Israel, our home!
Especially over the course of the past year, Israel and the Jewish people across the globe have been put on the defensive with regard to our rights to the land of Israel. To understand the nature of the opposition and how a Jew must respond, we must educate ourselves and all well-meaning people on the true nature of our relationship with the holy land.
Let us be clear: this war is not about so-called "settlers in disputed territories”. It is not just an attack on Israeli citizens; rather, it is an attack on every Jew wherever we are in the world.
As we have seen, these barbaric anti-Semites attack without discrimination. Age, gender, or religious affiliation doesn't matter; a Jew is a Jew is a Jew.
Throughout our long history, numerous nations have attempted to destroy us, from the ancient Egyptians, Amalekites, and Romans to Nazi Germany and Islamic Jihadist Terrorists. But every time, we have endured and emerged victorious.
As we recite in the Passover Haggadah each year, "It is this (faith in G-d) that has stood by our ancestors and us. More than one (enemy) has risen up against us to destroy us. Rather, in every generation they rise against us to annihilate us. The Holy One, blessed be He, however, saves us from their hand."
Just as our physical bodies consist of both body and soul, the collective body of the Jewish people comprises the physical and the spiritual.
While the courageous soldiers of the IDF will continue to protect us militarily with G-d’s help, we must do our part to combat our enemies spiritually. When we stand united, strengthen our faith in G-d through prayer, and reconnect with our souls by performing Mitzvot, we remain invulnerable.
“One action is better than a thousand sighs.” The Torah teaches that the measure of good is far greater than the measure of evil. Let us counter the terrorists by uniting together and unleashing the greatest power of good the world has ever experienced.
The best defense is a good offense. To defend ourselves effectively, we must first acquaint ourselves with what Israel truly represents and how we are all an inseparable part of the land.
Following the holiday of Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the completion of the entire Torah, we begin reading it again on this Shabbat.
In the very first verse of the Torah, we read about the creation of the world: "In the beginning of G-d's creation of the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, one of the foremost Torah commentators, poses a simple question: Since the Torah is not a history book but rather a guide for the Jewish people on how to lead their lives and fulfill their mission, it would seem more fitting for the Torah to begin with the first Mitzvah given to the Jewish people rather than sharing the historical background of the creation of the world. Rashi explains that the Torah is laying the foundation for our connection to the land of Israel.
"For if the nations of the world should say to Israel, 'You are robbers, for you conquered by force the lands of the seven nations (present-day Israel),' they will reply, 'The entire earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it (this we learn from the story of the Creation) and gave it to whomever He deemed proper. When He wished, He gave it to them, and when He wished, He took it away from them and gave it to us."
Although Rashi's response was written close to a thousand years ago, it is more relevant today than ever before. Our right to the land of Israel isn't based solely on the Balfour Declaration in 1917, the UN vote in 1947, or our historical presence there for thousands of years. While these arguments may have validity, others can present counter-arguments. The Land of Israel is ours because the Creator declared in His Torah that it is the eternal inheritance of the people of Israel. As stated: "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates' (Genesis 15:18)."
Ultimately, this is our true claim to the Land of Israel. Furthermore, billions of Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other religions also accept the Bible and believe in the truth of its prophecies. The Quran itself does not dispute the Jews' right to the Land of Israel. By openly and proudly stating these facts and standing firm in our beliefs, we can ultimately bring long-term peace to the region.
The Midrash explains that the purpose of creation is to create a dwelling place for G-d in this physical world. The Land of Israel represents the ultimate home for G-d on Earth, which is why it is called the holy land. Our mission is to share that holiness, inspiration, positivity, and warmth with the rest of the world, ultimately fulfilling the purpose of creation by ushering in the final redemption.
