4 3 1 2 136 137 Chapter Nine | The world of the Torah Simultaneously, they con�nued showing the way to many individuals, conduc�ng conversa�ons and lessons, assis�ng in educa�onal-communal work, giving rulings in Halacha ma�ers, and more. I saw them work around the clock, day and night, in countless ac�vi�es that most members of the community did not know about but which contributed to the strength and spiritual-social stability of the community and its families.13 Torah life Torah life was the basis of community life in Gush Ka�f. Even those who did not engaed in the Torah or studied the Torah could not but feel the spirit of the Torah. Living in a fron�er region, with its existen�al dangers, ins�lled in the residents the importance of the mitzvot of 'Se�ling the Land of Israel,' mainly when a significant part of the popula�on in Gush Ka�f engaged in agriculture, which �es the farmer to the Land of Israel.14 In all the se�lements, even in the tradi�onal ones, religious life bore special meaning, whether in the number of prayers and their form, the magnificent synagogues that cons�tuted the se�lements' center of spiritual life and remained ac�ve all year round, the fes�ve prayers that a�racted many guests on Saturdays and holidays,15 the system of Torah and faith lessons in all communi�es for all audiences, the cultural events that carried forward the value-based atmosphere, Torah ac�vi�es for children a�er school hours, Talmud Torah and Talmudic clubs. Moreover, the "Friday Kollel" was established for men, where they studied the weekly Torah por�on (Parashat HaShavua) of the coming week and sessions about Halacha and faith in a familial, in�mate atmosphere. To this day, this project con�nues to exist in several places. The numerous, varied lessons in the different se�lements brought the residents closer through social gatherings, with the Torah being the catalyst and objec�ve.16 Within the family context, the houses, clothing and the nature of life were modest and not extravagant, probably under the influence of the spirit of the Torah. Possessiveness was never a key factor in public discourse, and the conversa�on style was also modest and religious.17 The fact that almost no fences were built between the houses because of the good neighborly rela�ons that prevailed in all the se�lements also stood out. In a few houses a private mikveh (ritual purifica�on bath) was even constructed, not as a ma�er of pride and pres�ge but to enable the worshiping of God a blessed and enjoyable rou�ne. In Gush Ka�f there were 26 synagogues, five of them in Neve Dekalim, 26 mikvehs and about 20 local rabbis. Charity and grace Charity giving (Gmilut Hasadim) was an ac�ve area in the lives of Gush Ka�f residents, both as an individual or family ac�vity and as a public one; through the the se�lement, the community, schools, youth movements and more.18 It started at the beginning of the se�lement as a help to a friend who got into trouble, a neighbor who was celebra�ng something, or a new candidate who needed guidance. That was how a system of giving became the norm.19 Later, chari�es developed into genuine bodies that donated and helped officially and formally. Various communal charity centers were established, which helped anyone who needed money, food—mainly agricultural produce—or unique products. Yarimi provided food for the underprivileged; a baby product charity; a charity offering work tools; a fuel charity; a charity offering everything for celebra�on; a Bris charity; a medicines charity; a Tefillin charity; a bed linen charity; a wedding dress charity; and even pacifiers for babies... in case of emergency. Giving was part of living in Gush Ka�f; from it, solidarity, a warm bond between the people, and a love of God developed. Knowing that someone will always be there for you has evolved into resilience within the residents, which helped them overcome difficult days and reasonably deal with dis�nct dilemmas. The strength of the community manifested in assis�ng those who were different. Individuals felt they were there to help everyone out of joy, not out of wretchedness, and when needed - they would also get what they needed.20 Educa�on and Torah ins�tu�ons All educa�onal ins�tu�ons in Gush Ka�f - from daycare centers and kindergartens to high yeshivas - were conducted according to the spirit of the Torah, and all imparted a moral, Torah educa�on that loves the people and the land.21 Since the incep�on of Gush Ka�f, which started with only three se�lements: Netzer Hazani, Ka�f and Ganei Tal, residents have ini�ated the establishment of a Kollel for Torah students. Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky, rabbi of Ganei Tal in those years, joined his class to the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva and recruited Torah students for the mission. Reuven Rosenbla�, Head of Council, was also involved in the recruitment of Torah students. He held informa�ve evenings and helped establish the kollel.22 When the first ten ultra-Orthodox families arrived, Kollel Magal (a higher ins�tute for training se�lement rabbis) was established. This catered to the many halachic ques�ons that arose during the establishment of agriculture in the area and the need for prac�cal answers. With the comple�on of studies in the Kollel, the rabbis were sca�ered in the different se�lements. At first, the ultra-Orthodox students lived in these se�lements and even served as teachers at the Neot Ka�f regional school. Concurrently, a connec�on was made with the 'Yamit' yeshiva, and it, too, sent students to the various se�lements to train them to become rabbis from within the region.23 In 5742 (1982), during the signing of the peace treaty with Egypt, where Israel undertook to evacuate the Sinai se�lements, including the city of Yamit and the Yamit Yeshiva, Rosenbla� contacted Rabbi Ya'akov Ariel who served as Head of the Yamit Yeshiva and the rabbi of moshav Kfar Maimon. The two agreed to transfer the Yamit Yeshiva to the se�lement of Neve Dekalim. And so more Torah students joined the Magal Kollel, and later served as rabbis in Gush Ka�f se�lements.24 There were also two high yeshivas in Neve Dekalim: Neve Dekalim and 'Torat Ha'im.' In Atzmona there was a pre-military training school, "Otzem" - for training warriors in the spirit of the Torah. Other high yeshivas were in Netzarim, Kfar Darom and Netzer Hazani, and there was also a small kollel in Morag. 1 Studying at the Neve Dekalim High Yeshiva 2 The introduc�on of a Torah scroll in Neve Dekalim 3 The synagogue in Netzer Hazani 4 Torah study for young and old in Neve Dekalim
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