Mivtzoim and Eretz Yisroel

After the Yom Kippur War in 5734, spanning the months of Nissan to Tammuz, terrorists infiltrated Eretz Yisroel and killed ר”ל many Yidden. (See footnote for more information on the four main attacks.)

At that time, an urgent call from the Rebbe directed at all Jews was published that included an excerpt from a sichah (linked below). In this sichah, the Rebbe pointed out the importance of each and every Jew becoming actively involved in the five mivtzoim (that had been established at that point).

The Rebbe explained how these mivtzoim each have the unique power to protect Jews from harm. The Rebbe concluded the sichah by saying that a mitzvah done in one location protects not only the one who does it, but also all Jews wherever they are, even those who have not yet fulfilled the mitzvos!

See the sicha here

The four main attacks in 5734:

1. The Kiryat Shmona massacre occurred on 19 Nissan, 5734. Three terrorists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command crossed the border from Lebanon to Eretz Yisroel and attacked Yidden in Kiryat Shmona. The terrorists killed 18 people, including 8 children, and wounded 16 others.

2. The Ma’alot massacre was a Palestinian terrorist attack that occurred in Iyar 1974. The attack involved taking 115 Yidden as hostages for over two days. The terrorists killed 25 hostages, including 22 children, and injured another 68.

3. On June 13, 1974, four Palestinian terrorists crossed the Lebanon-Israel border and attacked the kibbutz of Shamir in northern Israel. The terrorists killed three women before being killed themselves.

4. The 1974 Nahariya attack was a raid by three Palestinian terrorists, belonging to the Fatah terrorist organization, which took place during the night of 24–25 June, 1974. The Palestinian terrorist squad infiltrated the coastal city of Nahariya in Israel by sea from Lebanon. Three civilians and one Israeli soldier were killed during the event. The attack was the first time in which terrorists infiltrated into Israel from Lebanon by sea.

Women’s Involvement

The Rebbe often wrote directly to the women to emphasize their role and enlist their help in the mivtzoim.

The following letter was written shortly after the hijacking and rescue of the hostages in Uganda and the subsequent attempt by terrorists to carry out a vicious reprisal, G-d forbid, in Istanbul, Turkey. The Rebbe called on all women to make sure there is a kosher mezuzah on their doors and to encourage their neighbors to do the same.

Here is an excerpt of the letter:

In view of the recent events – the hijacking and saving of the hostages held in Uganda; and the subsequent attempt of the terrorists to perpetrate a vicious reprisal, G-d forbid, in Kushta (Istanbul), It should be understood that these events are an indication that Jews must, at the earliest possible, strengthen all aspects of their security and defenses first and foremost in their spiritual life, which is the channel to receive G-d’s blessings also in the physical aspect, namely, to know the right ways and means that have to be undertaken in the natural order of things, and to fully succeed in these efforts, in accordance with the Divine promise, “G-d, your G-d, will bless you in all that you do" – to be protected and secured from enemies, and to be spared any undesirable happenings, G-d forbid. …G-d has given our people a special gift wherewith to protect the home, namely, the Mitzvah of Mezuzah. Our Sages declare explicitly that “the home is protected by it (the Mezuzah).” …Let it also be remembered that inasmuch as all Jews constitute one body, and are bound up with one another, every Mezuzah is a Divine protection not only for the individual home, with everybody and everything in it, but each additional kosher Mezuzah that is affixed on a doorpost of any Jewish home, anywhere, adds to the protection of all our people everywhere. And considering – as mentioned above – that every Jewish housewife is an Akeres Habayis, and every Jewish girl a future Akeres Habayis, they have a special Zechus (merit) and responsibility in the matter of Mezuzah, to see to it that not only a kosher Mezuzah be affixed on every doorpost in their home that is required to have a Mezuzah, but that the same be done by their Jewish neighbors and friends, and in all Jewish homes.

Full letter:

By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5736 Brooklyn, N. Y.

To The Jewish Mothers and Daughters, Everywhere, G-d bless you

Blessing and Greeting:

In view of the recent events - the hijacking and saving of the hostages held in Uganda; and the subsequent attempt of the terrorists to perpetrate a vicious reprisal, G-d forbid, in Kushta (Istambul),

It should be understood that these events are an indication that Jews must, at the earliest possible, strengthen all aspects of their security and defenses first and foremost in their spiritual life, which is the channel to receive G-d's blessings also in the physical aspect, namely, to know the right ways and means that have to be undertaken in the natural order of things, and to fully succeed in these efforts, in accordance with the Divine promise, "G-d, your G-d, will bless you in all that you do"- to be protected and secured from enemies, and to be spared any undesirable happenings, G-d forbid.

***

The above events remind each and all of our Jewish brethren in general, and Jewish mothers and daughters in particular-since every married Jewish woman is called Akeres Habayis, "Foundation of the Home," and those not yet married are to be Akeres Habayis, for which they must prepare themselves from tender age - the following:

The present situation calls for the protection of every Jewish home. True protection is that which only G-d provides, as it is written, "G-d guards the city," To ensure this Divine guardianship, the home has to be conducted in all aspects according to G-d's will.

Then the home is also an abode for the Shechinah (G-d's Presence), In accordance with His promise, "I will dwell among them."

In addition to this, G-d has given our people a special gift wherewith to protect the home, namely, the Mitzvah of Mezuzah. Our Sages declare explicitly that "the home is protected by it (the Mezuzah)."

Moreover, this protection embraces the members of the household also when they go out of the house, as it is written, 'G-d will guard your going and your coming from now and forever’. It is further explained in our holy sources that the Divine Name (Shin-Dalet-Yud) written on the back of the sacred Mezuzah parchment spells out the words, "Shomer Dalsos Yisroel" - "Guardian of Jewish Doors.”

***

Let it also be remembered that Inasmuch as all Jews constitute one body, and are bound up with one another, every Mezuzah is a Divine protection not only for the individual home, with everybody and everything in it, but each additional kosher Mezuzah that is affixed on a doorpost of any Jewish home, anywhere, adds to the protection of all our people everywhere

And considering as mentioned above-that every Jewish housewife is an Akeres Habayis, and every Jewish girl a future Akeres Habayis, they have a special Zechus (merit) and responsibility in the matter of Mezuzah, to see to it that not only a kosher Mezuzan be affixed on every doorpost in their nome that is required to have a Mezuzah, but that the same be done by their Jewish neighbors and friends, and in all Jewish homes.

I hope and pray that you will do this with inspiration and joy, which, in addition to increasing the Hatziocho in this effort, will also inspire many others to do likewise, and the Zechus Horabim will further stand you in good stead. The present time is particularly auspicious for this endeavor, as for endeavors in all matters of goodness and holiness, since we are in the beginning of the month of Elul-the month of spiritual stocktaking, to complete the deficiencies of the outgoing year and to prepare for the New Year, that it be a good and blessed year for each and all of us and for our Jewish people as a whole With esteem and blessing of Kesivo vaChasimo Toivo,