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The Or Hachayim points out that the Torah commands three successive mitzvot: coming to Israel, planting trees to provide sustenance and beautify the land, and the restriction on the fruits. The Dubna Maggid observes that just as one of God’s first actions in the Garden of Eden was planting trees, so too when we enter Eretz Israel, we must imitate Him and immediately plant trees. Settling the land of Israel is a mitzvah, and developing its economy is an integral part of this duty. But the question arises why is it so important to immediately plant after arriving in the country?
The Maggid explains that through the mitzvah of orlah the Torah teaches us an important prerequisite for successful aliyah: It is crucial that one have the proper mindset when pursuing business interests in Israel. A person must honestly decide whether he seeks financial success so that he may live a life of luxury and comfort, or whether his motive is truly le-shem shamayim, for the sake of Heaven?
Economic development in Israel is a tremendous mitzvah but it poses serious danger: "Lest you eat and are satisfied and you build homes...and you forget the Lord your God" (Deut. 8:12-14). Our parashah teaches us that when making aliyah one must not forget God. Controlling one’s desires the first three years and praising God in the fourth is meant to remind us that economic prosperity is not supposed to be a vehicle for personal aggrandizement, but a means for realizing loftier ideals.
Adam was created outside of Eden and then planted therein. Restrictions were placed on the fruit that he was permitted to eat, but he failed to observe them. It is up to the people of Israel, who were forged into a nation outside of Israel and then planted in their Garden of Eden, to repair the sin of Adam (Vayikra Rabba 25).
May it be God’s will that we succeed in living a holy and meaningful life in our potential Garden of Eden - Israel. Let us remember why we are here and have no need for external reminders!
Chana Tannenbaum teaches Torah in many different venues in Israel. She and her family made Aliyah ten years ago and live in Nof Ayalon.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
