Impending Disaster?

---

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever

by David Wilder
Impending Disaster?
October 30, 1996

     Yesterday, tens of thousands of Israelis poured into
a   storm-struck   Jerusalem  to  protest   the   planned
abandonment of Hebron. In New York, a group of  concerned
Jews  chanted  in front of the Israeli consulate,  "Don't
abandon  Hebron."  This morning a personal representative
of President Clinton visited Hebron to learn, first-hand,
about Hebron.
     And the negotiations continue.

      Two  major  issues must be confronted.  The  Jewish
Community of Hebron has learned that all Jewish property,
including  the  buildings presently lived  in  by  Jewish
residents,  and all the property owned by Jews  prior  to
the   1929  massacre,  is  to  be  transferred  to  total
palestinian control.  All Jewish property in  Hebron  was
held  by  a  Jordanian  `guardian' following  the  forced
removal of the surviving Jews in 1929.  In 1967, with the
return  of  Israel to Hebron, an Israeli  `guardian'  had
official authority over all Jewish land and houses.  This
authority  is  now  to be transferred  to  a  palestinian
`guardian.'
      Should  this  actually  happen,  all  construction,
anywhere in Hebron, on Jewish property, will be dependent
on  permission from the palestinian `guardian.'  HE  WILL
ALSO  HAVE THE LEGAL POWER TO REMOVE JEWS FROM THE HOUSES
WE  PRESENTLY  LIVE  IN, CLAIMING  THAT  IT  IS  ACTUALLY
PALESTINIAN PROPERTY, UNDER HIS AUTHORITY.

       The   second   issue  to  be  addressed   concerns
administrative detention and curfews.  According to media
accounts in all Israeli newspapers today, the "Shabak"  -
otherwise  known  as Israeli intelligence,  is  demanding
that  dozens of `right-wing extremists,' especially  from
Hebron  and  the  Hebron area, be placed under  immediate
administrative detention. There are also  rumors  that  a
curfew  will  be  placed upon Jews in Hebron-Kiryat  Arba
before  commencement of abandonment.  There  are  reports
that  `redeployment' will be implemented by  the  end  of
next week, should the agreement be signed.

      The  time has come for the Netanyahu government  to
reveal,  to one and all, its true self.  We have assumed,
based  on previous statements, declarations, and actions,
that  Bibi  Netanyahu's heart is actually in  the  `right
place,' in spite his continued implementation of the Oslo
curse.   Netanyahu  is, at least in  theory,  not  Shimon
Peres.   There  really  is no need to  enumerate  why  we
worked  so  hard to put him in office.  The  reasons  are
known to all.
      However, it is possible that we were mistaken,  and
should that be the case, our error is very grave, indeed.
The  above-described  intentions to transfer  all  Jewish
property  to  Arafat is more drastic  than  the  original
`Peres-Arafat' agreement.  How does a government, elected
on  a  platform guaranteeing continued Jewish development
in   Hebron,  literally  strangle  the  existing   Jewish
community!?   How  can a Prime Minister who  has  written
books  on  combating terrorism, reward Arafat  with  more
than  even  Peres was willing to do?  How can an  Israeli
administration create a situation making Hebron, de jure,
Judenrein?  Jews have no property rights, no land rights,
in  Hebron,  the cradle of  Jewish civilization?   If  we
have  no land rights in Hebron,  if we can't walk  freely
and   live   normally  in  the  city  of  Abraham,   what
justification do we have in Tel-Aviv or Haifa.  If Hebron
is  defined as `conquered territory,' what is the  status
of  Jerusalem.   Ma'arat HaMachpela is 3,700  years  old.
The Kotel is 2,000 years old.

