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לכבוד: Rav Aharon Schechter of Yeshivah Chaim Berlin Shlita
Rav Matisyahu Salomon mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ Shlita
Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Philadelphia Shlita
Rav Yaakov Perlow, Noveminsker Rav Rosh Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah Shlita
Let me preface my remarks by saying that the inspiration of these words comes from having lived in close proximity to Hebron, Ir Avot, the city of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the 1980s. One can not help but absorb the Kedusha of this very holy place.
Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah re: Jewish State, Oct. 1937
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Please note the highlighted words.
In 1937 in Marienbad, the Third Kenessiah of Agudas Yisroel was held. Here is positive proof that the majority of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah in 1937 voted in favor of a Jewish State and said that relinquishment of the Holy Land given to the Jewish people by G-d has no validity. It seems from their words that they are in favor of a Jewish State with the qualification that we must pursue expanding its borders and ensuring that the laws of a Jewish State will be founded on religion and tradition Let the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of our generation be true to their lineage, follow this declaration and actively join and unite with the multitudes of Jews that desire the same.
Taken from the journal HaPardes (volume 11, Issue 7, October 1937), 75 years ago, reprinted in Mishpacha Issue 179, 6 Cheshvan 5768, October 17,2007 Page 26)————————————————————————————————————-
"On Sunday, 16 Elul, the great Torah leaders discussed the question of a Jewish State, and reached the greatly anticipated decision of the congress. It was a stormy assembly, attended by the Rebbes of Gur, Ghorkov, Boyan, Sadigura, and the great Torah schoilars members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Rabbinical Council). A great battle took place, over seven hours, with struggles about every minute detail of the decision.
"Rabbi Wasserman, Rabbi Kotler, Rabbi Rottenberg of Antwerp, and rabbis from Czechoslovakia and Hungary were unanimous in rejecting any proposal for a Jewish State on either side of the Jordan River even if it were established as a religious state, because such a regime would be a form of heresy in our faith in the belief in the coming of the Mashiach and especially since this little Jewish State would be built on heresy and desecration of the Name of G-d.
"Arguing against them were the Rebbes of Boyan and Sadigura. Rabbi Tzirelson, the president of the congress, Rabbi [Aharon] Lewin of Reisha [the head of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah] and Rabbi Sorotzkin, [who said that] it is possible to agree, according to the laws of the Torah, to the establishment of a Jewish State in a portion of the Eretz Yisael without denying the belief in the coming of redeemer. There is no need to be concerned that the nonreligious would use the Jewish State to attack our religion. therefore, it is forbidden to reject entirely the matter of the Jewish State; rather we must pursue expanding its borders and ensuring that the laws of a Jewish State will be founded on religion and tradition, and we must protest that they did not consult frum Judaism and did not include its leaders in this discussion.
"Those in favor won the vote! All the decisions were accepted affirmatively."
Although the majority of the congress seemed to be in favor of the partition plan, the text of the resolution of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah contains the statements. " The foundation of the Jewish peoples right to the Holy Land is based on the Torah and the prophets…A Jewish State not based on the principles of Torah is a denial of Jewish origin, is opposed to the identity and to the true stature of our people, and undermines the basis of existence of our people…Any relinquishment of the Holy Land given to the Jewish people by G-d has no validity" (HaPardes 11:6)
Rabbi Algaze the Rav of Chaburat Yisroel in Forest Hills writes to a fellow Rav, (distributed with Rabbi Algaze's permission)
In the Moetzes Gedole Hatorah of 1937 in Marienbad, the Gedolim argued whether it was permissible for us to accept the partition plan which implied the renunciation of half of Eretz Israel. Although the majority voted in favor of partition, they did it because if we did not accept the plan. Israel would have gotten nothing. The situation today is not the same. Today we have the whole land and giving away any part of the land falls under the prohibition of "lo tehonem" (do not give them gifts) and contradicts directly the Ramban who says we are not allowed to leave the land in enemies' hands. If we cannot abandon the land, how much less we are allowed to actively giving away parts of the land. In any case, at that meeting in 1937, although the majority voted in favor of the partition plan, the resolution contained a clear declaration about the inalienable rights of the Jewish people to the entire land, " The foundation of the Jewish people's right to the Holy Land is based on the Torah and the prophets…A Jewish State not based on the principles of Torah is a denial of Jewish origin, is opposed to the identity and to the true stature of our people, and undermines the basis of existence of our people…Any relinquishment of the Holy Land given to the Jewish people by G-d has no validity" (HaPardes 11:6)
.... Rabbi Algaze continues....
