Weekly Story: Eretz Yisroel
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
Last week I was asked about the Frierdiker Rebbe’s fierce opposition to Zionism, and how does it coexist with the genuine relationship Lubavitch has nowadays. I thought that this excerpt from the upcoming biography on the Frierdiker Rebbe will shed some light and clarify it. (This is the first draft and further research will be done). Your feedback is always appreciated.
In 1917, England was given the mandate to control Eretz Yisroel. However, in 1947 they informed the United Nations that they will cease administering the land on May, 15, 1948. The United Nations established a special commission to decide what to do and announced that there will be a vote on November 29th, 1947.
At that time David Ben Gurion was the head of the Jewish Agency, and he sent a delegation to the United Nations, which was then located in Lake Success, New York, to convince the ambassadors to vote yes, and acknowledge the existence of a Jewish State. Prominent in the delegation was Schneur Zalman Rubashov, (later on known as Zalman Shazar).
On Thursday or Friday, Shazar received a phone call, from the Rebbe’s son-in-law, Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary asking in the name of the Rebbe what is happening?
Shazar replied, that the situation doesn’t look good. He explained that the by-law is that two thirds of the countries have to vote for it, and according to what the ambassadors are saying, they are not even close.
A moment late Rabbi Gurary responds, my father in law, the Rebbe, says it will be good. Additionally, after the vote, please see me.
The vote took place on Shabbos, and as they thought, all the communist bloc countries voted against it, and indeed it looked bleak, there was already a majority against it. When it came for the Soviet ambassador to the UN, Andrei Gromyko to vote, everyone expected him also to vote against it. However, to everyone’s surprise he asked for a short delay in order for consultation with Moscow.
A half hour later to everyone’s astonishment he announced that Russia recognizes the century’s long connection between the Jews and their homeland and is voting in favor of it. Immediately, many of the Communist bloc countries changed their vote and the final vote was 33 states voted in favor of the resolution and 13 against, while 10 states abstained. This vote will become effective on May 15/14, 1948 the day after the British Mandate expires,
On Sunday, the 19th of Kislev, Shazar came to the Rebbe to give him the news and thank him for the brocha. He felt that it was the Rebbe’s brocha that caused Russia to vote yes and change the other countries vote. At the same time, he also expressed his frustration and sadness that so many Chassidishe rabbonim, (including the Rebbe himself) fought Zionism tooth and nail, but now, he concluded, they all see who was correct!
The Rebbe replied, I don’t regret my opposition in any manner whatsoever. At that time, that was the proper thing, now [that so many Jews are living there] this is the proper thing.[1] Or according to another version the Rebbe replied, the opposition is no longer there, but neither is the support.
Then Shazar discussed the feasibility of establishing a neighborhood for the Chassidishe refugees of Russia, who were still stranded in Europe, and the Rebbe was pleased with it. The Rebbe then began writing to the chassidim that were still in Europe, hoping to receive a visa to Canada or elsewhere, that it would be better for them and their children’s education if they would settle in Eretz Yisroel.
Meanwhile, upon his return to Eretz Yisroel, Shazar began planning for a religious settlement for the Lubavitcher Refugees. For some reason he thought that it should be in or around the city of Tzfas, which was the hometown of the Arizal and other mekubalim, or Meron. He thought they will be drawn to it spiritually. Reb Pinny Althaus by then was quite friendly with him, and he said, I would think that the Rebbe would prefer something in the center of Eretz Yisroel. So he gave a village which is in close proximity to Tel Aviv, the village of Kfar Chabad.
Two years later, the Israeli government was considering becoming involved in the chinuch of the religious Jews as well.
Rabbi Dov Solvetchik, known as the Brisker Rov called in Menachem Porush (a member of the Keneset) and told him when you go to New York, discuss this with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe told him, before you return to Eretz Yisroel, come back, and then we will discuss it.
When he returned the Rebbe heard him out and told him, “Tell Zalman Rubashav that my grandfather, the Rebbe Maharash was not let down by his grandfather, and I don’t want to be disappointed by him.”
Upon his return to Eretz Yisroel he went to Shazar and began telling him the problems of these new guidelines, but evidently Shazar was listening with half an ear. Only when he heard the Rebbe’s statement, did he begin to focus and asked him to repeat it exactly as the Rebbe said it.
Shazar then picked himself up and walked in to Ben Gurion’s office, who was then the Prime Minister, and gave over the request of the Rebbe that the government doesn’t become involved.
Ben Gurion replied, being that the request is coming from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, I will grant it. Evidently he also recognized that it was the Rebbe’s brocha that obtained the votes.[2]
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com
[1] See Nasi v’chossid, pp. 85-88, where he mentions the various versions of this entire saga.
Author’s note: The Rebbe often compared a civil government and the armed defense forces to the situation that was in place in Europe for== years. The Jewish communities of— established a committee to represent all Jews of these four states/provinces before the nobility. It was called vaad daled haarutzos. It had the power to decide how the Jewish members in the community participate in paying the taxes and enforcing other ordinances.
In essence, it is to protect Jewish interests and nothing to do with the philosophy of a home land.
See The Rebbeim Biography Series: The Rebbe Rashab, pp.—where we discuss his opposition to Zionism.
[2] As related by Rabbi Menachem Porush, on an episode of Living Torah.
