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One Is Israel Really

on
One Reishit Tzemichat Rabbi Rabbi

Geulateinu ? Ya’akov Ariel Yuval Cherlow
*

Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel 8. Israel is the only place in the world where However, will we open those gates?
he Return to Zion in recent Shabbat is officially acknowledged as the Will we take that opportunity?
T generations is one of the wonders national day of rest.
of world history and of Jewish history in It is indeed a miraculous beginning, but
particular. The visions of our Prophets 9. There have never been so many people this initial ‘planting’ could – God forbid –
are coming true. And the process is just studying Torah in Israel. Religious, Torah dry up and shrivel if we do not work hard
beginning! education is one of the official streams in to nurture and cultivate its growth.
the education system. Every day, at least
Here are just some of the signs: one new Torah-related book is published. Here are three things we can do right now:
1. The Return to Zion after 2,000 years
undoubtedly expresses a transformation in There is still a long way to go before we 1. “Zion is redeemed in judgment, and her
the Jewish people’s standing in the world. reach complete Redemption, but there is house shall be justice” ( Isaiah 1:27). The
There can no longer be such a thing as a no doubt the process has begun. And we foundations of Redemption are social jus-
full Jewish life in the Diaspora. have been fortunate to witness it with our tice, truth, and charity. There can be no
own eyes. May God follow through on this Redemption in an immoral society.
2. The “Green Revolution” in Eretz Yisrael miraculous start and redeem us and the
is a realization of the prophecy ““And you, whole world speedily in our days. 2. The soul of the country’s existence is its
the mountains of Yisrael, will produce your Jewish identity. We need to reinforce this
branches, and you will bear your fruit for Rabbi Yuval Cherlow by minimal legislation, loving our fellow
My people Israel, because they are about to n Jewish thought, the word human beings, and sanctifying God’s name.
come.” (Ezekiel, 36:8) I “redemption” has two meanings.
3. Communicating to all Jews the strong,
3. Jewish sovereignty. After so many years One – coming back – is used in the weekly historical, intrinsic connection between our
of subservience to foreign nations, the portion dealing with the release of slaves people and our Land, and the importance
country is now under Jewish rule. This also and the return of land to its original of our nation remaining unique and united.
has halachic implications. owners. In this respect, the State of Israel
is definitely the beginning of the growth of These – and of course many others – will
4. The Ingathering of the Exiles. Today there our Redemption. further increase our chances of a complete
are over 6.5 million Jews in Eretz Yisrael; Redemption.
almost the majority of the Jewish people. We have an independent country; we have
returned to our historical land, Hebrew Instead of begging for it, we will be acting
5. Israel boasts economic, scientific, has again become the language of life, and to bring it that much closer.
technological and military independence more. We are living in an ongoing miracle,
of the highest international standards. and just think about where we were 75
years ago and where we are today. Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel is the
6. Most of the world’s countries Emeritus Chief Rabbi of
acknowledge our sovereignty over the The second meaning of redemption is Ramat Gan
Land, despite it contradicting Christian looking ahead, to the future awaiting the
theology. Jewish people. Rabbi Soloveitchik taught Rabbi Yuval Cherlow is Rosh
us that the concept of Redemption should Yeshiva of Yeshivat Amit
7. The liberation of Jerusalem and be understood as a knock on the gates, a Orot Shaul and a founding
the Temple Mount are the start of the wonderful, God-given opportunity. member of Tzohar
preparations for the Third Temple.

*The beginning of the growth of our Redemption - ונתלואג תחימצ תישאר l Photo of Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel: Akiva Nisenholz, Rabbi Yuval Cherlow: Michael Katz 19