An exciting new book, "My Chevron," reveals for the first time the turbulent life history of Prof. Ben - Tzion Tavger. Prof Tavger immigrated from the former Soviet Union in 1972, left his comfortable position at the University of Tel - Aviv, and moved to Chevron, rehabilitated- with his own hands- the ancient settlement Chevron, and saved the ancient cemetery and the Avraham Avinu synagogue. Marking 43 years since the liberation of Chevron, the Gush Katif Museum in Yerushalayim took upon itself to distribute this important book to instill the love of the Land of Israel and devotion to build her. A must-read in every home.
The fascinating history of Prof. Ben - Tzion Tavger, a redeemer of the City of our Patriarchs, Chevron, shows beautiful integration of the sacred and secular in Jewish life. Prof. Tavger, was born in the year 5690(1930) in the Soviet - Union, was an expert in physics, and revealed two new phenomena that have both become significant domains: symmetry magnetics and quantization in thin layers.
From Tel Aviv University to Chevron
Prof. Tavger was the first scientist to come to Israel from the scientific center in Siberia and arrived after he managed to get the upper hand over the KGB and the Soviet system through his non-compromising struggle. Once in Israel, in 5732 (1972), he was invited to work at the University of Tel - Aviv as an internationally renowned scientist.
In 5734 (1974) he left the university, and went to live in Kiryat Arba. In 5736 (1976), the editor of Yediot Aharonot wrote in his column: "We Admire Professor Tavger .... A new immigrant from the Soviet Union that does not require anything of us, but descends from the university podium and goes to... the Old City of Chevron, to dedicate himself as an individual; cleaning ruins and restoring the old Jewish cemetery there, in honor of our martyrs who lie there in disgrace... and renovating the desecrated Avraham Avinu Shul."
After the Nachshon baby was buried in the ancient cemetery in Chevron, they began sending guards to the cemetery. When the unemployed Professor was offered the post of guard, he readily agreed. Prof. Tavger thought that as those who served on duty prior to him, he would be able to study the Torah and pursue theories in physics. But the images of the cemetery changed his plans. All the graves were barbarically desecrated: it was impossible to see the tombstones.
Prof. Tavger moved the vegetable garden, cutting the trees planted on the graves, revealing the location of graves of the holy massacre victims. The grave of Rabbi Eliyahu Davidash, author of ′Reishis Chochmo′ and the grave of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, he revamped with his own hands. Coming to the Avraham Avinu synagogue, he found a goat pen, a garbage dump, and a public toilet. The place emitted a terrible stench. The Professor cleaned the place, and removed wastes, after which he began digging in the rubble to find the location of the remains of the shul. While working at this task, he also found the shul of the Mittele Rebbe- Rabbi Dovber, the second Rebbe of the Lubavitcher dynasty.
Restraining orders and sentences did not deter him
Army and the police arrived and arrested him for daring to dig the ruins of the shul -leased by the army to an Arab- without a permit. After his release from detention, he immediately began digging again. They arrested him again.
All this time restraining orders were issued against him, he was arrested many times and put on trial, but always stubbornly returned to dig and expose the shul. He was acquitted again and again.. His answers to the judges and the prosecution, and his acquittal, became a legend and a course of action to many. At the same time, he participated in the struggle for Jewish prayer at the Meoras HaMachpelah
A fatal illness cut short his fruitful life, and he passed away on the 12th of Av, 5743.
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In his book ′My Chevron, Prof. Ben - Tzion Tavger presents the history of Chevron and his teachings. The late novelist Moshe Shamir wrote: "The personal and exacting character – of the memoir writing ,gives them a value of comprehensive and exhaustive historical view, which may teach about the struggle to renew the Jewish settlement in Chevron, and in fact the entire land of Israel, more than ten history books."
The Gush Katif Museum has taken upon itself to distribute the book "My Chevron".
To place your order, please call now: 02-6255456
The Museum is situated at 5 Shaarei Tzedek Street, open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. |