      Administrative detention is a means to  incarcerate
suspected  terrorists.   It is a  procedure  utilized  to
combat  terrorist attacks and, used properly, is  a  very
effective  tool.   However, the  previous  administration
began using it to smother political activists whose ideas
and   philosophies  differed  from  their  own.    In   a
democratic  state,  a person suspected  of  committing  a
crime  is indicted and tried in a court of law.  If found
guilty,  he  is punished.  If acquitted, he is  released.
There  is  no justification to restrict movement  of  any
citizen in a free, democratic state, and all the more so,
a person may not be imprisoned without just cause and due
process of law.
      The  previous  administration  used  administrative
detention   and   house   arrest  to   stifle   political
expression.   Baruch Marzel, prevented from  leaving  his
home  for  over  two  and  a half  years,  has  now  been
presented with an additional renewed administrative house
arrest  order.  As reported above, tens of Jews may  soon
be  arrested  by  order of the Netanyahu  government,  in
complete contradiction to due process of law.
      Should  the  Netanyahu government actually  execute
these  orders,  and, at the same time,  while  abandoning
Hebron,  transfer all property rights to  Arafat,  Israel
will  truly  be  facing catastrophe, no  less  than  that
threatened  by the preceding Peres administration.   This
impending  disaster is not so much going to be caused  by
our    enemies.     Rather   our   own   government,    a
`nationalistic'  regime, may bring upon  its  own  people
devastation beyond belief.

      The only consolation I have to offer is that if we,
the Jewish Community of Hebron have anything to say or do
about it, it will not happen.

My friend Moshe and Abed from Hebron

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
My friend Moshe and Abed from Hebron
August 30, 1996

On Wednesday evening I was, with hundreds of others, celebrating the marriage 
of Yaffa Bleicher, daughter of Yeshivat Shavei Hebron's Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe  Bleicher.  The chuppa took place in front of Ma'arat HaMachpela.  The courtyard 
was filled with, in my estimation, well over one thousand people.  The Chatan, 
Yonatan, and the Kallah, Yaffa, seem to be an ideal young couple, and they 
looked beautiful, as the wedding blessings were recited in the field of 
Machpela, in Hebron.

Later, following the ceremony, we all walked to the Yeshiva.  Yeshivat Shavei 
Hebron is located in Beit Romano, a building over a hundred years old.  
The structure, in the past, housed the "Sde Hemed" a renowned Talmudic scholar, 
and early this century was home to Yeshivat Torat Emet of Habad.  In 1917 the 
British claimed the building and used it as a police station.  Those murdered 
and injured in the 1929 massacre were taken here on that fateful Saturday. The 
present Yeshiva has been located in the building since the early 1980's.

While sitting at the festive outdoors meal, a nearby friend passed on the 
information: "A 160 bus, from Jerusalem to Kiryat Arba - Hebron was just shot 
at. One person was injured."  It took a while to receive confirmation and 
clarification.  On the new Bethlehem bypass road, supposedly 'secure', 
terrorists opened up with automatic weapons and hit the bus. It isn't clear 
exactly how many bullets hit the bus - between 15 to 30.  Fortunately, we now 
travel in buses that have been mostly bulletproofed.  This is the reason no 
one was seriously injured.  I say 'mostly' because there are several parts of 
the bus which are not bullet proof.  I won't elaborate for obvious reasons, 
except to say that at least one bullet passed though a 'non-bullet proofed' 
window, and miraculously, didn't hit anyone.  The bus was full and there were 
people standing.  According to people on the bus, if it had not been bullet 
proofed, much blood would have been spilled.