It seems to me that the problem here is not what answers or opinions are given but rather that we are hearing nothing from the Rabbis. That is the problem. To leave matters of such importance in the hands of non religious people, who have abandoned the Torah and our history in the altar of modernity and hedonism, is an egregious error. As Rav Teichenthal complained and campaigned, sadly in vain, against the leaders of his time during the Shoah, this is the time that good people should complain to the Rabbis and demand that they do more. " The Lubavitcher Rebbe said about this state of affairs, "Silence is a sin".
At that conference in Marienbad, the Gedole Israel complained bitterly that the discussions concerning the establishment of the State of Israel did not include them. Today, living in a democratic society, when many people look up to our Rabbis for guidance, why aren't the Rabbis speaking up? I firmly believe that if prominent rabbis would speak up even the government and the media would listen. In fact, if the Gedole Israel spoke about our rights to the Land, if they did not mince words about our connection to the Land and all that follows from that principle, even the governments of the world would listen and respect us. I would even dare think that if the Rabbis of Israel spoke with the conviction that this is our land and we are not giving it away--even Arabs would begin to see reality in a different light and who knows perhaps even have a change in their thinking.
Bekavod rav,
David Algaze
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Rabbi Tokayer the Rav of Kingsway Jewish Center spoke last night at a meeting of the Zionism Museum and Educational Center. He said there are similarities between the Secular Zionist and the Chareidim. The very Secular Zionist wants Israel to be a State for Jews rather than a Jewish State. Simply a refuge place, a safe haven for Jews. Uganda would serve equally as well as Israel. My understanding was that for some Chareidim, Eretz Yisroel is not really necessary, prior to Moshiach, for observing Torah and Mitzvoth and to being a good Jew. Rabbi Tokayer backed this up with proof that the Chareidim don't seem to feel a necessity to acknowledge Yom Yerushalyim at the Asifa in Citifield this coming Sunday on Yom Yerushalyim. Jews can be holy in America or wherever they happen to be, as long as we stay away from the evils of technology, and watch our eyes and ears with filters etc. Mention of Jerusalem is not necessary.
I remember I was in 7th grade that fateful June 1967 when the 6th Day War broke out. I distinctly remember our Bais Yaakov coming together and davaning, crying out, with all of our heart and soul for our brethren in Eretz Yisroel as they were being attacked from all fronts at once. I remember being terrified of the possible scenerios and the threat of another Holocaust chas vechalila hovering over our heads. I remember the subsequent exuberant Jubilation when news reports of the unbelievable miracles, Nisim and Niflaos and the destruction of the Egyptian airforce within a few hours. The Euphoria was indescribable as the days went by as we Liberated Yerushalyim. It was Am Yisroel coming together as one, with prayer and longing for the Holiness of Eretz Yisroel and Yerushalyim that brought this miraculous victory. It was not the IDF.
This coming Sunday in Citifield the Gedoilim have done what many considered to be an unbelievable accomplishment. A gevaldig assembly of Jews who long for Holiness and Sanctity.
Esteemed Rabbanim, Yerushalyim in mentioned over 700 times in Tanach. Technology can bring one closer to holiness. Technology is only a tool. Technology can also wreak havoc and the dangers are very real and destructive. But when we talk about Sanctity and Holiness how can we not mention Yerushalyim???? Especially on the anniversary of perhaps the greatest Nas Galui, open miracle, of our Generation?
One thing is clear. Actualization of Kedusha is only fully realized when we have Yerushalayim! Can we make believe that Yerushalyim, Makom HaMikdash, is not a factor in creating kedusha in our midst? There was one sect that went that route and went off the Derech. I am not making a comparison chas vechalila but merely alerting us to possible danger if we continue in this route to the fullest.
The Essenes
The Qumran sect's origins are postulated by some scholars to be in the communities of the Hasidim, the pious anti-Hellenistic circles formed in the early daysof the Maccabees. The Hasidim may have been the precursors of the Essenes, who were concerned about growing Hellenization and strove to abide by the Torah. They abandoned Jerusalem in protest of the way the Temple was being run and attempted to create their own Jerusalem in the desert reaching for the very highest levels of holiness.
