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The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is the 4th of Iyar 5782 and May 5, 2022
An Open Letter To Hashem
I know this letter is way overdue.
However, I know that You have always been compassionate and patient with me.
Today is the fourth of Iyar.
It is the day when the State of Israel is variously celebrated, ignored, or even mocked by different groups of Jews.
I know there are great Tzadikim and Talmidei Chachomim on all sides of the debate regarding how a Jew should react to the establishment of the State.
As the generation's giants have already spoken and their opinions are easily accessed and well known, it is only proper I remain silent.
I come before you as a simple not-too learned, flawed, and spiritually lacking Jew.
Nevertheless, as Dovid HaMelech taught us, "For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries." (Tehillim 22:25)
As You listen to my cries, I am confident You will hear me now as well.
"Tov L'Hodus L'Hashem," "It is good to thank Hashem and to sing to Your name" (Tehillim 92:2)
I come before you today, Hashem, to sing Your praise.
"It is good to thank Hashem."
I come before You today to openly say what I have been remiss in saying for too long.
We know, "There are many plans and thoughts in man's heart" (Mishlei 19:21); nevertheless, it is Your "eitzah," Your decision which is the only one that counts.
And that's where this letter comes in.
I have no interest in weighing in on the question if the establishment of the State was messianic or mournful.
I have much interest in fulfilling Dovid HaMelech's words, "It is good to thank Hashem and to sing to Your name"
I thank you, Hashem, for all the compassion and kindness you have showered on Eretz Yisroel and its Jews over the last 74 years.
On May 14, 1948, there were 600,000 Jews in Eretz Yisroel.
Today there are over seven million!
Israel is the largest Jewish population globally, and just about 50% of the world's Jewish population lives in Eretz Yisroel.
1.175 million Chareidi Jews are living in Israel!
More than 150,000 men learn full-time in yeshivas and Kollels in Eretz Yisroel.
That number represents more people learning Torah full-time than at any other time in history.
In 1922 there were 33,000 Jews in Yerushalayim.
Today, 100 hundred years later, there are 600,000.
The overwhelming majority of those Jews are Frum Jews, with a birth rate that, with Your help, will double in twenty years.
However, this letter is not about numbers.
It's about the facts on the ground.
It's about the reality of life.
It's about You.
In the last 74 years, You have caused the Land of Israel to become the focal point of all Jews.
It is the center of Torah.
It is the place where everyone goes to learn Torah.
It is the place where everyone yearns to be.
The land is pulsating with Torah life.
"Ki M'Tzion Te'tze Torah"- Yerushalayim is the Torah capital of the world.
Hashem, I just wanted to say "Modeh Ani"- I thank you.
Defying everyone's expectations in 1948, Eretz Yisroel has experienced a rebirth of Torah as never seen in 2000 years.
How can I not thank You?
Thank you for giving us a land where Torah is flourishing.
Thank you for giving us back a city that spawned, nurtured, and cultivated the entire Baal Teshuva movement.
Thank you for allowing my grandchildren to live next door to Your future palace.
Thank you for allowing my grandchildren to be privileged to daven in the same shul their great, great, great, great, great grandfather built.
Is there anywhere in the world where anyone can (or would want to) say the same?
Only in Yerushalayim can anyone make such a claim.
It's all from You- as everything good is only from You.
And for that, and for so much more, I thank You.
“If Not Now, Then When?”- Hillel
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman
Rabbi
Congregation Ahavas Israel
Passaic, NJ
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