One of the people on the bus was a good friend of mine, Moshe Shachar. Moshe, 
his wife Efrat, and their children have lived in Kiryat Arba for a number of 
years.  Moshe, aged 54, a math whiz and a computer genious, used to work for 
Bezek and is presently employed by E.C.I., a private electronics firm in Petach 
Tikvah.  He travels back and forth from Petach Tikva several times a week. I 
visited with Moshe a little while ago.  The following is what he related to me:
" I attended an all-day meeting - nine hours.  So when I was on the bus I 
didn't have energy to do anything.  I was dozing and leaning against the 
window.  Suddenly I heard automatic gunfire.  It lasted for, maybe, three 
seconds.  In the middle of it I realized it was gunfire and not rocks.  I was 
leaning against the window.  Exactly were my  arm was, a bullet hit.  (Showing 
me the picture in the newspaper), Here is where one bullet hit.  If the windows 
weren't bulletproofed I would have been hit. And here above that bullet, is 
where another one hit the glass. (That bullet hole was opposite his head.) I 
was wounded in my leg.  A bullet hit the side of the bus and must have 
exploded.  Either fragments of the bullet or pieces of the bus hit my leg. I 
wasn't badly hurt.  They took me to the hospital from Gush Etzion, washed the 
leg and gave me antibiotics.  The pieces of metal will remain in my leg.  I 
have to take it easy for a couple of weeks, but all-in-all, I'm O.K.  (I 
remarked that now, every time he enters Ma'arat HaMachpela, the metal-detector 
will be activated. We laugh together.) What now?  Very simple.  As soon as the 
doctor says it's ok, I'll continue going to work, the same way I always have.  
What should we do now? Build a new settlement where the attack took place. We 
have to strengthen our hold on Eretz Yisrael.  The terrorists cannot be allowed 
to control our lives."
That is my friend Moshe.

Earlier that day, I spent an hour with a photographer in Hebron.  While we were 
wondering around, an Arab named Abed stopped me on the street, across from Beit Romano. He 
told me, in Hebrew, the following.  (I translated to English for the 
photographer.)
'I prefer the Israeli army in Hebron to Arafat.  Arafat's people arrest Arabs, 
jail them, torture them, and then kill them.  The Israeli soldiers arrest 
Arabs and question them, but don't torture or kill them.  We've seen this in 
other cities where Arafat rules.  Do a lot of Hebron Arabs think this?  Yes. And 
you should know, I agree that Jews should live in Hebron.  My grandmother used 
to tell me stories that Jews lived on this land, five hundred - seven hundred 
years ago.  This is Jewish land.  The Arabs stole it from them after the 
massacre.' 
Quote- Unquote - Abed from Hebron 

Interim - Where Do We Go From Here

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder
Interim - Where Do We Go From Here
June 7, 1996

We have had all of a week to start getting used to the MaHapach - the fall of
Labor and the rise of Bibi, and the rumor mills are working full time. "Arik is
out" ... "Redeployment in Hebron, in spite of everything." There are the big
two Ariel Sharon and Hebron. And I don't believe either one.

Bibi isn't stupid. You don't get elected Prime Minister by doing dumb
things. Bibi knows exactly why he was elected - he knows what the Israeli
people want. And he knows that in another four years he will face a reelection
campaign - and four years has a way of creeping up on you. That was Labor's
mistake - (at least, one of many). They thought that the four years would never
end. But, thank G-d, they did.

So, after having worked so hard to get Bibi elected, now we have to give him
a little credit and a little time. Decisions about an issue as important and as
sensitive as Hebron aren't decided overnight. They also aren't decided without
a Defense Minister, a Foreign Minister, and a government.

We shouldn't fool ourselves and expect that everything Bibi does will be 100%
agreeable with us. I'll be a little surprised if he calls us ands asks us what
we think he should do. After all, we elected him to do that work - it's his
headache. I have no doubt that he will not redeploy Israeli forces in Hebron -
he will not give the city to "palestinian soldiers." He will initiate a policy
of expansion and development throughout Israel, including Hebron.

He also will not forget Arik Sharon and his centrality in the election
victory. A few words about Arik - Hebron has many friends, but none like Arik
Sharon. He doesn't only talk - he does. He is a real bulldozer. He is
personally responsible for literally hundreds of thousands of dollars that have
reached Hebron's institutions. He is a real doer. And he deserves all the
credit for it. He backed out of the Likud race for Prime Minister, in spite of
his personal goals, because he looks first at the good of Israel, and not at his
own desires. He brought together David Levi and Bibi - (almost a big a miracle
as the election results), and unified them with Raful. Had that not been done,
there would have been four candidates for Prime Minister: Peres, Bibi, Raful and
David Levi. Had that happened, at best, today we would be facing a runoff
election.

Arik convinced the religious parties and the "Haradim" to back the Likud and
Bibi, and to vote. That too, was no small feat.
And have not doubt - if I know it, so does Bibi. He won't leave Arik Sharon
out in the cold. So far he hasn't made any public statements. We have to give
him a little time. Let's wait for the results before jumping to conclusions.


