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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- The Israeli State and Goverment
The book was written after hundreds and thousands of classified documents from the period of the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 were made public. Professor Herf delved into hundreds of documents, memorandums, and meeting minutes which showed the vehement opposition of senior U.S. administration officials from both sides of the political spectrum to the establishment of the State of Israel. Senior CIA officials, the heads of the Pentagon, and the US State Department objected, as did industrialists and financiers, who built the future of the American economy on the supply of Arab oil from the Persian Gulf.
The opposition was headed by US Secretary of State George Marshall, a World War II hero and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. He was convinced that a bloody war would break out between the Jews and the Arabs, and that the Jews would be disastrously defeated. As a general, he knew that the Jews did not have soldiers, weapons, knowledge or military experience to fight a war against ten countries experienced in warfare. The Jews also did not have the necessary courage and determination. In short, they had no chance of winning.
Another cause for concern in the US administration was the Soviet Union’s very surprising support of the establishment of the Jewish State. The Americans were very concerned that the State of Israel that would be established would be a satellite state of the Soviet government, which in those days was waging a very serious cold war against the United States.
In the face of all this stood American President Harry Truman, who used all of his influence on the senior bureaucrats who opposed the establishment of the State of Israel. He instructed the US representative to the UN to support the UN partition plan, and recognized the State of Israel ten minutes after David Ben-Gurion's declaration of the State.
Harry Truman drew his strength from the Bible. His mother had taught him the Bible every day. Thanks to her, he realized that an historic process was taking place during his administration and that he should be a partner in it and not stand along the sidelines. He felt that he was the messenger of the Divine in fulfilling the prophecies of Moses and all of the prophets after him. And he did not disappoint.
What is most amazing is that Truman had not been elected President, he was elected as the Vice President to President Roosevelt, who opposed the establishment of the Jewish State. Roosevelt died suddenly during his tenure, and unexpectedly Harry Truman was inaugurated President, thus paving the way for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Moses: "the Lord your God will restore your returnees, and He will be merciful to you, and He will return and gather you from all the nations, that the Lord your God dispersed you there. Even if your banished will be at the ends of the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will take you. The Lord your God will bring you to the Land of which your fathers took possession, and you shall take possession of it; and He will do good to you, and increase you beyond your fathers" (Deuteronomy 30, 3-5).
The new, recently published book shows the extent to which we are not aware of the miracles that God does for us. Now we can get to know them a little more.
The Israeli State and Goverment How Can We, As Orthodox Jews Support & Celebrate a Non-Religious State?
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
