A Passover Message

HPP&F: A Passover Message

by David Wilder
The Jewish Community of Hebron
A Passover Message
April 9, 1996

With the beginning of Passover we being a 49-day
countdown - in Hebrew called `Sefirat HaOmer.'  Starting
the second day of Passover, we literally count the days,
for seven full weeks.  The climax, the fiftieth day, is
the Festival of Shavout - the celebration of the giving
of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  The anticipation grows from
day to day, especially because every evening we recite
how many days and weeks have passed.  Jewish sages have
compared the giving of Torah to a wedding - between G-d
and the Jewish People.  Any bride, looking ahead to her
wedding day, surely counts the days. So do we.
     Today, in 1996, we still count the days, but
presently there is more than one countdown.  Shavout is
on Friday, the 24th of May.  The following Wednesday, May
29th, Israelis will go to the polls to chose the next
government.  And believe me, we are counting the days.
     Twenty eight years ago, a small group of Israelis
decided to spend Passover in Hebron.  That initial
nucleus, led by Rav Moshe Levinger, blossomed into The
Jewish Community of Hebron, Kiryat Arba, and in effect,
all the communities of Yehuda Shomron and Gazza.  It
began in Hebron - 28 years ago.
     This week, on Sunday and Monday, tens of thousands
of Jews poured into Hebron, praying at Ma'arat
HaMachpela, and visiting the Jewish neighborhoods.  It
was a true holiday and unbelievable experience.  This
wasn't the first time, but the sight and feelings of
thousands and thousands of people roaming the streets of
Hebron is overwhelming.  Especially taking into account
the events surrounding this year's Passover - the
withdrawal of the IDF from major centers in Yesha, and
the postponed abandonment of Hebron.  The new Bethlehem
bypass road, built and paved so poorly, was closed
because of boulder landslides - only a miracle prevented
tragedy the day before Passover, when a boulder barely
missed a bus on the road.  Most people coming to Hebron
via Jerusalem were forced to take an almost unused road,
increasing travel time from one hour to between and hour
and a half to two hours.  The media tried to do its part
to discourage visitors - `the road is closed - take
alternative roads' (which one?), but that didn't stop the
throngs.  Visitors waited in line for over an hour to
enter Ma'arat HaMachpela. Over 20,000  people entered the
Ma'ara.
     Sunday witnessed three special events:  1) the
dedication of a new basketball court and sports area by
Beit Hadassah. The center was dedicated by Leo and Sue
Noe from London, who decided that they had to do
something for Hebron's children.  2)  Later on The
Gutnick Center-  Hebron, was dedicated.  In the presence
of  Chief Rabbi Lau and Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak HaCohen
Gutnick from Australia, this rebuilt structure alongside
Ma'arat HaMachpela adds a new dimension to Hebron: a
restaurant, Simcha Hall, Mikva, and eventually, a guest
house.   3) At 3:30 in the afternoon  the day's events
peaked with a major rally, attended by MK's Ariel Sharon,
Moshe Peled, and Rechavam Ze'evi, as well as other public
figures.  They all stressed the importance of Hebron to
the Jewish People and their support for an eternal Jewish
Community in Hebron, under Israeli  rule.
     But in truth, all these events were overshadowed by
the sheer mass of people, wondering to and fro, through
the streets of Hebron.
     The question I ask myself is, what will be this time
next year?   Ariel Sharon promised a Jewish Community of
4,000.  Will it really happen?  We are only too aware of
Peres' policies and plans.  As I write this Kol Yisrael
is reporting the damage done by Katusha rockets in Kiryat
Shemona, and of course, the Israeli reaction is close to
zero - Peres is scared of his shadow.  Israelis are being
blown away, and the government makes plans to abandon
Hebron and Jerusalem.  What about Kiryat Shemona, -
perhaps that community should be `moved' too, according
to Peres' philosophy of life!?
     What is the answer?  No, the entire answer is not the 29th
of May.  That day should be the beginning of the answer,
but not the end of it.  First and foremost, the Israeli
people must reject the Peres' Piece Plan - announcing to
the world - the Jewish People are in Israel - in ALL OF
ISRAEL - to stay.  Then, we must strengthen our presence
throughout Yesha, adding on to  already existing
communities, and initiating new ones.
     There shouldn't be any illusions - even after a Bibi
Netanyahu - Likud victory life here won't be all milk and
honey - but the disaster that Peres has in mind will be
averted.
     What can you do?  Speak to anyone you know in
Israel, and try to influence the way they vote.  As
surprising as it may seem, many people are still
undecided - and every vote makes a difference.  If you
can contribute to the campaign - do it.  And of course,
prayer never hurts.
     We have been back in Hebron for 28 years - in
Hebrew, the number 28 is represented by the word Koach -
which means strength or energy.  The strength, the energy
of the Jewish people is not necessarily quantity, but
rather quality.  Our strength isn't only physical, but
more importantly, spiritual.  If there is no spiritual
energy, the physical aspect of our national lives is
virtually non-existent.  Presently, there is no
ideological backbone - and the result is continued
bombing, in Kiryat Shemona, in Jerusalem, in Tel-Aviv,
and the response:          .
     When there is no ideology - no spirit, rock-throwing
youths can outdo the strongest army in the world.
     Hebron is true Koach - the spirit of Israel - the
roots of the Jewish People.  These first 28 years will
not be our last 28 years - the Koach will continue.  We
are sure that with your continued support and the help of
G-d, we will all witness a successful conclusion to the
countdown -  and all of you who didn't make it to Hebron
this year, will join us next year, for sure.
     Chag Sameach.
A HAPPY PASSOVER TO ALL BEIT YISRAEL!

