For the first time in 25 years: A special morning prayer was held this morning (Thursday) at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, with the participation of many worshippers who came for the first time since Defense Minister Yisrael Katz's dramatic decision - which led to the expansion of entry hours even during daylight hours.
The decision was made after a struggle led by the head of the Samaria Council, Yossi Dagan, and the chairman of the Foreign and Security Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria, MK Zvi Sukkot.,
The prayer took place after hundreds of worshippers entered the Joseph's Tomb complex throughout the night, as part of the regular entrances that the Samaria Regional Council holds every month with the assistance of volunteers from the Joseph's Tomb and Holy Places Administration of the Samaria Regional Council and with the accompaniment and approval of the IDF.
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At the entrance to the prayer, the head of the Samaria Council, Yossi Dagan, MK Zvi Sukkot, Rabbi Yosef Elitzur - head of the 'Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva', which operated from Joseph's Tomb until its abandonment, Rabbi Dodi Dudkevich - rabbi of Yitzhar and head of the 'Roa Yisrael Yeshiva', Brigadier General Kobi Heller, commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Colonel Ariel Gonen, commander of the Samaria Brigade, the commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Yair Cohen, the commander of the Samaria Division, Major Yisrael Rosenfeld, and worshippers from all over the country.
The entry into Joseph's Tomb in daylight comes against the backdrop of a broad and orderly plan led by Yossi Dagan and Zvi Sukkot, together with Rabbi Dudu Ben Natan, the father of the soldier Shuval Ben Natan, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon and was active in the return of Joseph's Tomb.
The goal of the plan is to bring about a permanent return of Jews to Joseph's Tomb and the return of the 'Oud Yosef Chai' yeshiva to the tomb complex. The plan was formulated together with other parties and is based on graduated steps designed to permanently restore the Jewish presence to the holy site.
The struggle for a full return to Joseph's Tomb, including outreach activities for both the general public and members of the government and Knesset. Today, for the first time, a daylight entry was held to Joseph's Tomb, the first step on the path to a full return to the holy place.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Council: "This morning is a morning of historical correction. After years of entering in the dead of night like thieves in the underground, we are returning home with our heads held high and in full daylight. Joseph's Tomb is an important symbol, and the move to enter in broad daylight is a significant step in our work plan to establish a permanent and full hold on the place. We will not stop until the Israeli flag is raised here permanently after the 'Advocate Yosef Chai' meeting returns to its place. The people of Israel are returning to Samaria, the people of Israel are returning to their land.".
MK Zvi Sukkot: "First, I would like to thank Minister Yisrael Katz for the dramatic decision and the first step in fully returning to Joseph's Tomb. We have achieved an important step of progress in holding the Shacharit prayer and entering Joseph's Tomb in daylight. This is the beginning of an important and historic correction, and we will continue to work until a full Jewish presence is restored to Joseph's Tomb.".
Rabbi Yosef Elitzur, Rosh Yeshiva 'Od Yosef Chai': "We are happy and excited to be here, in the yeshiva's beit midrash, and to pray the Shacharit prayer here. Abraham - who established the Shacharit prayer - entered the land as far as Shechem, and Jacob - who established the evening prayer - bought the plot of land here, and established the Jewish settlement here. We hope to quickly reach the stage of permanence, and to be here from the Shacharit prayer until after the evening prayer, and to return to a permanent residence as the owners of the house in the first Hebrew city - Shechem!"'
Rabbi David Dudkevich - Rosh Yeshiva 'Roe Israel' and one of the veteran scholars at the yeshiva at Joseph's Tomb about 40 years ago, spoke of how "in this parasha we read about the raising of the bones of Joseph - Joseph the righteous 'Hebrew' who 'thanked his country' and was thus honored to be buried in the Land of Israel. We pray from here for salvation and complete redemption for the entire House of Israel, and for a return with heads held high as the owners of the house to all parts of our Holy Land."'
Yehoshua Gelbard, CEO of the Roa Yisrael Yeshiva: "For years, yeshiva students have been involved in organizing the entrances to Joseph's Tomb, and in recent years we have been holding a 'Beit Midrash' where they study throughout the entire entrance. We are waiting for the day when we can reach Nablus and the Tomb of the Righteous Joseph, freely together with the entire Jewish people.""
