bs"d
As you can see below, there are many Rabbanim (Rabbinic Leaders) in Eretz Yisroel that say that giving away parts of Eretz Yisroel is Pikuach Nefesh (dangerous). I believe that this consensus came out prior to the expulsion of Gush Katif. The situation in Gaza today reflects how the Daas Torah ruling was on the mark.
What is missing are the names of the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah, the network of Rabbis from the OU, the Young Israel and Chabad International.
Rav Eliashiv, the most widely accepted Rabbinic Leader in the chareidi circles seems to agree with the ruling below. In a speech made by Rav Perlow, Rosh Agudath Yisroel, at the Agudah Convention in 2007 he quoted Rav Eliashiv as saying that giving away parts of Eretz Yisroel, and it was implied that he was referring to Yerushalyim, would make the security situation worse. In addition Rav Perlow publicly stated in that same speech that the expulsion from Gush Katif was disastrous.
What is missing is a public statement from the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah that will serve as a stepping stone to mobilize Am Yisroel, the nation of Israel via their vast internal networks, databases, mailing lists and access of the media, to publicize their rulings as news and publicly claim our entitlement to Eretz Yisroel. This would create a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of G-d's name. .
Our collective silence regarding the ongoing peace process, releasing of terrorists etc indicates our collective support for decisions being made for us by the Government of Israel, the United States of America, the European Union and the UN.
Even if we rally with the government of Israel's at this present time to go into Gaza, how can we ignore their willingness to establish a Palestinian State putting the entire Israel into danger
Every morning in our daily prayers in Hodu in Psukei Dzimra, taken from Chronicles 16 we recite
"Zichru LeOlam Briso, Davar Tziva LeElef Dor, Asher Karas es Avraham, Ushvuoso LeYitzchok. Vayaamideha leYaakov leChok, LeYisroel Bris Olam, Lamor, Lecha Etain Eretz Canaan, Chevel Nachalaschem"
Remember forever His covenant, - the Word He commanded for a thousand generations, - that He made with Abraham and His vow to Isaac, ...then He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as a covenant everlasting. To you I shall give the Land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance. (interlinear translation from Artscroll Schottenstein edition page 80 )
The note on the bottom of the Artscroll reads as follows:
"For a thousand generations. G-d's word". - His covenant with Israel - lasts for a thousand generations - a poetic expression meaning forever. He sealed His covenant with Abraham, designated Isaac as Abraham's successor, and then chose Jacob over Esau, thus making Israel His chosen people everlastingly (Tzilosa D'Avraham)
"Sing to Hashem" As we find repeated in Prophets, all nations will follow Israel's lead in recognizing and serving G-d. The fourteen verses alluded here refer to those days. However, David also referred to a salvation that occured in his own lifetime. The Philistines had captured the Holy Ark and destroyed the Tabernacle at Shiloh. But the presence of the Ark in the Philistine cities brought plagues upon them. Recognizing the hand of G-d in their suffering, the Philistines returned the Ark with a gift of tribute to G-d. 'The same will happen in future times when Israel's oppressors will recognize G-ds majesty.
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DA'AS TORAH (A HALACHIC RULING) ISSUED BY THE MOST PROMINENT RABBIS IN ISRAEL
CONCERNING TERRITORIAL COMPROMISE
IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH TO THE MILLIONS OF JEWS RESIDING IN ISRAEL
There is a definitive ruling in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), Orach Chaim 329-6, which states: "if a band of heathens have surrounded a Jewish city (on Sabbath), if their intention is only to rob, we may not desecrate the Sabbath to defend our property. If their intention is to kill or even if their intention is unknown but there is a reason to suspect that it might be to kill - then we are to go forth against them with weapons and we may desecrate the Sabbath for this purpose.
However, if the city in question is close to the border, then even where their intention is only to rob 'straw or stubble', we are commanded to desecrate the Sabbath to defend the city against them. " The RAMA ads: "even if they have not yet arrived but are only preparing to arrive". The RAV's Shulchan Aruch amplifies: "However, if the city in question is close to the border, then even where their intention is to rob straw and stubble, we desecrate the Sabbath to defend the city against them, for if we will not do so they might capture this (strategic) city - and from there it will be easier for them to conquer the rest of the land. This coincides with Rashi's comments (in Eruvin 45a) on the word "Border": "If it is a city that separates the border of Jews from the border of other nations then we must go out against them to prevent them from conquering this city, for from there it would be easier for them to conquer the rest of the land."
