(Editor’s Note: I apologize for falling behind in this series while I’m in the US on vacation. This message, while still a bit unclear in my mind, is an important one which I hope, with G-d’s help, will be clear to you.)
Yaakov "blesses" his sons on his deathbed in this week’s Parsha, essentially telling them the future of their tribes. Rashi explains the blessings to Yissachar and Zevulun as follows: Zevulun will work in business and trade, and Yissachar will toil in Torah study, and each will share his rewards with the other. You can see more information about this arrangement here.
We can assume that the role of Yissachar, which the Torah describes as a more painful labor, is more than study, but demands teaching and rendering Halachik decisions. These community service jobs are typically subject to public scrutiny and are hardly for the meek and lazy. Clearly, this is necessary work, the type which would be covered by modern-day taxes if Israel were run by a religious government.
Without getting into a nature vs. nurture discussion, it suffices to say that different types of people in the world have their own skills and roles. Zevulun would be as unfit to wear the yoke of Torah study as Yissachar would be unfit to journey on the seas in trade.
The Yissachar-type that is most dear to my heart is the Oleh or aspiring Oleh, those who moved away from the promises of a "good life" to establish roots in Israel. Jews all over the world recognize the gift which G-d has given us in our day, and cannot imagine not having a homeland, a place that will always belong to the Jews. Nevertheless, most Jews, even the ones in impoverished countries, cannot bring themselves to leave their homes to live in their homeland.
In my heart, I want all Jews to be living in Israel. But the reality is that not everyone is fit to be a Yissachar. Not to worry – there are other roles to fill. I hear it from people all the time. "Israel needs Jews in America. We lobby the government for Israel. We buy Israeli bonds. We send our children to study. We spend our money there on vacation." As hard as it may be, I’m ready to face that reality. There may be a purpose for the Jews remaining in exile (Of course, I believe Hashem would find other ways to help Israel survive if American aid was withheld).
Let us assume that American Jewry has its own role. I submit that we add another pro-Israel action to the list: "We support Israeli business!" Be like Zevulun. Make an arrangement with Israeli business-people: you keep the pulse of our homeland strong, and we’ll make sure that 33% of your children aren’t going to bed hungry each day. Israel is not coming to your house on a Sunday asking for tzedaka. You’re not expected to deprive the Jews in your own community of a decent parnasa. But the next time you’re looking to hire someone for work that can be done wherever, remember your obligation to the people in Israel who are determined to live there, even if their financial situation is difficult.
Thank you.