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Jerusalem’s Trenches and the Theology of Effort

JL;DR SUMMARY The article by Rivka Bennun Kay explores the historical and theological complexities associated with the involvement of different Jewish communities in the defense of Israel, using Rabbi Shlomo Goren's experiences during the War of Independence as a backdrop. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

JerusalemZionismOrthodox JudaismIdfVolunteeringTheologyRabbi Shlomo GorenDivine ProvidenceWar Of IndependenceHuman Effort

Places mentioned

Jerusalem, Israel
"Jerusalem was under siege during the War of Independence, and he sought volunteers to dig defensive trenches, on Shabbat, no less."
Rehavia, Jerusalem, Israel
"Even though the city was under constant artillery fire including the streets between the neighborhoods of Rehavia, Geula, and Mea Shearim and walking the streets was extremely dangerous, there was no other way."
Geula, Jerusalem, Israel
"Even though the city was under constant artillery fire including the streets between the neighborhoods of Rehavia, Geula, and Mea Shearim and walking the streets was extremely dangerous, there was no other way."
Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, Israel
"Even though the city was under constant artillery fire including the streets between the neighborhoods of Rehavia, Geula, and Mea Shearim and walking the streets was extremely dangerous, there was no other way."
Beit Yisrael, Jerusalem, Israel
"From there, I continued walking to Beit Yisrael and went to one of the Neturei Karta yeshivas."
Hebron, Kentucky, United States
"At Hebron Yeshiva, for example, most of the boys were huddled together on the ground floor I spoke to them in all seriousness, explaining what was about to happen, and they listened in total silence."
Kotel, Jerusalem, Israel
"Take these remarks from Prime Minister Netanyahu, following the strikes on Iran earlier this summer: Ten days ago, just hours before launching the historic mission against the evil regime of Iran, I visited the Kotel and again felt a strong urge to wrap myself in a tallit."

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Cairo Item ID 59246
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Retrieved 2025-08-14 05:31:07 UTC
Curated 2025-08-14 08:31:19 UTC