The ruling in Shulchan Aruch pertaining to a city close to the border is clear: "Even if the attackers only come to rob straw and stubble (i.e. they claim they want peace, not territory) one is obligated to take up arms and go out against them. If there is a possible question of Pikuach Nefesh, i.e. if Jewish lives are jeopardized, then even if it is a SAFEK SFEKA (a remote doubt), one must desecrate the Sabbath - because one is forbidden to allow even the most remote possibility of making it easier for the land to be conquered.
The current situation in our Holy Land us far more severe then that depicted in the Shulchan Aruch, for a number of reasons:
1) all settlements and towns in Israel are currently under discussion for transfer to Arabs "for the sake of peace", are not only towns close to the border: they are themselves the border.
2) The Arabs are not coming here for 'straw and stubble': they are declaring publicly that they want Jerusalem, Ramla, Lod, Jaffa and the Golan Heights.
3) The Israeli government's policy today is (heaven forbid) to surrender territories on a silver platter, by its own initiative. This will endanger all the residents of Israel, for it will open the way for attackers to conquer the entire land. Hence, this is certainly a matter of Pikuach Nefesh, without any shadow of doubt. In such a case the Shulchan Aruch rules (and no one contests this ruling) that one must take up arms and go out against them on the Sabbath, so that it will not be easy for them to conquer the land.
Many ask: 'is it Halachically permissible to surrender territories for peace?"
in our opinion, this question is misleading. If it is asked with all sincerity than it should be rephrased to read: "Is it permissible to jeopardize the Jews residing in Israel, to place them in a situation of Pikuach Nefesh, by handing over border towns to the Arabs, and receive in return (at the best…) a piece of paper?!!" As we now, unfortunately, witness, the mere negotiations on transferring settlements to the Arabs have encouraged the terrorists to intensify their attacks against Jews, in every part of Israel. It is frightening to just think what will happen (G-D forbid) if the government hands over those border towns.
The Torah which is a Toras Chaim (a Torah of life) provides the answers to every question that can arise in daily life, and it certainly has an answer to such a fateful questions which affects millions of Jews. The unequivocal ruling in the Shulchan Aruch is resoundingly clear: it lights up the way and guides us how to act in this case according to Torah. The ruling is that IT IS FORBIDDEN, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TO HAND OVEER PARTS OF ISRAEL TO THE ARABS.
To this I affix my signature:
Rabbi Eliyahu Abuchatsera Chief Rabbi Nazrat Rabbi Yechiel Abuchatsera Chief Rabbi Ramla
Rabbi Eliyahu Abutbul Naharia Rabbi Shlomo Aviner Chief Rabbi Beth El
Rabbi Asher J. Avidan Chief Rabbi Z'rachia Rabbi Israel Ariel "Machon Hamikdash"
Rabbi Aviad Binyamin Chief Rabbi Shafir area, of the Israel Chief Rabbinical Council Jerusalem