---

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
A Passover Message
April 2, 1996

In a few hours I will, with the help of G-d, enact an
ancient Jewish ritual, performed the evening
before Pesach.  After sunset and evening prayers we go
home and do a `bedikat hametz' - in other words, we do a
thorough search of our homes, making absolutely certain
that they are totally `hametz-free.'  Hametz is the
leavening which causes bread or cake to rise - yeast.
Over the seven days of Pesach the main prohibition is
against eating any leavened product - for this reason we
only eat Matzot - unleavened bread.  It is made only of
flour and water - it contains nothing else.  The first
act done, celebrating the beginning of Pesach is the
`bedikat hametz' and then, in the morning, the burning of
the remaining hametz.
     There are many interpretations of `bedikat hametz.'
One of the most famous explains that the search for
hametz and it's later burning represents humility.
People are easily `puffed up' - proud and vain.  The day
before the celebration of our national `birthday,' the re-
enacting of our liberation from slavery in Egypt and the
birth of the Israeli nation, we reinstill in ourselves, -
trying to remind ourselves, so to speak, that we are
entirely in the hands of G-d, all we have has been
granted to us, not necessarily because we deserve it, but
because of His goodness and kindness.  We search
ourselves for leavening, for the substances within us
that leave us haughty and conceited and burn them, in a
very moving and humbling experience.
     One of the most important lessons that I have
learned over the years is that almost any significant
precept pertaining to an individual also pertains to what
we call in Hebrew, the `Klal' - or the overall Jewish
People, not as individuals, but as a nation, a people.
The `bedikat hametz'  we do as individuals must also be
performed nationally.
     National introspection isn't easily accomplished,
especially if it is done honestly.  The current period of
two months before the elections should be just this,
national introspection - an in-depth examination of who
we are, where we have been, where we are now, and where
we are going.  Based on this, people can go to the polls
and make a calculated, legitimate choice, determined by
the  views and policies of the candidates.  However, in
order for this to be a true, honest experience, the
alternatives must be clearly presented.  Unfortunately,
over here, they are not.  Four years ago, the late Prime
Minister Rabin made now famous remarks, such as, `whoever
abandons the Golan Heights abandons the security of
Israel.'  Labor's platform negated any discussion with
Arafat and the PLO, as well as a palestinian state.
There is no need to elaborate on the actions of the
ruling party over the last four years.
     Yesterday Shimon Peres suddenly decided to announce
a national referendum on the final treaty between Israel
and Arafat.  In other words, he is saying, the issue of a
final Israeli-palestinian treaty is a non-issue - a
separate vote will determine its status.  Arutz 7 today
reported that Peres has been having secret discussions
with `high-level' settler leaders, offering them a deal:
he promises that no settlements in Judea, Samaria and
Gazza will be evacuated, in the final stage of the piece
agreement.  To the contrary, they will be annexed.  The
