- Do you know anyone who was changed/positively influenced by his/her connection to the land of Israel? If yes, how were they changed?
- As you have become more connected to Israel over the years, do you notice any positive change within yourself? If yes, describe the change.
- How has the Jewish people been changed/positively influenced by the land of Israel? Give one example from ancient times and one from modern times.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Sanctity of the Land of Israel
After examining different statements by Chazal regarding the land of Israel, we noted that they saw Eretz Yisrael as a powerful agent of positive change. Reflect on this idea and consider how Israel has changed individual Jews, groups of Jews, and the Jewish people as a whole:
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I have known many people who have been inspired by Eretez Yisrael but one person in particular has responded particularly strongly. My cousin recently went to seminary there and she was so inspired that she is making Aliyah. She has become closer to Hashem in many ways. She changed the way she dressed and her outlook on the mitzvos. She has become considerably more in touch with her Judaism. She now rights Dvar Torahs every week and sometimes assists in teaching in Jewish school in Israel. I have not, unfortunately, really seen any change in myself as I have never had the privilege of going to Israel myself. I think the Jewish people have definitely changed. I can think of some common changes between now and ancient times. Both times when we received the land of Israel it made us come closer together as a nation and made us realize the power of Hashem and appreciate everything He has done for us. We have become closer to Judaism as well, because we have a place where we can connect to the ancient times and make us feel even closer to Hashem. It inspires all of us to respect the mitzvos and become in awe of Hashem.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I can't think of anyone who has been changed by their connection to Israel, I do know of a family who sacrificed many things to be able to live in the land. This family left their comfortable home, all their friends, and everything they knew to be able to live in the land. They have such a strong love and connection to Israel that they did everything in their power to be able to move there.
ReplyDeleteI have had the privilege of going to Israel once before. When I was there, I could just feel a certain happiness and awe inside of me. It was an amazing feeling. I think that something about being in that beautiful land really changes you in a way. However, I was only there for a couple weeks. Leaving Israel after that short amount of time, it's very difficult to hold on to that feeling. But in a way, Israel definitely positively effected how I was feeling, and I really hope I can have the opportunity of returning there sometime soon and having that feeling once again.
In establishing the State of Israel, all Jewish people came together for the same cause. Fighting for the rights to the land caused people to put any difference aside and work for Eretz Yisrael. I think, similarly, in ancient times when Bnei Yisrael finally were able to enter the land, they felt so connected and wanted follow the mitzvot and be the best they could be.
Yes, there are many people who tell others their inspiring and motivational stories about Eretz Yisrael. While I have not known anyone personally, I have listened to some of these tales. How could one not be moved and inspired by our history and the very existence of our land? When learning Torah and visiting its sights, we immediately appreciate and admire the land.
ReplyDeleteI become more connected to Eretz Yisrael every time I travel there and exit the airplane. The success of the land, its roots, and its sense of home is fascinating and heart-warming. As I learn more Tanach, I begin to realize the massive importance of each historical sights. It is as if I am reliving the events in that area. I receive a whole new perspective on the land, one of embracing our history.
I believe that the Jewish people have been positively influenced by the land. In ancient times, the Jews were able to connect with their forefathers that walked the land many years before them. Eretz Yisrael offered them a whole new perspective of themselves, that they were worthy of receiving something. This feeling must have been taken away throughout the slavery in Mitzraim. The Jewish people were also able to recognize Hashem's miracles in both physical and spiritual manners. In modern times, Eretz Yisrael opens our mind and soul. We are able to realize the glory and immense power of Hashem. Today, Israel is an advanced global power and innovates ideas and creations daily. The Jewish people today can relive the same history as our forefathers did. When the Jewish people enter the Land, they are overwhelmed and fascinated by the presence of Hashem, who seems to be near to our hearts even though the Beit Hamikdash hasn't been rebuilt yet. Hopefully, we will all be able to visit Eretz Yisrael soon and we will all realize the eternal greatness of Hashem.
I do not know anyone that I am able to think of at the moment that was changed or positively influenced by Israel.
ReplyDeleteI have been influenced by Israel, over the years as I learned more and more about Judaism I began to learn more about Israel. I learned about our connection with the land and I began to feel a strong connection myself, as a Jew and as a Zionist. I haven't really noticed any big changes in myself other than the fact that I feel a stronger connection with the land.
I think that the Jewish people have been positively influenced by the land in ancient times by the fact that we finely had a sort of sense of pride and a place we could call home. We were able to do all of the Miztvot G-d gave us, we were able to feel save to practice our religion and beliefs in peace, and not have to worry about our in-slavers or enemies trying to force us to stop.
In more modern times I think that when the land of Israel was deemed the land for the Jews after World War Two, we started to feel that same sense of home and peace and a place to worship and praise G-d in anyway we see fit, even though we were and are still unable to preform all of the Mitzvot we are getting closer just by having our own land and living there. I think we are taking a step in the right direction. When we entered the land of Israel the first time after Egypt we were mostly very religious and holy people, but as time moved on, and we began to leave Israel we started to lose everything we stood for and had had been given to us, I think that as more and more people start to move to the land of Israel we will slowly build ourselves back up to the level we were at before. Then someday having the Misheach come and the Bais Midrash re-bult and being able to perform all of the Mitzvot will make us happy and strong and everything we went though to get to that point will make sense and be worth it.
(I hope that all made sense, I know I got i little spread out.)