by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
Between the smashing of Egypt's military at the Sea of Reeds and the war against Amalek at Rephidim, the Hebrew had to develop a national perception of emuna in preparation for receiving the Torah
Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (16.5 min)
by Rav Netanel Yosifun, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
Like all of Israel, I woke up one day a few weeks ago to the wonderful news that Jonathan Pollard had landed in Israel! This was happy and heartwarming, and I immediately ran to tell my wife. Years of suffering, hardships, and moral injustice had come to an end. The news article told the story of his and Esther's flight to Israel, and their warm greeting by the Prime Minister.
And yet, despite the joy of the event, I found myself singularly unexcited. I felt that the thrill of the news had simply melted away amid the shallow day-to-day routine. It's true that there were some objective factors – such as the fact that Pollard had served out his full 30-year sentence without even a day subtracted for good behavior or other reasons, and that he then remained another five years with electronic shackles, unable to leave his house after 7 PM, and the Corona restrictions surrounding his return home. But all in all, the enthusiasm was not what it could have been had he come home 10-15 years ago.
And then came the afternoon, and with it, the airing of a video showing our brother Jonathan deplaning and bending down to the ground of the holy Land of Israel – and kissing it. Suddenly, a wave of excitement flooded over me, accompanied by tears streaming freely down my cheeks.
In one moment, Jonathan's long years of yearning in prison to return home became an echo of the voice of an entire nation returning home after centuries of Exile, returning to the bosom of its own national Mother Earth.
Rabbi Yossi Veitzen, yeshiva.co, written shortly before the Expulsion from Gush Katif, adapted and translated by Hillel Fendel
When the Jewish Nation hesitates at important crossroads in history, it may be because we have to relearn how to use our unique national strengths – each of which is suited for a different generation.
by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
What were the necessary steps for Israel to develop a national consciousness ahead of leaving Egypt?
Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (16.5 min)
by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
The ten plagues were part of a deliberate process to educate not only Egypt and Israel but also humanity
by Rav Haggai Londin, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
"G-dliness on Earth" reaches its ultimate manifestation only in the form of the Jewish Nation living as a nation in its Land – not via individuals, no matter how righteous they are.
by Rav Yehuda HaKohen, visionmag.org
Did Moshe attempt to create a new Hebrew nation that would replace the children of Israel and be born free from the psychological degradation of slavery?
Listen to the audio/read the transcript here (28.5 min)
by Rav Zalman Melamed, yeshiva.co, translated by Hillel Fendel
- from a speech relating to Jewish participation in secular New Year celebrations, delivered just after Israel deported 415 Hamas terrorists to Lebanon in late 1992
Israel's national honor is ours to safeguard. True, our Sages advised that one must "run away from honor" (Tr. Eruvin 13b) – but this is referring to one's personal honor. Regarding our communal status, however, and Israel's "national honor" – this is something that must be preserved and maintained. Here we must be sensitive, we must not allow others to harm our national honor, and all the more so must we be sensitive ourselves not to act in a way that makes light of our national pride.
