Page 42 - HaMizrachi #29 Yom HaAtzmaut 2021 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy

The Independence

of Interdependence

om HaAtzmaut is unparalleled in is manifest in who we choose as a part- a moment of introspection. Freedom
the annals of history, constitut- ner in marriage. Here it becomes clear and independence (both individual and
Ying a remarkable demonstration that instead of being “in dependence,” national) are two of the greatest gifts, yet
of the eternal uniqueness of the Jewish to be independent is to choose the right they are only a means to a greater end.
nation and our centrality within world people on whom to depend.
history. The root of the word תּוא ָ מ ְ צ ַ ע In taking note of the element of strength
first appears in Bereishit (2:23–24), This tension lies at the heart of the reflected by the root םּו ּ צ ִ ע or ה ָ מ ְ צ ָ ע within
during which G-d fashions the world’s Hebrew term תּוא ָ מ ְ צ ַ ע. The definition of the word תּוא ָ מ ְ צ ַ ע, we reach a deeper
first two human beings and they become independence is as true for the nation understanding of the true essence of
aware of each other’s existence for the as it is for the individual. For one glori- independence. Through internalizing
very first time: ous moment in 1948, the Jewish nation our responsibilities as an independent
declared national self-determination, sovereign state interacting with others,
And the man said, “This one is bone of permanently closing the disastrous we can legitimately strive towards a
my bone (י ַ מ ָ צ ֲ ע ֵ מ ם ֶ צ ֶ ע) and flesh of my chapter of Jewish powerlessness. While position of strength and self-reliance,
flesh. This one shall be called woman, remembering when we were strangers in the likes of which our ancestors could
for from man she is taken.” Therefore, different times, no longer would Jewish only dream about.
a man leaves his father and his mother blood be considered “cheap,” and no It is up to us to take the raw materials
and clings to his wife, and they shall be longer would Jews across the world represented by the blended root mean-
as one flesh. depend upon the precarious benevo- ings of the Hebrew term תּוא ָ מ ְ צ ַ ע – bone,
lence of other host nations.
These two verses tell a very curious, even essence, core, strength, force – and
paradoxical story. On the one hand, it is While this is of course an incredible, fashion them together into a harmo-
the story of the creation of Adam and miraculous achievement, it is but the nious independent society worthy of
Eve, each of whom is endowed with their beginning of an entirely new set of the Jewish nation. Through doing so,
own individual personhood. Yet, at this challenges. Now that we are auton- we transform the State of Israel into a
moment of initial independence, Adam omous, what kind of country will the model of goodness and justice for the
recognizes they are of the same flesh and State of Israel become? Who shall be entire world. It is this vision, this striv-
bone, and his duty requires him to “cling our friends? For which principles shall ing towards ethical excellence, that is
to his wife.” These two human beings we fight? Which cultural influences truly worthy of the eternal people,
understand their independent individ- should we promote, and what kind of and that underlies the unmistakable
uality, yet, at the very same moment, culture will we export to the commu- joy and exuberance expressed far and
also intuit the urgent, primal need for nity of nations? Achieving independence wide on Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Day
of Independence.
relationships and interdependence. means summoning the strength to fully
face up to the challenges of interdepen-
What causes Adam and Eve to forgo dence, to recognize our role within the
their individual independence in favor international web of relationships. This
of marriage? is a lesson that must be internalized by
all supporters, defenders and citizens of
While thesurvival of every being is the Jewish State. Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy is the Co-Founder of
dependent on something or someone Israel Impact Partners, working with philan-
thropists to optimize and scale up impact
else, the greatest expression of indepen- Of course, Yom HaAtzmaut will always in the non-profit sector. He was previously
dence is the choice of who and what we be a moment of great celebration – but CEO of Mosaic United and Dean of Moriah
want to depend on. This act of free will we owe it to ourselves to preserve it as College.

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