Of Greatest Concern
What was the Rebbe’s views on Israel and the Jewish world? How does a shaliach far from Brooklyn convey the Rebbe’s word? The Avner Institute presents an article from AUSTRALIAN JEWISH NEWS, published months after the Six Day War, where Rabbi Isaac Groner, resident of Melbourne, became not only a world traveler but a holy messenger delivering the Rebbe’s campaigns of Jewish law, Jewish victory, and Jewish identity.
in loving memory of Hadassah Bas Schneur Zalman
From THE AUSTRALIAN JEWISH NEWS, 5727/1967.
“Rebbe Firm on Israel Territory”
The Lubavitcher Rebbe was adamantly against Israel giving up any territories, Rabbi I.D. Groner said this week. And he was especially opposed to Jerusalem being an international city.
Rabbi Groner spent some time with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, at the Lubavitch headquarters in New York during his recent overseas trip.
He said the Rebbe was greatly concerned about the situation in Israel. This was particularly so in regard to the question of “Who is a Jew?”
One Measure
The Rebbe emphasized most strongly that a Jew could only be a Jew according to Halachic law, Rabbi Groner said. He considered the issue “most vital to the future of the Jewish people.”
“Jewish sacrifice in Israel is of the greatest concern to [the Rebbe],” Rabbi Groner said. The Rebbe was aware that “a lot of soldiers are not very observant. But if a soldier gives his life protecting Israel and his brethren, then he becomes a holy martyr,” Rabbi Groner said. “May G-d avenge his blood.”
The Rebbe had said there was a need for a strong belief in the Torah, Rabbi Groner said. [The Rebbe] had said, “We much beseech the help of G-d and His teachings.” This would “help in the conduct of the war and bring the Grace of G-d upon the Jewish people.”
President
Rabbi Groner had an audience with President Shazar in Israel. He reported to the president on the operations of the Chabad movement in Australia. The president had asked him about the situation of Jewish people in Australia and about Rabbi Schneerson’s latest words on Israel. [The Rebbe] had sent his best wishes to the people in Australia. Rabbi Groner said the President knew his family through the Chabad movement.
While in Israel [Rabbi Groner] also met with the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Rabbi Dr. I. Jakobovits. He invited him to visit the yeshiva and Beth Rivkah Ladies’ College during [Rabbi Jakobovits’] Melbourne visit. He also had discussions with the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi I. Unterman, and with the Minister for Religious Affairs, Dr. Z. Warhaftig.
Rabbi and Mrs. Groner were in Israel for the marriage of their daughter Miriam to Tzvi Telsner, son of Rabbi and Mrs. David Telsner. About 700 people attended the wedding, at “Nof Jerusalem,” Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem, on Sept. 9 (7 Elul). Guests included members of the Chabad and Mizrachi movements, members of Parliament, officials of the Sochnut and Ministers of the Israeli government.
Rabbi Groner said the ceremony was performed by the foremost rabbi in Israel, Rabbi Zevin, editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia and the “foremost Torah scholar in the world.” Rabbi Groner emphasized that there were no speeches at the wedding. He met many relatives, he said. And the week of festivities after the wedding took him to many parts of Israel.
Met Students
In the U.S. and during a two-day visit to Canada, Rabbi Groner addressed a number of student groups on “the relevance of the Torah in this day and age” and “what Judaism has to offer today.” He also addressed a group of 150 U.S. students from Tel Aviv University when they visited KFar Chabad in Israel.
Rabbi Groner said his family’s ties with Israel dated back over 100 years. His mother’s family had lived in Israel for 130 years and his father’s for about 90 years. Rabbi Groner was born in the U.S., the first child of the family born outside Israel.
This was his fourth visit to Israel.
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