Living Torah Archives

There are crucial decisions to be made in the Land of Israel, associated with the “Integrity of the Land,” the “Integrity of the Jewish People,” and the “Integrity of the Torah.” Don’t be concerned if you need miracles; even miracles will occur.

Gedalya Schreiber has served as director-general of Israel’s Religious Affairs Ministry and as director-general of its Chief Rabbinate. In 1980, he joined the entourage of the Sadigura Rebbe for an audience with the Rebbe.

Establish it this year, before the new year begins.

The open miracles that G-d has shown the Jewish people in the Holy Land in our own times are a powerful reminder of its importance and centrality to the entire nation.

The Talmud teaches, “If someone rises to kill you, rise up to kill him first.” The Rebbe explains that this dictum of our sages is the only way for Israel to deal with its enemies who seek its destruction.

Simply tell your parents that you wish to spend Passover in Israel because it is a Holy Land and a Jewish land.

Torah is replete with references about the special connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. Yet Rashi, the foremost commentator of Torah, sees it in the very first words of the book of Genesis: “In the beginning G-d created the heavens and the Earth.”

As a member of Likud, you are probably aware that I have always favored a narrow, strong government.

Addressing members of Israel’s Defense Mission in the audience, the Rebbe explains the importance of Israel maintaining a large defense arsenal.

The Israeli government must set its priorities in Operation “Peace for Galilee.” From the outset, the military experts made it clear that casualties could be minimized on both sides of the conflict by a swift operation, which could be over in days. Even the President of the US did not pressure Israel to do otherwise. But some politicians became afraid of their own inner insecurities.

The only approach which has succeeded so far is when Israel makes clear to the United States through its actions that it will not compromise on security issues, and that the US needs a strong partner in the Middle East.

Yitzchak Rabin was prime minister of Israel, and served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States in the early 1970s. In 1972 he was sent to convey Israel’s blessings to the Rebbe in honor of his 70th birthday, and left with a challenging message. (1972)

Rashi comments on the very first verse in the Torah: “It could happen that gentiles will claim that the Jews stole the Land of Israel from them. Therefore, G-d related His mighty works in the Book of Genesis to show that it was He Who created the Land of Israel and it was he who gave it to the Jewish People.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shares the enduring message which he received in his first meeting with the Rebbe during his tenure as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations. (1984)

Mr. Yisroel Katzover is senior military correspondent who covered the IDF for numerous Israeli newspapers and media channels. (year 1970)

Recent generations have witnessed a paradigm shift in the art of warfare. Whereas it used to be the quantity of one’s soldiers and weaponry that deterred war or proved victory in the battlefield, today it is the quality of one’s arsenal that matters most. One technologically advanced weapon outweighs vast quantities of enemy manpower.

The Rebbe discusses with Knesset Member Avraham Werdiger the need for a single united religious front in Israel.

“There are Jews who are frightened about going to Israel, and they are frightening others as well. Publicize that you’re going and that there is nothing to fear. It is actually the safest place because it is the location of the Holy Temple.”

“The Land of Israel is ‘The Land which G-d’s eyes are upon from the beginning of the year until the end.’ I tell everyone that it is safe to travel there. Someone who is already there is forbidden by Jewish law from leaving. And those who planned to travel there, but cancel their plans, will be perceived by others as having violated Jewish Law.”

“The Baal Shem Tov teaches: ‘Wherever a person’s thoughts are, that’s where he is present.’ In the Laws of Eruv Techumin, the Techum is established based upon where you have in mind, not necessarily where you physically stand. Although you are here in America, your thoughts are, no doubt, in the Land of Israel. Draw Israel’s holiness upon the people here in the Diaspora.”

In the early 1950s, Mr. Sheldon Rudoff brought a group of teenagers from the Young Israel of Crown Heights for a private audience with the Rebbe.

One thing that still must be done for the sake of Israel’s security, is to teach the citizens of Israel to be the “People of the Land of Israel” – not just to dwell in the Land physically, but also spiritually.

Newly elected Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Rebbe: I had much satisfaction from your first speech in the Knesset. Continue along this approach, for it is the best path to avoid war. You will have to struggle with 119 others in the Knesset, but surely you won’t be intimidated, because G-d is on this side.

Israel’s welfare is in the best interest of the United States, because Israel is the front line against the Arabs. The Arabs are against the United States no less than they are against Israel — and perhaps even more so! And it is imperative that there be a strong Israel in order to inhibit the influence of Syria, Iran, and the other hostile countries in the Middle East.

Rabbi Yehudah Leib Posner and his brother were students in 770 during the 1940s. One week, their father came in from Pittsburgh and spent Shabbos with them. Friday night after the prayers, their father asked the Rebbe how he should respond to the controversial topic of the day – the creation of a Jewish State.

Yitzchak Rabin was Prime Minister of Israel, and served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States in the early 1970s. In 1972, he was sent to convey Israel’s blessings to the Rebbe in honor of his 70th birthday.

Israel is one of the surest places on the globe. To invest money in Israel, that is the surest bank that exists in our time.

“The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps” – at all times Jews are protected by G-d. But we are commanded to also take part in our own security.