Eretz Yisroel: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ישראל.jpg|thumb|Eretz Yisroel]] | [[File:ישראל.jpg|thumb|Eretz Yisroel]] | ||
Eretz Yisroel - The Land of Israel is the land promised by G-d to our [[Abraham avinu|forefather Abraham]] to give to [[the Jewish people]], and it is the land of [[the seven nations]] mentioned in the [[Torah]]. | |||
In | In The Torah it is stated that besides the land within its borders, "every place where your foot will tread shall be yours," meaning any conquest that the Children of Israel will conquer from the lands of the nations - after they conquer all of the Land of Israel within G-d's promised borders - will be sanctified with the holiness of the land and will become the Land of Israel, this is besides the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites and Kadmonites that were promised to Israel - in the future. | ||
"All the land belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He, He created it and gave it to whomever was proper in His eyes... By His will He took it from them and gave it to us" — Rashi's first comment on the Torah | "All the land belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He, He created it and gave it to whomever was proper in His eyes... By His will He took it from them and gave it to us" — [[Rashi|Rashi's]] first comment on the Torah | ||
== Dwelling in the Holy Land == | == Dwelling in the Holy Land == | ||
Beyond the mitzvos that are dependent on the land - which are not applicable in chutz la'aretz, all mitzvos - nearly all of them are specifically dependent on Eretz Yisroel, because the essence of mitzvos is to make a dirah b'tachtonim for Hakadosh Boruch Hu - and Eretz Yisroel is the physical place where Hakadosh Boruch Hu reveals Himself openly. | Beyond the [[Mitzvah|mitzvos]] that are dependent on the land - which are not applicable in [[chutz la'aretz]], all mitzvos - nearly all of them are specifically dependent on Eretz Yisroel, because the essence of mitzvos is to make a [[dirah b'tachtonim]] for [[Hahsem|Hakadosh Boruch Hu]] - and Eretz Yisroel is the physical place where Hakadosh Boruch Hu reveals Himself openly. | ||
Additionally, the primary fulfillment of all mitzvos in their perfect form - is specifically in Eretz Yisroel - in the times of Moshiach. | Additionally, the primary fulfillment of all mitzvos in their perfect form - is specifically in Eretz Yisroel - in the times of Moshiach. | ||
Living in Eretz Yisroel and serving Hashem there is a great and lofty virtue, because of its supreme kedusha - as it states "the eyes of Hashem your G-d are upon it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year," and in it is fulfilled Hashem's oath to our forefathers regarding giving the land to Bnei Yisroel. | Living in Eretz Yisroel and serving [[Hashem]] there is a great and lofty virtue, because of its supreme kedusha - as it states "the eyes of Hashem your G-d are upon it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year," and in it is fulfilled Hashem's oath to our forefathers regarding giving the land to Bnei Yisroel. | ||
Due to the eternal kedusha and special virtue of Eretz Yisroel, living there obligates those who dwell there to conduct themselves in a special way both personally and communally, befitting those who are in the "palace of the king" - the King of kings, Hakadosh Boruch Hu. It also obligates the Bnei Yisroel who live there with responsibility for the completeness of the land and its kedusha, and an attitude of respect and cherishing towards Eretz HaKodesh - which Hakadosh Boruch Hu gave to Bnei Yisroel. | Due to the eternal kedusha and special virtue of Eretz Yisroel, living there obligates those who dwell there to conduct themselves in a special way both personally and communally, befitting those who are in the "palace of the king" - the King of kings, Hakadosh Boruch Hu. It also obligates the Bnei Yisroel who live there with responsibility for the completeness of the land and its kedusha, and an attitude of respect and cherishing towards Eretz HaKodesh - which Hakadosh Boruch Hu gave to Bnei Yisroel. | ||
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Eretz Yisroel is not merely a geographical matter, but its essence is - fundamental uniqueness, despite it also being a defined physical territory in the physical world. | Eretz Yisroel is not merely a geographical matter, but its essence is - fundamental uniqueness, despite it also being a defined physical territory in the physical world. | ||
