Page 32 - HaMizrachi Yom HaAtzmaut 5782 USA

Roi Ariel
Abecassis Chesner
Flying the Flag:

Training the Newest

Shlichim of Medinat Yisrael

very year, over 600 Religious in our time. Like Yishayahu, every one or in the Diaspora, that we are all on
Zionist Israelis leave their of us must ask ourselves: what can I do shlichut – and that the purpose of our
homes, jobs and daily routines for our people? What are my unique shlichut has never been clearer. We are
E to serve as shlichim to Jewish talents? What will be my shlichut for living in times that our grandparents
communities around the world. Am Yisrael? could only dream of, when our people
We ourselves have been privileged Rav Soloveitchik explains that a life of are once again sovereign in our land
to be shlichim as well. Shlichut is an shlichut is not “extra” or “optional,” but and when the long awaited kibbutz
empowering and unique experience, rather foundational to Jewish life. And galuyot, the ingathering of the exiles, is
a role that transforms the shaliach’s it is the times in which we live that happening before our very eyes! That
identity from a private individual to guide the nature of our shlichut: extraordinary events are taking place
a klali Jew – a person who lives and is indisputable; the only question is:
breathes for the broader community. “The fact that someone lives in a will we watch these events from the stands
As a shaliach, your interests and certain time, in a special period or will we play an active role on the field?
needs broaden beyond the personal and in a definite place, and was not For those who love Am Yisrael, there
and individual to include those of born in another period and in other is only one answer. Wherever we
the community and the nation; your circumstances, we can understand find ourselves, we must fly the flag
mission is now to serve Am Yisrael. only if we accept the very idea of of Medinat Yisrael! Wherever we are,
man’s shlichut. Providence knows whatever activity we are engaged in
One of the most inspiring shlichim
in Jewish history was the prophet where and how the individual with – each of us is needed to fly the flag.
both his weaknesses and his strengths
Yishayahu. The prophet describes The “what” is clear; the only question
a conversation of the ה ָל ְע ַמ ל ֶ ׁש ה ָי ְל ַמ ָּ פ, can fulfill his shlichut; under what is “how.” And so World Mizrachi and
a conversation between G-d and circumstances and conditions and in the Center for Religious Affairs in
the angels – but Yishayahu joins, what society will it be in the power the Diaspora of the World Zionist
uninvited: “I heard the voice of the of man to fulfill his shlichut.” (Rabbi Organization have developed “Flying
Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Yemei Zikaron).
L-rd, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and the Flag,” a program intended to
who shall go for us?’” Hearing this, Currently, the Religious Zionist develop a new generation of shlichim
Yishayahu doesn't remain a bystander, paradigm sends shlichim from Eretz from the Diaspora.
but cries out: “Here I am! Send me!” Yisrael to the Diaspora. But is this “Flying the Flag” offers gap year
(Yishayahu 6:8–9) I will fly the flag! paradigm correct? Should the students who are studying at
opportunity to live an enriching and
The Torah is not merely a historical yeshivot and seminaries in Israel
book, but rather an educational one. fulfilling life of shlichut on behalf of the opportunity to participate in
The word “Torah” originates from the Am Yisrael be limited only to those who programs that directly address their
word “ה ָא ָרֹוה” – teaching. Yishayahu’s possess a teudat zehut (Israeli identity future role as shlichim in the Diaspora.
reaction is not recorded to tell us card)? Students participate in shabbatonim or
what happened then, in his time, but We believe that no matter where you tiyulim that culminate in an uplifting
to teach us how we should act today, live in the world, whether in Israel and motivating tisch led by Rabbi

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