Rabbi Tsemach Abraham Chief Rabbi Yanov Rabbi Abraham Agiashvili Kiryat Ata
Rabbi Joseph Aberky Chief Rabbi Kiryat Yam Rabbi Tzvi Y. Adler Tel Aviv
Rabbi Moshe Admon Chief Rabbi Elishama Rabbi Natan Oirechman Akko
Rabbi Chananya Edri Ashdod Rabbi Jacob Edrei Or Yehuda
Rabbi Boruch Eidelstein Haifa Rabbi Chaim Iram Chief Rabbi Elazar
Rabbi Aaron Aizental Chisipin Rabbi Refael Alashvili Chief Rabbi of Russian
Jews in Israel
Rabbi Mordechai Eilon Jerusalem Rabbi Mordechai D. Altain Beiar Ilit
Rabbi Eliezer Altshuler Susya Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu Chief Rabbi Tsfat
and Galilee Area
Rabbi Israel Elizera Chief Rabbi Ashdod Rabbi Jacob Halevi Elyashiv Chief Rabbi Kiriat Yam
Rabbi Shimon Almaliach Chief Rabbi Atlit Rabbi Yitschak Alfasi Tel Aviv
Rabbi Jacob Alkabetz Chief Rabbi Achuzam & Lachish Rabbi Moshe Alkabetz Chief Rabbi Ma'agalim
Rabbi Yonatan Elran Chief Rabbi Kochav Hashachar Rabbi Eliyahu Asulin "Beit Eliezer" Chadera
Rabbi Jacob Ariel Chief Rabbi Ramat Gan Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kfar Chabad
Rabbi Azriel Ariel Chief Rabbi Ateret Rabbi Michael Erlich Tel Aviv
Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi Chabad Tel Aviv Rabbi Josef Ba - Gad "Nechalim" Yeshiva
Rabbi Yehuda Baharav Kiryat Malachi Rabbi Moshe Butchko Chief Rabbi Kochav Jacob
Rabbi Moshe Biegel Chief Rabbi Meitar Rabbi Ovadya Bidani Tel Aviv
Rabbi Tuvia Blau Jerusalem Rabbi Josef Blau Chief Rabbi Megilot Tamar
Rabbi Joseph Y. Belinov Bney Brak Rabbi Yinam Ben Harush Oranit
Rabbi Elchanan Bin Nun Chief Rabbi Shilo Rabbi Moshe Havlin Kiriat Gat
Rabbi Shlomo Ben Chamo Chief Rabbi Kiryat Gat Rabbi Eliezer Brod Chief Rabbi Karmey Yosef
Rabbi Menachem Ben Jacob "Machon Meir" Jerusalem Rabbi Yechiel Gavra Yavne
Rabbi Matanya Ben Shachar Chief Rabbi Neveh Daniel Rabbi Azarya Basis Chief Rabbi Rosh Ha'ayin
Rabbi David Bar Chen Chief Rabbi Shderot Rabbi Noaam I. Bar Tov Balfuria
Rabbi Moshe A. Broide Givataim Rabbi Daniel Gabay Mevasert Tzion
Rabbi Jacob Gagulashvili Rabbi of the Rabbi Abraham Giser Chief Rabbi Ofra
Rabbi Shalom Gold Jerusalem Rabbi Gabriel Goldman Chief Rabbi Kfar Adumim
Rabbi Y. Gurari Chief Rabbi Cholon Rabbi Menachem Gluchovsky Rechovot
Rabbi Zcharya Guri Chief Rabbi Avital, Ta'anach Rabbi Menachem Glitsenstein Chif Rabbi Maale Efraim
Rabbi Shimon Garelik Naharia
Rabbi Josef Gliksberg Member of the Israel Chief Rabbinical Council and Chief Rabbi Givataim
Rabbi Josef S. Gerlitzky Rabbi of Central Tel Aviv Rabbi Shabtay Zelikovitz Mevaseret Zion
Rabbi David H. Grinwald Chief Rabbi Nechalim Rabbi Yona Dovrat Chief Rabbi Mevo Choron
Rabbi Israel A. Gerhstenkorn Chief Rabbi Kiriat Malachi Rabbi Mordechai Dovrovski Rishon Letzion
Rabbi David Dudkevits Chief Rabbi Yitzhar Rabbi David M. Drukman Chief Rabbi Kiriat Motzkin
Rabbi Simcha Doitch Bnei Brak Rabbi Chaim Drukman "Or Etzion"
Rabbi Abraham Y. Dulgin Ramat Eshkol, Jerusalem Rabbi Arie Dremer Ramat Gan
Rabbi Chananya Deri Chief Rabbi Jaffa Rabbi Shlomo Damary Chief Rabbi Mateh Yehuda
