Politics cannot be separated from Spiritual concepts
Zionsake Editor: Note the spiritual principles below, especially in the last paragraph, that apply to how situations turn out in practice. Many spiritual, military and political leaders assert that abandoning Gaza to the enemy will open another front from which Israel can be attacked, as with protecting cities close to the border as quoted in the last paragraph. It shows once again that politics cannot be separated from spiritual concepts, especially when it comes to Israel.



In addition to the political and civil (disobedience) fronts in the struggle against the disengagement, the spiritual front is also very active. March 17 and 22 are two key dates.


This Thursday, a day of fasting has been declared by leading rabbis from various sectors of the Jewish population. Among those behind the call are former Chief Rabbis Avraham Shapira and Mordechai Eliyahu, as well as rabbis of Chabad and others. Those who can fast a full day are recommended to take the commitment upon themselves during tomorrow's afternoon Mincha prayer; those who can't should fast, if they can, until the early afternoon.

The day is to be devoted to prayer and fasting to overturn the government?s decision to expel Jews from their homes in Gaza and northern Samaria and turn the communities over to Israel?s enemies. During the fast, an assembly will be held in N?vei Dekalim in Gush Katif, which will be attended by the two former Chief Rabbis.

In addition, it has been announced that children around the world are being called upon for a day of prayer a week from today, in the spirit of the "turnabout miracle" spirit of the upcoming Purim holiday.

"We have tried to bring about the nullification of the cruel disengagement decree in various ways," say the organizers in an announcement. "We have demonstrated, held assemblies, hung posters at every possible intersection, and some of us have even carried out activities of real self-sacrifice. These acts have certainly have had some effect, but not enough. Apparently, to fight such a harsh and cruel decree we need the strong powers of children. Their strength is complete, pure, and not motivated by any other external factors."

"Therefore, on the 11th day of Adar Bet (March 22), two days before the Fast of Esther, the Jewish nation in Israel and around the world will unite, and will conduct a special prayer service, with the participation of all the children of all the sectors in our nation."

The organizers ask every adult who is responsible for children - parents, nursery teachers, teachers, grandparents, older siblings, and the like - to recite, together with them, specific Psalms and to study specific passages of Jewish Law. The children should also give a coin for charity.

The Psalms are Chapters 20 and 150, as well as the verse, "Take counsel and it will come to naught; talk of a plan and it will not arise, for G-d is with us."

The relevant law is that which appears in Orach Chaim 329,6: "Gentiles who besieged Jewish towns... if it is suspected that they might be coming to kill ? even if they are merely preparing to come ? Sabbath must be desecrated to fight them. And in cities that are close to the border, even if the enemy only wants to steal straw, Sabbath must be desecrated [to fight them] for fear that they want to conquer the city, thus enabling them to capture the whole country."