This evening, Chabadniks the world over will celebrate their “Holiday of Geula” which marks the day that the founder of Chabad, Rebbe Schneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the “Tanya,” was released from a Russian prison.

The “Ba’al HaTanya,” as he is known, was imprisoned when informers accused him of treason against the state. After a thorough investigation, he was set free from captivity. In a letter to the Rebbe of Berditchev, telling him of his release, he writes: “Hashem has arranged my release by virtue of the merit of the Holy Land and its inhabitants. This is what stood by our side and will always assist us in rescuing us from the oppressor and delivering us from distress.”

Rabbi Shlomo Yisachar Teichtal explains in his book, “Eim HaBanim Semeichah,” that the Land of Israel has the power to save us though G-d’s  blessing to our Forefathers, as it says, “And I will remember My covenant with Yaacov, and also My covnant with Yitzhak, and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember, and I will remember the Land” (Vayikra, 26:42). This means that even should the merit of the Patriarchs run out, then Hashem will remember the Land of Israel and save us! From this we learn that the merit of the Land of Israel is even greater than the merit of our Forefathers.

May the merit of the Land of Israel stand by us in these difficult and dangerous times and save us from our fears, our confusions, our enemies, and our doubts.

Hevron

A PRAYER FOR RABBI LEVINGER
This morning, Rabbi Moshe Levinger, one of the principle founders of the settlement movement in Israel, and the father of the renewed Jewish settlement in Hevron, fell ill and had to be hospitalized. In the merit of Eretz Yisrael, to which he has devoted his lifework and energies, may the Almighty grant him, HaRav Moshe ben Tirtza, a complete and speedy recovery.