Where do we go from here? The "we" in the question should be capitalized -
"WE". - All of us - not just in Hebron, but all over the country. There is
little doubt that there are tremendous political differences between two halves
of Israel's citizens. That has been clear since the 1980's, when the first
national unity governments were formed. But the last four years have witnessed
a polarization that could tear the country apart. The fact that the 'enemy' was
turned into the friend, and the 'brother' into the enemy is a symptom of a
greater illness. The animosity generated between 'left' and 'right' could tear
the country apart. So, how do we solve the problem?

The answer doesn't depend on compromising values. It is, rather, a question
of defining values, and setting priorities. The most important value known in
Judaism is UNITY. (For those of you who read Hebrew, see Em HaBanim Smacha by
Rav Yisachar Shlomo Teichtel HY"D - especially the last chapter, called "Unity
and Shalom - The Rectification of Israel.) There is no greater strength in
Israel than Unity. So how - how do we bridge the gaps that seemingly divide two
segments of the population?

In short, there are two stages: short-term and long-term. First, we must all
reach agreement that we cannot ignore each other and that we cannot and must not
relate to each other as separate peoples. "Settlers" are not subhuman
extremists, just as the far-left "Meretz" supporters are not monsters. There
must be a mutual acceptance that allows us to disagree, without totally
alienating each other. We must accept the legitimacy of all others to exist.
The past four years have seen an attempt to dehumanize and delegitimize the
Israeli 'right.' Not all 'right-wing' activites were 'purely' motivated. We
must accept the fact that there are different philosophies of life, that we must
all live with.

How then, can we continue implementing our policies? First of all, we don't
have to trample the 'left.' We don't have to make decisions and 'shove them
down their throats.' Not everything has to be done tomorrow. There will be
changes in policy, as dictated by the results of the elections. But Bibi
doesn't have to, and shouldn't implement these changes the way Rabin and Peres
did.

A in-depth discussion of values and priorities is perhaps the topic of a
separate article. But the overlying goal of whatever is done must be to keep
the peace within the family - as Bibi said - first there must be peace between
the Jews. If there isn't peace among ourselves, we'll never reach and maintain
a true peace with our neighbors.

If we are aware of this goal, and make efforts to achieve it, we will, with the
help of G-d, succeed.

NYC Rally Statement

Hebron-Past, Present and Forever
by David Wilder                                                                    
NYC Rally Statement                                
May 1, 1996

Shalom from Hebron.
First, I must thank you for coming this evening to show your 
solidarity with the Jewish Community of Hebron.  Hebron does not 
belong to those of us who live in Hebron-Kiryat Arba.  Hebron belongs 
to all the Jewish People, thoughout the ages.  In spite of the fact 
that your are in NY and we are here in Israel, Hebron is as much a 
part of you as me.  
       This morning at 10:00, as we were getting ready to leave for 
Jerusalem, Kiryat Arba's ambulance sirens began shrieking.  Within a 
few minutes the reason was clear.  Seventy two year old Nisim Gudaei 
was stabbed in the back  by an Arab terrorist in Hebron.  The 
butcher knife was still sticking out of his back when he was taken to 
Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem.
     Nisim Gudaei, still fighting for his life as I write, is a 
brilliant man, a first class Torah scholar, having studied at the 
Ponevitch Yeshiva.  He was the secretary of the Tel-Aviv Rabbinic 
Court, learned and taught in Kiryat Arba's Hesder Yeshiva, speaks 
many languages, including fluent Arabic, and it a frequent visitor to 
the Arab shuk in Hebron.  All the Arabs in the Kasba know Nisim - he 
buys from them for years, speaks their language, and is simply, a 
very nice person.  He cannot be called an extremist, or a problematic 
trouble-maker, even among the Arabs.
   So why should an Arab choose to stab him in the back?  Because he 
is a Jew, living in Eretz Yisrael, residing in Kiryat Arba, walking 
the streets of Hebron.  It is, in the words of a friend of mine, just 
like reliving 1929.
      We left Kiryat Arba-Hebron to protest the planned 
abandonment of Hebron.  We then traveled to the Knesset, where a special debate took 
place.  Reporters asked my, "Why bother - what do you accomplish by
standing here in the hot weather, with all your families - men, women
and children?"  My response is quite simple:  We cannot just stand by
and watch a 3,700 year old Jewish city be abandoned.  It is the
democratic right to protest.  We are fulfilling that right.  But it is
not only a right, it is an obligation.  If someone tried to break into
your home, and then claim that it belongs not to you, but to him,
wouldn't you have an obligation, not only to yourself, but to your
family, to prove him wrong?  That is our obligation.  Our home is
being taken from us, and our family is the entire Jewish People.  We
must not let it happen.
Later in the afternoon we went to  the Kotel. where we prayed 
before the Master of the  Universe, at the holiest site to the Jewish 
People.  Unfortunately, Temple Mount and the Western Wall are also on 
the terrorist's list.  If we will succeed in preventing the fall of 
Hebron, the chances are good that Jerusalem will remain united.  If, 
chalila, Hebron should fall, we all know what is next.
   
