After reflection, this is my post-Tisha B’Av message
Emigration/Immigration
Back in the late 1800s/early 1900s my family emigrated from Italy to New York City, the then “promised land”. A land they perceived as the place they would make their fortune and provide a better life for their offspring. They were correct in some aspects as their hard work paid off in financial terms with successful restaurants, bars and bakeries.
New York City became a melting pot for many, many cultures in a relatively short period of time. Despite separation into neighborhoods (sometimes referred to as ghettos), eventually many areas became mixed with colors and cultures – some enhancing, and others degrading, the quality and fabric of family life.
My parents, both the youngest in their families, were the first generation born in America and (along with 2 out of 4 other siblings) the first to stray from the religion and traditions of the Old (-fashioned) Country.
I don’t know what went through the minds of my grandparents during these changes because unfortunately they had all left this world by the time I was a year old. But I do suspect that if they had lived to see just how far my generation in the 70s (and my daughter’s in the 90s) strayed from their values, that they may have seriously questioned the sanity of their decision to move to the USA.
Sinat Chinam – Baseless Hatred
In 2008 I emigrated from the USA to Israel, along with my husband and then 7-year-old son. Many (too many) American Jews tried to convince us that moving our son from an insulated frum community to what they perceived to be a secular Israel would damage his Yiras Shamayim (fear of God) – chas v’chalilah! Judgments along those lines destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. Their fears were baseless and today we are happy and proud to call ourselves Israelis, united with our diverse family.
Eretz Yisrael is what we make it – with God’s help. We have a mission to complete here. Tell me what is the purpose of life in exile?
I’m not a Torah scholar, but it is my understanding that before we (Jews) can accomplish tikun olam, we must first unite as one. As long as we harbor baseless hatred toward other Jews who we perceive to be different, we are delaying Moshiach’s arrival.
This video popped into my email today and the timing couldn’t be better because I think Lori touches on the problem quite well.
Loving Jews from Afar – Lori Palatnik
My neighborhood is a mix of Israelis, British, Canadians, Ethiopians, French, Russians and Americans – we are all Jews. And the differences enrich us.
Fear of the Unknown
I understand fear of the unknown and exposing your children to different cultures. But I’ll bet most of your ancestors experienced it during some move that eventually brought you to your current country of exile. And that place is not Jewish, no matter how comfortable your section of town seems right now. At the first sign of trouble in your society, who will receive the blame? (History easily answers that question.)
Melting Pot of Jewish Culture
Israel is the new melting pot of our Jewish universe. We have Jews from all over the world, with all levels of observance and a wide variety of traditions. If you’re worried about living in a country with non-religious people, take a look around you right now! And remember that if Israel’s demographics are in favor of the secular population, then it’s your fault for not being here. Consider the possibility that you might make a positive impact here – for yourself and your children and others.
I know I’m going way out on the limb here, but also consider the possibility that you and your way might not be the only/best way and perhaps your lives can be enhanced through exposure to another Jewish culture. Is anyone in exile so sure of their traditions and minhags – especially the ones that cause separation among fellow Jews – that he will not tremble before Moshiach if he’s questioned why he has chosen this or that minhag to the exclusion of his fellow man?
The world seems to be on the verge of calamity. I think it’s time to remember why we exist.
B’lev Echad
Commitment
I recently read a post on the Nefesh B’Nefesh list from a young woman considering making Aliyah to Israel with the plan of staying 6 months to see if it works out. My response (which I kept to myself) was don’t bother coming. It takes most people two to three years to adapt to a different society – and Israel is different (Baruch Hashem)!
The State of Israel makes a major investment (financial and service-related) in each and every new oleh/olah – we don’t need people not committed to the long haul coming here and then going back into exile and bad-mouthing the Holy Land because they had unrealistic expectations (recall the sin of the spies). My request to such people is to either grow up and make it work, or allow the resources to be spent on someone who is serious and interested in contributing to our society.
I fear what will happen in the galut when Hashem loses His patience over Jewish communities around the world valuing their exile more than His Holy Land.
Tikun Olam Begins at Home
I understand that certain Kiruv families feel that they are needed in exile to bring home the lost. I get it. What I don’t get is entire congregations of hundreds or thousands of families remaining in exile to support one Rabbinic family’s kiruv work. Or people who feel Eretz Yisrael tugging at their hearts but remain because their “Rav” tells them it’s not time. I’m sorry, but that’s a weak excuse in my book because I was taught that we each have the responsibility to have an intimate relationship with our Creator, and unlike other religions, we don’t get to Him via an intermediary human.
Please remember that we can’t perfect the outside world before we’ve perfected ourselves as a nation – Am Israel Chai in Eretz Israel!
One Day – Mattisyahu
I hope to welcome you home One Day soon.
