In a few days we will B”H celebrate and commemorate the liberation of our eternal capital, Jerusalem. Yerushalayim always in our hearts and prayers as a Nation. The miracle of the liberation of Jerusalem now 48 years ago is followed by the next day and the miracle of the liberation of the City of our Forefathers, Hevron. As we read in the Psalms the prayers of King David , 126 “A Ma”alot Poem. When the L-rd brought back the captivity of Zion. we were like men in a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then they said among the nations, The L-rd has done great things for us; we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O L-rd, like the streams in the Negev. They who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who goes weeping on his way, bearing a bag of seed, shall come back with a joyful shout, carrying his sheaves.”
We have witnessed the miracles of the liberation of Yerushalayim, Hevron, Gush Etzion, Kever Rachel , Shechem -all inseperable parts of our heritage and our history as a Nation.
Especially now it is literally heartbreaking that instead of insuring our heritage by truly liberating these parts of our hearts, history and heritage we see how the Israeli government does not protect them.
The Temple Mount -can a Jew pray there in the places where even Rav Goren z”l allowed prayer? Can a Jew even go up and freely move around up there? Shechem and the Tomb of Joseph- only periodically in the middle of the night can we Jews go in. Kever Rachel B”H we can go freely and pray as we can at the Kotel- the Western Wall. Hevron? B”H we are present there and are able most of the year to pray at the Cave of Machpela – at least inside of most of it. We are able to go to the archiological digs at Tel Romeda and see the actual steps and walls from the time of Avraham our Father- 4,500 years ago. There is yet another dig in progress which also reveals our history and for this, and for the fact that we are living in Hevron, we are grateful.
But this is not enough! Yes we celebrate the liberation of Jerusalem and are eternally grateful, but hardly is it mentioned aside from we, who are closely tied and are blessed to be there, work there, live there and pray there.
How painful is this that instead of making it a point to remind our Nation and indeed the world of these miracles, and instead of ensuring and protecting our eternal right to be free to go and live, and pray there, the governments of Israel have allowed it to become dangerous and taken away our right of freedom of worship, and our safety in the heartland of our Nation.
Despite this, we will celebrate and thank the L-rd for our blessings and are determined to truly liberate our Holy sites no matter how difficult or long it takes. Chag sameach to all of Am Yisrael. And as it is written in the Bible that we, combat soldiers receive at the Kotel along with our rifles:
“Soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces
Dear soldiers,
This Book of Books is the source of life and the inspiration, and it is the pillar of flame that goes before the camp……….”Go in your strength and save Israel” (Judges )”
All of Am Yisrael have the same obligation and privilege to fight for our eternal right to fulfill these commandments. May we finally celebrate the true liberation of our Land and live in safety honoring the L-rd of Israel. amen
