Eight times the outpost of Netzer has been destroyed. Nine times it has been rebuilt. This afternoon was one of its rebuildings.Netzer was created to bring Jewish continuity from Alon Shvut to Elazar, the Biblical Heartland of Israel, the center of Gush Etzion. It stands on a hilltop only a few hundred meters from Alon Shvut's Givat HaChish and from the top of Netzer, you can see Elazar's beautiful Jerusalem-stone homes.
Netzer became a symbol long ago of the Jewish determination to build the land. Its outpost stood for many different lengths of time, only to be destroyed , but then rebuilt again with even greater determination.
Gush Etzion was well-represented on Netzer today. Dozens of Jews of all ages gathered there to show their steadfast attitude that Gush Etzion and all of Yesha must be strengthened, and this would be achieved through continued construction, construction, construction.It was cold and windy on the hilltop, but there was no freeze. Three generations of pioneers carried small and large stones to build the walls of a stone house on the remnants of a house that stood once before. Teenagers sawed and hammered to build the skeleton of a wood and aluminum house, as well.
The building was done to lively accordion music, as the accordionist walked from worker to worker, cheering him on with his tunes.
After hearing a shiur (lesson) by Alon Shvut's Rabbi Gidon Perl, the visitors lit an improvised Chanukiah (menorah) on the side of the mountain. Its flames were visible all the way from Efrat.
While this building event was partially symbolic, there is actually a movement underway to create a "Build the Land of Israel Fund." This Fund will finance Jewish builders in the construction of a 48 sq meter home at the cost of 100,000 NIS (completed within five days) or the construction of a 70 sq meter home at a cost of 200,000 NIS (within two weeks).
This will enable young couples to move to Israel's hilltops at very reasonable susidized costs. The couples will not pay for the construction, but will pay rent to the Fund, which will then subsidize other housing.If the houses are destroyed, G-d forbid, the Fund will finance new homes. Continued new homes throughout Judea and Samaria will thaw the freeze, and continue the warmth of building and growing.
There are already ten young families on a waiting list for the hamlets of Aish Kodesh, Sussia and Negohot. With the help of the "Build the Land of Israel Fund", founded by Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katzover, the families will be able to expand on the hilltops with REAL houses.
The people of Judea and Samaria want to continue building. This Fund will make it even more possible.
If the Fund is not able to collect the monies that it believes is possible, then chas v'shalom, the only building in the next nine months and beyond, will be the symbolic stone and wood structure a la Netzer.
If the Fund is not able to collect the monies that it believes is possible, then chas v'shalom, the only building in the next nine months and beyond, will be the symbolic stone and wood structure a la Netzer.
For more information about the "Build the Land of Israel Fund," readers can contact Nadia Matar <nmatar@netvision.net.il>, 0505500834 or Yehudit Katzover 0507161818.
The photos in this blog were provided by Israel Katz.
IY"H a video about Netzer can be found on Voices TV at: http://voices-magazine.com/voices-videos.php?id=87
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ReplyDeleteA DIFFERENT APPROACH
ReplyDeleteWe as Jews who believe in the veracity of the Tenach must come to terms in being obedient to HaShem. The government of Israel effort to prevent us from claiming our land is a great sin on the part of our government. Although our motives are pure in regard to claiming our land for our children, and ourselves, I believe resisting the government, and preventing them from tearing down what we have built is not the way to go. Yes the land belongs to us and it is our land, but building a home or quarters is not the way we are told to do it in our scriptures. Our scriptures clearly tell us how to claim the land. We are told in our scriptures that we are to cultivate the land first then build our home. Instead we are building first, and then cultivating. Anything outside of this method is being disobedient to HaShem and it invokes the wrath of our government.
In our scriptures Proverbs 24:27 makes it clear in how to claim the land: “Finish your outdoor work and get your field ready; after that build your house.” We need to claim the land first and dedicate it to HaShem because all the land belongs to him: Lev 25:23-24"The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.” It would be much better if we as Jews immediately commit our land to HaShem and then begin the process of working on the land and then build our homes. The real issue is being obedient to what HaShem has told us. Yes the land it ours and no Arabs can claim our G-D given right to the land, yet we need to be obedient to Him and trust Him who loves us, and wants the very best for us. In the words of Jeremiah our prophet are these comforting words: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Shalom