Israel 2018 and Beyond

In recent articles we’ve established the roots of Israel in the Torah and presented its centrality to Jewish tradition and faith. It is because of these, the “why” of Israel, that Israel and the Beit Hamikdash, the Temples in Jerusalem, occupy such a significant part of Jewish life and liturgy.

This is also the reason why the destruction of Jerusalem, commemorated these weeks and culminating with Tisha B’av, this Shabbos/Sunday are such intensely sad days. It’s not the stones we mourn but the exile that the destruction brought to the world that we mourn.

The primary feature of exile or Golus, is the lack of Divine revelation or the difficulty in accessing the Divine within ourselves and in the world around us. As mentioned the purpose of creation is to uncover the G-dliness in the most physical and material aspects of the world. When that becomes difficulty, nay impossible, we are truly in an exiled state.

Israel 2018 is a world that on the external level allows for healing. The Jewish People are in control of the Land of Israel again. Jews can practice Judaism in most places in the world. The only thing that stands between us and a real relationship with G-d is ourselves.

And that is where the problem lies. Despite the fact that we live in such a blessed world, we still have ourselves to contend with. We still have the limitations of our own physical reality that interferes with our ability to access the Divine within us and around us.

That is why, despite the founding of the Modern state of Israel in 1948, even in Israel they still say in the prayers, and because of our shortcomings we have been exiled from our land. Because even in Israel, in 2018, it is still extremely difficult to access the divine with the world around and within ourselves.

(This of course is besides the fact that the world sadly is still filled with pain and suffering, sin and evil. Even in the Land of Israel there is no rest from those around them that wish their destruction.)

Hopefully, these articles have given a deeper appreciation to the “why” of Israel and as such a deeper appreciation for the real sadness and loss we commemorate during these weeks.

Next week, we’ll discuss recovery. How do we move past the destruction into redemption? Are we doomed to the misery of our inner exiles or is there a way forward to freedom?

Have an easy fast and may we merit complete redemption before we need to commemorate this years Tisha B’Av.