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I remember overhearing a stewardess grumble that the flights to Israel are particularly trying because Jews tend to be real Kvetches. Some may even remember the SNL sketch about "The Weiners" (Whiners), who you couldn't miss were distinctively Jewish! That's the 40 years in the desert!
We see in this week's Haftarah, "This nation [Israel] I created for Myself; they shall recite My praise" (Yishaya 43, 21). I think the pshat is that in the ge'ula, EVEN the Jewish Kvetches will have no choice but to recognize and praise G-d. He's addressing 2,000 years of neurotic Jews, "And now, listen, Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. So said the Lord your Maker, and He Who formed you from the womb shall aid you. FEAR NOT, My servant Jacob, and Yeshurun whom I have chosen. As I will pour water on the thirsty and running water on dry land (sound familiar from the 40 desert years, 44)."
Despite all the anti-Semitism until this very day, which apparently gives us a "right" to be nervous and kvetch, G-d again allays our fears, "Fear not and be not dismayed; did I not tell you way back… and you are My witnesses; is there a god besides Me?!" (ibid). We have seen over the last century that MOST of the prophecies of redemption have already been fulfilled, so we Jews better get used to not kvetching. Mention at this year's Seder: the Netziv stresses that G-d told the kvetching Moshe, "DON'T TELL ME HOW TO RUN MY REDEMPTION!, and adds that this message is for modern anti-Zionists, as well! (Shmot 4, 13 and Shivat Tzion, p. 17).
"But the State of Israel & the IDF are not 100% religious!" they kvetch (ignoring that neither were our fathers in Egypt, & most Jews and people in the western world aren't either…), but G-d teaches us patience, " This one shall say, "I am the Lord's," and this one shall call himself by the name of Jacob, and this one shall write [with] his hand, "To the Lord," and adopt the name Israel" (ibid).
Keeping proportions is particularly important for Jews in general, and especially in Israel today. One can understand the complaints about 3 AM sirens to shlep down 3 flights to the shelter with a child on each arm and a third on your shoulders on an average of once a night, but don't forget that just 2 weeks ago it used to be several times a night (and thank G-d we have shelters!). Feel PAIN but NOT DESPAIR when remnants of exploded Iranian missiles meet up with Israeli Iron Dome shells and rain debris breaking windshields and an occasional home, but would we rather not have worked decades to discover the Iron Dome, Arrow and David's Sling & have to deal with the missiles themselves?!
For decades the worst scenario imagined in Israel was a full-scale war with Iran, our largest, most sophisticated enemy with the most oil, Russian aid and nuclear plans. Well, that day is here, and we must profusely thank G-d and the IDF for pre-empting them with unprecedented intelligence, and professionalism to take out their entire leadership, anti-aircraft missiles and blow up their boats, planes and launchers pitifully uncontested. We must thank Hashem for an American leadership, aid and military support, and for their generous replenishing of our shells (which was one of the biggest kvetches in the war against Hamas, that BH we eliminated our enemies at will, but were running low on ammo)! Others kvetch that we have to kill so many enemies, but that surely isn't up to us.
Let's be honest and objective, just 2 generations from the Holocaust. We have no right to complain about our sons being called up for the 5th time to go and conquer Lebanon as far as we want (how many armies know that victory is BH guaranteed?!), and we must still thank G-d and the IDF for those victories & consistent motivation. But we DO have a right to kvetch that many Jews (in Israel and abroad) belittle and don't appreciate the years of research, and hundreds of days and nights of soldiers' service, and don't share the burden in the army. I think we can justifiably demand that they at least educate their children to participate in the next war, so that eventually we may ALL not have to run to shelters!
Our complaining shouldn't hide the glory of the G-d-sent victory, which COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY EASIER (except were more Jews willing to share the burden). Let's not forgot that we’re winning. Some people feel uncomfortable thanking G-d, and begrudgingly the IDF and the State of Israel whom He uses as His shlichim, for it may legitimize drafting yeshiva boys. Well maybe it does, but that doesn't mean not to give credit, praise & thanks where it is due! Shabbat Shalom, Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
Ein Aya Practical Tricks How Not to Accept Gossip by Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 65
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