price: a public call by these leaders to vote for Peres
and PARTS OF EAST JERUSALEM, to be given to the Arabs!
     In all truth, Likud policy statements are far from
clear.  But, I cannot, in my wildest dreams, imagine that
they would consider such policies, which are liable to
wreak havoc on Israel.  Such policies, as those espoused
by Peres do not represent national liberation - rather
they are prime examples self-inflicted slavery - a bowing-
down to an imaginary peace - for the sake of    .....
who?  Peres wants nothing more than to be remembered in
history as the GREAT PEACEMAKER.  Instead, he will be
remembered as the great piecemaker.  His vanity is
tangible.
     This year's national `bedikat hametz' has
overwhelming importance.   I hope that the Israeli
people, perhaps after tonight's `bedikat hametz'  and
seven-day Festival of Liberation, will make the right
decision.
---------
Yesterday I had the honor to speak on Nahum Segal's radio
show on WFMU in New York, at 7:30 in the morning.  The
last question he asked me was, "Passover is known as the
children's holiday.  The evening Seder is based around
educating our children.  How would you describe   the
message we send to our children when we raise them in
Hebron?"
     I answered "that Hebron's children live their ideals
- they live the ideals of the Patriarchs and Matriarch,
they live the ideals of King David, who began ruling in
Hebron, they live the ideals of Kalev ben Yefuneh, who
came to pray in Hebron, they live the ideals of the
generations of the Jewish People, through the ages.  They
are happy healthy children, who will pass on these ideals
to their children, as they grow up and have their own
families."  I concluded by saying, "I wish upon all the
children of the world the spiritual richness of Hebron's
children."  For Hebron's children, as well of the rest of
Hebron's residents are living examples of true liberation
- liberation from  the bonds of  slavery encompassing so
many others - Hebron's residents don't live for
themselves - they live for the people of Israel - and
there is no greater liberation than this.

To all of Hebron's faithful supporters, and to all Beit
Yisrael Chag Pesach Kasher v'Sameach!
A HAPPY PASSOVER TO ALL BEIT YISRAEL!

LET MY PEOPLE GO

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
LET MY PEOPLE GO

March 22, 1996

Over the last week I have received tens of letters concerning the continued administrative detention of Rav Yitzhak Ginsburgh. I know that hundreds of letters have poured into Habad, from people around the world. Protest letters are flowing to Senators, Congressmen, Israeli Consulate and Embassies. Yet the deaf ears of Shimon Peres etc. refuse to hear - their hardened hearts refuse to soften. They continue to hold an exemplary Torah Scholar behind bars in subhuman conditions, reserved for dangerous criminal being punished for atrocious crimes. The elementary rights to kosher food and prayer are being denied him. His telephone time is limited to less than 20 minutes a day. He is held in a very small cell with another prisoner in bunk beds - his bed is too short for his legs. Supporters are urged to call:

972-2-247185 - Israel Prison Authorities and/or 972-8 - 239821 - the spokesman of the Prison authorities.

Speak to them about the conditions Rav Ginsburgh is being held in.

