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Rabbi David Israel Rabbi Leonard Matanky

The Story of the

Sadigura Rebbe

n the modern commentary to the
Looking I Tamar, its author, Rabbi Yissachar also take an Israeli flag and put it on the
roof of his building. And then he would go
Jerusalem Talmud known as Alei
to the Great Synagogue to pray and dance
Forward Tamar, tells the fascinating and inspiring in thanks to God for accepting his prayers.

story of the third Sadigura Rebbe, Rabbi
Avraham Yaakov Friedman. Added Rabbi Yissachar Tamar: “May those
t is my pleasure to begin my tenure who love His Land hear this, understand the
as Executive Vice - President of Every year on Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s issues, and add to his wisdom.”
I Religious Zionists of America Independence Day), the Sadigura Rebbe
– Mizrachi as we celebrate the 70th would go to the Great Synagogue of Tel For 116 years, the Religious Zionists of
Anniversary of Israel’s Independence. Aviv to pray, recite Hallel and then dance America have worked to teach others to
on the street in front of the synagogue with love the Land, understand the issues and
In the past 2,000 years, never have Isaiah’s exceptional enthusiasm. It was an unusual add to the wisdom of our Sages who knew
words been truer, “Out of Zion will go sight, especially for a member of the that the Land of Israel is central to the
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forth Torah and the Word of God from Moetzet Gedolei Torah of Agudat Yisrael ! existence of the Jewish people.
Jerusalem.”
Once, one of his followers mustered up As we celebrate 70 years of the miracle of
With God’s miracles and gifts, we see the courage to ask his Rebbe about his the State of Israel, we are proud to sponsor
before us a flourishing State of Israel that Yom HaAtzmaut custom. The Sadigura the “Seventy for 70” project and to bring
has become a leader in Torah study, Jewish Rebbe told him that in 1938, during the more than 70 speakers from Israel to spread
spirituality, medicine, technology, business, Anschluss, the Nazis entered Vienna. the love of our Land to a new generation in
agriculture, and in many other areas. Their first move was to abuse and degrade America.
the Jews. As the Rabbi of the Jewish
Still, alongside our joy is the recognition community, they chose him to sweep the But hearing about Israel and learning about
that a great challenge lays ahead. In his streets of Vienna. As he did that work, he Israel is not enough. Because, like the
classic essay, Kol Dodi Dofek, Rabbi Joseph prayed: “Master of the Universe, may it be Sadigura Rebbe, we must celebrate Israel
B. Soloveitchik asked, “What was our Thy will that I merit to take a broom and with all our hearts and all our might, while
reaction to the beckoning of the voice of the sweep the streets of Eretz Yisrael.” thanking God for the gift He has given us
Beloved, to the munificence of His loving- – a gift that has transformed and enriched
kindness and miracles?” Next, they shoved a Nazi flag into his our lives.
hands and made him climb to the top of a
We ask ourselves, what will be our tall building and place their swastika atop May God continue to protect the State of
response? Please join our efforts to build the roof. As he climbed, he turned to the Israel, its citizens and leaders, and may we
our movement, strengthen our community, Creator and said, “Master of the Universe, merit the Final Redemption, speedily in
and make Religious Zionists of America may it be Thy will that one day I merit to our days!
– Mizrachi ever more impactful. I look wave the flag of Israel from a high place in _____________________________
forward to working with you. the Land of Israel.” 1 The ultra-Orthodox political party in Israel.

When the Sadigura Rebbe merited making Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky Ph.D.
Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael, he wanted to fulfill is Co-President of Religious
Rabbi David Israel is the new his promise, but it was not fitting for him Zionists of America – Mizrachi ,
Executive Vice-President of to be sweeping the streets of Tel-Aviv in Rabbi of Congregation K.I.N.S. of
Religious Zionists of America – front of passers-by. So, he would get up at West Rogers Park, and Dean of
Mizrachi 3:00 am on Yom HaAtzmaut, take a large the Ida Crown Jewish Academy
office@rza.org broom and sweep the streets. He would mizrachi@rza.org

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