Overcrowding in Israel 2050 | Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Beit Midrash

Torah Portion and Tanach
Ki Tavo

קטגוריה משנית

By simple logic, an increased birthrate means overcrowding and poverty. The world's resources are limited, and the more people there are, less resources are available. Faith, on the other hand, knows that there is a God, that is, there is an infinite dimension within the finite limitation of this world, quality is concealed within the quantity – and the more people there are, the more they activate the potential.

It is difficult to discern this from a short-term perspective; sometimes a family with many children will find it more difficult financially than a family with fewer children (and therefore there are halachic considerations that take into account the economic and emotional state of each couple); however, from a long-term perspective, the figures are astonishing: in 1800, there were one billion people and today, there are eight; in 1948, there were 600,000 Jews in Israel, and today there are close to seven million – and the standard of living is only increasing more and more. The more people there are, the more are able they are to derive more from the planet. Quality triumphs over quantity, spirit triumphs over matter. King David had poignant words to express this: "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing".

The torah portion we will read this Shabbat reassures us: "it shall be if you shall heed the voice of the Lord your God... Blessed is the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land". According to conservative estimates, by 2050 there will be 15 million Jews in Israel (Arab demographics is declining, by the way). In the short term, more traffic jams on the roads; In the long run, this is an economic, social and cultural empire.

The bad will pass.
The good will prevail.
With God's help.

Ki Tavo