This Tuesday, December 29th at 8pm, at 1401 President Street, the Feldmans, Dr. Feldman and his wife Miriam, will generously host Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Director of the Iggud HaRabbonim, to speak about the dire security situation in Eretz Yisrael and his experiences working with Rabbi Avraham D. Hecht, OB"M, under the Lubavitcher Rebbe's advice and direction.
Igud HaRabbonim is a rabbinical organization formed in 1942 comprising over 800 Rabbis. The legendary Rabbi Avraham Hecht, OB"M, was first elected its President in 1972. The Iggud maintains and supports the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Halachik stance against Israel giving land for peace and the Iggud was very supportive of this position during the infamous Gush Katif withdrawal. Rabbi Hecht's important & famous psak (rabbinical ruling) based on the Rambam stated that "anyone entering into the OSLO agreements is tantamount to being classified a 'rodef'" (someone who chases to kill others).
This ruling follows the Lubavitcher Rebbe's opinion that the Camp David and Oslo accords were never intended for peace but rather as a weapon with which to weaken and destroy Israel and its Jews. Hence, Rabbi Hecht's position followed this idea. As we see today, both agreements have not brought peace, but rather sorrow, death and terror from missiles which are now closer than ever to Israeli population centers.
These missiles, called Katushas, are relatively cheap rockets costing as little as one thousand dollars. They can be fitted to carry poison gas, biological and chemical warfare.
Since the missiles are now so close to Israel's major population centers, thanks to these agreements, there is no need for Israel's enemies to have long range missiles. There isn't a point in Israel they cannot reach. Fired in rounds of up to 72 at a time, and reaching over 20 miles, they are deadly and hard to counter, as they come low and very fast. Even the warning time is only a minute or two. They operate off of mobile launchers which have moved by the time an enemy fires back making them extremely difficult to combat. In a war, they could cut off Northern Israel from the South, isolate Jerusalem and cause devastating damage to Tel Aviv and the heavily populated coastal areas of Israel. Fired in a high enough volume, it is feared they could overwhelm the Iron-Dome system.
Rabbi Hecht's was the most prominent and respected Rav at the time having the courage to publicly state what no other Rabbi would say, His stance made him a target of the then left controlled Rabin – Peres Israeli government.
Interestingly enough, and unknown to the event planners, Dr. Feldman's grandson is also Rabbi Hecht's grandson, as their grandchildren married. In fact, their mutual grandson will be celebrating his bar mitzvah the day before this event takes place. What hasgocha protis, that an event honoring the life and work of Rabbi Hecht will follow his grandson's bar-mitzvah!
Rabbi Tannenbaum was with the late Rabbi Hecht, OB"M, in spearheading the Rebbe's projects to support Jews living in the Holy Land. Besidess supporting fully the Lubavitcher Rebbes position (which opposed giving land for peace), Rabbi Tanenbaum was in the forefront of lobbying efforts for Israel to legally adopt "Ger Ke Halacha" (conversion according to Jewish Law) into its law system. The effort called: "Mi Hu Yehudi" had some measure of success in raising public awareness, enough to keep the issue a burning one in Israel up until today.
Converts were set up touring the country to speak around the world about their experiences and the need to put into place, laws in Israel that ensure that conversion to Judaism is only done in the traditional Orthodox manner. At one point a presentation was made to the Israeli Knesset members and other government officials of evidence of non-sincere conversions done outside of Israel, so they could understand what a money making business it really is. In Israel you see, Jews have no idea what reform or Conservative is.
When former Prime Minister Sharon came to speak in Boruch College in Manhattan, he was met by huge crowds of Orthodox protesters, to which he was quoted as saying: "In Israel we have ways of taking care of such people". Efforts were made afterwards to minimize the press damage by downplaying Orthodox protest attempts as representing only a minority of Jews in the United States.
While Mr. Sharon was speaking of the glories of peace inside Boruch College, outside were Rabbi Hecht and Rabbi Tannenbaum amongst the many speakers. This particular protest was significant for it made international news both here in the United States and in Israel as well. Pictures showed readers that there was no mistake about the American Jewish position as being against land gifts to terrorists. Unlike other demonstrations in which Israel tried to claim that Orthodox protesters were outside lending support to peace efforts. Labeled: "Rallies for Israel", a reader in Israel could easily mistake the Orthodox presence as being in "support of Israel relinquishing land" which in fact was not the case at all.
There is limited seating so people are asked to please come earlier than later.
Donations are being accepted, although the event is free.
To donate via paypal to support Shleimus HaAretz activities to save the Land go to:
Donations are tax deductible.
This event is part of an on-going lecture series on the security and safety of Israel's Jews in Memory Of HaRav Yekutiel Rapp, OB"M, a true patriot for the safety and security of Jews in the land of Israel.