But that is not Torah. There are so many Mitzvoth that can only be observed where the Torah clearly says BeMakom Asher Yivchar Hashem, in The Place that G-d Chooses and that is Makom HaMikdash, Temple Mount, in Yerushalyim. The whole concept of "Vehaya Machanecha Kadosh", having a H-ly Camp, is literally referring to the sanctity of a military camp, a h-ly army which is needed to safeguard the people in the Land of Israel. Indirectly we can infer that this relates to technology as well. But the simple Pshat, the simple meaning of these words is referring to soldiers who are fighting a Milchemet Mitzva to protect the Land of Israel.
Horaat Shaah. Please review the events of this week and hopefully you too will come to the conclusion that this Asifa can be the opportunity to create a tremendous Kiddush Hashem in the eyes of the world bringing desperately needed sparks of holiness into the lives of all human beings and G-d's creations and not only the tens of thousands attending this historic gathering.
Many attending this gathering will be Satmar Chassidim. Many argue that politically the organizers will never agree to make a statement regarding Yerushalyim and the Jewish Entitlement to all of Eretz Yisroel since it will bring divisiveness into our camp. Let me suggest that this need not be the case. I lived in Kiryat Arba in the 80s and my Satmar Aunt and Uncle greeted me each week as their guest with love and respect that I can only strive to emulate. I was invited to an elementary school Satmar play in Beis Ruchel in Geula or possibly Meah Shearim and the love and pride for Yerushalyim and the longing of pure and untainted unadulterated holiness for Yerushalyim Ir HaKodesh among these young girls was palpable, unequal to any other school class production I ever observed. Surely this Kedusha can not be replicated in Monroe or even Williamsburg. It is a product of Yerushalyim Ir HaKodesh,Jerusalem our H-ly City
Surely the vast majority of those attending this Asifa go to the Kotel. This includes many Satmar as well. How can we not mention this historic liberation of Har Habayit in 1967 after 2,000 years????
Please take a few minutes of your precious time to read what was in the News this past week: May Hashem give us understanding and wisdom to act according to His wishes. May we be Zocheh to undo the terrible Chillul Hashem of our enemies and replace it with a historic Kiddush Hashem. "Yiyu leratzon imrei fi… – May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable before you, G-d, my Rock and Redeemer"
News (Israel National News)
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas uses a 'Nakba Day' speech to accuse Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem.
Elad Benari
First Publish: 5/16/2012, 4:13 AM
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas used a 'Nakba Day' speech on Tuesday to accuse Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem.
Nakba Day, or the day of catastrophe, is what the Arabs call the English date of May 15, when the State of Israel was re-established with a declaration of independence in 1948.
"For decades, Israel has been building settlements in Jerusalem and around it," Abbas said in a televised speech, according to a report on Israel's Channel 2 News. "This is done while there is a massive destruction of houses in the city and their original inhabitants are being uprooted on a daily basis."
Abbas also claimed that Israel intentionally harms the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, saying, "The Al-Aqsa Mosque is being targeted by the occupation and together with the extremists has become the main target. They are trying to make Muslims and Christians flee the city by imposing heavy taxes, a policy which can only be called ethnic cleansing."
The PA Chairman also said that "the continued Israeli occupation of Jerusalem is the main factor which fans the tension and wars in the region and the world," and vowed to "turn every grain and stone to put a complete stop to the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem - the capital of Palestine. As long as the occupation continues there will be no peace."
He also clarified that "no peace agreement with Israel will be signed without it recognizing an independent Palestinian state whose capital is Jerusalem. Until then, the Israelis will not be able to live peacefully, but will continue to deal with the consequences of their existence in the heart of a hostile environment."
Abbas warned that if what he said in his speech does not occur exactly the way he noted, "this will lead to the inevitable formation of a bi-national state. Such an alternative is unacceptable to the Israelis, and we are not interested in it either."
His comments came one day after Israel signed an agreement with PA prisoners to end their hunger strike, which has been gaining international sympathy.
The Prime Minister's Office said on Monday that the deal that ended the hunger strike was a goodwill gesture to Abbas.
Part of the deal was the transfer of 100 bodies of PA Arab terrorists currently buried in Israel. The Netanyahu administration instructed security officials to prepare to transfer the bodies to the PA in another apparent gesture of conciliation to Abbas.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, at least four Israeli security personnel were hurt in Nakba Day clashes with PA Arabs in Judea and Samaria.
