In
this week’s Torah reading, Tazria, it says, “A man who has on the
skin of his flesh a blotch, discoloration, or spot…” (VaYikra
13:2).
The
Midrash Tanchuma (Tazria 6) tells a story about a certain Kohen –
Priest, that treated and cured Tzaarat – spiritual leprosy, and
other skin disorders. He became poor, and planned to leave the Land
of Israel in order to seek a livelihood. He informed his wife of his
plan to leave, but told her, “Since many people come to me to cure
them, its difficult for me to leave and abandon them.” The Kohen
decided to teach his wife how to identify the disorders. He explained
to her that every single hair has its own root well, that waters that
particular strand of hair. When this source dries up, the hair begins
to dry up too. His wife then rebuked him for thinking of leaving
Israel, and said to him, “If G-d provides every single hair with
its own source of nourishment, how much more you, a man who has many
hairs, and whose children depend upon you for their sustenance, will
be granted a well, a livelihood from G-d.” She therefore didn’t
allow him to leave Eretz Yisrael.
Imagine
the simple faith of this Kohen’s wife, certain that in doing the
Mitzvah of Yashuv HaAretz, the commandment of living in the Land of
Israel, the G-d of Israel would provide for their needs, just as He
provides nourishment for every hair.
Almost
a thousand years ago, Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi in his Sefer HaKuzari,
confronted the “Shanda” – the shame of his time.
When
questioned by the King of the Kuzars, if its a mitzvah to live in the
Land of Israel, why do Jews mourn for Jerusalem, yet not go to live
there? The rabbi replied, “You have shamed me O King, because of
this sin, G-d’s great plan for the Second Temple, never came to
fruition. ‘Sing and be glad O daughter of Zion. Behold I am coming
and I will dwell among you.’ (Zechariah 2:14). G-d’s Divine
Presence would have returned as in the First Temple, if only they had
returned to Eretz Yisrael, with a willing heart, but only a few did.
The majority, including their leaders, the ‘Big Machers’ – Big
Shots, stayed in Babylon, accepting exile and living under gentile
rule, as long as they didn’t have to be separated from their homes
and businesses.”
So
too, we are confronted today, with “religious” Jews in America,
France and elsewhere, who are still sitting on the fence, and don’t
make Aliyah – move to Israel. I won’t even mention rising
anti-Semitism globally, as a good reason to come home. And, I didn’t
even mention, the more assimilated elements of the Jewish people,
because they don’t know any better, or aren’t believers.
Israel
of today is not Eretz Yisrael of a thousand years ago, desolate,
difficult to get to, and ruled by hostile foreigners. The State of
Israel has a thriving economy. More Jews are studying Torah in Israel
today, than at least since the Second Temple period. Its much easier
to be a religious Jew here. And, more of Eretz Yisrael is under the
Jewish people’s control, than since biblical times. G-d’s
promised redemption is happening before our eyes.
Why
don’t “religious” Jews flock here?
The
answer it seems to me is the same as why “religious” Jews, mainly
in the exile, have condemned those on the political right in Israel,
for participating with Otzma Yehudit during elections. Lack of faith!
Certainly
the Kohen in the above story, was a good “religious” Jew, going
to synagogue every morning, saying “Ani Ma’amin – I Believe...”
and setting a fixed time to study Torah every day, just like many
“religious” Jews today. But, that’s where their “belief”
ends. When it comes to “reality,” a real life situation, either
on the personal or national-political
level, all faith comes to an end, “You have to be practical...”
So,
when it comes to Parnasa – their livelihood, Aliyah
and Eretz Yisrael take
second place. And, when it comes to geo-political and security
issues, many will trust in America and
the “Peace Process,”
not the G-d of Israel. This affliction effects even “righteous”
Jews. The rabbis in Talmud Sotah 48b ask, “What causes the
righteous to receive less of a portion in the Next World? And then
answer, Smallness.” Rashi
the great Talmudic commentator explains, “Smallness in faith.”
Smallness
in the faith that the G-d of Israel protects His people, not Trump,
not Putin, nor
any other frail human…
Remember,
“The heart of the king is in the Hand of G-d,” (Proverbs 21:1).
Just
as there is Divine Hashgacha
– Providence, for
each root of hair, to provide what it needs to grow, and just as the
Midrash teaches, “Every
blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers: Grow!
Grow!” (Genesis
Rabbah
10:6);
so too, the unfolding
redemptive process, is
Divinely directed.
Its
the job of truly religious Jews to keep the Torah, and do G-d’s
commandments, which includes, moving to Israel, even if it means
reducing living standards. It means, settling all liberated parts of
the Land of Israel (building new towns in
Judea and Samaria). It
means, returning to targeted killings of Hamas leaders and vigorously
suppressing rocket fire on innocent Israelis.
It means, expelling
enemies who try to harm Jews. It
means exercising
complete political sovereignty over all of Eretz Yisrael under our
control. It means, not
worrying, “what will the world say.” This
is how Jews in the
exile and
in Israel, will be
cured of their spiritual leprosy today.
Trust
in a Peace Process,
to be revealed after
the Israeli elections,
staying in the exile,
and continuing the
status quo regarding
enemies of the Jewish people,
are for those of little faith…
Ariel
Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's
Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy &
Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous
news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His
latest articles can also be read on his archive: The
Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c)
2019/5779 Pasko
