by Rabbi Shimon Ben-Tzion, published on April 17, 2025 on the Arutz 7 site
Translated into English by the Sovereignty Movement
For the original Hebrew article
ניצחון מוחלט או פדיון שבויים
מטרת המלחמה אינה רק פדיון שבויים אלא הכרעה מוחלטת של האויב. רק ניצחון ישיב את כבוד האומה ואת החטופים. מדינה מנהלים בשכל ובגבורה – לא ברגש ובכניעה.
https://www.inn.co.il/news/666616
The public debate surrounding the objectives of the current war is not merely political or moral—it touches upon the very definition of our identity as a state and a nation.
The question is not only "What do we do now?" but "What is the State of Israel? What is its purpose, and what is its historical and existential significance?"
It seems that the war's goal stands between two alternatives: the complete destruction of the Hamas terrorist organization or the return of the hostages, even at the cost of halting the fighting. However, upon deeper examination, this is a more fundamental question: Are we willing to forfeit our national backbone—forfeit our honor, our sense of sovereignty, and our independence—in the name of a fleeting emotion, however painful?
The State of Israel was established through the self-sacrifice of generations. Since 1948, through the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967, and up to the present day, we have merited—by divine grace and through the blood of our finest sons and daughters—to establish a home for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. The meaning of the state is that we ceased to be a collection of individuals; we are now a nation living on its land, under its sovereignty, with its own army and the ability to determine its fate.
Those who hold a sovereign Jewish worldview understand: our responsibility is to the collective, not the individual. This is "arvut hadadit"- mutual responsibility, but not only human—it is national. What is at stake here is not only the precious lives of the hostages but the existence of a proud, independent, and secure Jewish state.
I received a letter from a senior lawyer who wrote that, in his view, the release of the hostages is more important than the honor of the State of Israel. I asked—what is a state without honor? How can we forget that national dignity is a prerequisite for any political existence? National honor is not an ornament—it is a foundation.
Also in the Haredi world, which is not identified with the sovereign perspective, it is sometimes difficult to feel the deep significance of the state. One who does not see Independence Day as a holiday, who does not wave the Israeli flag, finds it hard to fight for the idea that he is not just a "private person" but part of a national redemptive process.
On Simchat Torah, we lost in one day what we had accumulated in 75 years of statehood. The pain is immense—Jewish blood was spilled, women, children, and the elderly were kidnapped, humiliated, tortured, and murdered—as if we were in 20th-century Europe and not in our ancestral land. But precisely from there, the people rose and responded—by going into battle, in the north and south, with a national strength never seen before.
In the face of massacre, humiliation, and destruction—the only response is total victory.
Not prisoner redemption—but the total defeat of the enemy.
Of course, we mourn the pain of our captive brothers. I personally know three of them, and I pray day and night together with the people of Israel for their return. But there is no greater mistake than this—to think that there is a contradiction between striving for victory and wanting to see them return home.
On the contrary: only victory will lead to their release.
Not negotiations, not surrender, not rewards for terrorists.
Like King David at Ziklag, who did not engage in talks but went out to strike the Amalekites and return his wives and children.
So too must we act—not against ancient Amalekites, but against their modern heirs—cruel murderers who still have Hitler's book on their shelves.
It is time to learn and remind ourselves of Maimonides' words about the three obligatory wars:
All three converge in the war of "Iron Swords"—the war of Simchat Torah.
The Jewish people are not a collection of individuals—they are a living body, a breathing nation.
When we restore the honor of the nation—we will also restore our children.
When we win—our enemies will come themselves on their knees in supplication and return our loved ones.
At this time, courageous and decisive leadership is required—leadership that does not succumb to emotion but relies on reason, bravery, and faith. As is written in the verses: "They bowed and fell—and we arose and will be strengthened. And the redeemed of the Lord shall return—and come to Zion with singing".
To Whom it May Concern:
Please find links to HaPardes Journal that documented the historic Knessiah Gedolah in Marienbad in 1937 and written up in Mishpacha magazine.Wednesday, November 26, 2014כנסי' מועצת גדולי התורה במריינבד בעבריתThe Knessiah Gedolah of Marienbad. Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah discussion re: A Jewish State: YES or NO? Yes for Jewish State!Thursday, May 17, 2012Asifa Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah at Marianbad 1937 - Horaas Shaah, Asifa Citi Field and Yom Yerushalyim - Vehaya Machanecha Kadosh..Thursday, May 17, 2012bs"d More on the Great Assembly at Marienbad 1937 from "When Silence Is a Sin"Thursday, March 05, 2020Marienbad: Publicizing and implementing the Rabbinic Resolutions of Marienbad 1937.Apparently there was an issue regarding the WZC in 2020 and Rav Kanievsky paskened yes to vote and Rabbi Kamenetsky and Rabbi Brudny followed his Psak.Interesting that the Rabbanim on this MGH Kol Korei didn't sign their names. Is Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky cognitively able to take a stand. What about Rav Brudny. Did they change their position from 2020? Who actually drafted the letter and who is willing to sign it?Also, now the MGH are speaking out against voting in the WZO elections.
