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Chabad rabbis give Netanyahu Chassidic text printed in Lebanon

The multi-volume set of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi’s “Tanya” was printed during the First Lebanon War in 1982.

Chabad, Tanya
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives a copy of the “Tanya,” an early work of Chassidic philosophy, printed in various places in Lebanon during the First Lebanon War in 1982, Oct. 15, 2024. Credit: Koby Gideon/GPO.

In a symbolic move on Tuesday, a delegation of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis presented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an early work of Chassidic philosophy by the first Chabad rabbi printed in various places in Lebanon during the First Lebanon War in 1982.

The Tanya, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Chassidism, was first published in 1796.

The rabbis also gave the prime minister the traditional “Four Species” used during the weeklong Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which begins on Wednesday evening. They include the lulav, etrog, myrtle and willow.

“We must be strong, resourceful and hope for assistance from Heaven,” Netanyahu told them, according to his office. “This is a long war; it does not proceed as we might prefer. There are good days and less good days, but the main thing is to strive for victory.”

The American leader reportedly told aides he expected fighting to resume with the Islamic Republic after the November midterm elections.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Justice Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, the Central Elections Committee chairman, to ensure that Baharav-Miara and her office don’t become “active players” in the campaign.
“Any use of force” from Lebanese territory against Israeli civilians or soldiers will be met with a “decisive response,” the statement warned.
The protest coincided with the anti-Israel film’s screening and featured excerpts from “October 7: Bearing Witness to the Massacre.”