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THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND
MIZRACHI IN THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

asserman
echiel W
Steve Kramer Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman
abbi Y
R
The Celebration

of Eretz Yisrael

u BiShvat marks the cutoff for There are many reasons for this. Demo- relationship with Medinat Yisrael in
many mitzvot connected to graphic, social and religious changes three areas:
Tfruit and the mitzvot hat’luyot have brought about the materialization The first is the emotional-experiential,
ba’Aretz (the agricultural mitzvot par- of outlooks – ideological, cultural and encouraging identification with Israel
ticular to Eretz Yisrael). The source of religious – in Israel and the Diaspora. through experiential events and activi-
the Tu BiShvat Seder comes from Tzfat, Centuries-old Jewish communities have ties. The second is the cognitive – deep-
during the time of the Kabbalists. The disappeared or been diminished. On ening knowledge about Israel through
first mention we have of this is in the the other hand, new ones have been multiple perspectives: history, geogra-
book Birkat Eliyahu, in 1728, in which established and existing ones expanded, phy, civics, security, economy, etc.
the author tells of Rabbi Moshe Chagiz, and there has been a positive change in
who encouraged Jews to eat 15 different the social, economic and political status And the third area, the most important
of Jews in many countries.
types of fruit and to learn 15 chapters in my opinion, is that of values. Educat-
of Mishna, and who claims that the Despite aliyah being an option from ing and raising awareness to the mean-
Arizal also did this. Over time, the Tu anywhere in the world, and at any time, ing of the Jewish national homeland,
the role of the State of Israel, and the
BiShvat Seder was formed by the sages half of the Jewish nation still lives out- fact that Israel is the eternally beating
of Tzfat and included eating fruits of side of Israel, with the vast majority of heart of the Jewish people, a Land over
Israel, drinking four cups of wine, and course in North America. These Jews which G-d Himself watches, and the
reciting verses expressing the con- – at least the affiliated ones – have place where the destiny of Am Yisrael
nection between Am Yisrael’s return established flourishing communities, will be fulfilled.
synagogues and schools, and social
to its Land and the nature and flora of and communal services. So much so Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman is Head of the
Israel. This was an attempt to highlight that many Jews do not see themselves Center for Religious A‘airs in the Diaspora
the centrality and importance of Eretz as living in exile. They live where they in the World Zionist Organization and one
Yisrael and instill a love of the Land. choose and do not feel discriminated of World Mizrachi's representatives in the
This beautiful and meaningful minhag against or inferior. Moreover, they can National Institutions.
spread throughout Jewish communities proudly wear their Jewish identity and
all over the world. live a fully Jewish lifestyle. The World Zionist Organization’s Center

Tu BiShvat is also a good time to nur- Perhaps the problem is that they believe for Religious A£airs in the Diaspora is in
ture Diaspora Jewry’s connection – Israel is purely the spiritual center of the constant contact with hundreds of rabbis
and community leaders and conducts
especially the youth – to Israel. The Jewish people and not a place in which extensive activities to strengthen Jewish
Prophets of Israel saw the Jewish nation one actually has to live. identity and cultivate a connection to
returning to its birthplace from the four In this reality, we must proudly declare: Israel. Among other things, we produce a
corners of the earth, but the reality, 72 דֹא ְ מ דֹא ְ מ ץ ֶ ר ָ א ָ ה ה ָ בֹוט, “The Land is very range of educational kits and study aids.
Ahead of Tu BiShvat, we produced an
years after the establishment of Medinat good!” Our responsibility is to rein- illustrated Seder Tu BiShvat in 10 di£er-
Yisrael, is rather different (although that force the centrality of Israel in the lives ent languages. Materials for your school
process has indeed begun of course). of world Jewry and to cultivate the or community can be found at wzo.org.il.

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