24 Oct GAZA: A CONTESTED TERRITORY IN JEWISH HISTORY

In our parasha
(Lech Lecha) of
Brit Ben Habetarim,
Hashem promises
Havraham Avinu
the Land of Israel
and delineates the northern and southern
borders. The pasuk reads: “On that day,
Hashem made a covenant with Avram,
saying, ‘To your offspring, I have given
this land, from the river of Egypt to the
great river, the river Euphrates”.
These promises hold significant
relevance to the first commentary by
Rashi in the Torah. Rashi questions why
Hashem commenced the Torah with the
account of the creation of the world
rather than immediately introducing the
laws of the Torah. Rashi provides an
insightful response, explaining that this
was to convey a crucial message: by
narrating the act of creation, Hashem
asserts His ownership of the land and
His authority in determining which
nation inherits it.

Hashem’s declaration serves as a
powerful reminder that if the nations of
the world accuse the people of Israel of
theft and occupation, they can firmly
retort that the entire world is Hashem’s
creation, and it is He who apportions the
land.
Indeed, a valid question arises here: the
nations may not be aware of what Rashi
has articulated, and even if we were to
convey this message to them, they
might not pay heed. So, what purpose
does Rashi’s message serve? Rashi’s
message primarily serves the Jewish
nation, reinforcing our own
understanding that the land rightfully
belongs to us, and we are not engaged in
theft or occupation.
Once we internalize this message and
firmly believe in our rights to the land,
we can then effectively communicate
this conviction to others. As long as we
harbor doubts about our entitlement to
the land, we will struggle to persuade

others of its validity.
However, when our
belief is unwavering, it
becomes a powerful
catalyst for convincing
others, as our conviction
will resonate and
influence those around
us.
Is Gaza Within the
Promised Land’s
Borders?
Returning to the
previously mentioned pasuk, the “River
of Egypt” in the promise to Avraham
Avinu refers to the river situated to the
south of the city of Gaza, indicating
clearly that Gaza is within the borders
of Israel, granted to the Jewish people
from Hashem.
The same concept is reiterated several
times in the Torah, as we can observe in
other passages. For instance, when the
Torah, in Parashat Masaey, delineates
the precise borders of Eretz Israel, it
defines the southern border going
around from Azmon to the stream of
Egypt. This, once again, underscores
that Gaza is indeed within the borders
of Hashem’s gift to us.
May We Give Away Hashem’s Gift
for Peace Treaty?
Now that we understand that Hashem
granted us the land, including Gaza,
let’s delve into another question that
was highly relevant about 20 years
ago. The issue of whether we are
permitted to give land for the sake of
peace became a contentious topic as it
divided the people of Israel. Some
believed that ceding the land of Gaza
to the Palestinians would lead to peace
and progress, while others viewed it
as a grave danger, which eventually
proved to be the case. This question
also came before the poskim, who had
to deliberate on whether we are
allowed to relinquish Jewish land in
pursuit of peace.
Chacham Ovadia wrote a responsa
explaining that in a hypothetical
situation where giving up land can
save lives, it is permitted, as nothing is
more vital than preserving life.
However, he, along with many other

rabbis, strongly believed that handing
over Gaza to the Palestinians was a
grave mistake that would result in
extreme bloodshed. As history has

shown, the rabbis’ concerns were well-
founded. Shortly after the Gaza area

was transferred to the Palestinian
authority, they initiated rocket attacks
and various means of terrorizing their
Jewish neighbors, culminating in the
disastrous recent attack, which
underscored that those who doubted the
wisdom of the separation were mistaken.
When Will the Promised Land Be
Complete?
Let’s revisit the verse mentioned above
in Brit Ben Habetarim. The verse
continues by promising Avraham Avinu
the land of ten nations. However, Rashi
points out that only seven of them were
granted to the Jewish nation. Rashi
explains that the lands of Edom, Moav,
and Amon were promised to be given in
the future in the end of days.
The Rambam explicitly states (הלכות
ה״ד פ״ח רוצח (that these three lands will
be given to us in the end of days.
However, the exact locations of these
lands are not precisely known, as the
have)ירושלמי שביעית תחילת פ״ז) rabbis
debated over their specific locations.
Ohr Hachayim explains that these three
nations, which will be conquered at the
end of days, symbolize the nations that
will gather to fight on the shores of our
land and will be defeated by the
Messiah. This verse provides significant
encouragement in the current times,
emphasizing the notion that the end of
days is drawing near, as we witness
nations amassing on the shores of Israel
for a world-altering conflict.