== The Uniqueness and Virtue of the Land of Israel == | == The Uniqueness and Virtue of the Land of Israel == | ||
The Uniqueness of Eretz Yisroel Among All Lands of the World is in Two Aspects: | The Uniqueness of Eretz Yisroel Among All Lands of the World is in Two Aspects: | ||
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# The Holy Land (Eretz HaKodesh) | # The Holy Land (Eretz HaKodesh) | ||
== The Land of Choice == | === The Land of Choice === | ||
The Land of Israel is first and foremost - the Chosen Land. "The Chosen Land," not because of any special quality within it. Rather because thus arose in His blessed will - to designate specifically this land - for Israel, even if the Land of Israel had no special quality - physical or spiritual, and there was no reason to connect the Land of Israel to the Jewish people. | The Land of Israel is first and foremost - the Chosen Land. "The Chosen Land," not because of any special quality within it. Rather because thus arose in His blessed will - to designate specifically this land - for Israel, even if the Land of Israel had no special quality - physical or spiritual, and there was no reason to connect the Land of Israel to the Jewish people. | ||
== The Holy Land == | === The Holy Land === | ||
The second aspect of the Land of Israel is its holiness, in which it is different and unique from all lands in its essential nature and level. This is already a logical reason for the land's importance. | The second aspect of the Land of Israel is its holiness, in which it is different and unique from all lands in its essential nature and level. This is already a logical reason for the land's importance. | ||
This holiness is expressed in the commandments dependent on the land, and as mentioned above, even all commandments are primarily fulfilled completely in the Land of Israel, especially in the future to come. As the Rebbe explains in his holy letter to the Jewish people; in which he explains the difference between the Land of Israel and outside the land - where they decreed impurity on its soil and air. | This holiness is expressed in the commandments dependent on the land, and as mentioned above, even all commandments are primarily fulfilled completely in the Land of Israel, especially in the future to come. As the Rebbe explains in his holy letter to the Jewish people; in which he explains the difference between the Land of Israel and outside the land - where they decreed impurity on its soil and air. | ||
And what is understood from what is explained there, is that what is special about the Land of Israel is that even the "land" is "Israel," meaning that even the earthiness and material ground within it will be permeated with holiness, not just the spirituality. Therefore, the land and its produce are subject to commandments and laws dependent on the land. | And what is understood from what is explained there, is that what is special about the Land of Israel is that even the "land" is "Israel," meaning that even the earthiness and material ground within it will be permeated with holiness, not just the spirituality. Therefore, the land and its produce are subject to commandments and laws dependent on the land.[[File:יציאה מהארץ קליין.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe's response to his secretary Rabbi Binyamin Klein before his wedding, regarding his father's attendance (who lived in Jerusalem) at his wedding (which took place in New York): "Is there a halachic permission for this (to leave Eretz HaKodesh tivneh v'tikonein) according to Shulchan Aruch?"]] | ||
== The Name "Land of Israel" == | == The Name "Land of Israel" == | ||
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== Sanctity of the Land of Israel Outside the Land == | == Sanctity of the Land of Israel Outside the Land == | ||
