Rebbe of Lubavitch Warned IDF Intelligence Chief of Strategic Errors Before Yom Kippur War

Two years before the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism, sent a letter to Aharon Yariv, then head of IDF Military Intelligence. In the letter, the Rebbe cautioned against relying on the Bar-Lev Line and partial agreements with Egypt, drawing a parallel to Europe's fatal reliance on the Maginot Line against Nazi Germany.

The letter's contents are revealed in the book "Oseh Shalom" (Makes Peace), authored by Rabbi Elisha Pearl, a Chabad Hasid who immigrated to Israel from New York. Pearl stated that the October 7th Hamas attack was the impetus for writing the book, aiming to disseminate the Rebbe's teachings on Israeli security. The book, initially published in English and selling over 20,000 copies, has now been translated into Hebrew.

Pearl, who studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and later at Yeshiva University, noted the Rebbe's strategic foresight. The Rebbe had previously warned against ceasefire agreements with Egypt after the War of Attrition, believing they would not be honored. He also opposed the principle of "land for peace," arguing it would embolden enemies, a stance Pearl believes resonates after the October 7th massacre.

The book also explores the Rebbe's emphasis on a strong defense based on deterrence and offense, rather than solely relying on static defenses. Pearl highlights that the Rebbe encouraged a proactive security approach and opposed returning territories or granting autonomy to Palestinians. The Rebbe's views are presented as a sober path offering inspiration for contemporary Israel, contrasting with what Pearl perceives as a current trend towards messianic fervor or defeatism.

Pearl, who immigrated to Israel in 2022, believes the Rebbe's teachings offer valuable insights for Israelis, despite the local population's direct experience with the conflict. He suggests that the Rebbe's strategic thinking, combined with his deep connection to Jewish tradition, provides a unique perspective on national security and values.