Earlier this week Rav Aharon Halprin, editor of the magazine Kfar Habad, when returning from a trip abroad, was taken into custody at Ben Gurion airport by police authorities. He described how all of his belongings were searched, included "every piece of paper he had in his pockets." It should be noted that the magazine has an editorial policy very right of center and has been extremely critical of the government, and its policies.

An hour or so ago, while taking a group around Hebron, I spoke to them, while at Tel Rumeida, the plight of Barch Marzel and David Shirel, both being held under house arrest. One of the women asked me, astounded, "how can they punish them, without an indictment and a trial? Is it legal?" What kind of answer can I give? Is it legal - it’s written on the books from British Mandatory presence in Israel. Does that make it legal? Does that make it moral?

As we approach the beginning of spring, the Hebrew month of Nisan - the month of redemption from Egypt - the holiday of Passover, we must do a little reflecting - how do the events of yesteryear apply to us today. Then too there was an evil Pharoh - Moses went to him demanding: LET MY PEOPLE GO.

Pharoh refused. To the contrary, life for the enslaved Israelites worsened, conditions deteriorated. Moses returned and cried: LET MY PEOPLE GO! - to deaf ears. Then the plagues began - after each one it seemed that reconciliation was possible, an understanding could be reached. But then, after a short while, back to where we started from - sometimes even worse than that. Until finally, enough - the tenth plague, the death of the Egyptian first born - the exodus from Egypt, culminating with the parting of the sea and the drowning of the persuers. It is written that the only one left alive, of all the army, was Pharoh himself - he lived to see the ruins of his people.

Following the murder of Yitzhak Rabin, the Jewish Community of Hebron publicized a strong condemnation of the assassination. Killing is not the answer. No one should dare lift a hand against Peres or any of his cronies. That is not our job. But, it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if, after his defeat on May 29, Shimon Peres, together with the rest of his regime, were indicted and tried for high treason against the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, the State of Israel, and the Torah of Israel.

Today we don’t have one Moses - we all have to play the part. I hope and pray that we will not be inundated with ‘plagues’ that we will not have to witness what the Egyptians were forced to, before the redemption, for in the end, this will all stop and good will overcome evil. But for the time being, we will all, as did Moses - cry out:

LET MY PEOPLE GO

One Year Later (2)

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
One Year Later (2)
March 10, 1996

