MAMDANI TO RAIN TO LECH-L'CHA | Rabbi Ari Shvat | Beit Midrash

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MAMDANI TO RAIN TO LECH-L'CHA- Parshat Lech L'cha
For someone who grew up in NYC with some 30 years of obviously Jewish mayors like Abe Beame, Ed Koch and Michael Bloomberg, the possibility of a proudly Islamic & anti-Israel Mamdani (who vows to arrest Israel's Prime Minister if he steps into NY), filling their shoes is a nightmarish reality. A friend of mine suggested publicizing that even if the Jews of NY are not immediately planning Aliya, they should each at least decide in advance what will be their "red-line", which when the slowly creeping anti-Semitism will cross, they will notice what's happening. Our mussar books teach that a smart person learns from his mistakes- an even smarter one LEARNS FROM OTHER GENERATIONS' PREVIOUS MISTAKES.
We read in last week's parsha that Noach sent the dove to see if the Flood ended, knowing that when she found a "resting place for her feet", she will not return (Breishit 8, 7-11). Similarly, the Torah PROMISES that by definition, Jews will never find that permanent resting place in exile ("And among the nations, you will not be calm, nor will your foot find rest", Devarim 28, 65), for "if they would, they would never return to Israel" (Breishit Rabba 33, 6, see also Eicha 1, 3). That doesn't mean that Europe and NY weren't comfortable, or that even Torah-believing Jews won't delude themselves on the issue. Some may even think the solution is moving to Florida, but that clearly doesn't apply when the return to our eternal foot-hold in Israel is doable! Yes it takes "guts" to detect uncomfortable truths, but especially young people whose entire future is ahead of them, and can especially witness the anti-Semitism on college campuses (even if they personally go to YU/Touro/Stern College…), shouldn't miss the historic message. Even if the State of Israel solves the problem of where to go when those "red-lines" are crossed, let's remember that not a few countries, even when they let the Jews leave, defensibly did not let them take their money out from the local economy (you can't see a Trump-like figure doing so in the name of America…).
Yes, in Israel there are also challenges (as in all of life, Derech Hashem 1, 2), but here they are positive ones, Jewish & historical confrontations which are worth "rolling up our sleeves" to solve PERMANENTLY. This week, we started asking for rain which is scarce in Israel, but G-d has already taught us that part of His answering prayers is through aiding Israel to invent desalination projects, just as He is fulfilling the "flying back to Eretz Yisrael" (Yishayahu 60, 8) via airplanes, and the messianic bracha that even the barren will conceive (Devarim 7, 14), through modern science. Yes, it's hard to believe that dreams come true, "בשוב ד' שיבת ציון היינו כחולמים" (Tehilim 126) but these messianic signs, whether fortunate or not, are actually occurring. Rav Drukman often explained that pasuk, that many Jews are "day-dreaming" so they don't realize the writing on the wall, while others opt to "work with G-d" (Vayikra Rabba 27, 2, see Rav Kook, Ma'amarei HaReiya, p. 78) to hasten the realization of those dreams in their lifetime.
This week's parsha promises to Avraham that his Aliya to Israel will be for his true benefit (Rashi 12, 1), and even for the benefit of the nations of the world (12, 1-3). I can't think of a more worthwhile investment and decision than to "work with Hashem", and be on His side (talk about "going with front-runners"!). "Make His will your will, and (inevitably) He will make your will, His will" (Avot 2, 4)! Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)

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