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This week, Parshat Shlach recounts the story of the Spies who spoke negatively about
the Land of Israel.
In a 1908 letter, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, wrote that we still suffer for this catastrophic error. The root cause for the exiles and humiliations of the Jewish people is due to our failure to correct the sin of the spies.
How can we rectify the sin of the spies?
To repair this national failure, a teshuvat hamishkal is needed, a penance commensurate to the sin that will 'balance the scales.'
The Spies defamed the Land of Israel.
We must do the opposite, and show our unwavering love for the Land.
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We must declare to the entire world the Land of Israel's magnificence and beauty, its holiness and grandeur. If only we could express even a ten thousandth of the desirability of the beloved land, and splendorous light of its Torah and the superior light of its wisdom and prophecy!!! (Igrot HaRe'iyah)
Let Parshat Shlach be the opportunity for a new emphasis of the entire Jewish people on repairing the sin of the Spies, arousing our love and appreciation for Hashem's gift of the Land of Israel, the myriad of miracles He has done by returning us to our Land and blessing it with spiritual and physical blossoming.
Let us make Eretz Yisrael a central focus in our lives.
WHY DID MOSHE DESIRE TO ENTER THE LAND OF ISRAEL?
Rav Simlai taught, Why did Moshe Rabbeinu desire to enter Eretz Yisrael.? Did he need to eat its fruit or to enjoy its good produce? No... Moshe said, "The Jews were commanded to do many mitzvot, which can only be performed in Eretz Yisrael." He wanted to go to Eretz Yisrael to fulfill those mitzvot (Sotah 14).
KISSING THE ROCKS OF ACCO
The Talmud records that Rabbi Abba would demonstrate his great love for the Land of Israel by kissing the rocks of Acco. (Ketubot 112a). What was so special about these rocks that Rabbi Abba would kiss them?
Rav Kook explained that if Rabbi Abba had kissed the soil of EretzYisrael, we would understand that his love for the Land was due to the special mitzvot that are fulfilled with its fruit — tithes, first fruits, the Sabbatical year, and so on. The soil, which produces fruit, signifies the importance and holiness of the Land through the mitzvot ha-teluyot ba'aretz (the mitzvot which can only be performed in Israel)
But Rabbi Abba's love for the Land was not even dependent on its special mitzvot!. Rabbi Abba cherished the intrinsic holiness of Eretz Yisrael. He recognized that the special qualities of the Land – such as its receptivity to prophecy and enlightenment — go far beyond the holiness of those mitzvot connected to agriculture.
Therefore, he made a point of kissing its barren rocks and stones. (Malachim Kivnei Adam)
And now, two thousand years later, as our ancient prophecies of our Prophets are fulfilled before our eyes, we have more opportunity than ever to fulfill the mitzva of the love and yearning for Eretz Yisrael.
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Robin Ticker
Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
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