Rabbis: Celebrate holiday despite pullout

In a statement on the eve of Israel’s 58th Independence Day Wednesday the council of Yesha rabbis wrote: “Despite the terrible expulsion carried out by Jews, against Jews, Independence Day should be celebrated as usual and we should thank the creator for the existence of the state. We must distinguish between the state as a gift from the Lord and the various regimes and their enforcement of laws not from the Torah, that took control of power centers in Israel. This country is permanent and present, but a government like this is temporary and transitory.”

At the end of the notice, which was printed in a leaflet handed out this past Saturday at various synagogues, the rabbinical council wrote explicitly that they hoped the areas evacuated in the framework of the disengagement plan would ultimately be returned to Israeli sovereignty. “That we may soon see the existence of the state across all its territory, including of course Gush Katif and northern Samaria.”

Some eight months have passed since Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, and this is the first Independence Day celebrated since the evacuation. Since the implementation of the disengagement, numerous questions have arisen among National Religious rabbis regarding its positions towards the state and the army.

In this case, the leaflets handed out called on rabbis to celebrate Independence Day despite the hardships experience by the Gush Katif and northern Samaria evacuees.

'It is our duty to celebrate'

One of them printed an article entitled “This is the day the Lord made,” written by head of the Hesder yeshiva Or Etzion and the Bnei Akiva Yeshivas Movement Rabbi Haim Druckman, which states unequivocally that Independence Day should be celebrated. "We celebrate Independence Day with joy, praise and thanksgiving because the Lord made this day, and therefore we will be happy on it. The day’s happiness itself stems from the joy in the Lord that made it. It is our duty to celebrate, be joyous and thank the Lord for his kindness, charity and the magnificent gift the heavens granted us," Druckman wrote.

Additionally the rabbi noted that Jews' duty to thank the Lord and be happy on this occasion is sourced in the Torah. “The things do not depend on our feelings at all. Rejoice and praise. On Independence Day we must thank God for saving us and for this magnificent gift from the heavens that is the Land of Israel. The fact the we stopped being enslaved to others and were given independence obligates us to express our thanks, despite the great problems existing in the country.”

'Army defends Israelis'

Referring to the question of drafting settlers to the Israel Defense Forces, Druckman wrote: "The IDF is conducting a commendable war, saving lives and defending the Land of Israel about which Ramban said – 'All are out, all have to take part in it and there is no escape from it.' Lately things difficult to hear have been said about the army, things said certainly out of pain. It is difficult to believe there is someone who seriously thinks there is no need for an army to defend Israelis, save lives and defend the Land of Israel."

Druckman said some believe the IDF changed it mission and face. "It is true that last summer they used the army for very negative things, but has the army's true role been stopped? We need to tell the same people – even if it is difficult, even if you have residues from last summer you need to get over it and fill your duties. We need to join the army understanding that we are doing an immaculate job, with devotion, wisely, and out of deep motivation."

'State of Israel belongs to all'

In a rabbinical leaflet published every Friday rabbis called for Independence Day celebrations as usual. Rabbi Dov Lior of the Yesha Council called on followers to observe Independence Day prayers. "Prayers of thanks should be held on Independence Day and mass public ceremonies should be held despite the difficult events we went through last year. The State of Israel belongs to all Israel, including the next generation and is not an estate for one party or another or one prime minister or another. We thank the creator for giving us a State a part of our land after the difficult and butter exile." He added: "Despite our regret over handing over part of our homeland to terrorists, Independence Day is not a time for expressing anger and grievance."

In the leaflet Alon Moreh rabbi Elyakim Levanon said the Creator should be thanked for his benevolence of returning the Jews to their homeland after years in exile. "It is true that freedom is not complete and suffers deficiencies. The systems that were supposed to be pure, full of faith and honesty, became corrupt and became empty of values. Instead of building, the government seeks destruction. The army which is supposed to defend citizens, has been recruited to evict them from their land and destroy their homes. But this doesn't prevent the Torah's position on world sovereignty. Our belief is full and clear."