Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Yom Haatzmaut
I think there is no similarity between the parable and the State of Israel. This example is misleading and interferes with our understanding of the day. If we want to give an example, here is more accurate one: A family expected a baby for a long time. Just before the birth, the family suffered severe illnesses and emotional crises. They are then blessed with the birth of a healthy child. Aren’t they happy for because of the birth? Is the joy of birth canceled because they have other troubles? On the contrary, it is a consolation to get a live child which is healthy and happy. The sickness is not of the state but of the nation.The State of Israel did not create the nation's spiritual crisis. The crisis was before, and independant of the state. Who knows what would have happened to the nation’s spiritually without a state. We can see what has happened today to the Jews overseas. The assimilation situation there is terrible! Without the establishment of the state, which raised the stature of the Jewish people all over the world, the situation would have been much worse! The establishment of the State has enhanced Jewish identity worldwide!
We've received the State while we were in a crisis, immediately after the Holocaust, and because our low morale we did not get all of the spiritual power we could get out of our state. If our spiritual level will be higher, we can reach new spiritual hights - with the State.
But even in the current situation of the State, Israel saved half a million Russian Jews, who were being lead to a spiritual destruction. Israel is truely is a spiritual center for all Jews. Shlichim are sent from Israel to Jewish communities around the world to strengthen Judaism. There is certainly a reason to be happy, but also to a need to pray. We should celebrate the progress we have made, and pray for what needs completion.
9. Celebrating Yom Ha-atzma’ut on a Different Date
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
Nearing "the day that is completely Shabbat"
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu | Iyar 5 5782
