In order for settlement activity to succeed, the Rebbe makes a few recommendations, and describes the conditions which must be present at the time of the settlement:
1) Not to be provocative: In the above mentioned addresses, the Rebbe said that one must not announce to the gentiles that we are going to settle the entire territories, in order to show them that we are not afraid of them. If we display arrogance,1 it will arouse their desire to show us their arrogance in return. Rather, one should proceed without such declarations. It is worthwhile publicizing that we are still in exile, since the redemption has not yet arrived (not even “the beginning of the redemption”).
2) To do it quietly: There are two ways to settle: The first, with noise and publicity. That is, writing about it in the newspapers, accompanying the activity with jeering pronouncements etc. The second method — is doing things quietly.
All the problems begin, said the Rebbe, when people conduct themselves in the first manner. But when people conduct themselves using the second method, things pass peacefully. Even though this method of settlement activity may not be to a certain politician’s liking, he knows that he has no choice because if he makes an issue of it, there will be a commotion. He has enough trouble as it is, and doesn’t need this on top of it.
The Rebbe added that this, in fact, was how things turned out:
Until now, they settled this area or that area; it was no secret, and everyone knew about it. As long as they kept quiet and didn’t make noise about it, then when some wished to make a commotion about it in this capital city or that capital city, everyone pretended they didn’t know anything about it. A promise was made to investigate the matter, and establish a commission of inquiry, and hold a meeting, and in this meeting they would decide that they need to make another meeting. And things would have continued that way until Moshiach came. It could have continued that way, and will continue that way, because “The word of G‑d stands forever”2 — the Land of Israel belongs to “the eternal nation” as an “eternal inheritance,” since it was given by “Eternal G‑d.”
The Rebbe also said this in his address of Motzoei Shabbos Lech Lecha, 5738 (1977):
The main thing is that they should not announce this loudly, so that the settlement in the territories should be without commotion and tumult. The only thing which is truly important is the actual settlement itself!
In the talk of Motzoei Shabbos Mishpatim of the same year the Rebbe again stressed:
If they would only settle the entire Land of Israel speedily, without all the stormy noise — but rather in a “still, quiet voice’”as G‑d Himself walks. Certainly this is the way of true peace — and they surely have it within their capability to do it in this way.
3) Simultaneously: We have already mentioned the Rebbe’s comment about “the absolute necessity of settling all the territories simultaneously — at least those places which are disputed by the nations.” That is, that reality dictates that we must settle all the territories at once; and at the very least, those places that are the subject of dispute.
4) “The deeds of the fathers are a lesson for the children:” In the above-mentioned public address, the Rebbe explains that settlement should be implemented in the same fashion as that of Abraham in the Land of Israel. That is, just as when Abraham traveled the “length and breadth of the land,” he would “build there an altar to G‑d,” so must it be today. When we settle the Land of Israel, we should establish in each new place:
a) A place of Torah learning: for this is the dwelling place of G‑d, since “from the time of the destruction of the Temple (until the coming of Moshiach; because only then will the Third Temple be built, and not before this, as clearly stated in the Rambam’s ruling), G‑d does not have any place in His world except in the four cubits of halachah.”
b) A place for prayer: This is similar to what was mentioned above, since prayers take the place of the sacrifices (altar),3 and synagogues are “small Temples.”4
c) Mikvah: Besides the fact that this is an absolute necessity for all Jewish women, it is also relevant to men: In order for our prayers to be acceptable, there must be purity (as in the Rambam’s famous ruling, that even though immersing in a ritual bath is not a prerequisite for prayer, nevertheless, “tevilas Ezra was never abolished”), particularly according to the explanation of the Alter Rebbe, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe.5
d) There is a special need to establish Yeshivos where Torah is learned, as the Rebbe said in his address of 13 Tishrei 5738 (1977): “They should settle as many places as possible, and the settlement should be complete with yeshivos for learning Torah. Since ‘learning brings to action,’ the students will be even more inspired to perform the mitzvos in the best manner possible. Through the ‘voice of Yaakov’ which will be heard in the synagogues and study halls, there will be a greater manifestation of “the L‑rd your G‑d walking among your camp.”6
