Despite forcible evictions and arrests, Land of Israel-faithful youth continue their efforts to increase Jewish presence all over Judea and Samaria. They held Tu B'Shvat (New Year for Trees) celebrations in at least one outpost.
In Givat HaOr (Hill of Light), outside and above the entrance to Beit El, a new synagogue was dedicated on Monday, Tu B'Shvat Eve, in a well-attended ceremony. Participating were Kiryat Arba-Hevron's Chief Rabbi Dov Lior and Beit El's Chief Rabbi Zalman Melamed.
Rabbi Lior, speaking with noticeable emotion, said it was a great privilege for him to take part in the ceremony. "May you be blessed with the merit of building up Givat HaOr into another neighborhood of Beit El," he told the assembled.
Rabbi Melamed said, "We are now in the final period of Redemption. We are advancing all the time, but it's true that there are delays. We must always remember that whenever something blocks us, it is ultimately for the good. This Land belongs to us, and no one can stop the march of the Redemption. Givat HaOr is just a symbol; we will yet spread out until Ramallah becomes Beit El South."
The ceremony included a talk by Rachel Shpitz, a resident of the new outpost, who invited others to join her family. After joyous singing and dancing, the event was capped off with what has become a traditional Tu B'Shvat seder meal.
In Givat HaOr (Hill of Light), outside and above the entrance to Beit El, a new synagogue was dedicated on Monday, Tu B'Shvat Eve, in a well-attended ceremony. Participating were Kiryat Arba-Hevron's Chief Rabbi Dov Lior and Beit El's Chief Rabbi Zalman Melamed.
Rabbi Zalman Melamed and Rabbi Dov Lior
Rabbi Lior, speaking with noticeable emotion, said it was a great privilege for him to take part in the ceremony. "May you be blessed with the merit of building up Givat HaOr into another neighborhood of Beit El," he told the assembled.
Rabbi Melamed said, "We are now in the final period of Redemption. We are advancing all the time, but it's true that there are delays. We must always remember that whenever something blocks us, it is ultimately for the good. This Land belongs to us, and no one can stop the march of the Redemption. Givat HaOr is just a symbol; we will yet spread out until Ramallah becomes Beit El South."
Daniella Weiss
The ceremony included a talk by Rachel Shpitz, a resident of the new outpost, who invited others to join her family. After joyous singing and dancing, the event was capped off with what has become a traditional Tu B'Shvat seder meal.