This afternoon I stood, with about 150 other people, by
five graves. Opposite me, from left to right, were the graves 
of Shalom Lapid, Mordechai Lapid, Rafael Yairi, Nachum Hoss, and Yehuda Partush, Z"l Hy"d.  Five of over
160 'sacrifices for piece' - killed by Arab terrorists since the signing of
the Oslo Accords two years ago.  Five of the many others that lived, worked
and died in the Hebron region.  We gathered today to pay respect to Nahum Hoss
and Yehuda Partush who were killed on the 18th of Adar - three days after Purim
- last year.
     I have visited the ancient Jewish cemetery in Hebron dozens of times, usually
showing tourists the different plots, some of which are over 500 years old.  I
always stop near the graves of these five men and briefly tell their individual
stories.  But today, and not just today, but anytime we
gather in the cemetery for a memorial service, the feeling, the sense of loss,
is different.
     And as I stood, looking at the graves of my friends, asking myself what they
had died for, why did we have to be standing here,
....... suddenly my beeper started vibrating.  I pulled it out, and read the message:
"A few minutes ago Rav Yitzhak Ginsburgh received an administrative detention
order, arresting him for 60 days in the Sharon prison. The order was signed by
the minister of defense Shimon Peres.  Rav Ginsburgh, dean of students at the Od
Yosef Chai Yeshiva in Shechem, and of the Menucha Rachel Kollel in Hebron, has
been under administrative order forbidding him from entering Yehuda and
Shomron for six months."
     And I ask myself, after such horrific events as those that have plagued us for
the last few weeks, doesn't anyone pay any attention?  In Judaism we are
required to perform a 'heshbon nefesh' - that is, an in-depth introspective contemplation, 
searching for ways to improve ourselves, looking back at what we did - how could it 
have been different - how could we have improved
our actions, our deeds.  We do a `heshbon nefesh' especially 
during times of crisis, both personal and national.  How, in the name of the L-rd, 
can a national leader, following the deaths of so many people by Arab
terrorists, after having released so many convicted terrorists from Israeli 
prisons, possibly arrest a Torahscholar of the caliber of Rav Yitzhak Ginsburgh 
on an administrative detention order?
     Won't they ever learn?
     This morning an appeals court in Tel-Aviv ordered 
that Rav Ido Elba, be immediately released from prison.
Rav Elba, convicted for having supposedly authored a
theoretic halachic (Jewish legal) treatise concerning the
killing of non-Jewish enemies, was denied parole after
serving two-thirds of his two year sentence.  The Israeli
intelligence services opposed his release on the grounds
that he is `spiritually dangerous.'  Last week, Rav
Elba's father passed away after a long bout with cancer.
Rav Elba had originally been allowed to visit his ailing
father once every two weeks for two hours.  The ruling
authorities loosen their grip after being approached by
several notable public servants, and allowed him to visit
his father once every ten days.  After his father's
death, we wasn't granted a `vacation' as are most
prisoners under similar circumstances, rather he was
accompanied by prison guards, in handcuffs, to the
cemetery.  Only after an hour and a half delay, during
which time a second permit had to be obtained, was he
allowed to attend the service at the funeral home in
Jerusalem.  The next day, following pressure from over 20
MK's, was he allowed to go to his parent's home to sit
shiva.  This morning the appeals court ordered his
immediate release from prison.  The State attorneys
immediately announced that they were appealing the
decision.
     One of those mourning the murder of Nahum Hoss was
Rav Moshe Levinger, serving a seven month prison sentence
for `pushing a soldier' five years ago on Yom Kippur,
when Arabs almost started a riot during prayers.  Rav
Levinger, after intervention by various officials, was
allowed to attend today's memorial service at the
cemetery.  Nahum Hoss was his right-hand man.  They
worked together for years.  Today Nahum Hoss lies dead in
Hebron's cemetery - Rav Levinger is in jail.
     Can their be any greater absurdity?  Shimon Peres,
Prime Minister of Israel, is involved in releasing
hundreds of Arab terrorists from jail, giving the Arabs
Eretz Yisrael, arresting Rabbis, and preparing `major
international conferences on combating terrorism.'  And
we stand in front of the graves of the `sacrifices for
piece.'  And I keep asking myself , what do we have to do
to make these people understand.  And the truth is, I
don't have an answer.
---------------------------------------------------------
     "...I remember very well our last telephone
conversation.  You called home and told me that you were
going to Jerusalem to buy a door knob for our front door.
As was your wont, you asked me,
`Avigail, is their anything else you need from
Jerusalem?'  And you added, `Don't worry, by eight I'll
be home.'
     Yes Nahum, you arrived at your true home, you
reached the eternal home, and perhaps with the door-
handle, you opened the door to the Garden of Eden here in
Hebron, in the place where you said,  "they'll never get
me out of Hebron, only in a casket!'  And you were right
Nahum, no one will ever take you from here,  here, under
the layers of dust, under the sacred earth of Hebron, you
are buried, side-by-side with the other holy ones, and
with those murdered in 1929.
     You left us in shock, mute, in pain, and the heart
refuses to believe, to be comforted, for the enormous
loss, for I miss you so, we all do...
     During your life you sanctified the name of G-d, and
with your death you made the supreme sacrifice to
sanctify the name of G-d, in the place you so loved ...."
               Writing with tears in my eyes,
                                 Your wife, Avigail
                 (From `Nachamu Ami - Nahum Hoss Hy"d, Ish Hevron'
                            

In Memory: To Matthew Eisenfeld and Sara Duker, z"l h"yd

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
In Memory:  To Matthew Eisenfeld  and Sara Duker, z"l h"yd
February 28, 1996

