During the first days of Yom Tov I had an opportunity to read a transcript of a speech given at the recent AIPAC conference. It was quite an amazing speech and it should open everyone’s eyes on a subject I have written about several times in the past. The speech was given by one of the most ardent supporters of the State of Israel and should be a lesson to all of us about what Eretz Yisroel truly means to us. The values expressed are a reflection of Torah values. And the Torah should be the guiding light with respect to all of Israel’s dealings with the world. And that includes our relationship with the Arabs. There should be no equivocating.
And this is truly my attitude when it comes to Shalom. I have long been an advocate for that as truly the most important factor in the perpetuation both our physical and spiritual well being. To me, the life of a single Jew is paramount and surpasses all other considerations. As is the prevention of life altering injuries resulting from Arab/Muslim animus. Plus, in an atmosphere free of fear, there is no telling how high our material and spiritual pursuits can takes us.
I never know exactly what position to take on controversial issues like “land for peace”. I hear arguments both pro and con. And I always wonder which one is the correct path to take, which path will further our material and spiritual goals. Both sides argue well their positions with tremendous merit. I thus find it almost impossible to discern which is the true Derech HaShem.
There is on the one hand a view reflected by the right wing of religious Zionism which argues with great fervor their true beliefs that sacrificing one inch of Eretz Yisroel is an Issur Gamur. One must be ready to sacrifice one’s life over it.
The other side of the argument is the view taken by many Charedi rabbinic leaders and certain other segments of the Religious Zionists. They argue that even though the Halachos of not giving land away to the Arabs as expressed by the other side are legitimate arguments, Pikuach Nefesh trumps it all as a reason to accept a “land for peace” deal.
The parameters of such a deal would perhaps be subject to debate among these Gedolim based Halacha. So I am unclear as to how far in a "land for peace" deal the State could Halachically go. Should the extent of “land for peace” be the West Bank... insisting on our retention of East Jeruslam and the Makom HaMikdash… even if at the price of Pikuach Nefesh? Or if in theory true peace could be achieved in such a deal would they accept even giving up East Jerusalem?
Of course the events of recent years seem to preclude any peace deal. The Arabs have shown that deal or no deal, Jewish lives would still be at risk. Probably more so if land were given up. So no one is advocating a "land for peace" deal now. But my question remains. In theory, what is the Halachic status of land for peace if that would truly work?
I personally believe that if it would work, it should be done. And I believe that The Charedi rabbinic leadership and one of the premier Modern Orthodox Rabbinic leaders of our time, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein would agree that in theory, “land for peace” would be an acceptable Halachic option.
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I bring this up now because of the recent summit by Arab nations that declared their current position on this issue. They say that in exchange for a return to the pre 67 borders, all Arab nations will normalize relations with Israel. They have said this before. If this is true it would have to be considered realistically by the Israeli Government. Of course there is the little matter of Islamist suicide bombings and the like which would probably undermine any such normalization attempt. Going back to the pre '67 borders would weaken Israel’s military strength. So currently there is no real option to consider. But the offer is intriguing enough to raise the Halachic question again about whether, in theory, “land for peace” would be the correct approach in a world without militant Islamism.
But... back to the speaker at the AIPAC conference. He certainly reminds us of the Torah viewpoint on issues facing Israel and the Jewish people. Here are some excerpts:
I have something to say to Iran's president: Mr. Ahmadinejad, do not threaten America. Do not threaten Israel by saying it will pass away in a sudden storm. In the Bible, when Pharaoh threatened the Jewish people of Egypt, he became fish food in the Red Sea. When Haman threatened the Jews in Persia – modern-day Iran – he and his sons hung from the gallows that he built for the Jews.
Mr. Ahmadinejad, threats against Israel have a way of becoming self-fulfilling prophecy. You may be well speaking about your own demise when you talk about passing away with a sudden storm, but you are not talking about Israel's future.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is watching you. King David wrote, "[He] that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps."
And later in speaking about “land for peace” he says:
Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people now and forever. Jerusalem is united under Jewish control and must always remain under Jewish control.
And again later:
Truth is what the Torah says it is – there's the Torah way and the wrong way. Genesis 12 and 3 says "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you." We believe those blessings are very real and those judgments are very real.
Where are the nations that have persecuted the Jewish people? Where is Pharaoh and his army? Where are the Babylonians? Where are the Greeks? Where is the Ottoman Empire? Where are the Romans? Where is that goose-stepping lunatic Adolf Hitler and his Nazi hoards? All are footnotes in the bone yard of human history.
Where is Israel? Where are the Jewish people? They're alive and well; they're thriving; they're prospering; they're growing – even on a day of adversity they're still going forward.
Where is Israel? Where are those who are scattered throughout the Diaspora? The mighty right hand of God gathered them from the nations of the world and Israel was miraculously born on May 15, 1948.
Israel lives!
These words tend to support the right wing religious Zioinst perspective of not giving up a single inch of land. They underscore where our hearts should lie. And for that I salute this Evangelical preacher. That’s right. It was Pastor John Hagee, someone I have written about before… twice.
If there was ever any question about the truth of Evangelical support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people, this speech should put an end to it. Because it was more than just a speech. It was a mea culpa for all of Christendom. Here is more:
Why do Christians support Israel? Because Christians deeply believe we owe a debt of gratitude to the Jewish people. You gave us the word of God; you gave us the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you gave us the Prophets, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zachariah, Amos, Josiah, Joel – not a Baptist in the bunch – and the first family of Christianity – Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Apostles.
The point is, if you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity there would be no Christianity. Judaism does not need Christianity to explain its existence, but Christianity cannot explain its existence without Judaism.
Therefore, I have been saying for 26 years over national television that it's time for Christians to stop praising the dead Jews of the past while avoiding the Jews who live across the street. That's anti-Semitism and anti-Semitis is sin and as sin it damns the soul.
As Christians tonight on this historic occasion, we ask God's forgiveness and yours for every act of anti-Semitism in our past. The crusades, the Inquisition, Martin Luther's "Concerning the Jews and Their Lies"; the Final Solution of Adolf Hitler carried out by baptized Christians in good standing with their church; the fact that the Roman Church was silent during these atrocities [because] they did not share our appreciation for the great contribution the Jewish people have given to humanity and to Christianity.
Tonight I humbly ask forgiveness of the Jewish people for every act of anti-Semitism and the deafening silence of Christianity in your greatest hour of need during the Holocaust. We cannot change the past but together we can shape the future. Think of our potential future together: 50,000,000 evangelicals joining in common cause with 5,000,000 Jewish people in America on behalf of Israel is a match made in heaven.
Let the word go forth from Washington, D.C., tonight. There is a new beginning in America between Christians and Jews. We pledge to God and to the Jewish people to fulfill the words of the Prophet Isaiah – for Zion's sake we will not hold our peace and for Jerusalem's sake we will not rest. You who make mention of the Lord do not keep silent and give the Lord no rest until he makes Jerusalem the praise of all the earth.
