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of the spies, resulting in the tragic touched me deeply. Every one of her
death of the entire generation. Given many grandchildren was convinced
the consequences, why did Hashem that he or she was her favorite. Her
choose to redeem us from Egypt in Sustainable change may begin deep care and sensitivity for everyone
haste? she encountered, from kings and
with revolution, but is made
Our Sages explain that during the lasting through evolution. queens to simple people; no one was
years of slavery our people had sunk to more or less important in her eyes.
the 49th level of spiritual impurity. We Her deep faith in Hashem, the Shema
were at the precipice of oblivion; had It is this spirit of revolution through that was constantly on her lips and
Hashem not redeemed us immediately, evolution that we so deeply believe the gratitude in her heart. The endless
it may have spelled the end. In in at Mizrachi. Our Torah is both causes she dedicated her life to with
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extreme circumstances, where there inherently timeless and relevant grace and self-sacrifice, while always
is no other choice, revolution may be to every generation. Through the prioritizing her family. She was a
necessary. But revolution, on its own, genius of the Oral Torah, our Sages leader par excellence who challenged
does not lead to lasting change. demonstrate that Torah speaks to all her children and grandchildren to “be
epochs and aspects of life, balancing
This may be why Avraham’s idol- the need for revolutionary change with leaders, not followers. Take personal
bashing revolution is not mentioned a deep respect for the process, mesorah responsibility to make a difference for
explicitly in the Torah, but found and integrity of halachah. Jewish living Klal Yisrael, wherever you find yourself.”
only in the Midrash. The Torah, in must simultaneously be both forward- We dedicate this edition of HaMizrachi,
fact, describes Avraham’s warm thinking and conservative, pushing highlighting the contributions of
relationships with his idolatrous boundaries but never beyond the pale. Religious Zionist women leaders, to
neighbors, treating them with her life and legacy of leadership. May
kindness and respect. How can we The same principles form the basis her memory be for a blessing.
of our views on women’s leadership,
reconcile the simple reading of the text Torah scholarship and empowerment.
with the Sages’ portrayal of Avraham There is so much room within halachah,
as a revolutionary? 1. Shemot 12:11,39; Devarim 16:3.
as guided by our great rabbinic
Our Sages are highlighting Avraham’s authorities, to explore every possible 2. Rashi, Shemot 12:11.
revolutionary spirit; all Jews, and vista of expression and progress 3. Mishnah Pesachim 9:5 cites ןֹוז ּ פ ִח as difference
ָ
certainly our founding father, must in these areas. At the same time, between םִי ַר ְצ ִמ ח ַס ֶּ פ and תֹורֹו ּ ד ח ַס ֶּ פ.
be intolerant of injustice and possess revolutionary changes must take place
a burning desire to improve the world. in an evolutionary way that uplifts 4. Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 472:8.
At the same time, the Torah highlights the whole system in a constructive, 5. Yeshayahu 52:11.
the other side of the coin: that if a sustainable and transformative way. 6. Siddur of the Ari z”l on the Haggadah; Or
revolutionary spirit is not coupled The redemptions of Purim and Pesach HaChayim, Shemot 3:8.
with genuine respect for people and were, in large part, thanks to the
an understanding that sustainable innovative and courageous leadership 7. Classic examples include the French
Revolution, which began in idealism and ended
change takes time, destructive roles of Jewish women like Esther, with the Reign of Terror and the guillotine, and
consequences will ensue. 7 Yocheved, Miriam, Shifrah and Puah. 8 the October Revolution of 1917, which led to
At the same time, change through In this spirit, Mizrachi is proud to the evils of the Soviet Union and the death of
millions.
evolution alone can take millions of feature the extraordinary impact that
years. In many cases, stagnancy and Religious Zionist women are making 8. Although these festivals are time-bound,
women are fully obligated in the mitzvot on
rote adherence to social norms can on our national and spiritual life. both festivals, for they too were part of the
prevent necessary change from taking I write these words having just returned redemption. Rashi and Rashbam explain this
place. And so the evolutionary process from the funeral of a remarkable leader to mean that women played an indispensable
desperately needs the revolutionary of our generation – Julia Koschitzky z”l. leadership role in bringing about the redemption.
spirit. It is only by combining the two I was absolutely blown away by what
that successful and sustainable change her children and grandchildren shared Rabbi Doron Perez is the Executive Chairman
can occur; we must have it both ways. about her; so much of what they said of World Mizrachi.

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