As I write this, the time is midnight - the daily news summary is being 
broadcast on Kol Yisrael, and once again I find myself sitting here with tears 
in my eyes.  The first story is a report of the funeral and burial of Matt 
Eisenfeld and Sara Duker in West Hartford Connecticut, USA.  On both sides 
their parents were quoted, saying that they would continue to send their 
children to Israel, where they belong.  
 I first came to Israel over 20 years ago, in the summer of 1974, as a student 
on the one-year program, at Hebrew University.  I studied in Cleveland at CWRU 
and was thrilled with the idea of spending a year in Israel.  I wasn't 
religious, nor did I have any intentions of making Aliyah.  My life was all 
planned out - my major goal was law school and later, some kind of civil 
liberties legal job.  
 I also had no illusions about Israel.  A good friend had spend a summer 
touring the country with tremendous expectations.  He came back to the US so 
disappointed: it wasn't the way he thought it would be.  I don't think he ever 
came back.  But, I decided that it would be whatever it is - I wanted to learn 
about it and absorb it, and then go back home to the the US.
 So, Israel it was - one year after the Yom Kippur War - and the environment 
was still of war shock.  There was much tension on the Syrian border and a new 
outbreak of hostilities was considered very possible.  But that didn't overly 
concern me.  I was getting acquainted with my Homeland, touring, learning 
Hebrew, meeting people and feeling at one with the city of Gold, Jerusalem.  As 
the year evolved I grew closer and closer, both spiritually and physically, to 
Israel, Jerusalem, and slowly, to religion.  It was an extremely powerful year, 
in almost all aspects of life.  Even though I still had no intentions of living 
here, I used to get upset with people who said, "I could never live here - I 
don't like the way it is, socially, religiously, etc. etc."  I would answer 
them, "If you want to live in the US, fine, but if you want, you can come here 
and change the way things are - you don't have to accept everything the way it 
is today.  Israel is a small country.  You can have an influence.  You can come 
back and change it."
 By the end of the year I realized that I had to come back - not necessarily to 
stay, but to give it a chance, to be here again.  And so, while back in 
Cleveland for my senior year, I did everything possible to prepare myself to 
return, immediately following graduation.  I had help from Above - and less 
than a month after graduation, on Entebbe Day - July 4, 1976, I was back.  And 
as it turned, with the exception of a brief interlude in NJ for needed dental 
work, I as here to stay.
 Looking back 22 years, I can see, in some kind of perspective, where I was 
then, and where I am now - where Israel was then and where Israel is today.  I 
have been blessed with a beautiful family, a loving wife, wonderful children, 
understanding and generous parents and parents-in-law.  I live that way I want 
to live, according to the values and ideals that I thing are important.  I 
raise my children according to these ideals -the ideals of true Zionism, the 
ideals of true Judaism as I understand it - the ideals that I preached to my 
friends 22 years ago - "if you want to, come back and change it - don't just 
say, 'I don't like it.' "  I try, the best I can to do what I can for the 
Jewish People, in Israel and in the Diaspora, from Kiryat Arba - from Hebron.  
I don't know what my personal future will be, and that holds little importance 
in my life's philosophy.  I know that I am living the way I think I should, 
where I think I should - not just for me, but for Jews everywhere.  Hebron, 
city of the Patriarchs, reflects the values and ideals of eternal Judaism, and 
so I am here, trying to insure that we will all be able to be here, forever.  I 
have managed to live my dream - not necessarily easy, not always pleasant, but 
this is it - this is what it's all about.  Sometimes you have to pay a price to 
for what you believe in, if you really want it and believe in it.
 And then I think of Matt Eisenfeld, having lived where my father's brother 
lives, and Sara Duker, who lived a few miles from where I went to high school, 
and I see two people similar to me - who came to Israel because of similar 
reasons, with similar goals, with similar values and ideologies - not 
necessarily exactly the same- politically, socially or religiously - but the 
ideal  was pure - for the good, not of  'me', but for the good of the Jewish People.  They 
came here, found each other, and together, wanted to continue in the footsteps 
of their Forefathers, in the land of Israel.
 Until Sunday morning, at 6:40 am, in Jerusalem bus #18, on Yaffo Street, 3 
minutes from the Central Bus Station
 And I ask myself, where would they be, what could they have done 
                                                22 years from now? 
       