Rabbi Jakob Derie B'dolach Rabbi Moshe Y. Waiss "Neve Achiezer", Bney Brak
Rabbi Josef Hecht Chief Rabbi Eilat Rabbi Yeshayahu Hertzel Chief Rabbi Nazeret Eilit
Rabbi Micha Halevi Nachalat Yitzchak, Tel Aviv Rabbi Menachem M. Volpa Natanya
Rabbi Yisrael Hlperin Hertzelia Rabbi Abraham M. Halperin Jerusalem
Rabbi Levi Yitchok Halperin Rabbinical Technology Institution
Rabbi Naftali S. Vaknin "Ben Gurion", Lod
Rabbi Josef Y. Volosov Chief Rabbi Ramat Yishay Rabbi Chaim N. Veisblum Haifa
Rabbi Shlomo Volpa Kiriat Gat Rabbi Pinchas M. Zander Tel Aviv
Rabbi Tzion Vaitsman Chief Rabbi Kochav Ya'akov Rabbi Mordechai Chaziza Chief Rabbi Mevaseret Tzion
Rabbi David Vaknin Chief Rabbi Menachamia Rabbi Josef Zini Ashdod
Rabbi Michael Vaknin Chief Rabbi Yokneam Rabbi Josef Zilberfarb Haifa
Rabbi Menashe Vaknin Tiberias Rabbi Abraham Chazan Neve Nof, Lod
Rabbi Yehuda Zilberstein Chief Rabbi Kiriat Tivon Rabbi Yehoshua Chevroni Naharia
Rabbi Asher Zamel Rabbi of Lev Hasharon Rabbi Natan Chay Itamar
& Bnei Zion
Rabbi Reuven Zarki Tel Aviv Rabbi Dov Chaminetzki Tel Aviv
Rabbi Abraham Chovalashvili Ashklon Rabbi David Chanzin Petach Tikva
Rabbi Ahaliav Chayun Tel Aviv Rabbi Josef Tolidano Chief Rabbi Givat Zev
Rabbi Natan Chai Itamar Rabbi Dov Teichman Tiberias
Rabbi Baruch Tolidano Chief Rabbi Tirat Hacarmel Rabbi Yehuda Yeruslavski Kiriat Malachi
Rabbi Josef C. Hacohen Trab Hertslia Pituach & Nof Yam Rabbi Shimon Jacob Tel Chaim
Rabbi Jacob Josef Jerusalem Rabbi Shmuel Yniv Chief Rabbi Givat Shmuel
Rabbi Boruch Boaz Yurkovits Lod Rabbi Shaul Israeli "Eretz Chemda" Jerusalem
Rabbi Ovadia Yabetz Chief Rabbi Kiriat Ekron Rabbi Benjamin Cohen Ramla
Rabbi David Yifrach Rabbi "Igud Hasfaradim" Rabbi David Chai Cohen Bat Yam
Rabbi Menashe Isachar Chief Rabbi Pduel Rabbi Eliyahu Cohen Chief Rabbi Beit She'an
Rabbi Asher Lemil Cohen Chief Rabbi Beitar Ilit Rabbi Yoram Cohen Be'er Sheva
Rabbi Benjamin Cohen Netivot Rabbi Ben Zion Lipsker Chief Rabbi Arad
Rabbi Josef Cohen Ramla Rabbi Moshe Leventhal Chief Rabbi Beit Yatir
Rabbi Shmuel Cohen Ramat Gan Rabbi Zecharya Karmi Chief Rabbi Shetulim
Rabbi She'ar Yashuv Cohen Member of the Israel Chief Rabbinical Council and Chief Rabbi Haifa
Rabbi Efraim Michaelshvili Ashkelon
Rabbi Moshe Katz Beit Shemesh Rabbi David Lachiani Chief Rabbi Safsufa
Rabbi Itschak Levanon Be'er Sheva Rabbi Shlomo Lipsh Kfar Acim
Rabbi Refael Halevi Levinson Tel Adashim Rabbi Shalom D. Lifshitz Ramat Gan
Rabbi Dov Lior Chief Rabbi Kfar Haroe, Rabbi Ben Zion Michaelshvili "Givat Hazeitim" Lod Kiriat Arba, Hevron Rabbi Menachem M. Liberman Ashkelon
Rabbi Moshe L. Landa Chief Rabbi and Dayan, Bnei Brak
Rabbi Eliyahu Mali "Ateret Kohanim" Jerusalem Rabbi Eliezer Melamed Chief Rabbi Har Bracha
Rabbi Meir Mazuz Chief Justice of Israel's Supreme Rabbinical Court, Jerusalem
Rabbi Josef Kaplan Chief Rabbi Sitria
Rabbi Mordechai Mizrachi Ramat Yisrael, Tel Aviv Rabbi Shalom H. Machpuz "Kol Juda" - Rehovot
Rabbi Moshe Maimon Chief Rabbi Kiriat Ata Rabbi Nisim Malka Haifa
Rabbi Itzhak Malachi Tel Aviv Rabbi Shlomo Min Hahar "Bait Vagan" Jerusalem
