The wars and struggles for control over Eretz Yisrael began with the first murder in history, when Cain murdered Abel for the purpose of occupying the land. Cain attacked Abel without Abel's understanding why he was doing it. Likewise, when Ishmael attacked Isaac, shooting arrows at him, Isaac did not understand why Ishmael was attacking him.
As it says, "Sarah saw the son that Hagar had born to Abraham playing...." (Genesis 21:9) Rashi expounds, "He would take up his bow and shoot arrows at him. He would say, 'I am the firstborn, and I shall take a double portion.'" He would pick fights over the inheritance, which was Eretz Yisrael. Only Sarah understood why Ishmael was attacking Isaac. She therefore said to Abraham, "Drive away this slave together with her son. The son of this slave will not share the inheritance with my son Isaac." (Genesis 21:10; Rashi)
It was over this land that jealousy developed between Jacob and Esau regarding the birthright. Ultimately, Esau was repulsed from the Land, despite his being stronger than Jacob (Kuzari, Article 2:14). Jacob did not discern that Esau wanted to murder him. Only his mother Rebecca said to him, "Your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you." (Genesis 27:42)
For thousands of years others have been fighting us for control over Eretz Yisrael. The Arabs' attacks since the War of Independence until today have likewise been over this. Eretz Yisrael is the land that G-d selected from amongst all other lands to be the gate of Heaven: "Jacob said, 'G-d is truly in this place.... How awe-inspiring it is! It must be G-d's temple. It is the gate to heaven.'" (Genesis 28:16-17) And just as in the past, the purpose of their wars was to conquer the Holy Land, so it is today as well.
Unfortunately, in our struggle over Eretz Yisrael, we do not relate to it as the Holy Land, regarding which an absolute Torah prohibition forbids giving even a single millimeter of it to a foreign power. Rather, we relate to it as real estate, property that can be given up and sold.
The time has come for us to open our eyes and understand that this war is a struggle between the sons of light and the sons of darkness. We are fighting to reveal G-d's kingdom in the world, by way of Eretz Yisrael, which is the holy land, and by way of the Jewish People, who are the holy people who cling to the holy Torah. By such means, we will be privileged to see with our own eyes G-d's return to Zion, where "a new light shall shine." (From the blessings before the Shema declaration)
As it says, "Sarah saw the son that Hagar had born to Abraham playing...." (Genesis 21:9) Rashi expounds, "He would take up his bow and shoot arrows at him. He would say, 'I am the firstborn, and I shall take a double portion.'" He would pick fights over the inheritance, which was Eretz Yisrael. Only Sarah understood why Ishmael was attacking Isaac. She therefore said to Abraham, "Drive away this slave together with her son. The son of this slave will not share the inheritance with my son Isaac." (Genesis 21:10; Rashi)
It was over this land that jealousy developed between Jacob and Esau regarding the birthright. Ultimately, Esau was repulsed from the Land, despite his being stronger than Jacob (Kuzari, Article 2:14). Jacob did not discern that Esau wanted to murder him. Only his mother Rebecca said to him, "Your brother Esau is consoling himself by planning to kill you." (Genesis 27:42)
For thousands of years others have been fighting us for control over Eretz Yisrael. The Arabs' attacks since the War of Independence until today have likewise been over this. Eretz Yisrael is the land that G-d selected from amongst all other lands to be the gate of Heaven: "Jacob said, 'G-d is truly in this place.... How awe-inspiring it is! It must be G-d's temple. It is the gate to heaven.'" (Genesis 28:16-17) And just as in the past, the purpose of their wars was to conquer the Holy Land, so it is today as well.
Unfortunately, in our struggle over Eretz Yisrael, we do not relate to it as the Holy Land, regarding which an absolute Torah prohibition forbids giving even a single millimeter of it to a foreign power. Rather, we relate to it as real estate, property that can be given up and sold.
The time has come for us to open our eyes and understand that this war is a struggle between the sons of light and the sons of darkness. We are fighting to reveal G-d's kingdom in the world, by way of Eretz Yisrael, which is the holy land, and by way of the Jewish People, who are the holy people who cling to the holy Torah. By such means, we will be privileged to see with our own eyes G-d's return to Zion, where "a new light shall shine." (From the blessings before the Shema declaration)