Shluchim
Under Fire
By Shai Gefen
"A
WEEK AGO, A BUS WITH CHILDREN ON IT WAS SAVED IN THE Z’CHUS OF TWO SIFREI
CHITAS"
RABBI
YIGAL KIRSHNZAFT – AZA
Rabbi
Kirshnzaft, describe what’s happening in your area?
There’s
a war going on. Every night they shoot at us. The Palestinians snipe at the
industrial area of the yishuv from the area of Chan-Yuns. They are trying
to set our factories on fire. Because of the situation we have doubled our
activities. This year we are doing twice as much as every other year because of
the large numbers of soldiers who have come here. Before Yom Tov and afterwards
we put t’fillin on with the soldiers and cheered them on. During Sukkos
itself, we arrived at every military position throughout the Gush with a mobile sukka,
and now we are planning to continue our activities.
How
is the army reacting to the Palestinians’ attacks?
Unfortunately
the Palestinians are shooting a great deal but the I.D.F.’s response is very
weak. Considering how much shooting is going on here, there are tremendous
miracles and great chasdei Shamayim. We held a small demonstration for
the commander here until he agreed to properly protect our yishuv. They
shoot at the soldiers, but the army doesn’t respond the way it can.
You
met with the general on Sukkos. What happened?
The
general came to speak but it certainly wasn’t a serious meeting, he was just
paying lip service. We demanded that they shell the houses where terrorist
activity is taking place, and he made various promises but with no guarantees.
He just had clever answers.
Is
the problem that the politicians are holding back the army?
I
think that the situation today is far more serious than that they’re holding
the army back. The I.D.F. doesn’t know how to fight anymore. Take the story
from Mt. Eival for example, when the officers ordered the soldiers to shoot off
to the side after they were shot at. They’re teaching the soldiers not to
shoot. Commanding officer, Yom Tov Semia, sits with terrorists every day and
drinks coffee, so how can they fight properly after that? They speak to them and
they continue to shoot and we react with restraint instead of with action.
You
said there were miracles in Gush Katif. Can you tell us about them?
We
can definitely say, "and for Your miracles that are with us each day."
If you’re not here, it’s hard to believe what’s going on.. We see open
miracles daily. Despite the Palestinians’ sophistication and the huge amount
of weapons they have, Hashem in His great kindness watches over us.
A
bus full of children was blown up by a powerful bomb and no one was hurt. At
Yishuv Morag, four bullets penetrated a car and nobody was killed. In another
car, bullets pierced the baby seat and nothing happened to the baby. In another
car, a bullet whizzed by the head of a woman sitting there and she wasn’t
hurt. A driver was hit by a bullet a millimeter away from his spine. By the way,
there were two sifrei Chitas on the bus that exploded, which undoubtedly
saved the children. The demand for sifrei Chitas is growing since the
uprising and since the story about the bus was publicized.
What’s
happening with the residents of the Aza strip?
The
people aren’t running. They are all very strong despite what’s going on.
Apparently the Jewish people is a lot stronger than their leaders. I’d like to
mention that four additional families have come to our absorption committee
because they want to live here despite the situation. As we sat with them we
heard the shrieking of bullets, and nevertheless, those families are planning to
move here to Gush Katif!
How
are you doing under the circumstances?
We
knew this would happen and constantly warned that it would happen. The Arabs
built fortifications and amassed weapons to prepare for this. Anyone with eyes
could see it coming. Now people are finally realizing that the Rebbe’s words
are coming true, words said decades ago. The Rebbe said what would happen if we
conceded and capitulated to the Arabs.
How
does your Chabad house handle the situation?
We
continue our work. We go out every day to the soldiers in the area in order to
encourage them and inspire them with hope. The young people participate in our
activities. We have also stepped up our classes and rallies for children. There’s
a great demand for sifrei Chitas. Requests are coming from all seventeen
settlements in Chevel-Aza.
How
do you personally see the situation, as someone who has encountered terrorist
activities in the past, and even managed to kill a terrorist before he carried
out his evil plans?