Why have they been silent re: giving away parts of Eretz Yisroel, or about the Pikuach Nefesh and Sakanat Nefashot situation in Judea and Samaria and all of Israel with Hamas being empowered, and the Mitzvah to violate Shabbat when the enemy encroaches one's borders in Eretz Yisroel.
It would have been amazing to hear a Kol Korei from the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah against giving away parts of Eretz Yisrael when there was talk of a Palestinian State? Never too late! Isn't this approach a more accurate, true and productive implementation of the Marienbad Resolution in 1937 where the majority of the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah voted for a Jewish State based on Torah and Mitzvoth?The simple fact that this Kol Korei has not been signed is telling.There probably are differences of opinion among the Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah as was the case in Marienbad in 1937. Let's have an open debate albeit heated, as is the Jewish Tradition of conflicting sides, a Machloket LeShem Shamayim, in our day, on this matter?Here is a beautiful YouTube that shares the great love HaRav Kanievsky has for living in Eretz Yisroel.Rav Chaim Kamenetsky's mind blowing views on Eretz YisroelLiving in Eretz Yisroel is a Mitzvah D'Orayta whether one agrees with the policies of the government. At the very least, Halvai, those that are G-d fearing be outspoken and great activists to change the Israeli court system and the laws of the Land in Eretz Yisroel so that they are consistent and reflect Torah values.
Settler Youth who sacrifice everything for Eretz Yisroel, have been blood libeled and are falsely accused, tortured, imprisoned, sitting in jail sometimes for years on false charges and in the case of Amiram Ben Uliel convicted of 3 life sentences, based on forced self confession after being tortured. Why have we not heard any outcry, a Kol Korei by the Moetzet Gedolei Hatorah on this when so many Mitzvoth D'Orayta have been violated on this ענוי הדין and עיוות הדין?Dovid HaMelech is constantly going to War, Milchemet Mitzvah both with internal and external enemies.Isn't this war with Hamas an existential threat and clearly a Milchemet Mitzvah? Elef leMateh, Elef leMateh.
Even when soldiers are assigned to pray and learn Torah aren't they in Tanach an integral part of the army and not exempt and in the sideline?Throughout Tanach Am Yisroel is commanded to fight for Eretz Yisroel and to have soldiers and are counted according to the number of soldiers יוצאי צבא.The existing Israeli Judicial Court System has been anti Torah and corrupt and finally, BeEzrat Hashem, changing.
However, telling Jews not to vote in the WZO election is running away rather then addressing the problem. The very purpose in voting is in order to enact change within the government so that Eretz Yisroel has a government whose laws and ideology is consistent and reflects Torah. Withholding ones influence and vote, serves to empower the inner enemy, the deep State within Israel, and the evil forces that are against Torah.Sincerely,
Robin TickerActivist emails sent to my list are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief ob"m great activists for Israel. May their Neshomas have an Aliya!On Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 6:48 PM Agudas Yisroel of America <news@agudah.org> wrote:From the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America
Kol Korei Regarding the Elections for the WZO
Below is a Kol Korei from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America regarding the elections for the WZO.
Click here to download.
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Agudath Israel of America | 42 Broadway 14th floor | New York, NY 10004 US
Bsd
Ticker Virtual Mishloach Manot 5785
Theme: Brochos/Amen Party
Contents
Mezonot- An oatmeal cupcake
HaGefen - grape juice
HaEitz - dates, grapes, and or pomegranate seeds
HaAdama - chick peas, carrots, celery or cucumber
Shehakol - candy or chocolate
BeSamim - cloves
Almost every Shabbat afternoon I attend a sweet ladies group in my neighborhood featuring Tehillim, a Brochos party, a Dvar Torah, and sometimes Shalosh Seudos. The ladies make Brochos non stop and everyone says Amen!
I thought that a Brachos/Amen party theme for our Mishloach Manot was a sweet idea where the Mishloach Manot would include each Bracha and a Megillah about Brachos Parties, a related Dvar Torah in honor of Moishe and Jordan's Simcha so that everyone can have them in mind for Parnossa (Mezonot), a Happy Marriage and Shalom Bayit (haGafen), to be Blessed with
Children(HaEitz), Health
רפואת הנפש ורפואת הגוף (HaAdama), and tranquility of the Soul (beSamim).
So I Googled Brochos party.
I found an amazing website
https://www.elvirasallnatural.com/
Copyright 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Elvira's All Natural
Board Certified Holistic Functional Nutritionist
Judith Elvira Tobal Betesh
BCHN, IHHC, FNTP
Concierge Functional Nutrition Services
Forensic Blood Chemistry Analyst
Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.
