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The Lion Cub Of Judah Has Arisen

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Begin speaks at the unveiling of Dov Gruner’s memorial in Ramat Gan. He reflects on Etzel’s purpose and the determined Etzel soldiers. He then reminds the audience that Etzel soldiers were not the first dissidents in Jewish history. Begin also explains that a key difference between Israel and other nations is that unlike other nations in war, Israel did not have any allies. This meant that Israel’s only weapons were weapons conquered from its enemy. Begin shifts to speak of the battle in which Gruner was captured and then shares the powerful words spoken to British judges by Gruner, Avshalom Habib, and Ya’acov Weiss. With Gruner’s and other soldiers’ dedication, Begin proudly announced that the nearby British fortress is guarded by Hebrew policemen. Begin then speaks about the significance of the memorial for Gruner being the Lion Cub of Judah. He concludes stating that the spirit of freedom and faith in justice will continue to exist in the Jewish nation forever.

A Prayer–And A Call To Duty

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After accepting the title of being the commander of Betar, Begin addresses the world Betar conference. Begin speaks about the first Rosh Betar, Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Then he speaks about the first members of Betar—their passion led to the successful revolt in liberating the Homeland. Begin shifts from the past to speak in deep sorrow about the present-day situation. He argues that what is or isn’t done in the present will affect the future. Then he speaks about the lack of immigration and poor education that is given to the youth. Begin explains that the youth are being taught that “any effort to regain the soil of its ancestors is ‘treif'”. He also argues against the claim that the army is where youth learn to fight and receive education. Begin shares that the army depends on the character of the youth prior to their army service. Begin concludes that Betar has a duty to properly educate the youth, because the future of the country depends on them.

A Salute–And A Pledge

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Begin speaks at an Irgun Yahrzeit service, which took place at a cemetery in Safad. He first informs the fallen soldiers that Israel has gained independence from the British Mandate. Therefore, they have not fallen in vain. He shares that he is with other fighting brethren and recognizes that all of the fallen soldiers “fulfilled the command of LAMUT O LICHBOSH ET Ha-Har (‘to die or to take the mountain’).” Begin acknowledges that the conversation between the fallen soldiers is not bitter, but rather joyous. In his hope for Jerusalem being fully liberated, he concludes his tribute with the biblical passage that emphasizes the importance of Jerusalem.

Aharon

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To commemorate Joseph Leizerowitz, the Jewish Herald published an excerpt from Begin’s book “Revolt.” This excerpt is a story of the British army in Palestine mistaking Leizerowitz as Begin. Begin shares that Leizerowitz was relieved that they thought he was Begin, and not himself. It would have been more dangerous if they knew Leizerowitz’s real identity because he was, according to Begin, “one of our best Information Officers.” After a full day of interrogation and arguing he was the person on the fake identity card, named ‘Aharon,’, they let him go and he continued to serve Etzel.

Do You No Longer Believe the Sun Will Shine Just Because it Sets?

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Begin shares a message to all Jewish freedom fighters. He first speaks about his opponents where the term ‘success’ means power, money, and rule. He then shares that a successful uprising against a powerful regime depends on faith, purity, brothel love, and devotion. He shares that it is important not to give up, but rather “strive, believe, do, will!” He compares Israel’s struggle for independence with other nations. Unlike these nations, Israel had way less—no land, no large quantity of arms, no allies, no base, no support from ‘national institutions’—and still succeeded. Begin shares that England was not weak or destroyed in 1948. However, it was the Jewish fighters that “demolished the foundations of British prestige—the basis of its rule—throughout the world.” Begin closes by reemphasizing that the Jewish fighters succeeded alone, without external help.