Page 47 - HaMizrachi Rosh HaShana - Yom Kippur 5783 USA

American

Exile Rabbi Rael

Blumenthal

s we begin another new For families of modest means, with their way. These olim were not plan-
year in exile, I find myself older children and doubt about the ning to make Aliyah, but fled war-torn
asking once again: What prospects of their success in Israel, Ukraine to the only place that could
A on earth are we doing in staying in chutz la’aretz is consid- offer them safety. For these Jews, the
Boca Raton? ered the ‘smarter’ option. Though Aliyah calculus changed overnight.
our hearts draw us to the Land, our America is not Ukraine and our situ-
Naturally, I have explanations. I don’t
think that Hashem is upset with me, minds speak louder. But is remaining ation is not dire. There is still a wealth
or even disappointed that I am living in America really the smarter option? of avodat Hashem to achieve in this
goldena medina.
here. We are doing holy work and American Orthodoxy possesses
there are plenty of halachic justifica- strong communities, governmental But though our present may be in
tions for being here now. representation, and wide networks America, our future is in Israel. We are
of leadership. On a more granular fortunate to navigate this journey on
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Isn’t level, we can point to the success and our own terms. We might be the first
there holy work to be done in Eretz growth of schools, shuls, mikvaot, yeshi- Jewish community in history to be
Yisrael too? Perhaps we don’t have to vot, camps and kosher sushi. Jewish able to plan for the sunsetting of our
live only on the sidelines of Jewish life is very pleasant in Florida, and we presence on foreign soil with dignity.
history? hope and pray our children will agree With careful consideration and plan-
We say that we don’t know if we’ll suc- and follow our path of commitment to ning as individuals and communities,
ceed in Israel. It’s no secret that Aliyah Torah. But even if we could guarantee we may be able to proudly close the
isn’t a walk in the park. Even for those that our children will live as dedicated book on the American exile.
with financial means and young chil- Jews here in Florida, how far is the At the end of every meal we ask
dren who can more easily integrate, reach of our certainty? Will our chil- Hashem: May the All-merciful break
there are countless unforeseen chal- dren be able to pass on our Yiddishkeit the yoke from off our neck, and lead
lenges. As Chazal warned: “The Land of to their children in a rapidly changing us upright, תּוי ִמ ְמֹוק, to our Land. The
Israel is acquired through suffering” world? Sfat Emet explains: The word תּוי ִמ ְמֹוק,
(Berachot 5a). But then again, there The broader Jewish community in “upright”, literally means “dou-
are challenges everywhere, Florida America is facing unprecedented ble-story”. We are asking Hashem for
included. Living here doesn’t guaran- assimilation, intermarriage, and a a double blessing of external and phys-
tee a life absent of hardship. ceaseless upending of moral para- ical success as well internal fortitude
digms, while college campuses across and spiritual depth.
The greatest challenge of Aliyah is its this country are breeding grounds
uncertainty. Maybe our Aliyah will We have the opportunity to fulfill the
succeed, maybe it won’t. If it succeeds, for antisemitism and atheism. In prayers of our ancestors. More than
the face of constant temptation and
we will merit to live at the forefront pressure, can anyone truly ensure the those who came before us, we can
of Jewish history and witness destiny continued success of our Orthodox walk upright to our Land. We can run
unfolding before our eyes. But if it communities? towards Eretz Yisrael, without looking
fails, there is a real risk of ruining our over our shoulders in fear.
own lives and the lives of our fami- Long term, the future of our nation All that is left is for us to do it.
lies. Let’s not pretend that there are no lies squarely in Israel. The problem
horror stories of children of olim that is that we simply have no idea what Rabbi Rael Blumenthal is originally from
have abandoned Torah and mitzvot or the timelines are for American Jews. Johannesburg and currently serves as the
resent their parents for bringing them This year, over 10,000 Ukrainian Jews Rabbi of Boca Raton West and a Rebbe at
to Israel. It can happen. made Aliyah, and many more are on Katz Yeshiva High School.

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