These are challenging times, when Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and, by extension with Iran, who arms, trains, and orchestrates these militias. In addition we have seen a rise in anti-Israel agitation at the local and federal levels and the growth of anti-semitism in word and deed. In these times it is important to ask what is our relationship with the State of Israel, as Jews living in America, the largest community in the diaspora. For some Jews, like Jewish Voice for Peace or If Not Now, the answer is to join with those who would like to end US government support and see Israel erased from the map. Others feel ambivalence about the level of violence and civilian deaths in this war and aren’t sure what to do. Yet others, who have never thought much about Israel, are surprised or shocked at the rise in antisemitism, and find themselves wondering where Israel fits into their Jewish identity.
This week’s Torah portion, in Numbers 32:1-42, gives us a model of how to connect to the State of Israel. The tribes of Gad and Reuven ask Moses for permission to settle on the East side of the Jordan River and not enter the Land of Israel. At first Moses chastises them for refusing to enter the land. But the tribes make an oath that they will serve as “shock troops” and lead the Israelites in the conquest of the Land of Israel and will come to the Israelites’ collective defense whenever they are needed.
Our Torah teaches us that we must be willing to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Israel even as we attend to our own needs here. Some say that the primary Jewish value is Tikkun Olam, literally repairing the world or making it better. But just as important is ahavat Yisrael, love for and commitment to the Jewish People. As Jews living outside of Israel we must balance these two values in our lives and in our actions.
Matot-Masei, Numbers 30:2-36:13; Parashat HaShavua for Shabbat, August 3, 2024
August 2, 2024 by tbhrich • Drashot
These are challenging times, when Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and, by extension with Iran, who arms, trains, and orchestrates these militias. In addition we have seen a rise in anti-Israel agitation at the local and federal levels and the growth of anti-semitism in word and deed. In these times it is important to ask what is our relationship with the State of Israel, as Jews living in America, the largest community in the diaspora. For some Jews, like Jewish Voice for Peace or If Not Now, the answer is to join with those who would like to end US government support and see Israel erased from the map. Others feel ambivalence about the level of violence and civilian deaths in this war and aren’t sure what to do. Yet others, who have never thought much about Israel, are surprised or shocked at the rise in antisemitism, and find themselves wondering where Israel fits into their Jewish identity.
This week’s Torah portion, in Numbers 32:1-42, gives us a model of how to connect to the State of Israel. The tribes of Gad and Reuven ask Moses for permission to settle on the East side of the Jordan River and not enter the Land of Israel. At first Moses chastises them for refusing to enter the land. But the tribes make an oath that they will serve as “shock troops” and lead the Israelites in the conquest of the Land of Israel and will come to the Israelites’ collective defense whenever they are needed.
Our Torah teaches us that we must be willing to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Israel even as we attend to our own needs here. Some say that the primary Jewish value is Tikkun Olam, literally repairing the world or making it better. But just as important is ahavat Yisrael, love for and commitment to the Jewish People. As Jews living outside of Israel we must balance these two values in our lives and in our actions.