From the Rabbi:
In this week's parsha, Va'etchanan, Moses relates that he pleaded with God, saying: “HaShem, Elokim, You have begun to show your servant Your greatness and Your powerful hand, that there is no power in heaven or on earth that can perform Your deeds and Your acts of power. Please, allow me to cross over and see the good land that is across the Jordan, this good mountain and the Levanon.” (Dvarim 3:23-25)
In Tractate Sotah (14a), Rabbi Simlai asks: Why did Moshe Rabeinu desire to enter the Land of Israel? Did he need to eat of its fruit or did he need to satiate himself with its bounty? Certainly not! Rather, this is what Moshe said to himself “There are many mitzvot that the Jewish people have been commanded that cannot be fulfilled except in the Land of Israel. I will enter the Land so that all of the mitzvot will be fulfilled through me.”
The Bach (Joel ben Samuel Sirkis, 1561-1640) builds on this idea and states: In the Bracha Achrona (the short three-faceted after-blessing we recite after eating from the seven species) we say “to eat of its fruit and to be satisfied with its goodness” since when we eat of the fruits of the Land of Israel we are fed by the holiness of the Shechina (Divine Presence). The holiness of the Land of Israel is influenced by the holiness from above and it is as if the fruits are nursed by the Divine Presence that resides there."
Moses greatly cherished and valued the possible opportunities to do mitzvot in the Land of Israel. We learn from Moses of the great merit and opportunity in doing a mitzvah. The Arizal stated that all his spiritual accomplishments stemmed from his doing mitzvot with joy. The Bach adds that whenever we have an opportunity to satiate ourselves from the fruit and food of the Land of Israel, it is a great blessing from above. I can't help but check, every time I buy dry dates, whether they are from Israel (I’m yet to find.) If you look around Buffalo, you will surely find products from the Holy Land (wine, bamba, cheeses, etc.). What an easy way to bring blessing into our homes.
Shabbat Shalom!
Upcoming Classes
NOTE: Wednesday's class is being paused until further notice.
Saturday at 7:40 pm - Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)
Sunday at 7:00 pm - KOT Beit Midrash
Tuesday at 1:00 pm - Parsha Conversations
Wednesday at 7:30 pm - Teachings of Rabbi Sacks
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