Lag be-Omer at Netzer

 

            Beitar is located a number of hills west of Netzer, and at the lecture in Netzer this Lag Baomer, the question arose: "Is Bar Kokhba's teaching true, even with the fall of Beitar?"

             The dead numbering 550,000, the loss of independence and sovereignty, famine, slavery ... was all this worth it?

             The answer was clear to those present at Netzer; nonetheless, to reinforce matters, the response of Yigal Yadin, the IDF's second Chief of the General Staff, was quoted:

"Without faith in the ideal, the culture of the entire world, including our culture, that of the Jewish people, cannot exist [...] In this ideological system, is there something that is accounted as "better to be killed than transgress"? If the answer is positive, then it makes man "superior to the beast" [...]

           Rabbi Akiva was incapable of waiving his belief, and so most of the people. They were therefore prepared to die or, more correctly: to fight based on their belief, perhaps by their war they might change the murderous conditions, and they did so with the knowledge that they were liable to fall in the fighting.

           When there is a combination of the Jewish religion and nation and the Jewish land, which is almost unparalleled in the world, then it is clear that that generation could in no way accept the danger that Jerusalem might be plowed under, that the Temple might be turned into a temple to Jupiter, or that they would be forbidden to circumcise their sons and observe the Sabbath.

           [...] as regards the value of heroism and sacrifice for the ideal in which people believe [...] we must continue to educate in accordance with this. For our people cannot exist as a people if it were to cease believing in something that is unique to it - and therefore the sons of our people are prepared to give their lives." (end of quote of Yigal Yadin)

            The fire of Rabbi Akiva and Bar Kokhba burned at Netzer. These two great leaders understood that for "Heaven to help," Torah study isn't enough, we must also strive, act, struggle, fight - and then , with G-d's help, we can merit the coming of our true Messiah.

            This, in short, was the lecture in Netzer, on lag Baomer night, lecture by Steve Rodan, who talked about the Bar Kochva revolt and its repercussions.

            Dozens of residents from the area, from Efrat, Gush Etzion, Jerusalem, Maaleh Edumim, and Kiryat Arba-Hebron came to Netzer to show a Jewish presence.   The organizers did not anticipate such a large responseIt appears that the speeches in the Knesset and the Prime Minister's fateful meetings these days made people aware that something had to be done, instead of just enjoying the usual Lag BaOmer  marshmallows and potatoes in the middle of one's community.

            The indefatigable spirit of Rabbi Akiva - the spiritual force behind the revolt - infused people with the power of faith. Just as Rabbi Akiva continued his national-educational work after the Great Revolt in which he lost his students, and with the little that remained, he established a new spiritual center, and these students, as well, he enlisted in the rebellion of Bar Kokhba.

            The generation of the reestablishment of Jewish independence was educated on the heroism or Bar Kokhba - we are once more independent in our land. Despite the difficulties visible on the horizon, we are at the beginning of the Redemption, as Steve Rodan concluded his lecture.

For pictures by Rivka Rybak of the Lag Baomer event: http://yeshabulletin.com/FIGHT%20BACK/FightBack.htm

For details: Yehudit Katsover 050-7161818  Nadia Matar 050-5500834

www.womeningreen.org