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Tzvika Moor is one of the parents of Gaza captives who did not join the left-wing demonstrations against the government. He was part of a group of relatives who supported the government throughout.
His first declaration at the hospital after his son, hostage Eitan Moor, was received upon his release from captivity by Hamas in Gaza, was a very emotional, hoarse cry through tears of joy, expressing the words in Tehillim which Moshe Rabbenu authored: "Mizmor leSodah."
Then, at the celebrations which took place last Sunday after Eitan's release from the hospital, organized by Gush Etzion settlers and neighbors from Kiryat Arba, his parents, Tzvika and Efrat, did not cease praising the One Who orchestrated his salvation — not Trump — and the miracle of their son's emergence from the darkness of captivity to freedom.
Tzvika Moor: how did you feel during those moments?
Professor Yekutiel Shoham is a lecturer on history and philosophy at Tel Aviv University, and does not at all resemble one who would hail from the camp of shomrei mitzvos. That is why the article which he published this week is somewhat unusual on the Israeli media scene when the title of the article read as follows: "To Respect the Values of Others: Chareidim also Fight to Protect Israel."
We shall preface with what is so elementary in the eyes of those who believe in the pure Torah world view that there is no comparison between Torah students and those who serve in the army, and that those who uphold the Jewish people as a whole and the settlement in Eretz Yisroel in particular are really the Torah students. These latter are the very ones who keep the nation alive — and none other.
But in the eyes of the general public, including the National Religious camp, the value of military service is dear to them sevenfold more than the significance of Torah students. Professor Shoham voices his opinion in a sharp critique from the secular viewpoint, which is why his words are so unusual as it is expressed.
B>Part 1
This article is a translation of an article that appeared in the Israeli Yated 19 years ago.
The tzaddik, Rav Aharon Rabinowitz, zt'l, showed incredible self-sacrifice for Torah under the Communist Regime. When he moved to Eretz Yisroel his dedication to his fellow Jews behind the Iron Curtain remained equally strong. He was a talmid chochom who was also versed in Kabboloh. His prayers emanated from the depths of his pure heart. He was the rabbi of Egged, the Israeli bus network, and he developed unique methods to bring many people back to Judaism. The fourth of Kislev (November 24th) will be the thirty-ninth th yahrtzeit of the mesirus nefesh Yid. He arrived in Israel 69 years ago on the 27th of Cheshvan (November 18).
The Mir Beis Medrash in Jerusalem
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Opinion & Comment
In the heat of the argument over the peace agreements and their nature, it is necessary to have some format whereby we can present the matter through the eyes of a Torah public. The faithful may not be well versed in the clauses of the agreement and the percentages of concessions and their stages but, on the other hand, they are certainly familiar, more than the average, with the figure who is the partner, the other side, in the negotiations, for war or peace. They possess the certificate given by the eternal Torah, "And he shall be a wild, barbaric man . . . " And this should be the starting point of our relationship.
When certain factions declare that compromise is desirable for the sake of peace, we assert, "Nurse no illusions!" `And he shall be a wild man.' When others shout that they should be taught a lesson or two, that we should react and retaliate, we counterbalance it with a warning, "Danger. Beware!" `And he shall be a wild man . . . '"
Everyone agrees that everyone else is at a loss for what to do. Whatever they decide to do, they're taking a risk. Nothing is certain. Still, both sides quote chapter and verse to uphold their particular position, pro or con, when the explicit truth is there for all to see in this very parsha. "And he shall be a wild man." That is why we do not raise our own voice with the hawks or the doves, the illusionaries or the disillusionaries.
As far as we are concerned, it is just another chapter in the history of our relationship towards the uncivilized threat of this savage. We put faith in his word like we would put faith in the word of an aborigine or a savage.
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Instead of focusing on the whip, the true challenge is to deal with the hand holding the whip. Theirs is a nation that from its inception, was destined to serve as the whirling thong swinging around our heads, accelerated to strike.
Home and Family
"There is nothing as whole and perfect as a broken heart..." (R' Yisroel Salanter)
When the echoes of the joyous singing faded into silence and the dozens of flower bouquets and arrangements were distributed in suitable niches all around the house and Rivky finally began to seriously think about the awesome days looming up in her near future, she was suddenly beset by an original idea. Her classmates raised unbelieving eyebrows at the notion, but Rivky was undaunted and set about executing it a mere week after her engagement, with the tacit agreement of her parents. She scoured the best fabric stores in town and finally came home loaded down with armfuls of satiny material for her wedding dress. She designed the gown herself following a few visits to local wedding dress gemachs, after which she referred to her sewing course notebooks with their measurement ratios and pattern-making instructions. Studies at school were in high gear, with graduation not far off, and she had plenty of other matters to take care of, besides. But Rivky was determined to see this through, and set aside her evening hours for the challenge.
"Don't you think this is superfluous?" her mother dared ask her while the project was still in its infant stage. "You have so much to do, so many things to see to. Besides, you need to preserve your physical and emotional strength. You need precious peace of mind. Why take on this demanding and unnecessary undertaking?"
"D'you know, Ima, while I sew, I have time to think. My mind is uncluttered. I feel it is an excellent opportunity to prepare myself for marriage. It is just tailored for me. You know how much there is to pray for. I sort-of pray between the stitches..."
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