There’s
no question there’s going to be a very difficult war here because the
situation on the ground is very complicated. Even the Left is beginning to wise
up and to understand that what was, won’t be any longer, and that a new
nationalist situation has developed. Many people have woken from the illusions
of peace and agreements and Oslo. Many say this openly and many others are
beginning to change direction.
You
remember the incident that took place at our yishuv in the course of
which a terrorist was killed. I want to tell you that if that terrorist hadn’t
been killed, he would be free today and joining those who are trying to kill us.
There’s no question that the lack of reaction and the present situation are
bringing many people to cry out and understand that we need Moshiach now!
Do
you have any requests to make to the public?
It’s
very important to receive public support for the Chabad house. This includes
donations of sifrei Chitas, food, and of course to come and encourage us
as much as possible. Our goal is to increase holiness, which is the real shield
of the Jewish people.
"CHABAD
HAS TO BRING THE REBBE’S VIEW TO ALL THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN ERETZ YISROEL"
RABBI
YEHUDA RUBIN – ALON MOREH; YISHUVEI LEV HA’SHOMRON
What’s
happening?
The
situation is very difficult. Last Friday and Shabbos there was non-stop
shooting. The papers try to hide what’s going on, but there is actually a war
going on as far as the Palestinians are concerned. The problem is that we’re
not acting like there’s a war, we’re not responding effectively. It’s
impossible to travel the roads of Yehuda-Shomron.
I
think the situation is good for Ehud Barak, who wants to weaken the settlers. He
figures: how long can we last when we see war around us and the army not
reacting. There are lots of stories that are not being reported in the papers
like the throwing of cinder blocks at settlers from close range, attempts at
lynching settlers which did not have the same ending as those in Ramalla simply
because of open miracles.
How
is the Chabad house managing under the circumstances?
Many
of the settlers look to us, and we have intensified our activities
significantly. We focus on Torah programs for children, as the Rebbe instructed
as a response to circumstances such as these. We have a difficult time with
activities in other yishuvim, however, because every trip between one yishuv
and the next is extremely dangerous. We have to take roundabout routes, which
sometimes take two hours instead of the usual half-hour drive, in order to get
to a certain yishuv to organize an activity. Every little thing takes
great effort these days.
What’s
the situation like in Alon Moreh?
People
are strong here for people believe in what they’re doing and no one can break
us. It’s the bravery and resolve of the settlers, who, without exception,
stand courageously facing the nearly impossible. On the other hand, there’s no
need to hide the fact that people are still nervous.
Kever
Yosef, which is near you, was abandoned
by the Israeli army and handed over to terrorists. What do you have to say about
that?
The
situation at Kever Yosef is one of the most shocking and terrible things
we’ve experienced. Who knows whether the most recent kitrug (Divine
accusation, i.e., the recent troubles) wasn’t because Yosef was sold for the
second time, into the hands of our worst enemies. We residents used to visit Kever
Yosef and daven there often. After the abandonment of Kever Yosef
we felt that the Shechina had departed. It is one of three places which Chazal
say the nations cannot argue about and claim it was stolen.
What
can you tell us about the situation in your area where two residents were killed
by Palestinians?
Rabbi
Hillel Lieberman and Rabbi Harling of Kedumim (may Hashem avenge their blood)
were murdered by vicious animals. This was a terrible tragedy for the settlers,
for the two men were extraordinary individuals who brought light to the yishuv.
Rabbi Harling wasn’t a resident but spent most of his time these last 20 years
in Alon Moreh and taught Torah to many. Rabbi Lieberman was extremely devoted to
Kever Yosef. The wounds won’t heal quickly; they go too deep.
Have
you despaired?
Chalila
v’chas! I have to tell you that on
Chol HaMoed Sukkos I felt that I had to get out of the house with the children.
I went to Kfar Chabad and found people more in despair over there than we, here
in Alon Moreh.
