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Many reasons are given for Moshe’s desperate desire to live in Israel, the main one being that he wished to fulfill the Mitzvot that can only be earned in Israel. Others say it wasn’t about any specific Mitzvot; it was simply Moshe’s steadfast belief that each & every Jew should live in the Holy Land, surrounded by the Kedusha that permeates this - & only this - land. As a Jew, he wanted to be here.
This helps answer why Moshe wasn’t content to reside in the land east of the Jordan where, says G’mara Bikkurim, the Mitzvot T’luyot B’Aretz apply no less than west of the Jordan. While that is true, that area is still not quite Israel proper, & is not connected directly to Yerushalayim, so Moshe would not have been satisfied with that.
Yet there is another reason why Moshe did not want to "settle" for settling in trans-Jordan. Some commentaries say Moshe also wanted to be part of the war of conquest that would be fought against the 7 Canaanite nations who then resided within the land. He wanted to join a brigade & fight side-by-side with Israel’s brave soldiers, under Yehoshua’s command, & be one of those to liberate Eretz Yisrael & claim it People forever. This z’chut of being a chayal, Moshe felt, was among the greatest merits he could ever gain in this world. That was a central part of his determination to cross over the border into Israel along with the rest of the nation.
This past week, the IDF entered into its ranks hundreds of new draftees, including many "lone soldiers" who have volunteered to come from abroad to serve Israel. Our holy chayalim are Hashem’s messengers who guard our land & exemplify the fullest expression of mesirat nefesh, self-sacrifice, Judaism’s highest value. No one - not the greatest Rosh Yeshiva, the most respected professor or most prominent political leader - can stand in the company of the soldiers & not be humbled by their bravery & love for their country & people. All must stand gratefully in respect of them.
This week’s Haftora ends: "Hashem brings forth the troops, calling each by name, instilling them with great strength & courage; not a single one is missing." May it be so; may our soldiers prevail in their Avodat HaKodesh.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
