Begin, Menachem — Prime Minister of Israel

בגין - מנחם

Menachem Begin (1913–1992) — Prime Minister of Israel

Menachem Begin was born in Brest-Litovsk in 1913 and led the Betar youth movement in Poland. After reaching Eretz Yisrael during World War II, he commanded the Irgun underground. After the founding of the State he founded and led the Herut party, and for nearly three decades headed the parliamentary opposition. In 1977 he became Prime Minister, serving until 1983; he signed the peace treaty with Egypt and shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize. He was known for his warm regard for Jewish tradition, and he visited the Rebbe at 770 in 1977.

What the letters show

Some of these letters touch on political questions; they present the Rebbe's own position.

Unity and Jewish identity. The Rebbe wrote to Begin that Jewish unity must be preserved even in times of discord and external hatred (IK 8431), that Shabbos observance both preserves Jewish spiritual life and unites diverse communities (IK 7724), and that amid challenges to faith one must reveal each Jew's inner essence through personal connection (IK 8399).

Outreach and Torah. He encouraged outreach and teshuvah activities, especially among youth (IK 8580), support for sincere students wishing to study Torah abroad (IK 9828), and ongoing positive action and cooperation for the benefit of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael and throughout the world (IK 9637).

Sources: Wikipedia ("Menachem Begin"); and the Rebbe's letters cited above.

Shiurim in this topic

7724. Shabbat Observance, Community Unity, and the Impact of Elections שמירת שבת, אחדות הקהילה, והשפעת הבחירות

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8399. Personal Connection, Challenges to Faith, and Revealing Inner Potential קשר אישי, אתגרים לאמונה, וחשיפת הפוטנציאל הפנימי

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8431. On Shavuos, Jewish Unity, and Responding to Hatred על חג השבועות, אחדות ישראל, ותגובה לשנאה

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8580. Encouragement for Kiruv and Teshuvah Activities at Conferences עידוד לפעולות קירוב ותשובה בכנסים

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9637. Cooperation and Positive Change for the Benefit of Am Yisrael שיתוף פעולה ושנוי חיובי לטובת עם ישראל

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9828. Supporting Students Seeking to Study Torah Abroad תמיכה בתלמידים המבקשים ללמוד תורה בחוץ לארץ

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