Page 18 - HaMizrachi Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot 5782 USA

When word arrived in the Chassidic and some tzaddikim, though not
community that a certain Jewish formally joining the Zionist movement,
doctor (Herzl) said it was time to bring began to support it by paying dues to
the people of Israel back to their land, Mizrachi and contributing to Keren
it became a joke: a “doctor” making HaYesod and Keren HaKayemet.
pronouncements about Mashiach?!
But the humor quickly turned into There are still many angry and
anger and hatred. Zionist speakers quarrelsome people who battle against
and agitators, among them irreligious Zionism, some (with pure motivations)
people, began to propagandize in the who do so l’shem shamayim, some
Charedi community, and they did not because of a ridiculous sense of
hide their religious views. Zionist patriotism (toward their host
organizations were established in countries) and still others because of
every city, transforming Chanukah their allegiance to foreign ideologies.
into the “Holiday of the Maccabees” These people ignore the sufferings of
and replacing candle lighting with our people and the great dangers that
mixed dancing. The anger of the threaten our very existence. How true
Chassidim grew and in Zionism they are the words of Rav Shlomo Efrayim
saw only heresy, incitement and ben Aharon Luntshitz, in his sefer, the
mischief. In their anger, they did not Kli Yakar:
realize that they were throwing out Rabbi Yaakov Friedman's sefer, Ohalei Yaakov. For between the sin of the golden calf and
the baby with the bath water. the sin of the spies, he has fallen, “they
fighting increased and Zionism
As the national idea grew and are thrust down, and are not able to rise”
developed, so did the opposition. became something small in the eyes (Tehillim 36:13). For by the way of nature,
Zionists in many lands put forth of the Chassidim. In those days, every there are only two ways for (Am Yisrael)
candidates in elections for parliaments ignoramus who sought honor in the to be saved from the sting of the enemy:
and city councils, arousing the ire of eyes of the people would speak with either through the providence of Hashem,
the gentiles who were accustomed fire and brimstone against the hated Who saves all those who cling to Him even
to thinking of the Jews as (merely a “tziyonim.” if they are not naturally strong, because
religious group and) citizens of the But then the Great War came, they fulfill “and you shall love Hashem your
lands they are living in. Assimilationist ultimately bringing the Balfour G-d” (Devarim 6:5); or because the people
Jews declared war on the Zionists, Declaration, and in its wake there fulfill “and you shall love your neighbor as
for Zionism is a stumbling block in was also a change for the better in the you love yourself” (Vayikra 19:18), and help
the way of assimilation. And the relationship of the Chassidim towards each other (against the enemy) even if they
“powerful” Jews in every city and are sinners…
town, whose importance in the eyes Zionism. Little by little, many began
of the local (gentile) poritz (nobleman) to see the finger of G-d in these events. During these two times, the 17th of Tammuz
is the source of their livelihood and Many became attached to Mizrachi, and the 9th of Av, the people of Israel lost
honor – they too stood up against the
Zionists in anger, accusing them of
disgracing our religion and inciting
the gentiles against us, which can
only lead to the destruction of our
livelihoods and disaster.
The leaders of the Chassidim generally
saw things no differently. Even the
few among them who recognized
that Zionism is not all evil, but rather
something precious that is covered in
dirt, did not have the courage to share
their opinions with the community.
For not every generation merits
leaders with personal initiative and
the strength to guide the nation in
the direction they wish to. At a time
when the nation suffers from תּונ ְט ַק
ןי ִחֹו ּ מ ַה, from smallness of perspective,
“her prophets find no vision from
Hashem” (Eichah 2:9). And so the

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