As far as the Torah?s view regarding partitioning Eretz Yisrael into two countries, one Jewish and the other non-Jewish, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook writes:
?Such thoughts are inconceivable. There is an absolute, two-fold prohibition against transferring any part of the Land of Israel to non-Jewish control. This law applies to every clod of earth, every foot of its soil?. And if a Jew commits this sin of handing over any part of Eretz Yisrael to the non-Jews, his deed affects nothing. It is an illegal act. It is of no significance and has no force. It is null and void?
?No denial or distortion can nullify the one reality of the Book of Books, the Bible, or of the nation of nations, Israel. In the same way, no one can nullify the living attachment of the Torah and People of Israel to the divine reality of the Land of Lands - Eretz Yisrael. Neither can anyone prevent this attachment from growing stronger?
?Faith in G-d and in the vibrant, living Torah of Israel necessarily determines our concrete relationship to our whole land, and obligates us to hold on to all its mountains and valleys. With our faith in the Eternal One, we know that this whole land was given to us and belongs to us alone? Only through spiritual confusion and impoverishment could anyone even consider discussions about chopping up the land of our life?s blood? There can be no rebirth for the Jewish People or its individual Jews if it involves dividing up or diminishing their Land. Rebirth can come about only through the wholeness of the people and the Land? and through maximizing G-d?s role and proclaiming His holiness both to our neighbors and intimates, as well as to all the nations, far and near.? (LiNetivot Yisrael 92).
Today, our prime minister, Ariel Sharon, expresses willingness to establish a state for the Arabs in the Land of Israel. He is willing to capitulate, unilaterally, regarding parts of our homeland. His behavior is due to the ?spiritual confusion and impoverishment? mentioned by Rabbi Kook.
It is true that Mr. Sharon has brought much credit to his name regarding settlement and the wars of Israel. Yet, long ago, Hillel the Elder said, ?Do not believe in yourself until the day you die.? (Avot 2:5) After all, Yochanan served as the Kohen Gadol [High Priest] for eighty years, and ultimately became a Sadducee (Berachot 29a). In the same way, Ariel Sharon was indeed one of the Eretz Yisrael faithful, but he changed his skin regarding our holding on to the land of our life?s blood, and he is giving ammunition to our enemies.
Without any doubt, his plans shall ultimately fail, as G-d already promised us: ?The L-rd will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance?. The L-rd?s counsel shall endure forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.? (Psalm 94:14;33:11)
?Such thoughts are inconceivable. There is an absolute, two-fold prohibition against transferring any part of the Land of Israel to non-Jewish control. This law applies to every clod of earth, every foot of its soil?. And if a Jew commits this sin of handing over any part of Eretz Yisrael to the non-Jews, his deed affects nothing. It is an illegal act. It is of no significance and has no force. It is null and void?
?No denial or distortion can nullify the one reality of the Book of Books, the Bible, or of the nation of nations, Israel. In the same way, no one can nullify the living attachment of the Torah and People of Israel to the divine reality of the Land of Lands - Eretz Yisrael. Neither can anyone prevent this attachment from growing stronger?
?Faith in G-d and in the vibrant, living Torah of Israel necessarily determines our concrete relationship to our whole land, and obligates us to hold on to all its mountains and valleys. With our faith in the Eternal One, we know that this whole land was given to us and belongs to us alone? Only through spiritual confusion and impoverishment could anyone even consider discussions about chopping up the land of our life?s blood? There can be no rebirth for the Jewish People or its individual Jews if it involves dividing up or diminishing their Land. Rebirth can come about only through the wholeness of the people and the Land? and through maximizing G-d?s role and proclaiming His holiness both to our neighbors and intimates, as well as to all the nations, far and near.? (LiNetivot Yisrael 92).
Today, our prime minister, Ariel Sharon, expresses willingness to establish a state for the Arabs in the Land of Israel. He is willing to capitulate, unilaterally, regarding parts of our homeland. His behavior is due to the ?spiritual confusion and impoverishment? mentioned by Rabbi Kook.
It is true that Mr. Sharon has brought much credit to his name regarding settlement and the wars of Israel. Yet, long ago, Hillel the Elder said, ?Do not believe in yourself until the day you die.? (Avot 2:5) After all, Yochanan served as the Kohen Gadol [High Priest] for eighty years, and ultimately became a Sadducee (Berachot 29a). In the same way, Ariel Sharon was indeed one of the Eretz Yisrael faithful, but he changed his skin regarding our holding on to the land of our life?s blood, and he is giving ammunition to our enemies.
Without any doubt, his plans shall ultimately fail, as G-d already promised us: ?The L-rd will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance?. The L-rd?s counsel shall endure forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.? (Psalm 94:14;33:11)