RESPONSE

from page 56

'It's not a black and white issue.
Even a casual reader of the Torah
invariably comes away with an
attachment to, and love for, the land
of Israel.
"From the gift of the land to our
forefather Avraham
to Moshe's desire
to just see the land
before his death,
the Torah conveys
to us an eternal,
God-given right to
the land of Israel.
God gave it as an
Spoltor
inheritance to the
Children of Israel
for all time.
Whether we live there or not, and
whether we settle each particular
piece of land or not, we must cherish
and value the gift that God gave us
so long ago and returned to us so
very recently.
"I'm not a general or an expert on
diplomacy or geopolitics or security.
As a rabbi, I feel that it's my role to
convey the religious values that play
a role in this debate, to allow think-
ing people to make their own deci-
sions with all the relevant informa-
tion. Will this disengagement save
Jewish lives or, God forbid, further
endanger them? No one knows.
"But consider this: If you're for dis-
engagement, it must be with a very
heavy heart. Giving up a piece of
God's gift to the Jewish people
shouldn't come easy And, if you're
against it, don't just be against it
because of political or military consid-
erations. Politics change and so do
military realities. What won't change
is our eternal connection to the land
that God gave us then and wishes us
to safeguard, build and cherish today."

— Rabbi Reuven Spoken Young Israel
of Oak Park

• "I'm conflicted. I can make cogent
arguments for and
against pulling out
of Gaza. But, most
of all, I am in favor
of the democratic
process. The gov-
ernment of Israel
was duly elected to
make very difficult
decisions, and I
Sleutelberg
support that gov-
ernment. And I
oppose those who attempt to take
away the democratic nature of the
State of Israel.
"So I will support the government
of the State of Israel in its decisions
even though I feel conflicted about
the hopes for a better situation after
the pullout."

— Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg,
Congregation Shir Tikvah, Troy

• "This is not about
the land. It is about
the safety of the peo-
ple of Israel. The
P.A. [Palestinian
Authority], who are
our enemy, are not
disarming the terror- Silberberg
ists — and they are
inviting Hamas into
their government. The issue is giving
land to terrorists and putting Jews in
danger, and getting nothing back for
it. This just brings the enemy closer to
the doorsteps of Israelis.
"Even though most Jews live there
because this is biblical Israel, if they
thought there could be genuine
peace they probably would give up
the land.
"The Rebbe [the late Lubavitch
leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Schneerson] never talked about sav-
ing the land because of biblical sig-
nificance. He said to save it for the
safety issue. In the Shulchan Aruch,
Chapter 329, it says not to give any-
thing over to our enemies that opens
up the land to our enemies."

ne

To help with all the changes in this week's JN - here is a quick
reference to where everything is now located...
Editor's Note 5
First Round 6
Letters
8
Online
8
Something Extra...11
To Life!...13
Torah Portion...18
Metro...20
Arts & Entertainment...23
To Do!...38
Crossword...39
Mazel Tov!...41
Synagogues...46
Opinion...49
World...59
Business...61
Obituaries...84

— Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg, Sara
Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center,
West Bloomfield

• "I feel bad for anyone who is los-
ing his or her home and community,
even if it is in the
best interests of the
nation as a whole.
"Gaza was never a
strong Jewish terri-
tory. During biblical
times it was mostly
a Philistine area.
There are some
minor stories that
Nevins
happened there, but
it doesn't seem to
have been part of any of the tribes'
allotment, and is therefore less signif-
icant than the Israeli heartland.
"Moreover, the fact that Jews are
outnumbered there 1.3 million to
under 9,000 is pretty daunting. If it
were even, I'm sure people would feel
differently about it.
"Most rabbis I know are support-
ing the government on this, even
with a heavy heart. Moreover, most
rabbis are, thank God, denouncing
the extremist tactics of Prime
Minister Sharon's opponents.
"The land of Israel is a sacred place
for all Jews. Nevertheless, life itself is
more precious than land. If the elect-
ed leaders of Israel feel that the lives
of Israelis will be safer without Gaza,
then that is a political decision with
strong Jewish credentials."

— Rabbi Daniel Nevins, Adat Shalom
Synagogue, Farmington Hills

RESPONSE on page 58

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