Make Israel Here!

The Land of Israel is the land that enables its inhabitants to gain mastery over all the natural forces in the world, that they conform with G-d’s original intent in creating the world. This intent, our sages declare, was for us to make the world into a dwelling place for G-d. We are to “conquer” the material aspects of existence and transform them into vehicles for G-d’s presence.

Israel the Unifier

One of the most unifying elements of the Jewish community is Israel. When events occur in Israel, all of the Jewish community feels that these events affect us.

To be sure, Jews—in spite of their intermittent squabbles—always felt a kinship that is unparalleled. And it made no difference if Jews were suffering in some remote corner of the world – we felt the pain.

This phenomenon is based on the Talmudic maxim that “all Jews are responsible for one another.” The Hebrew term for “responsible” is “areivin” which also means “intermingled.” Why are we responsible for one another? Because we are all connected. The Jewish nation share not only a common ancestry and a common destiny, but we also share a common soul, that unites us, particularly in times of crises, when the obstacles to this unity are incapable of blinding our true inner feelings for one another.

But, there is a special place in our minds and hearts for Israel. From the time the Jewish people entered into the Promised Land, the preparations for which are recounted in this week’s Torah portion, Israel became the focal point for the Jewish people. What happens in Israel relates directly to all Jews.

Why Did Moses Want to Go into Israel?

What is it about Israel that is so unique?

Why did Moses want to live in Israel and G-d’s denial of his right to enter the Promised Land was considered to be a major punishment for Moses. What distinguishes Israel from all other places on earth?

And the final question is: If Israel is so crucial to Jews, why is it that some of the greatest Jewish leaders chose to live outside of Israel?

The complete name our Sages employ for Israel is “Eretz Yisrael-The Land of Israel.” Our Sages observe that the word Eretz derives from the Hebrew word ratzon (will) and ratz (ran). “Israel is a land which wishes and runs to do G-d’s will.” Figuratively, this suggests that Israel is a land which cultivates the desire to do G-d’s will, passionately.

Israel is thus the land where we come closest to being what G-d had intended us to be – Jews who are passionate about fulfilling G-d’s commandments.

Israel’s Deeper Meaning

The word Israel also has a deeper meaning. When Jacob wrestled with an angel and the angel could not vanquish Jacob, he blessed Jacob by renaming him Israel, because it means, “mastery over G-d [given forces of nature] and people.

The Land of Israel is the land that enables its inhabitants to gain mastery over all the natural forces in the world, that they conform with G-d’s original intent in creating the world. This intent, our sages declare was for us to make the world into a dwelling place for G-d. In other words, we are to “conquer” the material aspects of existence and transform them into vehicles for G-d’s presence.

By giving us Israel, G-d provided us with a “sample” of what He wants us to do with ourselves and the rest of the world. Our task is to make our own bodies, our own “miniature” worlds” and our environment – wherever we live – into a land over which our Divine dimension has total mastery.

Israel, as the “Role Model”

Israel, as the “role model” for the rest of the world, thus, serves as a major unifying force. When Israel is threatened it threatens the very destiny and soul of all of the Jewish nation and indeed the entire world. Without Israel, the entire world loses its ability to realize its purpose. Israel validates all of existence.

For the same reason, it is important for us who live in the Diaspora, to realize that our task is to emulate the role of Israel, and to make the entire world a virtual Land of Israel. Indeed, our sages tell us that one of the characteristics of the Era of Redemption is that the sanctity of Israel will spread throughout the entire world. How so?

When we do Mitzvos, study Torah and primarily by preparing ourselves and the world around us for the Age of Moshiach, we will see how the whole world will bask in the light of Israel.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Pinchas by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.