Torah Networking
Thoughts for Real Time
By Menachem Ginosar
Is It Really Independence?
The Haggadah of Pesach stipulates that in every generation, each Jew ought consider himself or herself as having departed Mitzrayim (ancient Egypt). If, during the recent Passover holiday, we managed to relive the events of the redemption, then right now we should still be feeling the effects of the process of the redemption of Israel.
The redemption did not conclude the moment we left the "Iron Furnace" that was Mitzrayim. That was the beginning. The process continued for 50 days, until the day we received the Torah.
We could have said "dayainu." The fact that the Creator released us from slavery was enough for us – dayainu – to praise and to thank Him. Release from slavery, however, was not enough to make us truly free.
Freedom requires substance, meaning. Freedom without content resembles a balloon with no air. A balloon is a vessel that needs air to fulfill its purpose. Similarly, freedom is a vessel.
When we, the Jewish People, including the souls of yet-to-be-born generations stood at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, the Creator, so to speak, "poured" the Torah's teaching into the vessel of freedom (which he had granted us by freeing us from slavery). He thus completed His act of Redemption. Our Sages of blessed memory explain: "Only a person occupied in learning Torah has freedom" (Pirkei Avos/6).
Now, during the counting of the Omer, we are still in the midst of moving toward Redemption. We count the days of the Omer with yearning, anticipating the festival of Shavuos, when we will celebrate the Receiving of the Torah, G-d willing. That is the day that completes our redemption; it is the day that brings us true independence.
This independence – freedom, really – is defined not only by freedom from bondage to others, but by a platform of values worthy of following throughout life. Such a platform exists only in the Torah.
Yearly, we look forward to this holiday – Shavous – on which we celebrate the completion of the process that leads to real freedom: the Giving of the Torah, the "Teaching" of the Creator Himself.
This year, here in Eretz Israel, preparations are underway for another celebration of independence, a different kind of independence. Soon, the State of Israel will mark 60 years of independence as a sovereign country.
Are we really independent?
Let's assume that we are somewhat free from bondage to the nations of the world. Is that enough? The founders of the State of Israel established a value system for the country. According to that value system, can the Jewish People be described as a "free people?"
In his book, Emunot V'deot, HaRav Saadia Gaon writes, "Our nation is a nation only by virtue of its Torah."
An independence celebration worthy of the name can be celebrated only when the "flag" of Judaism will wave proudly in Eretz Israel, with the cooperation and encouragement of the entire system of law and government. Only then will be realized the verse from the Israel national anthem: ""to be a free people in our Land…"
Sponsored by Yeshivat Harei Yehuda
Is It Really Independence?
The Haggadah of Pesach stipulates that in every generation, each Jew ought consider himself or herself as having departed Mitzrayim (ancient Egypt). If, during the recent Passover holiday, we managed to relive the events of the redemption, then right now we should still be feeling the effects of the process of the redemption of Israel.
The redemption did not conclude the moment we left the "Iron Furnace" that was Mitzrayim. That was the beginning. The process continued for 50 days, until the day we received the Torah.
We could have said "dayainu." The fact that the Creator released us from slavery was enough for us – dayainu – to praise and to thank Him. Release from slavery, however, was not enough to make us truly free.
Freedom requires substance, meaning. Freedom without content resembles a balloon with no air. A balloon is a vessel that needs air to fulfill its purpose. Similarly, freedom is a vessel.
When we, the Jewish People, including the souls of yet-to-be-born generations stood at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, the Creator, so to speak, "poured" the Torah's teaching into the vessel of freedom (which he had granted us by freeing us from slavery). He thus completed His act of Redemption. Our Sages of blessed memory explain: "Only a person occupied in learning Torah has freedom" (Pirkei Avos/6).
Now, during the counting of the Omer, we are still in the midst of moving toward Redemption. We count the days of the Omer with yearning, anticipating the festival of Shavuos, when we will celebrate the Receiving of the Torah, G-d willing. That is the day that completes our redemption; it is the day that brings us true independence.
This independence – freedom, really – is defined not only by freedom from bondage to others, but by a platform of values worthy of following throughout life. Such a platform exists only in the Torah.
Yearly, we look forward to this holiday – Shavous – on which we celebrate the completion of the process that leads to real freedom: the Giving of the Torah, the "Teaching" of the Creator Himself.
This year, here in Eretz Israel, preparations are underway for another celebration of independence, a different kind of independence. Soon, the State of Israel will mark 60 years of independence as a sovereign country.
Are we really independent?
Let's assume that we are somewhat free from bondage to the nations of the world. Is that enough? The founders of the State of Israel established a value system for the country. According to that value system, can the Jewish People be described as a "free people?"
In his book, Emunot V'deot, HaRav Saadia Gaon writes, "Our nation is a nation only by virtue of its Torah."
An independence celebration worthy of the name can be celebrated only when the "flag" of Judaism will wave proudly in Eretz Israel, with the cooperation and encouragement of the entire system of law and government. Only then will be realized the verse from the Israel national anthem: ""to be a free people in our Land…"
Sponsored by Yeshivat Harei Yehuda
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