For Step 1 a prerequisite for Step 2, Please read Wednesday, June 02, 2010
An Open Letter to Agudath Yisroel of America. Step 1: Mir Daf Vellin!
Step 2: Teshuva for the deafening Silence as Gush Katif Communites were destroyed and their residents expelled.Teshuva is not very easy. That is an understatement. That is why there is no way in this world that we can accomplish Step 2 without Step 1.
Let me brainstorm.
If this generation is the reincarnation of the Dor Hamidbar, let's review some of the requirements of faith that was required of this Dor Deah, this generation of knowledge in the Desert. The first thing that comes to mind is total dependency on G-d. Their sustenance was enought for just one day and that's it. Each day the Yiden had to pray that the next day G-d would provide for their food. They could not hoard food from one day to the next.
In order to reach this extremely high level of Emuna and Bitachon and even surpass it, great Mesiras Nefesh is required, a willingness to risk ones Parnassa and ones honored status for the sake of Hashem and His Torah. That means that it perhaps requires a willingness to forgo ones prestigious position in Agudas Yisroel of America and collectively put the entire organization at risk, potentially risking its' not for profit status and risk losing multimillion dollars worth of funding in programs it receives from the United States Gov't. These programs clearly help Yidden living in America and these were obtained after much hard work and dedication and lobbying. This could mean the loss of jobs and funding of many ehrlich Yidden. As you can tell, I am aware of the difficult challenge Hashem is placing before us. If you ask me whether Orthodox Jews represented by Agudath Yisroel merit funding by all means YES. In fact I am sure America is blessed because of their generous and very kind government programs. However, there is a vary important caveat! All funding must not buy our Silence regarding our determined and vocal opposition to a Palestinian State,
Teshuva is a 3 step process. The first step is admitting we made a mistake. We must publicly admit that giving away the 22 communities in Gaza and the Shomron was a disaster and a very grave mistake. So many Mitzvoth D'Orayta were violated aside from the basic nullification of our Covenant with Hashem. G-d promised the Land of Israel withing delineated borders exclusively to Am Yisroel. Our willingness to be Silent , ignore and allow the shameless, cruel, inhumane stealing and destruction of our brothers property, livelihood and community without a Geshrai (an outcry) is almost as painful as the act of the perpetrators themselves.
In August 2005, In the USA, it was Color War as usual in so many of the camps networked with Agudah, ( both in sleep away and day camps). Calls pleading the camps to say Tehillim in sync with the hundreds and thousands of Jews praying at the Kotel were met with questions like who authorized you to make this phone call. I know because it was I who made many such phone calls to the camps.
At a Tisha Baav gathering of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation there was a request to say special Tehillim in light of the expulsions going on at that very moment, as the fires were burning in Gush Katif. The reply was that we already said a kapittal of Tehillim for Eretz Yisroel in the start of the program.
How can we have been so callous towards the anguish of our brethren? How could UTJ have been part of the govt that authorized this terrible decree and destruction of our brethren? Why were questions to some of the Gedoilim regarding the expulsions of Gush Katif met with the answer "Nisht Inzere Sugia?" How could we have been so hypocritical as to say "we share in their pain "when in fact we were in fact a factor that contributed to their pain?
Why when editors of Chariedi magazines and newspaper were asked how come the Gedoilim were silent they responded that the Gedoilim see the big picture and where is our Emunas Chachomim. Yet after the fact there was a consensus that the expulsion of Gush Katif was indeed a disaster and from a security standpoint things got much worse. Why did all the newspaper refuse to publish the lobbying we were doing to the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah because they didn't want to put the Gedoilim in a negative light.
