Lead Tidbit
TT's Bar Mitzva Drasha
The first issue of Torah Tidbits made its modest appearance in two shuls back on Shabbat Parshat Sh'lach, 26 Sivan 5752, June 27th, '92 (that was in the last decade, century, and millennium). To maintain the analogy of this being the Bar Mitzva issue (13th anniversary), we can say that the very first Dvar Torah was for TT's Shalom Zachor. (Of course, who says TT is male - but if not, then last year's Sh'lach issue was the Bat Mitzva one.) we have always felt it very significant to have launched Torah Tidbits with a message from Parshat Sh'lach. The Israel Center is about twice the age of TT, and for over 25 years has striven to strengthen the bonds between the Jew and Torah, Eretz Yisrael, and the Jewish People. So too, do we continue to encourage Aliya and facilitate Klita. With that in mind, TT's Bar Mitzva Drasha might sound familiar, but the idea needs to be expressed every so often.

The ARI Z"L says that the mitzva of Bikurim is the Tikun (repair and atonement) for the Sin of the Scouts. Rav Menachem Zemba HY"D brings a beautiful demonstration of the truth of that notion.

The Meraglim "toured" Eretz Yisrael and returned to the people of Israel who eagerly awaited their report. They brought with them fruits of Eretz Yisrael and proceeded to malign the Land and instill fear in the hearts of the people that resulted in their panic at the thought of entering the Land. G-d punished the adult males of that generation for their reaction to the report of the scouts. And for their refusal to listen to Moshe, Yehoshua, and Kalev who tried to convince them that Eretz Yisrael was the place for them.

The Mishna asks how one "takes" Bikurim (first fruits). One goes into his field and sees - for example - a fig ripening, or a cluster of grapes, or a pomegranate and he marks them and designates them as Bikurim. When he subsequently brings his Bikurim to Jerusalem, he too displays the fruit of Eretz Yisrael and he too speaks out.

The Mishna asks how one "takes" Bikurim (first fruits). One goes into his field and sees - for example - a fig ripening, or a cluster of grapes, or a pomegranate and he marks them and designates them as Bikurim. When he subsequently brings his Bikurim to Jerusalem, he too displays the fruit of Eretz Yisrael and he too speaks out. But he does NOT speak like one of Meraglim; he basically says, BARUCH HASHEM that I have come to this wonderful land that G-d that HaShem promised our ancestors that He would give to us. Thank G-d that I live in this Land flowing with Milk & Honey. That same "classic" description of the Land that the Meraglim also used, but they used it as a launchpad for saying: A nice place to visit, but who would want to live there? A terrible thing said then, over 3300 years ago, and STILL being said by today's Meraglim.

So our message to Torah Tidbits readers on the occasion of the Bar Mitzva of TT - whether you are here already, or not yet - Love this Land, believe the HaShem wants us to live here, and to thrive as Torah Jews in the Land He gave to us. Keep all the mitzvot, and do it in the Place that G-d wants us to be. Help build and develop this Land to its fullest physical and spiritual potential, with all of Klal Yisrael.