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Eretz Yisrael’s Global Influence?
Question
Shalom,
I recently read the following remarks attributed to the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l, published during the time of the 2005 "disengagement":
--"The Rebbe says that what happens in Eretz Yisroel affects all communities throughout the world, and therefore, each and every one of us must do everything in his/her ability to save Eretz Yisroel."
--"...the Rebbe cried out nonstop that the situation in Eretz Yisroel affects every single Jew around the world."
I think this is very powerful and would like to learn more about these themes. Can you recommend any mekorot that discuss events in Eretz Yisrael having a global influence, with specific impact on Jews around the world? Enclosed are two related remarks I found.
Kol Tuv,
Menachem
Answer
It’s not a coincidence that the world is disproportionately preoccupied with the Nation of Israel and the Land of Israel. Just as the Nation of Israel is called the heart among the organs (Kuzari II, 36), so too the Land of Israel is considered the connection between heaven and earth, the land of prophecy, where the spirituality comes into the world, especially through its center, Jerusalem. Rav Kook (Orot, p. 111) writes, “Anything that has to do with Israel is not limited to it, but is just concentrated in Israel, and this core influences the rest. Israel among the nations, the Land of Israel among lands, the Torah of Israel among all beliefs, these are the three centers, where all of life and the light of the world are concentrated, and through which the rest of the world is elevated and hallowed.” For example (Ta’anit 10a), “the Land of Israel drinks, and the rest of the world enjoys the leftovers”. There is a nice compilation of sources about the centrality of Eretz Yisrael in the Kuzari, II, 9- 24. This is the reason the entire world prays towards Israel (M'lachim I, 8, 44). In fact, this is the bracha to Avraham, “Go from your father’s land to the Land (of Israel)… (there) I will make you into a great nation… and all of the nations of the earth will be blessed through you” (Breishit 12, 1-3). The Jews outside of Israel are considered individuals, as opposed to the “Jewish Nation”, which is referring to the Jews in the Land of Israel (Horayot 3a; Rambam Shgagot 13, 2). Additionally, the entire world's redemption begins with and depends upon the Jews in the Land of Israel (Megilla 17a). Accordingly, the preoccupation with Israel, the heart of mankind, is inevitably going to be centered in the Land of Israel.
With love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

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Rabbi Ari Shvat
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