אנו מתפללים להחלמה מהירה של הפצועים ולשמירתם של ה' על חיילי ואזרחי ישראל.
Presented By: Rav Mordechai Gershon Written by: Yehuda Gold
In Parashat Balak, the posuk says: "How goodly are your tents, Yaakov, your dwellings, Israel.
Question
Why is the name Yaakov associated with tents and the name Israel with dwellings?
Answer
The essence of Ya’akov allows the nation to survive in times of suffering in exile. The essence of Yisrael allows the Nation of Israel to reach the level of authority to declare God’s name which is only possible in their Land, Eretz Yisrael.
Presented By: Avrum Leeder Written by: Meir Simcha Moondshine
In the Shabbat Musaf Tefilah Av Harachamim, we recite Av HaRachamim, a memorial prayer for those killed for the sanctity of God's name in Am Yisrael's exile.
Question
Why is it appropriate to mention the Land of Israel as part of this prayer?
Answer
The prayer "Av Harachamim" describes that the suffering of Am Yisrael atones for their sins. Likewise, the Land of Israel "suffers" when it is destruction and desolation which also atones for the sins of Am Yisrael.
Location: Gush Etzion Visitor's Center, Kfar Etzion
Subject: Rosh Tzurim
Reference: Sefer Bamidbar Perek 23 Posuk 9
Written by: David Magence
Prior to Israel's Independence, Ein Tzurim was one of the four kibbutzim comprising the Etzion Bloc. The defenders of Ein Tzurim were forced to surrender to the Arab Legion the day Israel's Independence was declared; and were sent to Jordan as prisoners of war.
Until the Six Day War, the area was not accessible to Jews. In 1969, Rosh Tzurim was established on the site of the original Ein Tzurim.
The Gush Etzion Visitor Center presents the history of Jewish settlement in the Gush Etzion area, starting with the establishment of Migdal Eder in 1927 through the re-establishment of Jewish settlement following the Six Day War.