The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is Wednesday the 5
th
of Iyar 5780 and April 29, 2020
Thank you
Gratitude. It is perhaps the most fundamental concept which Judaism fully embraces.
HaKoras HaTov- recognizing the good is a prerequisite for being a good Jew.
We are expected to be grateful to people for whatever they do for us.
We are also, of course, expected to be grateful to Hashem for His blessing.
Today is Yom HaAtzmaut- Israel’s Independence Day.
It is the anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel 72 years ago today.
There is no denying that the last 72 years of our people’s history have been some of the most productive and meaningful for the advancement of Torah learning.
More people are learning fulltime now in the world than at any other time in the last two thousand years.
Much of this Torah learning has occurred in the State of Israel, and much of it even financially supported by the State of Israel.
The entire Baal Teshuva movement traces its history to the post-Six Day War period when being openly Jewish became acceptable.
This was due to the State of Israel’s route of the Arab armies in the war, which awakened a renewed interest in Judaism for tens of thousands of men and women.
Is there anyone reading this Vort who has not been personally influenced religiously by either their own study of Torah in Israel or by someone who has studied in Israel?
How many of us pine to be in Israel to recharge ourselves spiritually?
There is no denying that the creation of the State has facilitated willy-nilly the advancement of Torah study and keeping Mitzvahs.
The irony that a State built by non-religious Jews has become the focal point of Torah learning in the world is something for which we owe thanks to Hashem.
Only Hashem could have orchestrated that specifically a State which was established primarily by non-observant Jews, could be transformed into a vehicle for the advancement and spreading of Torah.
Think about that today.
Thank you, Hashem.
“If Not Now, Then When?”- Hillel
Ron Yitzchok Eisenman,
Rabbi,
Congregation Ahavas Israel, Passaic NJ