The Previous Rebbe related: In 1857, when a great Chassid asked the Tzemach Tzedek about traveling to the Land of Israel to devote himself to Torah study and divine service there, he replied: "R' Hillel doesn't lack the Land of Israel and you want the Land of Israel? We need to make here the Land of Israel - make here the Land of Israel." | [[The Rebbe Rayatz|The Previous Rebbe]] related: In 1857, when a great [[Chassid]] asked [[the Tzemach Tzedek]] about traveling to the Land of Israel to devote himself to Torah study and divine service there, he replied: "R' Hillel doesn't lack the Land of Israel and you want the Land of Israel? We need to make here the Land of Israel - make here the Land of Israel." | ||
== Leaving the Land == | == Leaving the Land == | ||
By Jewish law, one may not leave the Holy Land except for healing, Torah study, seeing one's teacher, or business/livelihood. The Rashbam and Ramban debate whether this is because leaving deprives one of fulfilling land-dependent commandments or because of the land's inherent holiness. | By Jewish law, one may not leave the Holy Land except for healing, Torah study, seeing one's teacher, or business/livelihood. [[The Rashbam]] and Ramban debate whether this is because leaving deprives one of fulfilling land-dependent commandments or because of the land's inherent holiness. | ||
= | === Spiritual Leaders' Immigration === | ||
Throughout the years, [[the Rebbe]] urged rabbis and community leaders not to abandon their communities to move to Israel. | |||
== Spiritual Leaders' Immigration == | |||
Throughout the years, the Rebbe urged rabbis and community leaders not to abandon their communities to move to Israel. | |||
== The Rebbe's Visit to Israel == | == The Rebbe's Visit to Israel == | ||
A topic that has occupied many who were exposed to the Rebbe's philosophy and teachings is his abstention from making aliyah or even visiting Eretz Yisroel, while the Rebbe was deeply involved in every detail of what happened in the land and was strongly and emphatically connected to it. | A topic that has occupied many who were exposed to the Rebbe's philosophy and teachings is his abstention from making aliyah or even visiting Eretz Yisroel, while the Rebbe was deeply involved in every detail of what happened in the land and was strongly and emphatically connected to it. | ||
The Rebbe himself addressed this topic several times, in conversations with Rav Shlomo Goren, with Mrs. Geulah Cohen, Rav She'ar Yashuv HaCohen, in a letter to a young boy, and to additional personalities. | The Rebbe himself addressed this topic several times, in conversations with [[Shlomo Goren|Rav Shlomo Goren]], with [[Mrs. Geulah Cohen]], [[Rav She'ar Yashuv HaCohen]], in a letter to a young boy, and to additional personalities. | ||
In fact, besides the Frierdiker Rebbe (Admu"r HaRayatz) who visited the land only once, none of our Rebbeim visited Eretz HaKodesh. | In fact, besides [[The Rebbe Rayatz|the Frierdiker Rebbe (Admu"r HaRayatz)]] who visited the land only once, none of our Rebbeim visited Eretz HaKodesh. | ||
== Visiting the Land == | == Visiting the Land == | ||
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== Chabad Community in Israel == | == Chabad Community in Israel == | ||
Chabad's establishment in the Holy Land began with Chassidim immigrating in 1777. Today the community numbers about 10,000 families spread throughout Israel, with major centers in Kfar Chabad, Safed, Beitar, Lod, Nachlat Har Chabad, and over 1,000 emissaries across the country. | Chabad's establishment in the Holy Land began with Chassidim immigrating in 1777. Today the community numbers about 10,000 families spread throughout Israel, with major centers in [[Kfar Chabad]], Safed, [[Beitar]], Lod, [[Nachlat Har Chabad]], and over 1,000 emissaries across the country. | ||
== The Land of Israel in the Redemption == | == The Land of Israel in the Redemption == | ||
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== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* State of Israel | * [[The State of Israel|State of Israel]] | ||
== Further Reading == | == Further Reading == | ||
* Shalom DovBer Levin, History of Chabad in the Holy Land, Kehot, 1988 | * Shalom DovBer Levin, History of Chabad in the Holy Land, Kehot, 1988 | ||
* Zusha Wolf, Days of Temimim - Fifty Years of Activity in Building and Developing Chabad Chassidism in the Holy Land, 8 volumes, 2004, 2012 | * Zusha Wolf, Days of Temimim - Fifty Years of Activity in Building and Developing Chabad Chassidism in the Holy Land, 8 volumes, 2004, 2012. | ||
[[Category:Eretz Yisroel]] | |||
[[he:ארץ ישראל]] | |||