Friday, October 17, 2003
Sparks From Israel
Israel Doesn’t Need You
There is a chassid in Yerushalayim. He wears a black coat and black hat, and he has a guitar strung over his back. I saw him jamming with an American hippie searching for his soul at the Kotel. This chassid has lived in Israel now for seven years. Before that he was a stockbroker in Manhattan who drove a Porsche and had it all. Now, he has invested in different stock. I know a number of successful people in Israel, some observant and some not so observant who have opted to live here not only to be immersed in Torah studies, but also to be part of a society bound by a common destiny – the building of the Jewish Nation.
There are seventy different nationalities of Jews here, and each one brought the best of their cultures here. Each one is an expert in their own field bringing all that is essential from the four corners of the world. They are the holy sparks scattered around the world and now gathered once again to their source.
The most comforting feeling about being here is the knowledge that one has finally arrived home, to the family he loved from afar but never knew. Like a lion born in captivity and released for the first time into the wilderness he instinctively knows. But actually quite the opposite, for this is far from a wilderness. Israel is not only a home to its people but the cradle of all civilization. This is the source of morality and enlightenment and wisdom that inspired poets and explorers from every nation.
These are the children of prophets in their natural habitat where the penetration of foreign cultures look ridiculous, mismatched and beneath this Holy people. This is a land where the nobility and character of the Israelite Nation can fully express itself. All the souls assembled here are like beautiful puzzle pieces fitting together to form a simple and profound picture. Israel is tiny yet indestructible. Israel is pure despite attempts to sully it. Israel is part of G-d and eternal; a rock formed by the crashing waves, but made of a far superior substance.
The rest of the world is a temporary place that compared to the energy of the people here, seems dead. Although the angel of death has a greater jurisdiction here in this land, there is also the clear perception of a G-d that also maintains this country that couldn’t be maintained without Him. A celestial hand that helps people to meet and connect despite phones that don’t work and streets that have no numbers. There is a different system of communication and networking here that others cannot understand for it is based upon Divine intervention, which is an everyday occurrence here.
Outside things operate smoothly, and competently, however there is a threat of much greater destruction than here. For when it comes to competence in guarding each other and being guarded from above there is less Divine intervention. More people were killed in one day on September 11th than in all of the Intifada we suffered for the last 15 years.
Israel will continue to grow and prosper despite enemies within or without. Outside of Israel however, there is no guarantee. Eventually the souls outside will either return or be lost. Bodies too will return or be denied entry. There is only a certain time limit for those who wish to have a seat here. Not everyone gets in to enjoy the fruits of this garden that exists here in our time. Not all will see it.
Israel doesn’t need any more Jews. We will survive and prosper just as we are. We don’t need America, or Europe or any other empire to protect us. G-d lives here, and those who live here see Him every day. Israel doesn’t need you, but if you feel unsettled, unhappy, afraid or empty come home and you will understand what happiness is. There is a blessing waiting for those who see it and desire it. This is for certain.
Israel Doesn’t Need You
There is a chassid in Yerushalayim. He wears a black coat and black hat, and he has a guitar strung over his back. I saw him jamming with an American hippie searching for his soul at the Kotel. This chassid has lived in Israel now for seven years. Before that he was a stockbroker in Manhattan who drove a Porsche and had it all. Now, he has invested in different stock. I know a number of successful people in Israel, some observant and some not so observant who have opted to live here not only to be immersed in Torah studies, but also to be part of a society bound by a common destiny – the building of the Jewish Nation.
There are seventy different nationalities of Jews here, and each one brought the best of their cultures here. Each one is an expert in their own field bringing all that is essential from the four corners of the world. They are the holy sparks scattered around the world and now gathered once again to their source.
The most comforting feeling about being here is the knowledge that one has finally arrived home, to the family he loved from afar but never knew. Like a lion born in captivity and released for the first time into the wilderness he instinctively knows. But actually quite the opposite, for this is far from a wilderness. Israel is not only a home to its people but the cradle of all civilization. This is the source of morality and enlightenment and wisdom that inspired poets and explorers from every nation.
These are the children of prophets in their natural habitat where the penetration of foreign cultures look ridiculous, mismatched and beneath this Holy people. This is a land where the nobility and character of the Israelite Nation can fully express itself. All the souls assembled here are like beautiful puzzle pieces fitting together to form a simple and profound picture. Israel is tiny yet indestructible. Israel is pure despite attempts to sully it. Israel is part of G-d and eternal; a rock formed by the crashing waves, but made of a far superior substance.
The rest of the world is a temporary place that compared to the energy of the people here, seems dead. Although the angel of death has a greater jurisdiction here in this land, there is also the clear perception of a G-d that also maintains this country that couldn’t be maintained without Him. A celestial hand that helps people to meet and connect despite phones that don’t work and streets that have no numbers. There is a different system of communication and networking here that others cannot understand for it is based upon Divine intervention, which is an everyday occurrence here.
Outside things operate smoothly, and competently, however there is a threat of much greater destruction than here. For when it comes to competence in guarding each other and being guarded from above there is less Divine intervention. More people were killed in one day on September 11th than in all of the Intifada we suffered for the last 15 years.
Israel will continue to grow and prosper despite enemies within or without. Outside of Israel however, there is no guarantee. Eventually the souls outside will either return or be lost. Bodies too will return or be denied entry. There is only a certain time limit for those who wish to have a seat here. Not everyone gets in to enjoy the fruits of this garden that exists here in our time. Not all will see it.
Israel doesn’t need any more Jews. We will survive and prosper just as we are. We don’t need America, or Europe or any other empire to protect us. G-d lives here, and those who live here see Him every day. Israel doesn’t need you, but if you feel unsettled, unhappy, afraid or empty come home and you will understand what happiness is. There is a blessing waiting for those who see it and desire it. This is for certain.
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