Climbing For Independence In Chomesh

By Michael Fuah

The march to Homesh on Israel's Independence Day was tough, but it was a genuine march of independence. The estimated 13,000 marchers did not wait for the authorization of the government, the Defense Minister, the army or the police. They marched. Abandoning their vehicles at whatever point they were blocked by the army or the police, these loyal Jews -- religious, secular and ultra-Orthodox -- hiked through the fields, up the sides of mountains, down steep slopes, across kilometers of green hills and winding roads and finally made it -- exhausted -- to Homesh. There were lots of teenagers, an impressive amount of "golden-agers," parents, little children trying to keep up with their older siblings and an amazing amount of babies in carriages who were half-pushed and half carried over terrain patently inaccessible to anything other than 4x4 wheels. Even a blind man, a man on crutches and a teenager in a wheelchair managed to make the climb. The sight was reminiscent of the prophet Isaiah's comforting words to the Land of Israel, "Raise your eyes and see, they are all gathering and returning to you." (Isaiah 60:4). People were marching across the Shomron from every direction. And nobody was going to stop them. "Hey, what is a State Supremacist (Mamlachti in local jargon) like you doing here?" a famous rabbi from a Mamlachti yeshiva laughingly asked me. "You tell me," I answered him with a smile, as it was clear that he wanted to explain himself. "I am only where the army authorizes us to be," he answered, trying to convince himself that he didn't cross the lines. "Rabbi," I said to him, "today you are a criminal, along with me. No excuses will help. The Expulsion Law from the days of the "Disengagement" prohibits Israeli citizens from being here. But enjoy yourself. This is true independence." The above conversation took place at the foot of Homesh. The Rabbi, who undoubtedly understood that he was violating the "Israeli" law, made it up to Homesh nevertheless, and joined us for the Mincha prayer on the ruins of the Homesh synagogue. For years, we have been used to events that are completely organized, with busses to shuttle us to and from our destination, a route that is appropriate for all ages, designated parking areas and people whose job it is to keep order everywhere. Even at Kfar Maimon, where a tremendous crowd had gathered to revolt against the evil Expulsion decree, the Yesha leaders -- fully coordinated with the army and police -- managed to gag the revolutionary energies there until they completely dissipated. True, the built in disobedience of the organizers of the march to Homesh had a price. There was no official route. No grandstand with flags and huge amplifiers awaited the thousands that arrived. No famous cultural icons performed on the makeshift stage. And the only way to get back to our abandoned vehicles was by foot. So as darkness descended, the thousands began the trek down from Homesh. The three hour march in the dark wasn't easy for the teenagers, or for the seniors, the parents of small kids or the people with the baby carriages. But it was worth it. Groups of teenagers sang Jewish songs of joy and rebuilding the Temple all along the way. Liberation was in the air; freedom from the laws of the "Israeli" government and from the old leadership that is emotionally and economically subservient it. The revolutionary consciousness that Manhigut Yehudit encourages has made a major public breakthrough. With G-d's help, the great success in Homesh will help to propel the leadership revolution forward, full steam ahead. Manhigut Yehudit is about building the nation's will for leadership that will foster Israel's ultimate redemption. That is our purpose and the goal that makes successes like Homesh so significant. A hearty yashar koach to all the Manhigut Yehudit members who made it to Homesh, and made Manhigut Yehudit's presence there very visible. May we all be privileged to merit Israel's redemption soon!