“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Korach
29 Sivan 5784/ July 5, 2024
Pirkei Avos – Perek 4 – Rosh Chodesh Tamuz
This week’s Musings is lovingly dedicated in memory of my beloved Bubby,
Rebbetzin Fruma Kohn a”h, upon her fourth yahrzeit this Shabbos, 30 Sivan.
LOVE OF THE LAND
I only had the opportunity to meet Rav Moshe Wolfson zt”l once. Rav
Wolfson was the Mashgiach of Yeshiva Torah Voda’as and the Rabbi of Emunas
Yisroel in Brooklyn and was widely respected as a Torah leader. He passed away
last week at the age of 99.
Despite the fact that I didn’t really know Rav Wolfson, I feel a
connection with him through Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman. I am blessed to consider
Rabbi Finkelman one of my lifelong Rebbeim based on the summers I spent with
him in Camp Torah Voda’as and Camp Dora Golding. In Camp Dora Golding I had the
good fortune to work closely with Rabbi Finkelman and to learn, not only from
his insights and perspectives, but mostly from his personal example.
Rabbi Finkelman is a devoted talmid of Rav Wolfson and would quote him at
least once in every lecture he gave.
Rav Wolfson was renown for his passionate love of Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi
Finkelman related that he and his wife had the opportunity to enjoy a few
Shabbos Seudos with Rav Wolfson and his family. Rav Wolfson was particular to
eat something from Eretz Yisroel with every course of the Shabbos meal. With
the fish he would eat a sardine from Eretz Yisroel, with the soup he added croutons
from Eretz Yisroel, with the main course he ate a pickle from Eretz Yisroel and
a raisin from Eretz Yisroel was added to the compote he ate for dessert.
Several years ago Rav Wolfson traveled to Eretz Yisroel for Lag baOmer
and Rabbi Finkelman was part of a group that joined. Being that Lag baOmer fell
on Sunday that year, they spent the previous Shabbos there as well. Rabbi
Finkelman related that after Shabbos ended, he commented to Rav Wolfson that it
was such a spiritually elevating Shabbos that it was worth coming for Shabbos
alone, even if they wouldn’t stay for Lag baOmer. Rav Wolfson replied, “I’m
ashamed of you that you’re only saying it was worth coming for Shabbos. The
moment I exited the plane and stepped onto the tarmac of Eretz Yisroel, it was
worth the entire trip.”
In bentching we thank Hashem, not only for the food He allowed us to
enjoy, but also for the Holy Land from which all blessing emanates: “We thank
You Hashem, our G-d, because You have given to our forefathers as a heritage, a
land which is desirable, good, and wide.”
That the land is desirable and good is clear. But how can it be said that
it is a spacious land? The country of Israel is 8,522 square miles while the
state of New Jersey is 8,729 square miles. Even if the Biblical parameters of
Trans-Jordan are included, the land is dwarfed by any one of the surrounding
Arab countries.
Rav Wolfson explained with a parable: Someone meets his neighbor and
excitedly tells him that he purchased real estate. When the neighbor asked him
how much land he bought the man replies that he got a bargain on an inch by an
inch of land. The neighbor starts laughing. What can you do with an inch of
land? Grow a carrot? However, if a man tells his neighbor that he purchased a
diamond that’s an inch by an inch, the neighbor will be highly impressed. One
inch of diamond is worth exponentially more than an inch of land.
The Torah describes Eretz Yisroel as, “a land that Hashem, your G-d,
seeks out; the eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are always upon it…” (Devorim 11:12).
Every inch of Eretz Yisroel is invaluable. Because it is “a land which is
desirable and good”, it is wide and spacious. Although in comparison to other
countries, it is physically small, since every inch is so precious, it is a
vast land.
It is fascinating that Rav Wolfson’s funeral took place during the week
of Parshas Shelach, when we read about our ancestors’ disastrous rejection of
Eretz Yisroel. Rav Wolfson taught and personified deep love and yearning for
the Land.
The sefer “Zion V’areha” (Zion and its cities) is a collection of
Rabbi Wolfson’s explanations and insights about Eretz Yisroel generally and the
individual significance of its cities. It was recently translated into
English entitled, Sacred Soil.
It is not enough that we concern ourselves with our brethren in Eretz
Yisroel. We also have to yearn for the land and love it. That unyielding love
is a large part of the reason why we continue to thrive despite our pain and
anguish.
This essay is being written on American Independence Day. Throughout my
life I have always been proud to be an American citizen and of the values that
the United States was founded on. Although I am still very thankful to Hashem
to live in this great democracy, this year has reminded us that we are not at
home in America. The sacred soil of our Holy Land is still our ultimate and
only true destination.
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and
Chani Staum