We must admit that we betrayed our brothers and our youth in Yehudah and Shomron. My speaking up right now is not betraying Agudah. LeHefech. It is done with the ambition of raising Agudah to the Heights. Zedonos turn into Zechuyos. The red thread becomes white. The pain of Gush Katif is very deep and just doesn't go away. Only Teshuva will be a balm on the wound. For this to happen we must have honest Charata. Serious regret that we turned our backs on the Eitbeshter and His Precious gift to Am Yisroel and we turned our backs to our brethren and ultimately our actions greatly empowered terrorism all over the world. The recent incident of the Turkish lynching of our soldiers on a terrorist boat masquerading as "humanitarian" is a direct consequence of our negligence. Even if we are not chayav Bidei Adam can we honestly say that we had no share in spilling their blood?(literally and figuratively, besides the property destruction, there were suicides and heart attacks as a direct result of the expulsion)
The 3rd Step in the Teshuva Process is Kabbala Al HeAsid. This is taught to elementary school kids around Yamim Noraim time. This means a serious commitment to never repeat the same mistake to the best of our abilities. Today as I write this letter there are standing orders to demolish 46 structures, remove roadblocks that protect the residents from terrorists, orders to demolish a beautiful shul and Beit Medrash, orders to allow Arabs on a highway putting Jewish commuters in serious risk. Surely we can do our hishtadlus to stop these Gezeiros. We need a big Geshrai as Mordechai told Esther Hamalka. Im Hachareish Tacharishu.......
Okay, Practically, If we take it upon ourselves to this time to raise an outcry, as I mentioned previously, there is a risk factor fraught with danger and and requires Emunah on the level of Dor Hamidbar. We risk the wrath of the World and the wrath of America and the possible termination of our secure source of livelihood. It may require that we revert to day to day cleaving and heartfelt prayers to the Ribbono Shel Olam pleading with him to provide for our needs with abundance, without shame and from Him and Him alone.
Not so easy. Agudath Yisroel of America senses what we are asking of them. They are intelligent educated leaders of our communities. Apparently, they are still not ready to take such giant drastic leap frog steps. It is for this reason we can't seem to pinpoint an appointment time with Agudath Yisroel of America for June 11th as was initially offered. This reluctance on their part to meet with us was predictable and expected though we prefer to be optimistic at all times. . These emails are upsetting to them. They obviously do not want the publicity. Why then are we being so persistent and badgering them? Didn't Penina suffer terribly for tormenting Chana even if her motives were pure?
Of course if Agudah representatives are annoyed with us, we are being counterproductive and must ask Mechila. Let all of you know that personally,I believe that most if not all Agudah representatives surpass me in Torah and Yirat Shamayim in all areas except perhaps one. I do not wish to elaborate and embarrass myself or my family by listing our dysfunctions.
However, I have the advantage of having lived in KIryat Arba, Hebron in the 80s and my energies and deep love for Eretz Yisroel has its roots in Hebron. My advantage over Agudah staff can be easily shifted and rectified in Agudas favor by visiting Mearas Hamachpela and crying at the Kever of our Avos and Imahos. Others taking over the cry for activism for Yehudah and the Shomron would surely silence me and I can finally get down to the serious business of cleaning my basement.
Please understand and believe It is because of our admiration and Emunas Chachaim and recognition that Agudath Yisroel of America is a potentially powerful force in uniting Am Yisroel that we persist . Others have tried and have given up. We are literally begging Agudath Yisroel of America to do full Hishtadlus balev Ubanefesh BeTokef proclaiming Eretz Yisroel
is our Promised Land and we must sanctify it with G-ds commandments.
In 1987 I remember meeting with Rav Usher Freund tz"l. I passionately spoke to him about our failure to keep Shemittah in the spirit of Shabbath.. He asked me "and are you without sin?". I asked him which sin was I violating? I honestly couldn't figure it out. He replied "Vehadarta Pnei Zakein, that one must beautify the face of an Elder. I immediately started begging him for forgiveness. Before I even had a chance to beg for forgiveness he reassured me that it was ok , he forgave me and soon after I believe he said "She will bring Moshiach" . Of course that filled me with pride until my friend who was standing next to me told me " Did you hear Rav Usher tell me that I would bring Moshiach?" I didn't answer her but in my heart I thought Rav Usher was talking to me. My friend thought that Rav Usher was talking to her. In the final analysis, I concluded that Rav Usher tz"l was talking to both of us and that each one of us is capable of bringing Moshiach. May you find it in your hearts to forgive me as did Rav Ushe zT"l r and may we be Zocheh to bring a Geula Shleima Bimheira Byameinu, Ameein.
(Steps 3-7 To be continued ).
Thank you for reading and listening!
