Holidays: Israel, the World, and the Torah

by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, Rosh Yeshivat Beit El, yeshiva.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel.

~~ written in 2003, with great relevance for today ~~

During these months, we have been greatly pre-occupied with many urgent issues. But there is one critically important topic that is the root of all the other issues, and now is the time to concentrate on it – because all the other topics depend on it. If we resolve this one matter, all the problems facing us, both domestically and externally, will also be sorted out. 

As such, now is the time to concentrate on this primary topic, and push aside all the other issues.

And what is this central topic that is the root of everything else? It is the Giving of the Torah, and the upcoming Festival of Shavuot that commemorates it.

All the problems between Israel and the Nations are interlinked with the Giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai 3,336 years ago. It was then that Israel was differentiated from all the other nations and was singled out to become G-d's treasured nation – the people chosen to disseminate His presence and teachings in the world. And it was then that the Gentiles' jealousy and hatred of Israel began. The very name "Sinai" alludes to sin'ah, the hatred of the Gentiles who did not wish to accept the Torah. Ever since, a gap and rift has been opened between us and them, one that is greater than any difference between any two other given peoples.

The Torah is the difference that sets us apart from all the other nations. Ever since the Torah was given to us, we have proclaimed G-d's Name, and the faith in One G-d, in the world – and this has many consequences. There are those who appreciate and admire us for this, but of course, it has also led to great jealousy, resentment, and hatred on the part of many. 

This double-edged approach developed because we, as a people, have on the one hand risen to great heights – but on the other hand, we have not reached our perfection; we still have many faults. The nations respect our virtues, but do not forgive us for our deficiencies; they fulfill the maxim, "the righteous are judged by a hairsbreadth [and punished for even slight deviations]" (Yevamot 121b). Precisely because Israel has so many great virtues, more is expected of us; every shortcoming is carefully examined. This is the special status of Am Yisrael among the nations: both admired and hated.  When Am Yisrael will attain its highest potential, the hatred will turn to love, and all the nations will come to learn G-d's teachings on the Holy Mountain (see for instance Yeshayahu 27,13). 

This of course does not exonerate the Gentiles from their apparent aversion to the goodness that Israel represents. When they begin to truly seek the truth, their hatred for Israel will begin to disappear.

We have thus come to the root of the problem between Israel and the Gentiles, and this approach shines the way for the fundamental solution to the issue. We have the Prophets' guarantee that we will in fact reach the desired goal of perfection and completion in the future, and that we will then be the banner and standard for the world. We are called upon to act together, everyone with his and her own strengths and abilities, to advance the cause, to shine the light of Torah that we received at Sinai, in all its perfection. 

Now, with our return to our land, our great destiny is coming nearer. Ensuring that we understand our goal and destiny is the central axis on which everything revolves. As such, with the approach of the holiday of the Giving of the Torah, let us set aside for a while the burning questions of the hour, and engage in the Divine Torah that we received "in those days, at this time."