We
are sure that this situation is one of "I have left you for a brief
moment," and will lead to "with great mercy I will gather you." I
call upon my brother Chabad Chassidim to come and raise our spirits, to come and
take an interest in what is going on at our yishuv. It isn’t possible
that during a war in Yesha we shouldn’t get even one phone call from askanei
and rabbanei Chabad, at least to find out what’s going on.
In
an interview with Beis Moshiach you complained about the thunderous
silence by the Chabad establishment in Eretz Yisroel. Has there been any change?
Unfortunately,
despite everything that’s going on, I don’t see any change. It’s a very
painful situation. At a time like this, when people don’t know what tomorrow
will bring, Chabad has to go out proudly, with the Rebbe’s kochos, and
publicize what the Rebbe said, thereby encouraging the people. It’s still not
too late and I hope we will soon see greater action taken on behalf of the war
for Eretz Yisroel and its integrity. Today everybody can see how right the Rebbe
was decades ago, which is why Chabad Chassidim have to go out and proudly
publicize what the Rebbe said.
I
would like to praise the publication Actualia which was published for
Sukkos by the Matteh Shleimus HaAretz in Tzfas. It brings the Rebbe’s
unequivocal view of the situation and was received enthusiastically by the
people living in our yishuv. All of them see how prophetic the Rebbe was
about the present situation.
"WHAT
HAPPENED IN EFRAT WAS "KRISTALNACHT" OF THE YEAR 2000"
RABBI
NISSAN NACHSHON – EFRAT AND GUSH ETZION
The
yishuv Efrat is in the heart of Gush Etzion. It’s a quiet place and is
also considered to be non-negotiable by the consensus of the Israeli public.
Last Friday this yishuv witnessed a most terrifying sight when the main shul
was desecrated.
Rabbi
Nachshon, what happened?
The
Arabs desecrated the shul of Efrat. The scene was frightening and
reminiscent of pictures of Kristalnacht, when the Nazis desecrated hundreds of shuls
throughout Germany. The Arabs drew swastikas, destroyed sifrei Torah, and
wrote Nazi graffiti in Hebrew and Arabic. They flooded the shul with
water and ruined everything they could lay their hands on. It’s hard to
describe the spirits of the residents here considering what a terrible thing
happened.
Are
you besieged?
Officially
we are not besieged, but practically speaking it’s very hard to get out of the
yishuv. The tunnel is completely closed and so we have to travel to
Yerushalayim via Beit Shemesh. This forces us to drive past Arab villages, whose
residents shoot at us. It’s just constant miracles that allow us to survive.
Tell
us about the miracles.
On
Erev Yom Kippur I returned from Kaparos, which we organized at the Chabad
house. I brought a bachur back with me who was going to help me over Yom
Kippur. When we arrived at Maayon near the yishuv Bat-Ayin, they began
shouting and asking us how we had come. It turned out that seconds before we had
passed by in our car, they had shot furiously in the direction of passing cars.
So the Arabs had missed us, and if we had been a little later we would likely
have been hit.
What
special activities have you organized in the yishuv due to the situation?
We
organized a Tehillim group for adults. Throughout the day, residents of
the yishuv say Tehillim. Despite the situation we made a mobile sukka
with the goal of reaching every soldier in the area. This was done with real
mesirus nefesh. One day, near Tekoa, we asked soldiers to make the
blessing over the arba minim while we heard shooting in the background.
We
visited thousands of soldiers in the area over Sukkos, and went to military
posts near the Dead Sea, all for the purpose of helping them rejoice. We
distributed a booklet published by Rabbi Zev Ritterman of Nachalat Har Chabad on
the subject of t’fillin, written especially for the I.D.F. soldiers. It
contains a compilation of letters from the Rebbe on the topic. We received a lot
of positive feedback.
We
met the Chief Commander of the Israeli Police on Sukkos and helped him with the
bracha on the arba minim, too.
What
do you think of the situation in this area?
