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the deciding view. Thus, for instance, were distant from any work in the support, that will stand on its own and
Mizrachi decided the question of Land of Israel. Many have answered will sustain itself: a united community
nationalizing land. Those advocating our call and given hundreds and that is not divided and partitioned into
for nationalizing land demanded thousands. But this is not how Sefardim and Ashkenazim, Yemenites
that no individual have permission the Land of Israel will be built. A and Bukharans. This partition is an
to purchase land in any place in the relationship must be created between outcome of the exile, and we must
Land of Israel, and that all land instead the donor and the Land of Israel, such eradicate it.
be national property. The members of that the donor will know that he is
Mizrachi agreed with the principle of receiving. We must draw the Jews of Mizrachi must muster our forces and
nationalizing land, but recognized that the synagogues and the study halls send pioneers to the Land of Israel who
it is implausible to preclude individuals close to working the land, thereby will literally participate in building the
from redeeming land from foreigners. bringing them into the Mizrachi land. If Mizrachi were not to build the
Therefore, they proposed that land Organization. As long as Zionism land, then others all the more so! We
be bought with public funds and be was merely a matter of fashion, it are in need of people who do not
national property, but individuals had no place in the synagogues and send money, but bring it with them
too have permission to redeem tracts study halls. However, now that it has to the land! Let the merchants among
of land and to purchase them from become a vital question, now that us, the accomplished individuals,
foreigners, and this proposal was it concerns building the nation and come and invest their resources in
accepted at the Congress. the land in practice, it has relevance the Land of Israel for business and
to the Jews of the synagogues and
After we returned from London clearly study halls. Of course, they must for profit. We must answer the call
aware that Mizrachi can be a major embrace whole and complete Zionism: of the Land of Israel, of our country
force among our people, Mizrachi Mizrachi Zionism! The members of the and our homeland, and if only we
began developing with quick strides synagogues must accept the Mizrachi so desire, we can build it. We have
in America as well. Members were program and join Mizrachi not only as wealthy individuals and statesmen in
added, chapters were founded, and the individuals, but as groups. This is what greater numbers than others think.
organization continually grew from Agudath HaRabbonim did at its recent We must purchase real estate in the
day to day. I do not know the actual convention, resolving to join Mizrachi Land of Israel, must redeem the land
reason for the rapid development as an association. This is what real from foreigners, and so we shall have
of Mizrachi in recent months. It is rabbis do. Numerous synagogues in the dust of the Land of Israel not after
possible that the disputes between New York and country towns are death, but in life!
Mizrachi and the General Zionists continually joining Mizrachi.
caused many to take note of the Mizrachi must disseminate its spirit
character, views, and stances of In financial matters as well, our in every possible place. The teachers’
Mizrachi. The motto of Mizrachi seems organization has emerged from its training college too was founded for
already to have gained repute, to the limited circle. We were compelled to the dissemination of this spirit. This
point that others are coming and announce an Eretz Yisrael Fund to college is in need of development, it
mimicking it. Not only did Mizrachi the amount of half a million dollars. remains a fragile sapling that requires
create the motto “The Land of Israel, Even without a significant fundraising cultivation and care. Yet it is to be
for the people of Israel, according to campaign, about one hundred and hoped that this institution will develop
the Torah of Israel” on paper, but it ten thousand dollars, including forty and attain its exalted purpose: to rear
strives to bring it to life, and if others thousand in cash, has been brought in expert teachers loyal to Judaism and
come and mimic it in that respect thus far for the fund. Yet this amount is to tradition.
too – may they be blessed! Work is quite small relative to what is needed.
executed not by a program, but by We must expand our work in the Land We must provide the people and the
workers and doers. We must publicize of Israel, particularly in Jerusalem. money for great and unceasing work
the character, goals, and ambitions of “One who tears [in mourning] over in the exile and in the Land of Israel.
Mizrachi not only with words, but also Jerusalem is exempt from tearing A great hour is upon us, and we must
over the other cities of Judea” – and
with deeds, through industrious and be prepared with forces mustered and
faithful workers. the same goes for rebuilding our holy means at the ready.
city! Jerusalem has great political
Our organization has grown greatly value, because it is there that the
this year. We have been joined by backbone of the Yishuv resides. We
new forces who until now stood at must create in Jerusalem a healthy
a distance from our movement and community that will not require
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