Eim HaBanim Semeicha

Eim HaBanim Semeicha was written by Rabbi Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal, and published in 1943 in Budapest, Hungary[2]. The title is taken from Psalms and means “A Joyous Mother of Children”.[3]

Eim HaBanim Semeicha
AuthorYisachar Shlomo Teichtal
SubjectThe importance of immigration to the land of Israel, the love of the land
Publication date
1943[1]

The Book

Teichtal grew up as a staunch anti-Zionist Chasid of the Munkatsher Rebbe. However, during the Holocaust, Rabbi Teichtal changed his position from the one he espoused in his youth. The physical product of that introspection is the book, Eim HaBanim Semeicha, in which he specifically retracts his previous viewpoints, and argues that the true redemption can only come if the Jewish people unite and rebuild the land of Israel. Many of his coreligionists viewed the book with skepticism, some going so far as to ban Rabbi Teichtal from their synagogues.

In the book, Rabbi Teichtal strongly criticizes the Haredim for not supporting the settlement of the Land of Israel. When it was written, it was a scathing criticism of the Jewish Orthodox establishment, and Agudat Israel in particular.

He writes:

It is clear that he who prepares prior to the Sabbath will eat on the Sabbath (Avodah Zarah, 3a), and since the Haredim did not toil, they have absolutely no influence in the Land (of Israel). Those who toil and build have the influence, and they are the masters of the Land. It is, therefore, no wonder that they are in control... Now, what will the Haredim say? I do not know if they will ever be able to vindicate themselves before the heavenly court for not participating in the movement to rebuild the Land. (p. 23)

gollark: Ah, so not quite then.
gollark: So... a weird thing where everything is a reference?
gollark: Bye until tomørrow!
gollark: How would IO work?
gollark: Hmm, could be interesting.

References
  1. Norman Polmar; Thomas B. Allen (15 August 2012). World War II: the Encyclopedia of the War Years, 1941-1945. Courier Corporation. pp. 927–. ISBN 978-0-486-47962-0.
  2. Esther Farbstein (2007). Hidden in Thunder: Perspectives on Faith, Halachah and Leadership During the Holocaust. Feldheim Publishers. pp. 105–. ISBN 978-965-7265-05-5.
  3. "Rabbi Teichtal: A hero for our time". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2017-05-22.

Further reading
  • Eim Habanim Semeichah: on Eretz Yisrael, Redemption, and Unity, by Harav Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal published 2000 by Kol Mevaser Publications, Israel. Translated by Moshe Lichtman.
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