YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- The Land of Israel
By comparison, although Israel is not yet ideal, it's by far the most Jewish State in the world. Here, the traditional family as expressed in Leil Shabbat family dinners (not found in any other culture) and the highest western birthrate (almost double the OECD average!) are the norm and positive cultural influence. Contrarily, the US (including the Moslem Mamdani) even recognizes (!) same-sex marriages, but in Israel it's illegal, as is intermarriage (a problem obviously rampant throughout the States…), so what does your brother gain on this account by living in the States?
Thank G-d, the LBGT's are a relatively small minority in Israel, and center mainly in one city, Tel Aviv, so you don't really "see them" and they don't influence our children. They are clearly not represented in the government (just by part of the opposition parties which don't have power). This is simply part of democracy, which on the whole is good, but inevitably that also enables problematic phenomena, like having to allow Gay parades. I don't think your brother would want to live in a dictatorship. Rav Kook (Igrot I, p. 20) explains that in the modern world, Hashem wants us to observe Torah out of identifying with the mitzvot and loving them, which is a higher level, and not by force of the law. That's also probably why He hasn't given us a Sanhedrin yet, which might have to "force" the mitzvot, which will inevitably turn a lot of Jews off. This is exactly what free-will is about, which distinguishes us from the rest of creation.
Statistically and politically, any way you look at it the State of Israel is getting more religious, every day and surely every year, but as we learned in Rav Kook (based on Orot HaTchiya, ch. 4), "The eternal nation is not scared of a long journey". That's the evolution and constant improvement upon which the world is based.
Also, we have a mitzvah d'oraita to love all Jews like brothers, even if a brother is not only "off the derech" but even "off the wall"! Thank G-d that at least these brothers are in Israel, eat matzah on Pesach, fast on Yom Kippur, celebrate all of the holidays, don't work on Shabbat, have mezuzot on their homes and eat kosher (for that's Israeli society, whether one believes or not!), davka because they are here. Imagine how much worse off they would be if they weren't living in Israel (like my totally assimilated relatives in the States). They're always within an "arms-length" (or a couple of hugs of Ahavat Yisrael) to be brought closer to Torah and mitzvot, especially as 35% of young adults (between ages 16-35) have become since our present war.
Similarly, the Belzer Rebbe, R. Aharon Rokach admitted to R. Shalom Nossan Ra'anan, the son-in-law of Rav Kook, "We disagreed regarding how to bring Jews on Aliyah. We said that first we should strengthen their Judaism abroad, and only then should they make Aliyah to build the Land in holiness. While you said that we should bring them on Aliyah as soon as possible, no matter how they are. After the Holocaust, it became clear that we were mistaken, and we are very sorry about it" (Responsa Shoel v'Nishal, 1, p. 270). As Hashem tells us, "I wish Israel should be with Me in the Land of Israel, even if they defile her" (Yalkut Shimoni, Eicha, 1038).
Finally, if your brother wants Israel to improve and hurry the process, he should davka make aliya and vote, have lots of children, and be mekarev as many Israelis as possible!
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.
Additional Lessons Answering Accusations of Israeli-Occupation
& Why the Moral Mitzvot are Geared Only to Jews- Not Gentiles?
Ein Aya Understanding the Beauty of Shabbat - Tasting the World to Come
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 15
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
