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Beit Midrash
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- Yom Haatzmaut
Moreover – the state of Israel today is not yet the realization of all our dreams. So much more is needed in order for us to be "a light unto the nations", before Israel fulfills the ideal of living according to Hashem's word. Indeed, it sometimes seems that we are moving in the opposite direction, and thus delaying the process of complete redemption! How then can we declare a day of joy on Yom Ha'Atzmaut?
An answer can be found in the Talmud (Tractate Berachot, 59A), which states that a person whose father died leaving him an inheritance must say both the Bracha "ברוך דיין האמת" ("Blessed be the True Judge"), over the father's death, and "שהחיינו"[1] because of the inheritance. This is the Shulchan Aruch's[2] ruling, and the Rashba[3] explains that naturally one would prefer his father to remain alive – and not receive the inheritance - but since death has occurred, one should thank Hashem for the good – even when it comes intermingled with the bad. The Bracha of "She'Hecheyanu" does not require joy, but rather benefit, although there is sorrow mixed in with it.
Our lives are a blend of good and bad. Only seldom are we able to find undiluted good – each event includes some degree of sadness. Even at weddings, as the bride and groom stand under the Chuppah, at the height of their joy – we are reminded that the new home they are beginning to build cannot be complete while Jerusalem, the Temple has not been rebuilt. - "אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימיני" "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem…". Thus, although the State of Israel has not achieved perfection, and despite the heavy price we have paid for Israel's very existence – we are certainly obligated to thank Hashem for all the good he has granted us.
An example of this attitude can be found in the story told by R' Avraham Danzig in his book "Chayei Adam" ,(קנה, מא) about a gunpowder explosion which occurred in the courtyard of his home, killing numerous people, injuring many others and wrecking surrounding houses. Nonetheless – many people were spared (including all R' Avraham's family members), and consequently he declared that day as a day of thanksgiving every year.
The State of Israel – Salvation for Klal Yisrael
In addition to the joy of the victory over our enemies in the War of Independence, the founding of the State of Israel had a tremendous impact on the situation of Klal Yisrael – physically and spiritually. Our victory affected not only the Jews living in Israel; it also enabled the rescue of Jews all over the world (Holocaust survivors in particular) – who could now cease their wandering and find sanctuary in their Homeland.
Spiritually, there can be no doubt that the existence of Israel significantly reduced the terrible worldwide plague of assimilation. It also enabled the establishment and growth of a great spiritual center in Israel – affecting the whole Jewish world.
To this we can add a more fundamental argument: The founding of the State does not only mean that Jews are able to live here in peace and quiet. The biggest miracle is the re-establishment of a Jewish sovereignty. Even though we have not yet achieved the ideal of a state conducted according to the Torah – we must say Hallel, praising Hashem for the return of our sovereignty. This obligation is proved by the Rambam's[4] attitude towards saying Hallel on Chanukah. We know that during the Hasmonean period (especially towards its end), the spiritual situation was at a dangerous low. Nevertheless, the Rambam rules that Hallel must be said on Chanukah because "sovereignty returned to Israel for over two hundred years." Despite the fact that during these years there were terrible periods - physically and spiritually – the Rambam includes them in the "Sovereignty of Israel", and sees them as a reason for saying Hallel[5]! If this is his point of view concerning the days of the Hasmoneans – how much more so today[6]!
The Days of Sefira (Counting of the Omer) as a Process
Yom Ha'Atzmaut occurs between Pesach and Shavuot, between the Exodus from Egypt and Matan Torah. It is a period of gradual progress; not everything is perfect. There are obstacles to overcome before reaching full salvation. On our day of joy, the Day of Independence, we do not turn a blind eye towards the shortcomings we see in our country, nor do we forget the ever-present shadow of grief over the price paid for our state's existence. On Yom HaZikaron we remember the soldiers who gave their lives and the victims of terror – and from there we forge on to celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut. The shortcomings we see and our sorrow are not supposed to prevent us from feeling deep joy and gratitude to Hashem. We should look reality in the eye, see clearly and appreciate the enormous miracle of the State of Israel, and express our thankfulness with praise and glory to Hashem![7]
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
