Subjects: selfless love

Begin Issues Call to World Jewry

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In Begin’s Rosh Hashanah message, he focuses on four topics. He first talks about wanting aliyah to increase from both Jews living in democracies and living under communism. He specifically encourages youth to come and build up the land. Then he talks about the part of the country affected by poverty. Begin asks for Diaspora Jews to help fellow brethren who live in insufferable housing conditions. He reminds his readers that liberty and social justice are Jewish values. He shifts to talk about the importance of Hebrew being the second spoken language by Diaspora Jews. Having Hebrew as a second language will prevent the youth from being completed assimilated and leaving behind their Jewish heritage. Lastly, he talks about Jews unifying to support Israel’s security. He closes by praying that this year will bring peace to all people and Israel.

The Historic Greatness of Zionism

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Begin responds to the UN resolution condemning Zionism as racism. Begin first talks about how Arab States hide their hatred of Jews by claiming that they are not anti-Semitic, because they themselves are Semitic. He compares Sadat’s propaganda to propaganda Nazis used. He continues to show that Sadat is not moderate or peace-oriented. Begin then talks about Zionism. He argues that Zionism is at the core of Judaism because it is the idea of returning to the nation’s Motherland. He hopes that in addition for there being a Jewish majority in Israel, there will also be the majority of Jews in Israel. He argues that “Zionism is the fruit of love” to oppose Sadat’s claim that “Zionism brought hatred and destruction to the Middle East.” He talks about the Jewish history of destruction. Additionally, he makes the distinction that Jews did not liberate Israel from Arabs, but from the British. It was the British, not Jews, who were the foreign regime prior to Statehood.

Our Right and Security

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Begin discusses the importance of keeping the land Israel gained in the Six-Day War. Begin explains the difference between negative and positive zealotry. He argues that Gahal has positive zealotry, and says that such zealotry helped establish Israel and encourage love for the Jewish Nation and its Motherland. Begin then talks about the importance of protecting the Motherland. He argues that the idea to agree to go back to the green line will threaten Israel because of the Ketyusha rockets, amongst other weapons Israel’s enemies have. Begin quotes statements made my individuals and international documents to prove that since Israel acted out of self-defense during the Six-Day War, it has a right to remain in the land gained. He states that Israel’s Government’s illusion of peace will result in bloodshed. He concludes by describing Judaea’s loss of Jerusalem and how two generations later, they fought back and returned to the land.

Jabotinsky Lives On

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Begin gives an address in Tel Aviv on the 25th anniversary of Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s death. To commemorate Jabotinsky, he speaks about Jabotinsky’s disciples, ideas, and characteristics. Begin shares that regardless of where Jabotinsky’s disciples were, they all mourned his death. Additionally, his disciples continued to learn and teach Jabotinsky’s teachings, which keeps Jabotinsky alive. Then Begin illuminates Jabotinsky’s ideas by providing examples of his dedication to the Jewish Homeland. Lastly, Begin speaks of three main characteristics Jabotinsky held: love of Israel, human dignity, and the splendor of his conduct. Begin concludes with reminiscing about the previous year when Jabotinsky’s remains were buried in Israel and that Jabotinsky will continue to live in generations to come.