From time to time, we have heard voices stating that Gush Katif is not really part of the Land of Israel, never has been, and historically, we have no connection to it. This week's parsha should put an end to all those false accusations, as nothing could be further from the truth. Those claims come only to weaken a strong nation.
The Torah, in this week's parsha tells us of the borders of the Land of Israel. "HaShem spoke to Moses, saying: 'When you come into the Land of Cana'an, this shall fall to you as an inheritance - the land of Cana'an according to its borders. And the southern border shall be for you... to the stream of Egypt.'"
Rashi, as with most commentators, states that the "stream of Egypt" is none other than the Nile, the main water source for Egypt. Even according to the other commentaries that hold to a smaller Biblical Land of Israel, they state that the stream of Egypt is El-Arish, bordering the Sinai. But let it be very clear that according to all opinions, the Torah declares that Gaza and its surrounding areas are part of the Land of Israel.
True, you might say, but the Jewish people never settled in that area until today.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
We find that before the death of Joshua ben Nun, he commanded the tribe of Judah to conquer Gaza and its surrounding areas. And we find in the book of Judges that they did exactly that. "Judah conquered Gaza and its territory." (Judges 1:18)
Throughout the ages, Jews have always settled Gaza, and a vibrant community always existed there. Remains of the old Gaza synagogue, dating back some 1,500 years from the time of the Byzantines, were found. It was only in the times of the Crusaders, some 800 years ago, that the Jews were killed off or expelled from Gaza City.
But not for long, as the Jews returned to Gaza and the city was rebuilt. In fact, for some hundreds of years afterwards, while most of the country lay waste, Gaza was the second most important city in the land of Israel for the Jews, after Tsfat (Safed). Documented is the official visit of Rabbi Ovadia Bartenura - the well-known commentator on the Mishna - to the city in 1488. In the 1600s, people would come from near and far to the important beit din and yeshiva of Gaza. And, of course, the colorful, well-known follower of the false messiah Shabtai Zvi, Natan HaGazati, was from Gaza City. Life continued for the Jews in Gaza relatively quietly until the Arab rebellion, and in 1929, the Jewish community ceased to exist.
Okay, you might say, Jews once lived in Gaza, but still, today we are outnumbered and it's best to get out and head for higher ground.
Wrong again! The number of Jews in the Gaza area, compared to the Arabs that are there, is much higher than the percent of Jews to Arabs in the Middle East, so if we cannot hold on to this part of the Land of Israel because of the numbers, then surely we cannot hold on to the Land of Israel overall, for we are far outnumbered by the 300+ million Arabs who are our neighbors.
And so, I propose right away, without waiting another day, a return to our heritage, to our Jewish city of Gaza, to reclaim what is rightfully ours. A return to our yeshivot and ancient synagogues, and let the deeds of the fathers be a sign for the children - "And Judah conquered Gaza and its territory."
The Torah, in this week's parsha tells us of the borders of the Land of Israel. "HaShem spoke to Moses, saying: 'When you come into the Land of Cana'an, this shall fall to you as an inheritance - the land of Cana'an according to its borders. And the southern border shall be for you... to the stream of Egypt.'"
Rashi, as with most commentators, states that the "stream of Egypt" is none other than the Nile, the main water source for Egypt. Even according to the other commentaries that hold to a smaller Biblical Land of Israel, they state that the stream of Egypt is El-Arish, bordering the Sinai. But let it be very clear that according to all opinions, the Torah declares that Gaza and its surrounding areas are part of the Land of Israel.
True, you might say, but the Jewish people never settled in that area until today.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
We find that before the death of Joshua ben Nun, he commanded the tribe of Judah to conquer Gaza and its surrounding areas. And we find in the book of Judges that they did exactly that. "Judah conquered Gaza and its territory." (Judges 1:18)
Throughout the ages, Jews have always settled Gaza, and a vibrant community always existed there. Remains of the old Gaza synagogue, dating back some 1,500 years from the time of the Byzantines, were found. It was only in the times of the Crusaders, some 800 years ago, that the Jews were killed off or expelled from Gaza City.
But not for long, as the Jews returned to Gaza and the city was rebuilt. In fact, for some hundreds of years afterwards, while most of the country lay waste, Gaza was the second most important city in the land of Israel for the Jews, after Tsfat (Safed). Documented is the official visit of Rabbi Ovadia Bartenura - the well-known commentator on the Mishna - to the city in 1488. In the 1600s, people would come from near and far to the important beit din and yeshiva of Gaza. And, of course, the colorful, well-known follower of the false messiah Shabtai Zvi, Natan HaGazati, was from Gaza City. Life continued for the Jews in Gaza relatively quietly until the Arab rebellion, and in 1929, the Jewish community ceased to exist.
Okay, you might say, Jews once lived in Gaza, but still, today we are outnumbered and it's best to get out and head for higher ground.
Wrong again! The number of Jews in the Gaza area, compared to the Arabs that are there, is much higher than the percent of Jews to Arabs in the Middle East, so if we cannot hold on to this part of the Land of Israel because of the numbers, then surely we cannot hold on to the Land of Israel overall, for we are far outnumbered by the 300+ million Arabs who are our neighbors.
And so, I propose right away, without waiting another day, a return to our heritage, to our Jewish city of Gaza, to reclaim what is rightfully ours. A return to our yeshivot and ancient synagogues, and let the deeds of the fathers be a sign for the children - "And Judah conquered Gaza and its territory."