Hundreds of PA residents threw stones and firebombs outside the Ofer Prison adjacent to the Beitunya crossing. The IDF and Israel Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and other crowd dispersal means.
date Send: Iyar 24, 5772, 16/05/12 04:13
This ynet story
22:26 , 05.16.12
Arab Obscenity
|  Praying at Western WallPhoto: AP
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|  | | | Nakba of the Holy Temple
Op-ed: Comparing Nakba to Temple's destruction represents a new level of Arab obscenity
Chaim Richman
This week, Israeli-Arab Knesset Member Taleb El-Sana had told a mob of "Nakba day" protesters in the town of Umm El Fahm that "As far as the Palestinians are concerned, the Nakba is equivalent to the destruction of the First and Second Temples." El-Sana, one of the primary tacticians in the pathetic game of de-legitimizing Israel, has outdone himself. This comparison represents a new level of obscenity, and the lewdest and most ribald obeisance before the golden calf of moral equivalency. The Holy Temple of Jerusalem represents a universal vision of harmony, peace and unity which transcends Israel's personal identity. The first 40 of years of King Solomon's Temple witnessed the only period in human history during which no war took place anywhere on the globe. Israel's descent into idolatry torpedoed that idyllic period, but the mandate of each of Israel's prophets was to keep our nation and all mankind focused on the optimistic promise of the future. | 'Nakba Day' | | | | MK equates 'Nakba' with Destruction of Temple / Hassan Shaalan | | Thousands of Arab-Israelis mark 'Nakba Day' near Umm al-Fahm, call for right of return. 'Denial of Nakba is as much a crime as Nakba itself,' MK Talab El-Sana says | | Full Story | |
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| This is the vision of the Holy Temple; a time marked by spiritual illumination and the cessation of war, a time, unparalleled in history, when violence in any form will cease to exist. Indeed, Haggai the prophet declares the Holy Temple as the secret of the elusive peace that Israel so fervently seeks: "And in this place I will grant peace, the word of the Lord of Hosts." In their prophecies concerning the Holy Temple, all Jews like Isaiah and Haggai were saying was give peace a chance. "For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations," declares Isaiah. This is a far cry from the Palestinian "catastrophe," which commemorates the anniversary of - which catastrophe? - the catastrophe of their having listened to the Arab leaders who, planning the genocide of the newly declared state of Israel called upon their people to abandon their homes while they make short shrift of the Jews. That didn't happen. Instead, like the vision of the future Holy Temple, the State of Israel became a beacon of hope, equality, and advancement for all mankind?a foreshadowing, a taste of the future world. The Holy Temple isn't about the Jewish people. It is about all mankind united, and living a life of purpose, direction, joy and prosperity. Indeed, the sages of Israel teach that "Had the nations of the world only known how much they benefited from the Holy Temple, they would not have destroyed it; they would have surrounded it with fortresses to protect it" (Bamidbar Rabba 1,3). Sinister intent In contrast, the "Nakba" commemorates the loss of a homeland which the Palestinians never possessed. The Land of Israel, however, was the national homeland of the Jewish people before anyone ever dreamed of inventing the Palestinian people. The connection between Israel and her land was severed when the Holy Temple was destroyed, and a 2,000 year exile began. That's the real catastrophe. Comparing "Nakba Day" to the destruction of the Holy Temple is the brainchild of a mindset which is beyond mere manipulation and cynicism?but like the original Arab leaders responsible for their "catastrophe," it reveals a deeper, more sinister layer of intent, born of a culture that idealizes not the peaceful vision of Israel's prophets, but total intolerance and the brutal oppression of others. El Sana and his associates can't seem to make up their minds. On the one hand they constantly decry the "Judaization" of Jerusalem, denying that there ever was a Holy Temple or any Jewish connection to the city that was never a capital for any people on the face of the earth other than the Jews; the city mentioned in the Bible over 700 times, and not one time in the Koran. But now, as it suits them, they compare their self-inflicted loss of that which they never possessed with the destruction of that which they deny ever existed. So according to MK El Sana, it turns out that there really was a Holy Temple? That means that there really was a Jewish Jerusalem 2,000 + years ago. That means that there really is a historical, religious, national, moral, and ethical raison d'?tre for Israel to reclaim Jerusalem and re-Judaize it. This is great news, and just in time to celebrate Jerusalem Day this Sunday, May 20th, the 45th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem and its unification by the forces of the IDF. Let us celebrate Jerusalem Day in the spirit of the prophet Ezekial, to be delivered personally to MK El Sana: "I will seal a covenant of peace with them; it will be an eternal covenant with them, and I will place My sanctuary among them forever?I will be a G-d to them and they will be a people to Me?Then the nations will know that I am G-d who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary will be among them forever." Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of The Temple Institute |
