All
Agree: End Oslo Now!
The
terrible Arab uprising throughout Eretz Yisroel is finally waking up Jews there
and around the world to the fact that our enemies do not want peace. But what
can be done to protect ourselves and to ensure the security of the Jewish people
in Eretz Yisroel? Chabad Chassidim who remember the Rebbe’s cries back at the
beginning of this unfortunate process, feel the time has come to take action.
In
Crown Heights, the Vaad Chassidei Chabad HaOlami L’Shleimus HaAretz U’Bitachon
Eretz HaKodesh, organized an emergency meeting which took place in 770 on Monday
night, Isru Chag. The program opened with emcee Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of
Lubavitch Youth and the Matteh HaOlami L’Havoas HaMoshiach, briefly describing
recent events. "Now we see for ourselves how the Rebbe’s prophetic words
have come true in every detail, and are as potent today as the day they were
said."
A
video was shown of the Rebbe vehemently protesting the Camp David accords. This
was followed by the recitation of Tehillim led by secretary of the beis din,
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Shapiro.
The
first speaker was Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba of the Crown Heights beis din. He
quoted the Midrash which refers to the troubles the Jews suffered at the hands
of the Plishtim throughout the generations (because of the pact Avrohom Avinu
made with them), and called upon people to publicize the Rebbe’s views about
not giving away land in Eretz Yisroel.
Crown
Heights residents have a special connection with what is happening in Eretz
Yisroel, not only because they heard the Rebbe speak about the topic, but
because Crown Heights influences what takes place in Eretz Yisroel. Many years
ago, in the first sicha the Rebbe spoke about the community in 5729, the
Rebbe said that selling a house to a gentile in Crown Heights causes land to be
given away in Eretz Yisroel. For this reason Chabad Chassidim of Crown Heights
feel a special obligation to protest, and their feelings were expressed by the
chairman of the Vaad HaKohol of Crown Heights, R’ Michoel Chazan.
Rabbi
Butman called upon all Chabad centers around the world to strongly condemn the
atrocities taking place in our land, and to publicize the Rebbe’s views on the
matter. He said that the war for shleimus ha’Aretz is directly
connected with the revelation and coming of Moshiach. "The war for shleimus
ha’Aretz is one of the wars of the Rebbe MH"M on his way to Geula,
and as the Rambam says, ‘he will fight the wars of Hashem and be victorious.’"
Rabbi
Yosef Yitzchok Katzman described the website TruePeace.org. Each week True Peace
sends Torah material, particularly the Rebbe’s sichos on shleimus ha’Aretz,
along with relevant material on the weekly sidra to rabbanim around
the world. The site is run by R’ Meir and R’ Dovid Schmukler and is highly
acclaimed. Rabbi Katzman suggested that everybody publicize the site.
Rabbi
Leibel Groner said that two years ago when he visited Eretz Yisroel and went to
Chevron, it was during the Shiva of Rabbi Raanan (may Hashem avenge his
blood) who was murdered by Arabs. Just at that time, a political figure showed
up who had visited the Rebbe thirty years before. At that time, the Rebbe said
that the path they were taking would eventually endanger Yerushalayim. It seemed
farfetched at the time, she admitted, and she was embarrassed to tell her
friends what the Rebbe had said. But now, whenever she recalls that yechidus
tears come to her eyes. Rabbi Groner called upon rabbanei Chabad to raise
their voices in protest and to enlist the tremendous potential of Chabad to stop
this dangerous situation at once.
Many
people feel helpless under the circumstances. Rabbi Groner quoted a letter from
the Rebbe in which he quotes the Rebbe Rayatz on the Mishna about ikvisa
d’Meshicha. When the Mishna describes the very characteristics of
our times, such as chutzpa, it concludes with, "and we can do
nothing but rely on our Father in Heaven." The Rebbe says that this is one
of the obstacles of ikvisa d’Meshicha, that people will despair and say
they can do nothing and only Hashem can save us. We mustn’t give in to
despair. We must encourage one another so that together, with G-d’s help, we
will succeed.
Rabbi
Yisroel Halperin, shaliach in Hertzeliya spoke heatedly about the
momentum being created in public opinion, with people waking up to what the
governments over the last ten years have bequeathed to them.
