Page 4 - Mizrachi-RZC Sefer Berachot 5782

Physical and Spiritual Fruits
Rabbi Yona Reiss
Av Beir Din, Chicago Rabbinical Council

As we embark upon the new year of ב"פשת, year 5782 of the Jewish
calendar, we are inspired by the charge found in the Torah (Devorim
12:5) of המש תאבו ושרדת ונכשל– we must seek the Shechinah, the
Divine presence, to worship G-d in the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem (see Rambam, Melachim 1:1).
According to the Midrash, even though a prophet needs to designate
the place of the Beit Hamikdash, we have an affirmative obligation
to at least strive to find the place of sanctity on our own (Sifri,
Parashat Re’ah, Piska 62).

It is in the same spirit that we must continuously strive to rebuild
Zion and keep the land of Israel in our thoughts and hearts. Even
when we are preoccupied with the happiest of times, when we
celebrate a festive Jewish wedding, we pause at the end of the
ceremony to recite ינימי חכשת םילשורי ךחכשא םא – “if I should forget
thee, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning (Tehillim
137:5).” At the other end of the spectrum, even during times of
profound sadness, we are consoled by the Biblical prophecy that
foretells the future rebuilding of Zion (Yeshayahu 51:3) that will
transform all mourning into joy (see Bereishit Rabbah, 100:13).
During the recent travails of the coronavirus pandemic as well as an
alarming increase in worldwide antisemitism, our ability to turn our
eyes to Jerusalem has given us a renewed sense of fortitude.
Regardless of what goes in the world around us, we know that we
have a home and haven in Israel. This is a time, more than ever,
when we can appreciate and actualize our striving and yearning for
Zion and Jerusalem.

In addition, this upcoming year, which is a Shemitah year in Israel,
is a time of heightened holiness for the land of Israel, as its fields are
left alone to rest, and its fruits are endowed with a special sanctity.
Accordingly, it seems appropriate to declare this year ב"פשת as

תיעיבשב תוריפ תנש אהת– a year to enjoy both the physical and
spiritual fruits of the Shemitah year through careful observance of
its laws and trust in G-d, and to express our appreciation for the
Holy Land through our heartfelt prayers for the complete restoration
of Zion and Jerusalem, speedily in our days.