Rabbi Yeshayahu Maitlis Naharia Rabbi Meir Swisa Be'er Sheva
Rabbi Moshe Michalashvili Kiriat Malachi Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Rabbi Tirat Hakarmel
Rabbi Jacob Mendlson Ein Tamar, Neot Hakikar, Tamar Rabbi Zev Dov Slonim Jerusalem
Rabbi David A. Mendelboim Bnei Brak Rabbi Naftali Marinovski Chief Rabbi Lehavim
Rabbi Abraham Nachshon "Machon Hamikdash" Jerusalem Rabbi Ben Zion Amar Shvut Rachel
Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria Rabbi of Bnei Akiva Yeshivot Rabbi Eliyahu Uziel Chief Rabbi Misgav Area
Rabbi David A. Spector Chief Rabbi Nokdim Rabbi Yehoshua Uliel Dimona
Rabbi Itzchak Azriel Kiriat Malachi Rabbi Moshe Pinkovitz Cholon
Rabbi Ratzon Arusi Chief Rabbi Kiriat Ono and Member of the Israel Chief Rabbinical Council
Rabbi Yona Porat Revacha Rabbi Naftali Fiegenboim Tel Aviv
Rabbi Micha Peled Nativ Hashayara Rabbi Yekutiel Farkash Jerusalem
Rabbi Yehuda Felix Elkana Rabbi Shneior Prosper Jerusalem
Rabbi Gidon Perel Chief Rabbi Alon Shvut Rabbi Shlomo Frank Akko
Rabbi Jacob Peretz "Midrash Sfaradi" Jerusalem Rabbi Shlomo Tsadok Jerusalem
Rabbi Josef Tsuberi Chief Rabbi of the Yemen Jews in Israel Rabbi Chain Tsanani Rosh Haain
Rabbi Iser Klonski Jerusalem
Rabbi Josef Kapach Chief Justice of Israel's Supreme Rabbinical Court, Jerusalem
Rabbi Benjamin Kuperman Ramat Gan Rabbi Josef Karasik Chief Rabbi Arava Area
Rabbi Josef Katashvili Askelon Rabbi Shlomo Rosefeld Chief Rabbi Beit Shean Area
Rabbi Moshe Klein Tsafaria Rabbi Aharon Keler Chief Rabbi Naharia
Rabbi Moshe Kleers "Emek Refaim" Jerusalem Rabbi Avshalom Katzir Chief Rabbi El - Al
Rabbi Avshalom Kil Gan Ner Rabbi Eliezer Knohl Chief Rabbi Kfar Etzion
Rabbi Igal Kaminetzki Chief Rabbi Gaza Area Rabbi Yechezkel Refaeli Naharia
Rabbi Shmuel Hacohen Kaplan Chief Rabbi Bat Galim, Haifa Rabbi Yhuda M. Stern Chief Rabbi Elkana
Rabbi Shlomo Katzin "Midrash Sfardi", Jerusalem Rabbi Yechiel Shimon Jerusalem
Rabbi Yehuda Kroizer Chief Rabbi Mitspeh Yericho Rabbi Shlomo Hacohen Riskin Chief Rabbi Efrat
Rabbi Aminadadv Krispin Chief Rabbi Kiriat Bialik Rabbi Eliyahu Cohen Rabin Kiriat Hyovel, Jerusalem
Rabbi Israel Rushetzki Chief Rabbi Mt. Hermon Area Rabbi Shmuel Shnur Migdal Ha'emek
Rabbi Jacob Raitzes Chief Rabbi Yesod Hama'ala Rabbi Aharon Shapira Pardes Katz
Rabbi Yair Shachor Chief Rabbi Ma'ale Levona Rabbi David Turgeman Dimona
Rabbi Zevulun Shadmi Rabbi of East Tel Aviv Rabbi Natan Sharabi Rehovot
Rabbi Jacob Pinchas Shir Chief Rabbi Kfar Saba Rabbi Josef Sharabi Givat Mordechai Jerusalem
Rabbi Abraham Shlush Chief Rabbi Kfar Saba Rabbi David Shapira Beit Hakerem, Jerusalem
Rabbi Abraham Shapira Israel Chief Rabbi Rabbi Avinoam Taizi Chief Rabbi Talmey Yechiel
Rabbi Seadia Shalom Maatuf Chief Rabbi Bareket Rabbi Arie Se'adya Yavneh
Rabbi Avigdor Neventsal Chief Rabbi Jerusalem Old City Rabbi Yishay Samuel Yonatan
Rabbi Moshe Hadaya Chief Rabbi Eilat Rabbi Israel J. Hendel Migdal Ha'emek
Rabbi Shmuel E. Halperin "Bies Yisroel" Jerusalem Rabbi Reuven Hiler Hod Hasharon