   Later on we continued to a demonstration in the center of 
Jerusalem.  We spent an entire day protesting, before the people of  
Israel, before the people of the world, before our  L-rd in Heaven: 
Hebron, the city of Abraham, the lifeblood of the Jewish People must 
not be turned over to Arafat. 

    In 1929 the Arabs massacred us, leaving 67 dead.  The British 
expelled the remaining survivors.  We waited almost 50 years to 
return.  Is is possible that a Jewish government will continue where 
the British left off?  No - it cannot be, and we will do all in our 
power to prevent it.
    Today, this morning, the attempted murder of Nisim Gudaei brought 
back shadows of 1929 to haunt us - the Arabs haven't changed.  They 
will still take any opportunity to try to kill us.  It makes no 
difference if we are 'their friends' or not.    
      In a month the Israeli People will go to the polls to make perhaps 
the most important decision  since the founding of the State.  We 
will have to decide if we want an Israel with Judaism or without 
Judaism, with Hebron or without Hebron, with Jerusalem, or without 
Jerusalem.  If any of you have Israeli citizenship, do your utmost to 
be in Israel on election day.  Every vote counts.  Everyone must do 
what they can - If not now - when?
     It would be very easy, after today's events, after the terrorist 
attack, after hearing Yossi Sarid promise to 'not only withdraw from 
Hebron, but also remove all its Jewish residents', to feel total 
despair.  However, I conclude, not on a note of despair, but rather on a note of hope, 
of optimism.  The road before us will not be easy, but we have faith 
that we weren't brought back to Israel, after a 2,000 year exile, 
only to be exiled again.   Thousands of people participated in 
today's protests, and there are hundreds of thousands  more, all over 
Israel, who will not agree to see Hebron fall, at the hands of a 
Jewish government.  
    The army offered us, in Hebron, different forms of protection, 
most of which resembled ghettoization.  We refused.  We will not, 
under any circumstances, return to a ghetto.  We have come back to 
Israel, we have come back to Hebron, we have come home, to live as a 
free people should live, in their home.  Our home is not a ghetto.  
Our home is the oldest Jewish city in the world, the roots of the 
Jewish People, the beginnings of the Kingdom of Israel - the home of 
David Melech Yisrael.  The eternity of Hebron, as is the eternity of 
Israel, is not a man-made gift - it is Divine.  And in spite of the 
seeming darkness, the seeming pit we are falling into, we will rise 
up, as we have in the past.  Eternity is a long time, eternity does 
not lie and with the help of G-d, - we will not fail in our mission.  
Your solidarity with Hebron, Hebron, coming from the word l'chaber, to join 
together, unites us - we are one - going forward for one cause - and 
we will succeed. 
Thank you again.

I look forward to seeing all of you as our guests in the Jewish 
Community of Hebron in the very near future.

With blessings from the city of the Patriarchs,
David Wilder

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