Leaders of Israel: SPEAK THE TRUTH

by Rabbi Eliezer Waldman

Rosh Yeshivat Kiryat Arba

Over the last few weeks we have been immersed in Torah portions relating the saga of yetziat Mitzraim, the redemption of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. Our lives today are in fact proceeding in parallel with our ancestors’ lives in this process of redemption. We are adhering to the directives of our sages in the Mishna instructing us that each Jewish generation should consider itself as being personally delivered from Egypt.

The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim from the root maytzarim which means straits. The Egyptians’ wicked intention was to keep Jewish life in virtual strait jackets, restricting their every move, in addition to malicious decrees designed to suppress the eternal existence of the Jewish people.

In every generation, the G-d of Israel delivers His people from the powers of evil eager to carry on and improve upon the wicked intentions of the Egyptians. So our sages consider each generation’s struggle against adversity as having lived through the original Redemption of Israel from Egypt.

Similarly, the present awakening of anti-Semitism is to be understood in the same vein as those ancient Egyptian decrees. Today, these evil plans are being directed against the independent State of Israel and our rights to our homeland. This villainous plan, globally orchestrated and incited by the "United" Nations, has now been channeled to the International Court of "Justice" at The Hague.

The only common bond uniting the members of the UN is the hatred for the Jewish State of Israel. The only just cause recognized by the court at The Hague is that which serves the interests of the judges and their countries. These judges have no moral authority to impose judicial rulings upon Israel, the only democratic entity in the Middle East. We therefore have no obligation to appear before this mock court with its pre-determined decisions.

How should an authentic Jewish leadership confront this situation? The G-d of Israel guided Moses as how to achieve the divine goal of the deliverance of our people from Egyptian slavery. In Shmot 7:26, Moses confronts Pharaoh saying "Thus said the Lord: Let my people go that they may serve me."

The only way for a courageous leader to confront the evil of those who seek to condemn the independence of a Jewish State and deligitimize the existence of a Jewish People in Eretz Yisrael, is by speaking the truth. Moses spoke the truth to Pharaoh which eventually resulted in the redemption of Israel from Egypt.

This same guidance is given to us by Rashi at the beginning of the Book of Bereishit, explaining why the Torah began with details of the creation of the universe instead of beginning with mitzvot. The Torah begins with a description of the creation of heaven and earth by G-d so that if the nations will claim that we have taken the land of other peoples, our response must be, "All the world belongs to the Creator and He gave it to whom He chose, the Children of Israel."

The essence of renewing Jewish life in Eretz Yisrael is not only a matter of security but complying with the divine words of G-d to our ancestors in Bereishit 17:8 "And I will give the land to you and your descendants as an everlasting possession."

Thank G-d there are Jewish leaders who speak the truth. Just two weeks ago, it was refreshing to hear this divine truth expressed clearly and courageously at our massive Tel Aviv demonstration. That evening, I felt that the truth of Eretz Yisrael erupted with full force in front of the eyes of the leaders of Israel and the entire world. This spiritual volcano which may seem dormant in the routine, everyday life in Israel, exploded like colorful fireworks. This explosion revealed the forces of love, devotion, faith and determination inherent in the Jewish People who have returned to build our homeland.

This devotion draws its strength from the faith displayed by all generations in the divine heritage of Eretz Yisrael.

For several decades during this Zionist process of restoring Jewish life to Judea and Samaria, many so-called "peace" plans have been proposed by both friend and foe. All these plans have been eliminated from the annals of history upon colliding with the divine plan of Jewish Redemption. These sinister plans included the vile idea of retreating to 1967 borders and eradicating Jewish settlements from the heartland of Israel in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

The process of restoring Jewish life and rebuilding our ancient towns and cities must go forward and can never be reversed. The essential vitality of Jewish life in Israel cannot be frozen. The truth and justice of the divine promise of the Land of Israel to the Children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob cannot be denied. With all the force of Jewish faith and Zionist history I turn to our leaders and proclaim: "Speak the truth". The blessings of our ancestors will serve as inspiration, giving you the strength and determination to overcome all evil conspirators and their distortions of our divine truth.