4 3 2 1 140 141 Chapter Nine | The world of the Torah The great investment in each student was carried out through a personal approach, extended staff, so� and tolerant response and various lessons conducted in small groups. Moreover, the students underwent physical and mental prepara�on for military service, which included physical fitness, naviga�on and shoo�ng skills. Students came from all over Israel, from developing towns, ci�es, agricultural se�lements, and from Judea and Samaria, thereby realizing the value of integra�ng different popula�ons.34 A�er the disengagement, the preparatory school moved for a short period to the 'Sha'are Avraham' military base, and today it is located in a new building in the se�lement of Yated in the Negev. The Atzmona Kollel Since it was founded, there has been a 'Kollel' in Atzmona. It was an essen�al part of the se�lement's character, a sort of the idea of Issachar and Zebulon or even more: absolute equality between the students and the other residents The students were an integral part of the se�lement, part of its members and its construc�on. All students were accepted as members. And while it was a coopera�ve moshav, they were even considered coopera�ve members and they were paid the same as the members working in the farms. The group of students has evolved over the years in quan�ty and quality. Great scholars were at the head of the group. They managed to study en�re parts of the Mishna thoroughly and profoundly. The se�lement was blessed for the great Torah scholars and key posi�on holders. The se�lement valued and admired the Torah scholars in general and the group of kollel students in par�cular. The se�lement was giving its own life for the Torah study of that group.35 The "IYA Way" Kollel - Netzarim The "IYA Way" kollel ("God Willing") was established in Atzmona at the end of 5751(1991) by Rabbi Yeshayahu Doron. A�er a year it moved to Netzarim. The kollel offered Gemara studies and lessons in faith. The kollel was the root of the se�lement, a spiritual hub of power and intake, a central channel in the se�lement. It greatly influenced the character of the se�lement, and studying the Torah was considered as the eternal flame. Everyone felt they belonged to the kollel, and even people who were not students were greatly influenced by the rabbis.36 Torah ve HaAretz Ins�tute Toward the year of Shmita, 5777 (1987), Rabbi Kaminetzky realized that most of the farmers in the region, all of them God-fearing Jews, were le� without prac�cal solu�ons to the halachic problems that had arisen, and therefore ini�ated the establishment of the ins�tute, first in Neve Dekalim and later in his permanent residence in Kfar Darom. What began as a purely Torah ins�tute grew over �me, adding a halachic department, a scien�fic department, the mitzvah garden and a visitor center.37 The Torah ve HaAretz Ins�tute saw itself as an arm of the Chief Rabbinate for those mitzvot (decrees) that depend on the land. Scholars and rabbis studied and specialized in the subject, and today, it is the leading ins�tute for all ma�ers of Shmita in Israel. It is a salva�on of part of the 'Shulchan Aruch' that has not been acknowledged un�l now, and its transforma�on from theory into ac�on. The ins�tute integrates technology with halacha, which is highly reputed worldwide.38 It led to the development of global innova�ons stemming from both the Torah and agricultural thinking. During the Shimta year, they proposed and developed a detached growing substrate, and in other years, developed the insect-free leafy vegetables. These various developments also led to economic efficiency, water saving and an increase in the quality and quan�ty of produce. Together with the farmers they created a high-tech agriculture, and got to introduce the mitzvot which depend on the land, into common use.39 The founders of the ins�tute - Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky, Rabbi Moshe Biegel, Rabbi Yoel Friedman and the late Rabbi Shimon Biran - decided to prac�calize the mitzvot (decrees) that depend on the land and bring them countrywide, as well as in Gush Ka�f. The ins�tute s�ll exists today. It publishes books, organizes conferences, educates to ins�ll these values and also provides professional solu�ons to halachic problems. Thanks to the Ins�tute, today there is no religious household that does not know what 'Hasalat' and 'Alei Ka�f' are. There is not even a hotel or restaurant today that has not heard of this issue. "Thanks to the Torah ve HaAretz Ins�tute, the Torah has become a living, breathing doctrine. And if one insect equals five prohibi�ons in the Torah, then thanks to the Ins�tute, the people of Israel were rescued from many prohibi�ons for genera�ons," said Mo� Shomron.40 Chabad House In the summer of 5742 (2012), Yigal and Tzipora Kirschensa� got married and came to live in a trailer, in what would later become 'Neve Dekalim' - the regional center of Gush Ka�f. Later, other families gathered and came over, the se�lement was established, and Gush Ka�f grew and developed. The family started to func�on as the official Chabad House - adop�ng the many soldiers in the se�lement and the region and opera�ng in the various se�lements. This is how the Lag BaOmer procession, Hasidic gatherings in se�lements, Torah lessons for adults and children and more were organized. A library of holy books was opened, where people could borrow books and educa�onal films, watch films and listen to tapes. Hundreds of library subscribers came to it from all over Gush Ka�f. During the holidays, the ac�vity spread in all locali�es and in all military bases with the collabora�on of the se�lers and soldiers. In a telephone interview with Rabbi Yigal Kirschensa�, director of Gaza Strip Chabad House, he said: In 5748 (2018), Chabad House received a personal congratulatory le�er from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In the le�er, bearing his personal signature, the Rebbe wrote that our role in the mission is to "be happy and rejoice." At first, we did not understand the Rebbe's instruc�ons, but when the severe a�acks began, we realized what he meant. We started organizing meaningful and happy women's evenings for hundreds of women, and they became stronger, happier and mo�vated. Chabad's Lag BaOmer procession became a household name, and all the children of the group came to it in mul�tudes. The Chabad House hired a helicopter that sprinkled candy on the children's heads during the procession, first-class ar�sts were invited to perform, and dozens of children had the chance to fly above Gush Ka�f. In the second month of the summer holiday, the Chabad House organized camps in all locali�es, and for this purpose hosted about thirty guides for two weeks. 1 The entrance to the museum at the Torah ve HaAretz Ins�tute 2 Children from Neve Dekalim learn to read in the Torah 3 Studying in a fellowship at the Netzer Matai Yeshiva in Netzarim 4 A prayer and a cry in Neve Dekalim on the eve of disengagement
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