Thousands gathered this evening (Wednesday) at the Nation’s Buildings in Jerusalem on the 30th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Chaim Meir Druckman zt’l. After the press conference he convened together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived to deliver a speech to those present, wearing a knitted cap .
“He was attentive with all his heart to the pulse of history”
Netanyahu began with the memory of Rabbi Druckman’s funeral: “A month ago, a few hours before the end of Hanukkah, I arrived at the Shapira Center, together with you, to say goodbye to Rabbi Chaim Druckman, a righteous man of blessing: ‘a man whose spirit is in him’, a leader of many, an educator with grace and a close friend Thousands were there, from all over the country. They stood together, under a gray sky, stood together in masterful silence. Young and old, religious and non-religious, mountain and lowland residents, city and village residents. It was a moving and powerful situation. A situation of pain, also of Pride, and perhaps above all – of gratitude to the mentor, who burdened his shoulders with responsibility and mission.”
The Prime Minister said that it will take time until we have enough time to exhaust all sides of Rabbi Druckman. “It will be a long time before his full work is revealed. But this, in my eyes, is the most significant point of truth in his life – Rabbi Druckman was attentive with all his heart to the pulse of history. He felt at every moment that we are living in a generation of revival, of the redemption of the people from the straits of exile. His message, especially For the younger generation, he was sharp and resolute.”
“Demand that we remember what was here before”
Netanyahu said that the vast majority of the country’s citizens were already born into it, or immigrated to it as children. “From such a feeling, one can think that everything has been, as it were, since time immemorial. From such a feeling, one usually only knows how to criticize, focus on shortcomings, rebel against negative phenomena that still require correction. Fewer know how to appreciate the great wonder that the State of Israel represents. A free state, a Jewish state, Democratic, rich in achievements, spreading light. That’s why Rabbi Druckman demanded that we remember what was here before. In the long exile we were helpless, a leaf blown by the wind, scattered among the nations. Truly a sheep among 70 wolves – slandered, persecuted, confessing suffering. Then came The terrible holocaust consumed a third of our people. The heavy disaster uprooted us with a storm from a foreign land.”
“We returned home. We collected postcards. We declared our independence. We stood firm against our enemies. We built an army, economy, education, settlement, agriculture – and what not. But all this is still not enough, because our country needs a soul. Independence and independence are inextricably linked Our self-identity begins in the Bible. It continues in the chain of national creation for generations, and it continues to expand and grow even nowadays. The Torah world is flourishing, science and innovation are thriving, ingenuity is breaking records. Thanks to our achievements and the cultivation of our strength, we have turned Israel into a rising world power. We will continue to do this, with God’s help and in the coming years.”
Photo: Kobi Gideon, CEO
“He would say ‘we have to tell it everywhere”
“More than once, I was told about the light that shone on the rabbi’s face when he heard about an extraordinary achievement of the state. Or alternatively, about the way the world leaders treat Israel – with respect, even admiration. He would say, ‘We must tell it everywhere. Everyone should know about this’ – that’s what he would say to someone who worked for me, who is his relative, he would say it with admiration and conviction. Yes, there are many lights in the country. There are also shadows, it’s true, and we are working to eliminate them. Not everything can be done, son- Wait. The rabbi would say ‘Kim’aa Kim’aa'”
According to him, “Rabbi Druckman received from Rabbi Kook a righteous remembrance of blessing the view that the process of redemption requires patience. We are on a long journey – but step by step we are getting closer to the destination. The clouds will disperse, and the sun will appear. For Rabbi Druckman, this was not a theory. Rather, it There was a practical prescription for action.”
“What is man’s duty in his world? What is my duty?” he asked, and also answered: to engage in Torah and work, to train thousands of students, to strengthen our right to the Land of Israel, to train young people for service in the IDF, to represent broad publics in the Knesset, to head the state conversion system that A respectful and close approach towards the converts. Responsibility, missions, building the nation – and in the spirit of Parshat ‘Ba’ which is read on Shabbat: ‘And you promised your son.'”
“Plow the furrows, gather stones, sow and plant, plant and heal”
At the end of his remarks, Netanyahu said: “My friends, we are in the days of the month of Shabbat. If Rabbi Druckman had been with us, he would surely have mentioned the devotion to the mission of the martyrs of the Lord, who fell 75 years ago. He would talk about the importance of planting, which leads to deeper roots in the soil of our country, the Land of Israel. He would also praise the fruits of the Land of Israel. The rabbi used to say that these fruits contain vitamin K – the vitamin of holiness.”
“Rabbi Haim Druckman, in his wonderful public work, plowed the furrows, collected stones, sowed and planted, planted and improved – and before our eyes stand the ripe fruits, the fruits of eternity. May his memory be blessed for generations.”