On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 5:21 AM, Robin Ticker <faigerayzel@gmail.com> wrote:
bs"d
Anachnu Maaminim Bnei Maaminim..... Much material of this email was taken from the Sefer "Halacha Berurah" whose author is Rav Yisachar Dov Rumpler a Belze Chasid later greatly influenced by the Lubavitch Rebe documenting the events of the time in the months preceding the Hitnatkut from a Chareidi perspective.
To: Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel and Rabbi Leibish Becker, amv"sh
This past week we have placed numerous phone calls to the Agudah Office asking you to please meet with us and with David Ha'Ivri liason of the Shomron Community Council. We were disappointed to be told that Agudah was unable to fit us, activists for Eretz Yisroel "into the schedule" this week. We were however given a meeting date on Friday June 11th. Unfortunately, by that time David Ha'Ivri is back in Israel.
We appreciate Agudah's albeit reluctant willingness to meet with us.
(Many of our names can be found in the CC list after media list). Many names you will recognize, because we are dedicated members of the Jewish community volunteering our time night and day, taking the time once again out of our busy schedules to meet with Agudah at Agudah's earliest convenience because we understand the urgency of this matter. This is Ait Tzara for the Jewish people and for which according to the Shulchan Aruch one is even permitted to be Mechalel Shabbos and not wait till after Shabbos in order not to come to the situation that might weaken Jewish claim to the Land of Israel. (Shulchan Orech Siman Shin Chaf Tes Seif Vav)
Please reconsider a meeting with David Ha'Ivri this week because the series of events in the Shomron is scary reminding us of the destruction of Gush Katif and Amona. There are orders in place for the destruction of Beit Yehonaton, destruction of Od Yosef Chai in Yitzhar, a Beth Medrash and shul, and the destruction of 46 structures chas vechalil which from painful past experiences of such nature had devastating effects on families and is Gezeila Pshuto Kemashmao and creates a situation of Pikuach Nefesh to millions.
Where is the Geshrai? (Shulchan Aruch taf kuf ayin vav seif aleph)
UMordechai Yada es Kol Asher Naaseh...Vayetzi Besoch Hair Vayizak Zeaka Gedola Umara..
Ki Im Hachareish Tacharishi LaEish Hazos Revach Vehatzala Yaamod Layehudim... Umi Yodea Im LaEish Hazos Higaat Lamalchut?
As Queen Esther tells Achashveirosh, "For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain and to be exterminated. Had we been sold as slaves and maidservants, I would have kept quiet for the adversary is not worthy of the king's damage." (translation Stone Chumash)
The ideological father of the Palestinian Authority isGrand Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini
www.palestinefacts.org/pf_mandate_grand_mufti.php the Mufti of Jerusalem, partner to Hitler, Yemach Shemo.
Iran under the despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad another admirer of Hitler Yemach Shemo and Holocaust denier, is very close to producing nuclear weapons and US intelligence is unable to determine exactly when. However all now agree that the time is too close for comfort. This was the jolting message from John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the UN and Michael Steele Republican National Committee Chairman. John Bolton spoke at the Ateret Cohanim Dinner and Michael Steele at Central Park concert this past Sunday. This Iranian despot would not hesitate to use his nuclear muscle on Israel given the chance. The message of these Righteous Gentiles to us was that what is good for Israel is good for America! Destruction of the settlements in the heart of Israel is to the detriment of Israel! Blessings to the world flow through the Jewish people as is written in the Torah and the Prophets.
Surely Hashem is waiting to fulfill His promise to protect His Nation Israel. How can we give away and shame our Bechora, our inheritance as did Aisav lehavdil for a pot of lentils (educational subsidies and empty promises of peace to satiate our desire for peace)
We all know what happened to Sederot after the communities of Gush Katif were destroyed. Let's think about Ben Gurion airport, Bnei Brak, Kiryat Sefer, Beitar Illit .... Perek Peh Gimmel in Tehillim says it all.
It is still not too late to meet with David Ha'Ivri since he is scheduled to be here this whole week. He deserves our admiration and support for representing a community that is on the front lines in the Shomron, a temporary buffer zone for us here in Brooklyn and throughout the Diaspora. Let us in the Diaspora learn from the sharp rebuke of Moshe Rabbeinu to Shevet Reuvein, Gad and Chatzi Shevet Menasheh "Acheichem Yatzu LaMilchama VeAtem Teishvu Po?" , Your brothers go to War and you sit here?
