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from across the spectrum and hundreds destroy the Jewish spirit. Astonishingly,
of solidarity missions continue to flow to exactly the opposite occurs: “And to the
Israel from around the world. extent that [the Egyptians] persecuted
them, the more they grew and expanded
Along with this remarkable courage and
selflessness has come a rare spirit of unity in number” (Shemot 1:12). The more they
– a deep sense of ‘all for one and one for were afflicted, the more the population
all.’ There is a collective commitment to grew. The more Pharaoh sought to destroy,
bring every hostage home and to destroy the more he unintentionally built us up.
Hamas’ terror infrastructure, ensuring A powerful example of the refusal to
that no such threat exists going forward. remain down and the indomitable Jewish
spirit can be seen in our daily prayers.
The Region of Revival Three times daily we recite Tehillim 145,
known as Ashrei. Although the first letter
The nation’s resolve to rebuild the of every line follows an alphabetical order,
destroyed Gaza Envelope communities is the only letter left out is the letter nun. The
another extraordinary example of grit and Talmud explains that this letter is left out
guts, symbolized by the name chosen for because it is the first letter of the word
the initiative to rebuild these destroyed ל ַפַ ָנָ, which means “to fall” (Berachot 4b).
communities. The Gaza Envelope region Since there is a verse in the prophets sug-
will now be called ה ָמָּוּק ְּ תְּ ַה ל ֶבֶ ֶחֶ, the Region gesting, Heaven Forbid, an eternal falling,
of Revival. this letter was left out. “Fallen, not rising
Until now, this region of the western again, O Maiden Israel; Abandoned on her
Negev has been defined by its proximity soil with none to lift her up” (Amos 5:2).
to Gaza – the Gaza Envelope. From now Judaism does not accept that the people
on, it will have its own independent of Israel will fall forever. There is always a
name expressing neither geography nor way back. Even a hint in a verse of falling
the devastation of October 7, but rather without recovery is against the spirit of
the grit and tenacity of rebuilding and Judaism. Indeed, the Talmud continues,
resurrection. the Sages of Eretz Yisrael interpreted this
The root of the name ה ָמָּוּק ְּ תְּ is “ם ָק,” mean- verse differently. “You will not continually
ing “to rise up.” It refers not only to getting fall, Rise O maiden of Israel!” Israel will
up from a seated position but also and surely rise again from destruction.
especially to rising up after having fallen. The Land of Israel and the Jewish state
On October 7, we fell and failed badly as are themselves, as a whole, a remarkable
a country and a people. But on that very “Region of Revival,” creating an economic
same day, we began to rise remarkably marvel and agricultural oasis in what
from the blood, lead and ashes. was until recently one of the most barren
places on earth. Just as we returned impos-
A Jewish response sibly from a 1,900 year exile, we will, b’ezrat
Hashem, bounce back with grit and deter-
It will take years, but I have no doubt mination after the painful fall of October
that, with Hashem’s blessing, the Region
of Revival will not only be rebuilt, but it 7. The region that suffered the greatest
destruction and death in Israel’s history
will also become one of the most thriving
areas in Israel. Both the population and will become a miracle of reconstruction,
size of the communities will grow to many revival and the celebration of life.
times their original size. It is a priority for It is the Jewish way. Together we will
both the State of Israel and Jews all around prevail.
the world to ensure that this region of the
western Negev teems with life and luster
like never before.
This is the Jewish response – to rebuild
amidst the very destruction itself. We see
a clear indication of such a response in
the beginning of the book of Shemot. The
new Pharaoh turns on the Jewish people,
forgetting what Joseph had done for Egypt
in her time of need. Pharaoh decrees cruel Rabbi Doron Perez
and debilitating slavery and harsh phys- is the Executive Chairman Kibbutz Nirim, 2 km from the Gaza border.
of World Mizrachi.
ical labor for all the Israelites, aiming to (PHOTO: MICHAEL CASHER)

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