man conducts himself in a religious fashion and declares ‘there is a Master to the world’. Yet, he argues, since we live in exile, we need to conduct ourselves diplomatically. The leadership shown by a diplomat must be to speak untruthfully. The very essence of diplomacy is to convey the situation not as it is; and yet he must remain wary not to be caught in a lie. No one must realize that the declarations are contrary to the truth. So that should he need to regret what he said, he can make an about-turn and say that he never ever said that; it was not he that wrote that; his intention was not this. So to become a successful diplomat one needs considerable training. 

Public address Moitzo’ei Shabbos Vayakheil Pikudei 1979 

The Rebbe on Expulsions of Jewish People from their homes

Expulsion and Destruction of Jewish Community of Amona

The Rebbe: “At this moment we are talking of a life-threatening issue. Anything connected with a life-threatening situation has a clear halachic ruling: even when the opposing side is demanding no more than stubble and straw for their animals, since thereby the ‘land will be opened up before them’, there is a clear ruling: one must desecrate the Shabbos, go out to war fully armed against them. This law is brought in the Talmud relating to the city of Nehardo’oh (present day Iraq). At that time there were settlements of Jews living there, and the halachic decision is that it is imperative to desecrate the Shabbos, and go out armed, in order to prevent the land being open to the enemy.”

HaRav Yalles: “Why is there such a storm of protest (from the Rebbe) with regard to the return of Yamit? One can understand the objection to the return of oil wells and its landmass (Sinai) because that is a security matter.”

The Rebbe: “In Yamit there live Jewish People exactly as there did in Nehardo’oh which was outside of the land of Israel, where there were both Jewish and non-Jewish people. The same law would apply to Brooklyn. If, G-d forbid, a nation were to demand stubble and straw the law states that there would be the obligation to go out against them armed even on Shabbos! 

Here we are speaking of Yamit whose residents are exclusively Jewish. It is the intention (of the government of Israel) to drive out the Jewish people from there and give the city to Egypt, at a time when the Egyptians are stating in no uncertain terms that their intention is not just for straw but to get a hold into the infrastructure of the land (of Israel)! 

I am not speaking about the sanctity of the Land.” “The problem with Yamit is that it is a threat to the lives of three million Jews, may it never happen! They (the government of Israel) argue that this is an issue of peace.

Expulsion and Destruction of Jewish Community of Yamit

Have you ever seen something like this before? Two countries are making peace between themselves. One side gives everything, whilst the other side gives nothing in return. Not that what they are giving is insufficient; they are giving nothing whatsoever! 

The only gain is that one will be able to travel to see the pyramids!? Have you ever seen such a great achievement in your life? They (the Egyptians) have no intention of peace at all. What has happened is that after warring for tens of years without succeeding to gain territories, they decided to take the territories through ‘peace’ in the very same agreement which was signed at Camp David by Begin himself, that within five years Israel is obliged to arrive at an agreement with the Palestinians?! Those (in the Israeli government) who argue that the issue is about peace, take upon themselves the responsibility for the security of three million Jewish People!” “Especially those (religious Knesset members) who link this (agreement) with Torah, because they will thereby get a few more dollars for their yeshiva.....” When Rabbi Yalles attempted to defend this matter, the Rebbe remarked: “HaRav Yalles! You are a Cohen and therefore wish to find merit. But these are exactly the facts of the situation!” 

Israel declares: ‘Peace!’ The Arabs declare: ‘War!’ 

The Rebbe: “I never did understand the words of the Talmud: ‘the plaintiff claims: (It is) ‘wheat’, and the defendant responds: [it is] ‘barley’. At this time we see this openly: They [the Government of Israel] remonstrate that this is (a step towards) peace, stating that after this they will make peace with the rest of the Arab nations. Their agreement was that after the returning of the territories [Sinai] no (Egyptian) soldiers will be stationed there. The facts on the ground are that within twenty-four hours they (the Egyptians) brought in soldiers, and when they (Israel) asked them, what’s going on?– they responded, ‘they (the stationed soldiers) are in civilian clothing.’ This response was given to (Israeli) officers, men of intelligence, whereas in reality this answer is appropriate for small children........”

Thereafter the Egyptians travel to the USA and ask for Mirages and demand that they be given arms in greater amounts than Israel. When they (the Israelis) ask them (the Egyptians) ‘are we not at peace, why do you need weapons of war?’ They respond: ‘we need these for war against Libya’. 

All of this shows that the situation is terrifying! Automatically after the handing over of Yamit, the Arabs are drawing 10 kilometers closer to Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak and Kfar Chabad.  Some weeks ago Begin expressed wonder that we are alarmed regarding Yamit since Yamit never was part of Eretz Israel. But, as I have emphasized, the matter at hand is not an issue of the sanctity of Land. We are discussing actual threat to life!! There is an explicit halachic ruling that it is forbidden to hand over these territories! Furthermore, when the issue is one of a threat to life, our Sages state this if there is a delay by the Rabbinical authority by not taking the initiative in publicizing the danger, they earn the title of ‘shameful’, and more so; the Rabbi himself is deemed to have shed the blood!”

Visit of the Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Yalles to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Second day Chol Hamoed Pesach 1982