By COLlive reporter
Photos: Meir Alfasi
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the many dignitaries participating in the annual farbrengen celebrating Yud Tes Kislev – the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus in the village of Kfar Chabad, Tuesday.
The gathering typically draws Chassidim and Israelis of different backgrounds from around the country for an evening of Torah teachings, heartwarming stories and lively dancing to Chassidic melodies.
Upon his entrance, Netanyahu seamlessly joined the singing on the stage of the famous tune “Ufaratzta,” symbolizing the worldwide outreach of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement as inspired by the Rebbe.
Singing and clapping alongside him was Rabbi YY Jacobson, the renowned lecturer and teacher of Torah and Chassidus from Monsey, NY. Rabbi Jacobson was recently honored with introducing President Donald Trump at a frum Jewish fundraising luncheon.
“I told him, in the name of millions of Jews, that we thank you and are proud that you are a true friend of Eretz Yisroel and the Jewish people,” Rabbi Jacobson told Netanyahu about his recent encounter with Trump. “He thanked me sincerely.”
Rabbi Jacobson said that he concluded from it, that while “the world is embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by themselves, the world is proud of Jews who are proud of their heritage, of their Torah, and of their people.”
After his stirring remarks, Rabbi Jacobson left the event for 2 speaking engagements in Jerusalem. But Netanyahu alluded to his words by focusing on the theme of Jewish pride.
“I am very moved by this gathering, because when I see the mountains and the hills of the Chassidim, it reminds me of my first meeting with the Rebbe,” Netanyahu said, after watching a short clip of one of his meetings with the Rebbe at 770 Eastern Parkway.
He told the crowd about one of those meetings, held on Simchas Torah soon after he arrived in New York as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
“I went to the Rebbe and I said, ‘Rebbe, I came to see you.’ The Rebbe replied, ‘Just to see? Not to talk?’ and the Rebbe began speaking to me in Hebrew and he told me wonderful things,” he said about their conversation that lasted an unbelievable 40 minutes.
The Rebbe told him then about speaking the truth at the UN which he called a “house of lies” and that a little light can dispel much darkness. As reported on COLlive.com, Netanyahu repeated those same words during one of his recent appearances at the UN.
Netanyahu said that “I feel the same strong connection that you feel with the Rebbe – to his spirit, his inspiration, and our joint legacy to stand proudly in front of the nations. I stand in front of them with deep pride – I am a son of the Jewish nation, the nation that has given humanity monotheism and values.”
Netanyahu, who is running in the third election cycle within a year, avoided mentioning politics in his speech. He was warmly thanked for his visit by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Aharonov, Chairman of Lubavitch Youth Organization in Israel, and Rabbi Shimon Rabinovich, Chairman of the Kfar Chabad Local Committee.
VIDEO: Netanyahu’s address
VIDEO: Full Event Replay
Part 1
Part 2
Why is Chabad aligning itself so much with politics? Yes, we need to show support when politicians do things we like, but we are not politically affiliated. This trend is worrying me.
Politicians, including prime ministers, presidents, and Knesset members, have been attending the Kfar Chabad 19 Kislev farbrengen since its inception over 60 years ago!
As a principle is true , any Jew should be apolitical , however with growing anti Semitism and so much good undone by other Jews is vital to vote , raise our voices and make ourselves count we don’t have Friends as in all is in Hashem hands , nonetheless is great having gratitude and we need to run from any apologetic and conformist lifestyle that have made others to abuse us ..