Monday, July 13, 2020

Shlach: Repairing the Sin of the Spies

http://www.ravkooktorah.org/SHLACH_65.htm


Rav Kook wrote that even today we still suffer the consequences of this catastrophic error. The root cause for the exiles and humiliations of the Jewish people, throughout the generations, is due to our failure to correct the sin of the spies.
 
To repair this national failure, a teshuvat hamishkal is needed, a penance commensurate with the sin which will “balance the scales.” The spies defamed the Land of Israel, as it says, “They despised the desirable land” (Psalms 106:24). We must do the opposite and show our unwavering love for the Land.

9 comments :

  1. Rav Shach tried to discourage people leaving Israel during the first gulf war.
    I don't know if it's the same thing - not leaving vs moving to Israel.
    Rav shach was totally non or anti Zionist.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was because of chillul hashem not because of aliyah

    ReplyDelete
  3. What would be the chillul Hashem?

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's similar to the Chet HaEgel. Just as that punishment for that lingers, so does the punishment for Chet HaMeraglim. But how does a lingering punishment fit with sons not being punished for the sins of their fathers? After all, I've never danced in front of an idol and I love Israel. Could I suggest that it only happens when the sons, while not continuing the behaviour of their fathers, continue to not see it as being all that bad?

    ReplyDelete
  5. chareidim always justify not serving in army by saying their Torah study is the strongest defense and so when war comes they flee the country

    ReplyDelete
  6. It would seem to be pretty difficult (impossible?) to express our love of the land while at the same time remaining outside of it when it is eminently possible to go there and settle it. Am I right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nope!

    I was once told by a prominent Zionist that the definition of a Zionist is that he is a haiser yid. a yiiddish pun meaning that he is a passionate jew and that he calls other Jews to live in Israel while he lives in the diaspora.

    Similarly the Amshinover Rebbe told a friend of mine who was wrestling with the need to return to America for financial reasons " It is better to be in America and long to be in Israel than to be in Israel and Long to be in America

    ReplyDelete
  8. Most Israelis long to be in America - or at least to get Amazon deliveries to them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. once people do settle, they learn to be pragmatic and practical. After all, they have to pay for rent or mortgage, and it is not as easy as it seems.

    ReplyDelete

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL NOT BE POSTED!
please use either your real name or a pseudonym.