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Nurit Greenger

You Cannot Have It Both

We are not the friends of Israel. We are the Sons of Israel and the land of Israel and the Sons of Israel are ONE. When Helen Thomas and others tell Israeli-Jews “go back home” what do they mean?

Because they turned their backs on me, and not their faces; and in time of harm they will say, rise and save. ~ Jeremiah 2: 27

There is so much wisdom, almost prophecy, in the writing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, or just the Rebbe, considered to be one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. On Saturday, July 26th 2014, at the synagogue where I attend services the following, in the Chumash, the Gutnick edition, captured my mind:

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe

A letter, written by the Rebbe in 5741, 33 years ago, to Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Immanuel Jakobovits, regarding the Halachic position of the areas liberated after the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars. The Rebbe spoke Yiddish, therefore the translation.

”The Land according to its borders”

“I am completely and unequivocally opposed to the surrender of any of the liberated areas currently under negotiation, such as Yehudah and Shomrom (Judea and Samaria), the Golan (Heights), etc., for the simple reason, and only reason, that surrendering any part of them would contravene a clear Psak-Din (ruling) in Shulchan Aruch (literally: “Set Table”, also known by various Jewish communities, but not all, as the “Code of Jewish Law.”) (Orach Chayim, section 329, par. 6,7). I have repeatedly emphasized that this Psak-Din (ruling) has nothing to do with the sanctity of Eretz Yisra’el, or the “days of Mashiach” (Messiah), the Geulah (redemption), and similar considerations, but solely with the rule of Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life). This is further emphasized by the fact that this Psak-Din (ruling) has its source in the Talmud (Eruvin 45a), where the Gemora cites as an illustration of a border town under the terms of this Psak-Din (ruling) – the city of Neharde’a in Babylon (present day Iraq) – clearly not in Eretz Yisra’el. I have emphasized time and time again that it is a question of, and should be judged purely on the basis of, Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), not geography.

The said Psak-Din (ruling) deals with a situation where gentiles (non-Jews, not enemies) besiege a Jewish border-town, ostensibly to obtain “straw and hay,” and then leave. But because of the possible danger, not only to the Jews of the town, but also to other cities, the Shulchan Aruch rules that upon receiving news of the gentiles (even only preparations), the Jews must mobilize immediately and take up arms even on Shabbos – in accordance with the rule that “Pikuach-Nefesh supersedes Shabbos (Saturday).”

Should there be a question whether the risk does in fact create a situation of Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), then – as in the case of illness, where a medical authority is consulted – the authority to make a judgment is vested in the military experts. If military experts decide that there is a danger of Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), there could be no other overriding considerations, since Pikuach-Nefesh(endangering life) overrides everything else. Should the military experts declare that while there is such a risk, yet it should be taken for some other reason, such as political considerations (good will of the gentiles) this would clearly be contrary to the Psak-Din (rulling), for the Psak-Din requires that Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), not political expediency, should be the decisive factor.

Now in regard to the liberated areas, all military experts, Jewish and non-Jewish, agree that in the present situation, giving up any part of them would create serious security dangers. No one says that giving up any part of them would enhance the defensibility of the borders. But some military experts are prepared to take a chance in order not to antagonize Washington and/or to improve the “international image,” etc. To follow this line would not only go against the clear Psak-Din (ruling), but would also ignore costly lessons of the past. One glaring case in point is the “Yom-Kippur War.” Days and hours before the attack, there were urgent sessions of the government discussing the situation with the military and the military intelligence pointed to unmistakable evidence that an Egyptian attack was imminent, and the military experts advised a preemptive strike that would save many lives and prevent an invasion. However, the politicians, with the acquiescence of some military experts, rejected this action on the ground that such a step, or even a general mobilization, before the Egyptians actually crossed the border, would mean being branded as the aggressor, and would jeopardize relations with the USA. This decision was contrary to the said Psak-Din (ruling) of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), as pointed out above. The tragic results of that decision bore out the validity of the Shulchan Aruch’s position (as if it were necessary), for many lives were needlessly sacrificed, and the situation came close to total disaster, but for G-d’s mercies. Suffice it to mention that the then Prime Minister later admitted that all her life she would be haunted by that tragic decision.

I know, of course, that there are Rabbis who are of the opinion that in the present situation, as they see it, it would be permissible from the viewpoint of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), to return areas from Eretz Yisra’el. But it is also known on what information they based this view. The argument is that the present situation is not identical with the hypothetical case of a state of “being besieged by gentiles.” A second argument is that the present surrendering of some areas would not endanger lives.

That these arguments are based on misinformation is patently clear. The Arab neighbors are prepared militarily; what is more, they do demand that these areas are theirs to keep, and openly declare that if not surrendered voluntarily, they will take them by force, and eventually everything else. A Rabbi who says that the said Psak-Din (ruling) of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) does not apply in the present situation is completely misinformed on what the situation actually is…

I was taken to task for placing so much emphasis on the security of Eretz Yisra’el, the arguments being that what has protected the Jewish people during the long Galus (exile) has been the study of Torah and the practice of Mitzvos (Commands); hence Torah-observant Jews should not make the inviolability of Eretz Yisra’el as the overriding cause. I countered that they missed the point, for my position has nothing to do with Eretz Yisra’el as such, but with the Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life) of the Jews living there, which would apply to any part of the world.
It is said that my pronouncements on the issues are more political than Rabbinic. Inasmuch as the matter has to do with Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), it is surely the duty of every Jew, be he Rabbi or layman, to do all permitted by the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) to help forestall – or, at any rate, minimize – the danger. In a case of Pikuach-Nefesh (endangering life), every possible effort must be made, even if there isספק (doubt) and many doubts whether the effort will succeed.

It is all about SAVING Jewish life. It is all about do I remain alive or you do. It is all about of the existential threat on the Jews and the ongoing goal of Israel’s enemies to obliterate her.

If the above does not apply to 20 years discussion on a “two sates solution” and the current war – Solid Rock-Protective Edge – between Hamas and Israel, what does?

Prophesy? Customary religious thinking? Or both?

About the Author
Nurit is an advocate for Jews, Israel, the United States and the Free World in general and sees Israel and the United States, equally, as the last two forts of true democratic freedom. Since 2006, she has been writing about events in these two countries. From Southern California, Nurit believes that if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.