This week we will celebrate 55 years of Israeli independence.
At this time we must again recognize the reality that our struggle for independence is not over. It is a continuous battle for the basic rights of the Jewish nation in its homeland. The nations of the world may have officially recognized Israeli independence and received us as a member of the United Nations organization, but in actual fact, we have not really been accepted as an independent people.
The two basic rights of a free people are the right to defend itself against those who seek its destruction, and the right to build and settle their own land. The nations of the world, both our enemies and even those who supported us, have always sought to limit the complete implementation of these basic rights.
I have long heard the echoes of these nations, saying to Israel: ?True, we have recognized your independence, but we didn?t really mean you should be independent. We will tell you where and when to settle in the Land and we will determine when and how you can defend yourself.?
The Jewish People have had to confront this grave problem ever since our national birth, when we were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Mitzrayim (Egypt) means straits, signifying that the Egyptians wanted to prevent the appearance of a Jewish, divine nation in the world and that is why we were put into the straits of slavery. These straits, that are meant to limit the growth and development of this Jewish people, are continuing to impede the natural growth of a Jewish nation in its land. This prevents us from achieving our divine destiny, which would bring a blessing to the nations of the world.
Amalek, who attacked the fledgling Jewish nation just delivered from Egyptian slavery by the Almighty, emulated this evil process begun by the Egyptians. Since then, throughout the generations, we have been confronted by those who seek to destroy us, as well as those who want to limit the freedom of a Jewish nation in its land.
In the Hagaddah of Pesach, we twice recited passages that used the term ?in every generation?. We say that in each generation, a Jew must consider himself as being personally delivered from Egyptian bondage. We also recite that in each generation, the wicked rise up to annihilate us, but the Almighty saves us. These expressions vividly describe the two-fold confrontation we face to this very day.
Thank G-d, the Redeemer of Israel, has helped us to reach this stage of our freedom, and this week we will joyously celebrate 55 years of independence. After a century of Zionism, generations of Jews have succeeded in turning a barren land into a Garden of Eden. True, there are still many difficulties and dangers facing us, which we will have to overcome, but we cannot deny the miraculous phenomenon that has been established ? the State of Israel.
In order to understand the continuous evil hatred towards Israel by our Arab neighbors and member nations of the European Community, we must turn again to our biblical sources. There are two passages describing the essential approach of the nations of the world towards Israel. The prophet Isaiah says, ?Many people shall go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways?. for out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.? (Isaiah II 2:3) In Psalms, it says, ?The enemies say, Come, let us destroy Israel as a nation and leave no memory of them.? (Psalms 83:5)
We believe that the prophecy of Isaiah will be completely realized and Israel will be a light unto the nations and a source of blessing for all. Until this prophecy comes to be, unfortunately, there are nations who still strive to destroy the Jewish People as a nation. In the same manner, we are sure that the only way to deal with this national danger to Jewish existence is by removing this threat from the face of the earth.
Remember, Mr. Bush and the Coalition, there is only one solution to international terror and that is complete destruction by military victory. Yes, Mr. Bush, we do not intend to surrender or commit suicide. We will continue to fight our enemies until the Almighty helps us ensure the security of the Jewish people in our homeland. It is also important to understand, Mr. Bush, that we cannot, and will never, agree to freeze Jewish life in our land. No normal free nation would agree to that. We will continue to build and settle and renew Jewish life in all of Eretz Yisrael.
In turning to my Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, let me say that such a clear message of Israeli policy could only arouse mutual respect and strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States.
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Rabbi Eliezer Waldman is Dean of Yeshivat Nir, Kiryat Arba.
At this time we must again recognize the reality that our struggle for independence is not over. It is a continuous battle for the basic rights of the Jewish nation in its homeland. The nations of the world may have officially recognized Israeli independence and received us as a member of the United Nations organization, but in actual fact, we have not really been accepted as an independent people.
The two basic rights of a free people are the right to defend itself against those who seek its destruction, and the right to build and settle their own land. The nations of the world, both our enemies and even those who supported us, have always sought to limit the complete implementation of these basic rights.
I have long heard the echoes of these nations, saying to Israel: ?True, we have recognized your independence, but we didn?t really mean you should be independent. We will tell you where and when to settle in the Land and we will determine when and how you can defend yourself.?
The Jewish People have had to confront this grave problem ever since our national birth, when we were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Mitzrayim (Egypt) means straits, signifying that the Egyptians wanted to prevent the appearance of a Jewish, divine nation in the world and that is why we were put into the straits of slavery. These straits, that are meant to limit the growth and development of this Jewish people, are continuing to impede the natural growth of a Jewish nation in its land. This prevents us from achieving our divine destiny, which would bring a blessing to the nations of the world.
Amalek, who attacked the fledgling Jewish nation just delivered from Egyptian slavery by the Almighty, emulated this evil process begun by the Egyptians. Since then, throughout the generations, we have been confronted by those who seek to destroy us, as well as those who want to limit the freedom of a Jewish nation in its land.
In the Hagaddah of Pesach, we twice recited passages that used the term ?in every generation?. We say that in each generation, a Jew must consider himself as being personally delivered from Egyptian bondage. We also recite that in each generation, the wicked rise up to annihilate us, but the Almighty saves us. These expressions vividly describe the two-fold confrontation we face to this very day.
Thank G-d, the Redeemer of Israel, has helped us to reach this stage of our freedom, and this week we will joyously celebrate 55 years of independence. After a century of Zionism, generations of Jews have succeeded in turning a barren land into a Garden of Eden. True, there are still many difficulties and dangers facing us, which we will have to overcome, but we cannot deny the miraculous phenomenon that has been established ? the State of Israel.
In order to understand the continuous evil hatred towards Israel by our Arab neighbors and member nations of the European Community, we must turn again to our biblical sources. There are two passages describing the essential approach of the nations of the world towards Israel. The prophet Isaiah says, ?Many people shall go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways?. for out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.? (Isaiah II 2:3) In Psalms, it says, ?The enemies say, Come, let us destroy Israel as a nation and leave no memory of them.? (Psalms 83:5)
We believe that the prophecy of Isaiah will be completely realized and Israel will be a light unto the nations and a source of blessing for all. Until this prophecy comes to be, unfortunately, there are nations who still strive to destroy the Jewish People as a nation. In the same manner, we are sure that the only way to deal with this national danger to Jewish existence is by removing this threat from the face of the earth.
Remember, Mr. Bush and the Coalition, there is only one solution to international terror and that is complete destruction by military victory. Yes, Mr. Bush, we do not intend to surrender or commit suicide. We will continue to fight our enemies until the Almighty helps us ensure the security of the Jewish people in our homeland. It is also important to understand, Mr. Bush, that we cannot, and will never, agree to freeze Jewish life in our land. No normal free nation would agree to that. We will continue to build and settle and renew Jewish life in all of Eretz Yisrael.
In turning to my Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, let me say that such a clear message of Israeli policy could only arouse mutual respect and strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States.
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Rabbi Eliezer Waldman is Dean of Yeshivat Nir, Kiryat Arba.