There’s
no question that the hands of the I.D.F. are tied. In this impossible situation
they receive irrational orders. At such a time we must encourage and strengthen
the soldiers and bring them joy. These days we are busy with the soldiers in the
area, which includes putting t’fillin on with them and distributing
literature. We pray that we merit the hisgalus of the Rebbe MH"M
already, thus ending this intolerable situation.
CHEVRON
IS ACCUSTOMED TO MIRACLES
RABBI
VICTOR ETTIA – CHABAD OF KIRYAT ARBA, CHEVRON
What’s
happening in Chevron these days?
Unfortunately
there are no visitors. This was especially noticeable during Yom Tov, when we
are usually visited by thousands of people. Aside from security people,
civilians cannot visit the Me’aras HaMachpela and Chevron. Nevertheless, we at
the Chabad house are extremely busy with the soldiers and security people in the
area.
On
Rosh HaShana we walked everywhere in order to blow shofar for the
soldiers, despite the shooting over our heads. It was an amazing sight for them
to suddenly see Chabadnikim appearing out of nowhere, bringing them the joy of
the holiday.
When
we arrived at Tel Rumeida via a side road, the soldiers couldn’t understand
from where we had suddenly "landed." Minutes later we heard their
radio equipment telling the soldiers to take cover because of snipers.
In
Chevron they are shooting non-stop. In Kiryat Arba the shooting has reached as
far in as Givat Avot. Once or twice a day there’s shooting in certain areas of
Kiryat Arba. That’s why we had to cancel the event in the main large sukka
of Kiryat Arba, because of orders from above. We organized children’s rallies
instead. The big rally took place in the sports center of the Kirya. These
rallies made a big impression on the residents.
Due
to the situation are there special activities?
First
and foremost we work on providing moral support to the soldiers in this volatile
area. We circulate among the soldiers and give out treats along with a good
word. This is worth more than anything else. You have no idea how much the
soldiers thank us. We also distribute the booklets published by Rabbi Zev
Ritterman about t’fillin and how important they are at this difficult
time. We also try to make our activities with the children of the Kirya special
with games and by diffusing the tension in other ways.
How
do people view the situation when the Rebbe warned that this would happen if
land was given away?
I
must tell you that after we distributed the material published by Matteh
Shleimus HaAretz of Tzfas called Actualia, which contains quotes from the
Rebbe about the situation, Jews from all sectors approached me and said, ‘now
we see how the Rebbe foresaw it all.’ One of the residents told me that the
material is like that of a journalist describing the situation in Kiryat Arba
and Chevron...
More
than ever, people understand the cry for Moshiach and realize that in light of
the political proceedings, this is the only solution. In these difficult times,
when every few minutes we hear about a tragedy, we realize that Moshiach is the
only answer.
What
miracles can you tell us about?
Last
Thursday the number 160 bus came from Yerushalayim to Kiryat Arba, passing the yishuv
of Karmei Tzur. The bus was showered with rocks. The bus kept moving and then a
bomb suddenly went off, a few meters from the bus. It turned out that the Arab
who stood near the bus with his equipment had set the bomb off seconds earlier
and dozens of Jews were saved as a result of his poor timing!
In
another attack, they shot at a Jew named Chaim Mageni. Five bullets entered his
car and he was miraculously saved. The people here see miracles everywhere.
Despite the massive shooting and the weak response of our army, the number of
injured is relatively small.
What
sort of aid do you need?
We
definitely need help. Each week we distribute food to 170 needy families. The
situation today makes it hard to distribute and collect donations. I call upon Anash
and anybody who can help, to get involved with this great mitzva. Dut to
the situation, many families who are dependent on the help they receive from the
Chabad house are left without food. People live here with great mesirus
nefesh, and if you can lighten our burden it would be a great z’chus to
do so.
In
addition, I call to Anash and to askanim, to cry out in protest!
The Rebbe said we have to scream, all the more so under these terrible
circumstances. Chabad has to set the tone and bring the Rebbe’s message to the
people.
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