New Weekly Series
Free translation of talks and correspondences pertaining to Eretz Yisroel
Since the Six Day War in 1967, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shlita, has unceasingly expressed his opposition to surrendering any of the liberated territories. During the Camp David negotiations he reiterated his views and brilliantly negated all of the arguments for concessions. Despite these efforts the Camp David accords were effectuated.
The ultimate “peace treaty” which emerged was worthless, and the signatories themselves knew that there was really nothing to rely on.
At the present time the people in power in Eretz Yisroel must garner a clear lesson from the past experiences not to fall into the trap of negotiating with terrorists or offering to return any land. Eretz Yisroel belongs to the Jewish people and we cannot and must not give up any land.
This essay is adapted from a sicha delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Chayei Sarah, 5746. May we direct the readers' attention to earlier publications of the Rebbe's Sichos on this topic: “Eretz Yisroel — An Analysis of the Camp David Peace Process,” “Peace for the Galilee,” (Sichos In English vol. 14) and “Travesty of Justice” (Sichos In English vol. 16).
The “Megillas Taanis” relates,
On the 25th of MarCheshvan the compact of the settlements of Shomron (Samaria) was formed. It goes on to explain that when the returnees from the first exile returned to Eretz Yisroel they approached the “Gentile settlement and they were rejected,” they then settled near the Sea of Busti and, built a walled city. Many Jewish settlements sprang up in the surrounding area and they were called the “blessed cities.”
The lesson for us from this “historical footnote” is obvious. When Jews settle they must raise a “walled city,” physical walls as well as spiritual protection. This will bring many more satellite settlements and then they will be called by the name, “blessed cities.”
Which gives us a clear directive for our times concerning the areas of Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria).
In this generation we have been privileged by G-d to reclaim and resettle the liberated areas of Yehudah and Shomron. Our conduct now should follow the example of making a “compact of the settlements of Shomron,” by building “walled, fortified cities” around which many satellite suburbs and villages will sprout up. This approach will lead to the greatest blessings.
–TO BE CONTINUED–