An Interview with Shimon Heres - Candidate for Prime Minister

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
An Interview with Shimon Heres - Candidate for Prime Minister

Q.  Mr. Heres, what, in your opinion, is the main issue of the election?
A.  The main issue?  That is very clear.  There is no main issue.  There is 
nothing to debate.  It is agreed by all segments of the population that 
everything my government has accomplished has been successful.  There is no 
question - and no issue.
Q.  Mr. Heres, please excuse me, but what about the issue of the of 
the peace plan?  This seems to be a very controversial issue.
A.  What are you talking about?  This is not an issue.  The peace plan has 
succeeded more than anyone could possibly have imagined.  Arafat has given up 
terror for diplomacy, guns for a legislature.  What more can you ask for?
Q.  But Mr. Heres, Arafat continues to call for Jihad, and according to reports 
from Sweden, Arafat expects to witness the destruction of the Jewish State within five 
years, as a result of the peace plan?
A.  First of all, that report was broadcast by a radio station which knows only 
how to incite.  I won't even mention its name. It is a pirate station with 
pirate news.  Anything they say is a lie.  Aside from that, we all know that 
Arafat can be trusted.  He has already explained that Jihad is a spiritual 
term, and it has no military connotations.  
Q. What about the destruction of Israel?
A.  Well, I think that this is also a figurative term.  We are facing a clear 
change in Israel.  Life here will be different.  Israel will stop being a Jewish State. Rather, it 
will be a State where Jews can live freely, but our character will be similar 
to that of a modern Scandinavian country.  I think that this is perhaps 
Arafat's meaning.  If so, I agree with him, and so,does, I am sure, an 
overwhelming majority of Israelis.  This is not an issue.
Q.  Mr. Heres, let's move on.  How can you escape the issue of the Golan 
Heights?  This is definitely a point of contention.
A.  Excuse me but you don't know what you're talking about.  The Golan is not 
an issue.  I have promised a referendum on the Golan following signing of the 
treaty with the Syrians.  There is nothing to be discussed.  We cannot argue 
about an egg that hasn't yet been hatched.  
Q.  But Mr. Heres, it is possible to debate your intention?
A.  We will not discuss the Golan.  That is tantamount to showing the Syrians 
all our cards while in the midst of negotiations.  Anyone discussing the Golan, 
or questioning the government's stand is aiding and abetting the enemy.  This 
is unlawful.
Q.  O.K. Mr. Heres, but there is one other major question on the agenda.  That 
is Jerusalem.
A.  Jerusalem - the question is, in and of itself, incitement.  What are you 
talking about.  Jerusalem will never be divided.  Jerusalem with remain a 
united city.  That has always been our policy and it will continue to be so.
Anyone broaching the issue of Jerusalem is committing a major crime. 
 We will not allow this.  There is nothing to talk about.
Q.  But Mr. Heres, before the last election Labor promised never to even 
discuss the Golan, and promised not to talk to Arafat, and promised that there 
would never be a Palestinian State.  You haven't kept any of these promises.  
Why should anyone believe your statements concerning Jerusalem?
A.  Your questions are out of line. This line of questioning is ridiculous.  It 
is not true.  We have never broken any promises.  I demand an immediate 
apology.  I reiterate, there are no issues to discuss.  The truth is that I 
don't understand why we need the elections.  Everything is clear, and everyone 
agrees with us.  Perhaps we'll cancel them.

Mr. Heres, thank you very much.

