Here is another piece of Rabbi Wein ztz'l's Torah legacy, which we are privileged to share.
This week’s Torah reading describes two very different
situations in Jewish life that have been present throughout our long history as
a people. One is when we inhabited and controlled our own land—the Land of
Israel. That is clearly indicated in the opening words of the parsha—“ki
tavo”—when you will come into your land. The second, much more difficult,
situation is recorded in the bitter, lengthy and detailed description of the
lot of the Jewish people in exile, scattered amongst hostile nations and subject
to violent hatreds.
Over the many millennia of the Jewish story, we have been in
exile far longer than we were at home in the Land of Israel. The recounting of
the troubles and persecutions resulting from the exile of Israel from its land
occupies greater space (and perhaps even greater notice) in the parsha than
does the section relating to our living in Israel.
Yet the strange, almost unfathomable result of exile is that
the Jewish people survived, and at times even thrived, under these hostile
conditions, while our record as a national entity living in our own country was
much spottier. Jews are a special people—but our behavior is oftentimes strange
and counterproductive. We don’t seem to deal too well with success and
stability.
By the grace of God we are once again back in our land. Having
read the words of the parsha, in all of its terror, literally fulfilled in our
own lifetimes, we have nevertheless restored our national sovereignty, built a
wonderful country and an intriguing society, and are engaged in facing great
challenges as to our future development here.
We would be wise to remember why we failed in the past in
our nation-building and why, paradoxically, we succeed in achieving major
successes while in exile and under very negative circumstances. Straying from
the path of Torah and tradition has always brought us to harm. The pursuit of alien
cultures and fads is no way to fulfill our national interest and purpose.
Our historical experiences, both in Israel and in the exile,
have taught us that it is extremely foolhardy to repeat our errors. Returning
to our land carries with it the challenges of living in holiness and having a
special relationship with our Creator. Our efforts should be concentrated in
strengthening and broadening that relationship. It may be wise for us to
discard the bath water of the exile now that we have returned home. But we must
preserve at all costs the baby—the Torah and its values—that has brought us
home to the land that the Lord has promised to us.
For "Jewish History in Just Two Scenarios" Rabbi Wein's piece on parashat Ki Tavo last year, click here.