Rabbanim of Eretz Yisroel have been crying out to Rabbanim and Jewish Organizations in Israel and the Diaspora to help raise our voices and to do whatever we possibly can to wake up the Jewish people and lobby Washington to stop pressuring Israel. (Please see attachment of letter of Chief Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar to the Major Jewish Organizations in the Diaspora and the letter written by the Rabbinical Congress of Peace prior to the Expulsion from Gush Katif. ) It is also clear that initially many Gedoilei Hatorah and Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah were against the "Hitnatkut". (see attachments and Hamodia article of 12 Cheshvan 5745 (2005) )
On 24 Teves 5745 (2005)Hamodia reported that 290 million Shekalim was allocated to the Yeshivoth in return for UTJ joining the Coalition thereby leaving the 8,000 Jews of Gush Katif on their own. Please review the attachments of an anguished outcry of Chareidim who attempted to prevent the tragic expulsion from Gush Katif.
In 2007 Rav Perlow went especially to Eretz Yisroel asking a Sheila regarding division of Yerushalyim and Rav Eliashiv clearly gave a Psak against dividing Jerusalem and we must proclaim it Bechol Hatokef (Agudah Convention 2007, Motzei Shabbos address by Rav Perlow). At the time activists for Eretz Yisroel Hashleim were disappointed that no message was stated against a Palestinian State. However, that would have been politically incorrect and in opposition to American Foreign Policy of the times which promoted a Palestinian Statehood but still supported a United Jerusalem.
Odelia Jacobs has documentation that Rabbi Morgenstern in Eretz Yisroel was told the same by Rav Eliashiv regarding our obligation to become activists in this matter. . Now that there is a construction freeze also affecting Yerushalyim, where is the outcry in Agudah against current events in Ramat Shlomo and construction freeze in Yerushalyim.
Thank you for your time and consideration and for reviewing the attachments.
HaGaon HaRav Ben Zion Grossman of Migdal Haamek in an interview with Eretz Yisroel Shelanu said:
The brothers of Yosef Hatzadik said to one another (Breishith 42:21) "Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother, inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish as he pleaded with us and we paid not heed. That is why this anguish has come upon us" When the State of Israel destroyed tens of settlements, abandoned thousands of Jews, and gave their lands to murderers who set fire to their Shuls, and the Chareidi community sat and was quiet, many said in their hearts: this won't happen to us. and behold, it happened, and today within Yerushalyim they are not building, and in Chareidi settlements they are demolishing homes"
Articles of Interest:The Black Cloud: Gush Katif threatens to return
A new-old, and worrying, phenomenon has just returned to Judea and Samaria's horizons: attempts to raze dozens of fully-built homes, as opposed to occasional shacks. Here's a Haaretz report -- they have good pro-Palestinian sources! :http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-to-demolish-west-bank-construction-freeze-violations-1.289538. --
Court rejects Beit Yehonatan appeal
By JPOST.COM STAFF 25/05/2010
www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176438
Jerusalem court orders eviction, demolition to begin immediately.
The Jerusalem District Court rejected the latest appeal against the slated
sealing of Beit Yehonatan, a Jewish seven-story building constructed without
a permit in the mostly Arab southeast Silwan neighborhood, Israel Radio
reported on Tuesday.
Judge Nava Ben-Or ruled against the residents' appeal to delay the sealing
order, stipulating that it should be carried out immediately.
The court order, which calls for Beit Yehonatan's residents to be evicted
and the building to be sealed, has been delayed for over two years, due to
internal squabbling within the municipality regarding the larger issues of
building codes and their enforcement in east Jerusalem.
The building is named for Jonathan Pollard and was built in 2004 with funds
from the Ateret Cohanim organization.
------------------
As tax paying Americans we need to address the following matter:Could US-Trained PA Military Turn Guns on Israel?
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137674#replies
Let us learn from the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. The Rabbanim were silent when they witnessed the anguish of their fellow Jew. Let this generation be metaken, correct the the humbleness of Zechariah Ben Avkulas by speaking out without fear for Hashem's Torah and for the Emes.
Sincerely,
Robin Ticker
This email is L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) a great activist and lover of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichrono Baruch.
--
Sincerely,
Robin Ticker
This email is L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) a great activist and lover of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichrono Baruch.
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