(Backstag,e to an aid - 'What did you think - not bad?  And the Jerusalem 
question-what Chutzpah.  What? - Of course Jerusalem will remain united - but I 
neglected to say under whose authority - Heh Heh Heh - they won't be able to 
catch me on that one...' 

 

An Open Letter from Somewhere

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David WilderAn Open Letter from Somewhere
January 5, 1996

Dear Shimmy,

Nu, how are you doing in your new job? I’ve been trying to keep track, but it isn’t always possible.

In the past you didn’t take too kindly to my advice. However, the changes have been so drastic that it would be prudent for you to pay attention. Different perspectives allow for changes in opinion, and mine is a prime example.

You know, I determined my priorities according to what I believed to be the good of the Jewish People in Israel. I fully believed in peace, I believed in the ideology we both grew up with. That ideology espouses humanism, without particular concern for traditions, for religious faith, or religous practice. Man is man, land is land - there is no real distinction between peoples or places. Tradition was good for the history books - ancient customs with, seemingly, little true significance in the twentieth century. These values emphasizied the power of man, and diminished, or perhaps even totally negated any Divine element, any Divine influence on our daily lives or on our existance as a people, as a nation. These values permeated our existance, ruled our thoughts and guided our actions. Based on our ideology we set our goal, that of a new Israel. We made a cognative decision to use the peace process as a means to annihilating, as a first step, the religious-zionist ideology preached and practiced by most of the Jewish inhabitants of Yehuda, Shomron and Gazza. Their ideology, as we viewed it, acted as a direct threat to our goals and values. We desired a humanistic Israel - they live for a Jewish Israel. Their lifestyle, their ethics, their ideology directly contradicts ours - they believe that the spiritual essence of life takes precedence over the physical, that ideology must be lived and not only spoken. They teach the role of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, and refuse to compromise. They view the conflict between Jews and Arabs not as political, but rather as religious.

Of course, many of them live religiously observant lives, and claim that this is the ‘true’ Judaism. They refuse, under any circumstances, to succumb to pressures, that would shatter anyone with lesser convictions. Their attachment to three elements of life - Torah, Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael - their determination to prevent any division between these components, their fervor and self-sacrifice, well you know as well as I did, it is much stronger than we could ever have imagined. We fought them - it might even be defined as a war - though not necessarily an armed struggle, but rather a cultural war, which we were determined to win at any price.

Shimmy, I could continue for a long time, for there is much to say, but my time is very limited. So let me just say this: Shimmy, we were wrong. Wrong - wrong -wrong. I see things very differently now, everything is so very clear. And I cannot understand how I was so blind, or how you are still so unseeing - what can I say - we made very grave mistakes. Don’t misunderstand, they aren’t a hundred percent correct, and when their mistakes become clear to them they too will be dumbfounded - but the basic ideology, lifestyle, priorities, - they are right and we are wrong.

Know Shimmy, please recognize, there really is a G-d. He is rightous, merciful, and all-knowing. And the Land of Israel really does belong to the Jewish People - stop all this foolishness with the terrorists, and do it now. For if not, it will cost us dearly. I am not at liberty to reveal the future, in spite of the fact that it is crystal clear - and you too should be able to more or less predict the results of most given alternatives available today. That is a pretty big hint. When you do what you are supposed to do, the Divine intervention is tangable. How were we so blind as to not see it?! Whatever the seeming odds, Israel will be victorious. Israel is eternal and will not be deserted, ever.

And know that Torah Judaism, the traditions and practices, they are much more relevant to our lives than you could possibly conceive. And not only individually, but also to the destiny of our People and to the entire world.

You may think I am exaggerating, but I guarantee you, I am not. It is your responsibility and obligation to change your course of action and that of the State of Israel. It won’t be easy, but we will all be here helping you, however we can. And know Shimmy, if you don’t do it, someone else will. That is assured.

Please, if you never listened to me before - listen now. I know.

Best regards - praying for your repentence,

Yitzik