3 messages for 3 situations Let's take, as an example - oh, what shall we choose? - How about "living in Israel", a topic we rarely, if ever deal with in the pages of Torah Tidbits. There are Jews who have been born and raised in the States, or anywhere else in the Diaspora, and continue to live their lives, hopefully as good people and good Jews there. Whose story "speaks" to them? Avraham Avinu's. He was told to leave his land, his birthplace, and his father's house and go (come) to Eretz Yisrael. He went and G-d gave him (and his descendants - us) the Land. Every Jew in galut is also being asked by G-d to come live in Eretz Yisrael. Got good reasons (or even not so good reasons) not to live in Israel? Then Yaakov's message is for you too. But let's deal with Yitzchak's message first. There are Jews who were born and raised in Israel, and who still live here. Like Yitzchak Avinu. When he had it rough, he thought of leaving. G-d told him not to. True, his status (because of the Akeida) was unique. But his message can be applied to many Jews who live here - including those who were born here and those who have come on Aliya. Stay in Eretz Yisrael, it's the place all Jews should be. But Yaakov knew that too. Yet he had compelling reasons to leave - temporarily. So he did. And at the end of this week's sedra, he comes back. (We also know that he was not destined to remain in Eretz Yisrael, and only returned to be buried here. Yaakov's message is directed towards Jews who leave Eretz Yisrael, or who delay coming in the first place, for all sorts of reasons. There are as many different situations as there are Jews, almost. We all need to be attuned to the varied messages of the Avot and Imahot, and all who came before us, so that we will act wisely and merit the Geula. [The Parshat Vayishlach Homepage]
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