"People
are crying out for a real solution. We must go out and tell them that what is
going on is part of the wars of Hashem which Moshiach is waging, and that all
this is part of Geula. It’s time to convey two clear messages to the
people: 1) we may not talk about concessions, and 2) we must be fully confident
in the realization of the Rebbe’s prophecy.
"The
Left did an excellent job of promulgating an irrational lie. If this happened in
the realm of k’lipa, the same can happen, l’havdil, in kedusha.
Let us disseminate the true besura and people will accept it with open
arms."
The
guest speaker of the evening was Mr. Malcolm Hoenlein, director of the Council
of Jewish Presidents in the United States. He is influential in government
offices both here and in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Butman introduced him as someone
who is not a Lubavitcher, but as someone who has connections with the entire
world. Mr. Hoenlein surprised the crowd by correcting Rabbi Butman, saying,
"I am also a Lubavitcher."
In
his speech, Mr. Hoenlein announced his lack of faith in the Oslo Accords, which
have been exposed as a farce, particularly now that Prime Minister Barak offered
to divide Yerushalayim. He said they want to transform their lie into reality
and our reality into a lie, but we cannot allow that to happen. It is not a war
only against Eretz Yisroel, he went on to say, but a war against Jews and
Judaism! He thanked Rabbi Butman and Chabad Chassidim for their solidarity on
behalf of the security of Eretz Yisroel.
Israeli
President Moshe Katzav spoke live via hook-up. He said he remembered well, as
does every Chabad Chassid, what the Rebbe told him on Yud Sh’vat 5752 at
"dollars" about being against plans of autonomy or even talking about
it. Katzav mentioned three points in his speech: 1) the cruelty of the Arabs, 2)
the new situation which has brought about Jewish unity, 3) the Rebbe’s vision
and how right he was.
Rabbi
Yehuda Rubin, shaliach in Alon Moreh where Rabbi Hillel Lieberman (may
Hashem avenge his blood) was killed, also spoke via live hook-up. Rabbi Rubin
apologized on behalf of Rabbi Z’vulun Lieberman, Hillel’s father, who had
been planning to speak via hook-up too, but had had to catch a flight to the
U.S.
Rabbi
Rubin described the unbearable situation on the one hand, and the incredible
miracles taking place on the other hand. "There is a change amongst the
people," he said. "Perhaps it isn’t deep enough, but there is
definitely a change. People who believed in ‘peace’ are finally realizing
that the Arabs are our sworn enemies and not partners for peace."
Mr.
Noam Arnon of Chevron spoke, and then Rabbi Yekusiel Rapp said that when Ron
Nachman came to the Rebbe for the first time and told the Rebbe that his purpose
in coming was to convince the Americans to stop pressuring Israel, the Rebbe
responded that he was better off convincing those in Eretz Yisroel not to cave
into pressure.
Knesset
member Benny Alon addressed the audience, saying, "We erred by not
emphasizing the Rebbe’s explanations and not stressing the danger to life
involved. Today we see what the Rebbe foresaw years ago. It’s miraculous that
the Prime Minister is from the Left, because had he been from the Right, the
Left would have blamed the government and brought it down. Today they have
nothing to say but, ‘We made a mistake.’"
Rabbi
Butman thanked Rabbi Rapp who organized the meeting along with him, as well as R’
Danny Cohen and Yonason Rubin.
Israeli
President Katzav: The Rebbe’s Holy Words Reverberate In My Ears
"Greetings
to Chabad Chassidim gathered in 770 in Brooklyn in order to pray for the peace
of our fellow Jews. Baruch Hashem, we have the power of faith and the
ability to overcome hardships. Our relations with the Palestinians have reached
an all time low, and we have the koach, with G-d’s help, to overcome.
"The
Jewish people are rachmanim bnei rachmanim (merciful, children of the
merciful) and do not want to take revenge, but they did unspeakable acts. An
Israeli officer of a joint Israeli-Palestinian patrol was murdered a half-hour
after drinking coffee with him and after months of joint patrols. The lynching
of two soldiers in Ramalla, shooting at homes in Gilo, the destruction of Kever
Yosef, etc.
"Baruch
Hashem, we are uniting and working on
establishing a unity government in order that the best minds in leadership will
work on behalf of the Jewish people.
"I
remember well the eighteen minutes the Rebbe spoke with me in Shvat 1992. I
remember the Rebbe’s shining eyes and holy visage. The Rebbe’s holy words
still reverberate in my ears. The Rebbe was right in everything he said."
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