Shalom and Bracha to the congregation of Israel'' - Printed Letter to the Jerusalem Audience by the Rishon Lezion Rabbi Ben Zion Meir Hai Uziel After the retreat of the Nazi army under Rommel command
The atmosphere in the Land of Israel in the summer of 1942 was the last summer, the twilight of the Zionist dream, perhaps of the Jewish people as well. In the vast desert of North Africa, the forces of the Nazi Field Marshal Irwin Rommel, nicknamed "Desert Fox," swept through the British and advanced from victory to victory. Their movement pointed directly to the Land of Israel, with half a million Jews. The rumors about the fate of the Jews of Europe, the inhabitants of the country knew, could become a Middle Eastern reality. The Arabs of the Land of Israel applauded Hitler during the battles, which they called "Abu Ali" - a synonym for heroism and leadership. "Heil Rommel" became a widespread blessing of peace, and in various cities in Syria and Lebanon appeared graffiti "Hitler is the successor of Ali" (the nephew of Muhammad according to Shi'a).
Then suddenly the threat was removed. British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery defeated Rommel in a battle at El Alamein about 100 km west of Alexandria, and the Nazi commander, who was considered invincible, retreated, beaten and humiliated, leaving tens of thousands of dead bodies scattered in the sands of the desert.
Rommel tried to break through the British lines again, in the Battle of Allam. This attempt was also unsuccessful and was blocked by the new British commander, Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery.
Rommel left Africa after he got sick. After a short while his soldiers were captured by the Allies. The Yishuv breathed a sigh of relief. The detailed plans prepared for D-Day, from the takeover of British weapons, the continuation of the entrenchment in the Carmel and the conduct of guerilla warfare, to suicides in order not to fall into enemy hands, were shelved. So sharp was the transition from the atmosphere of doomsday to the easing of the liberation, which over the years has already begun to debate whether the Jewish community was really concerned about its fate, and what the meaning of the lines of fortifications and fortresses scattered in the Carmel Mountains.
In this rare letter which was printed on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 1943, the Rishon LeZiyon, Rabbi Meir Chai Uziel, addresses the Jewish community of Jerusalem with reference to the events of the Holocaust and the great joy of the inhabitants of the land: "Our world is under fire and blood. And old women and young men ... In the war falls ...
In the past year, the enemy has killed the fallen of our people and tortured wherever the evil and despicable influence of his hand has reached ... In the face of this bloody spectacle, the human hair will be reddened and all eyes will see a tear like a stream,
And on the other hand, seeing the great salvation that G-o-d has done to us and to all the communities that are close to our land on all sides, which we have taken away from the hand of an enemy and avenging, who was near our gates miraculously, Opened up to us a horizon of light and redemption ... '. In light of the great miracles the Gaon calls for strengthening in Torah, prayer, and charity, as well as supporting the construction of the Great Synagogue that was to be built outside the walls of Jerusalem.
[1] leaf. 25x19 cm. Very fine condition.