It had amazing material! There was a Dvar Torah in PDF format that discussed the background and sources of the Bracha Party as well as a beautiful colorful flier of the Beracha/Amen Party Instructions.
I called up Judith Elvira and asked her permission to use the material on her website related to a Brochos party to share at our Simcha and for Mishloach Manot. She was so excited and gave her permission to use the material and to edit as needed.
Judy asked me if I knew the story behind this material. I said no. All I had done was Google "Brachos Party" and found it. She said to check out this link.
One in Ten Million
Yoel Gold
Stories to Inspire
https://youtu.be/2-bmTeeXpGw?si=XB7WVaVtTiNeHM49
A true first hand inspirational video of an ongoing Miracle Story that happened that came about after a Brochos Party she helped organize!
With the help of my friend, a professional editor and graphic artist we printed a small pamphlet in honor of our Simcha that gives a background of the Brochos Party and we printed as well the colorful flier with instructions and we included it in our Mishloach manot.
If you contact me, we are more than happy to send/give you copies of the printed versions, or, feel free to print them yourself.
The pamphlet describes how by saying Amen to someones Bracha it merges Divine Chesed(Kindness) with Din(Divine Judgement), thus "sweetening" the judgement.
Here are the links:
Background and Sources of the Bracha Party
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l1yOWybpxKv7vffgnQZDPbSsBvsTbEbU/view?usp=drivesdk
Brachot Party Flier (color)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sW3PdxGxFsL8_nqu2zKnCi24-htIwo-R/view?usp=drivesdk
Please also have in mind the Betesh family Judy and her husband :
Yehudit Elvira Malka Bat Rachel Alicia
Yeshua Elimelech Ben Sarah
For Healthy Children Beh and for continued Refuah.
Wishing you a year full of Brachot levity and levter.
From the Ticker Family
בס"ד
Listen to the podcast (Hebrew)
https://youtu.be/ANGu8Oz23KU?si=kHGU7Qx0teRuKCRF
English follows
"האורח שלי היום הוא הפרשן המוכר ביותר בישראל לענייני ערבים ויחסי הכח במזרח התיכון ,
ואולי גם האדם שהכי מבין את המורכבות של יחסי האסלאם והיהדות בכל העולם.
צבי יחזקאלי.
דיברנו על אסלאם, ג׳יהאד ועל הקונספציה שמלווה אותנו בעשורים האחרונים, בהנהגה ובשאר שכבות האוכלוסייה.
צבי היה מאוד נחרץ בנוגע לדעותיו על הבורות שלנו. ועל כמה איננו מותאמים לסביבתנו.
על התקשורת שמסלפת ומגבה את הרעיונות, ועל הצורך הדחוף בשינוי תפיסתי, אם ברצוננו להמשיך לשגשג ולחיות במדינתנו.
ביקשתם המון שהוא התארח, שלחתם לי מיילים כל יום בנושא.
אז הנה, מקווה שתיהנו!
ואם אהבתם, הרשמו לערוץ ושתפו את הפרק.
הספרים של צבי יחזקאלי :
☪️ אמרתי לכם זה ג'יהאד
30 שנות סיקור הטרור,
מאוסלו ועד ה-7.10.
עם הסיפורים שעוד לא שמעתם מתוככי מסדרונות הטרור.
☪️ השקט שלפני המבול
צוות של עיתונאי, מפעיל וסוכנת, שחודרים אל מסדרונות אפלים ומביאים את כל ההוכחות לאיום שמסתתר בתחפושת זכויות אדם.
עכשיו במחירי פרי-סייל באתר:
https://zviyehezkeli.com/
חלקי הפרק :
00:00 - פתיח
01:30 - הצגה של צבי
03:00 - איננו מבינים את האויב בצד השני
08:54 - התפוצצות הקונספציה
15:20 - האם האסלאם נוגד את היהדות?
22:00 - רעיונות החמאס, סינוואר והפלסטינאים בעזה
29:20 - אובדן ערכי הניצחון במערב - חולשת החילוני-ליברל
38:50 - איך הגענו ל-7.10
48:35 - פרוץ מלחמה בכל החזיתות
54:30 - כשלון ההנהגה
01:00:00 - חוקי המזרח התיכון והאפשרות להכרעה
01:05:12 - הבעיה של דניאל עם המסר של צבי
01:12:00 - היכולת של צה״ל - אין אופק לנצחון
01:16:10 - יאסר ערפאת ياسر عرفات
01:23:40 - יחיא סינוואר يحيى سنوار
01:27:40 - האם צבי ייכנס לפוליטיקה? ״הפתרון יגיע מעומק הבנת הבעיה״
פרטים:
Spotify :https://open.spotify.com/show/40kLjYd...
YouTube Full Episodes: / @danieldushypodcast
לפניות : DanielDushy@gmail.com"