The Great Rape

The Great Rape

July 14, 2000

The following story has been running through my head for the past few days: 

Many years ago lived Rabbi Amnon from Meintz, the spiritual leader of his community.  He was approached, time after time, by gentile ministers and the gentile ruler, who beseeched him to convert to their religion. He refused. One day, when they became particularly insistent, he put them off saying, "let me consider the matter for up to three days."

When they left his office, he suddenly realized that his answer allowed an expression of doubt to pass his lips, a possibility that he might deny the unity of our One G-d.  Refusing to eat or drink, he was inconsolable.

On the third day, the ruler sent for him, but he refused to go. After sending many messengers, the ruler ordered that he be brought by force.

"Amnon, why do you refuse to appear. What is your final answer?"

Rabbi Amnon decreed: "I will declare my own punishment. Let my tongue, which spoke falsely to you, be severed."

The ruler responded: Your tongue spoke well - it will not be cut out. But your legs, which failed to arrive here, will be amputated, as will other parts of your body."

Before each portion of his body was dismembered, Rabbi Amnon was asked, "Will you convert to our faith?" With every refusal, the amputations continued, until his limbs had been totally separated from his body and sent back with him to his home.

This story is usually told as the introduction to a holy prayer, recited every Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, a prayer written and recited by Rabbi Amnon a short time after his torture, immediately before he died, on Rosh HaShana.

Let there be no doubt: All of Eretz Yisrael, including Judea, Samaria, and Gazza belong to Am Yisrael, the Jewish people. Whatever Barak may say or do at Camp David does not, in any way, shape or form, represent the Jewish people throughout the centuries - not the Jews of today, not the Jews of yesterday, nor the Jews of tomorrow. If one wishes to seek a 'democratic' majority, one must approach not only the Jews living today in the State of Israel, but Jews of all generations - for the decisions made today will have a major effect on them. However, according to Jewish law, a democratic majority is necessary only when there is a doubt - where there is no doubt, democracy plays no role. And in this case, there is NO DOUBT as to who Eretz Yisrael belongs to.

Over the past few days the media is reporting negotiations over 'land-transfer' - abandoning heavily populated Arab cities, primarily in the upper Galil, to Arafat, in return for Israeli sovereignty over communities in Judea and Samaria. Today one reporter spoke of a measured transfer: for every three square meters they give us, we will give them one square meter.

This is totally out of the question. The Galil is just as much a part of Eretz Yisrael as is Judea and Samaria. Why should we have to negotiate over any of our Homeland?

That which is taking place at Camp David - even the talks, before the decisions, is nothing less than the great rape of the land of Israel.  The discussions themselves are a defilement of all that is sacred. The use of the word "Jerusalem" in the context of a "compromise" is sacrilege. The very idea of Arab autonomy at Ma'arat HaMachpela, Rachel's Tomb, or Joseph's Tomb is blasphemy. Very simply, Eretz Yisrael is being violated and  taken against her will. The end result is to be dismemberment.

On Sunday night, hundreds of thousands, perhaps more, will gather in Tel Aviv to stand up and say NO - we will not allow Eretz Yisrael to be mutilated beyond recognition. We will not allow Eretz Yisrael to continue to be forcibly raped. We will not allow  Ehud Barak, Yassir Arafat, and Bill Clinton to determine the fate of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.