Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • YU Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman z"l and Ann Arbesfeld APRIL 2020 • YOM HAATZMAUT 5780 Torah For The Times Of The Redemption Dedicated in memory of Cantor Jerome L. Simons We thank the following synagogues which have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project

Beth David Synagogue Cong. Ohr HaTorah Young Israel of West Hartford, CT Atlanta, GA Lawrence-Cedarhurst Cedarhurst, NY Beth Jacob Congregation Cong. Shaarei Tefillah Beverly Hills, CA Newton Centre, MA Young Israel of New Hyde Park Beth Jacob Congregation Green Road Synagogue New Hyde Park, NY Oakland, CA Beachwood, OH Young Israel of Bnai Israel – Ohev Zedek The Jewish Center , PA , NY New Rochelle New Rochelle, NY Boca Raton Synagogue Jewish Center of Young Israel of Boca Raton, FL Brighton Beach Brooklyn, NY Scarsdale Cong. Ahavas Achim Scarsdale, NY Highland Park, NJ Koenig Family Young Israel of Foundation Cong. Ahavath Torah Brooklyn, NY West Hartford Englewood, NJ West Hartford, CT Yeshivat Reishit Cong. Beth Sholom Beit Shemesh/ Young Israel of Lawrence, NY Israel West Hempstead Cong. Beth Sholom West Hempstead, NY Young Israel of Providence, RI Century City Young Israel of Cong. Bnai Yeshurun , CA Woodmere Teaneck, NJ Woodmere, NY Young Israel of Cong. Ohab Zedek Hollywood Ft Lauderdale New York, NY Hollywood, FL

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President, Yeshiva University Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, David Mitzner Dean, Center for the Jewish Future Rabbi Menachem Penner, Max and Marion Grill Dean, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Rabbi Robert Shur, Series Editor Rabbi Joshua Flug, General Editor Rabbi Michael Dubitsky, Content Editor Andrea Kahn, Copy Editor Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved by Yeshiva University Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future 500 West 185th Street, Suite 419, New York, NY 10033 • [email protected] • 212.960.0074 This publication contains words of Torah. Please treat it with appropriate respect. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rabbi Russ Shulkes at [email protected]

2 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 Table of Contents Yom Haatzmaut 5780

Dedicated in memory of Cantor Jerome L. Simons

6 Eli Weinstein: The Torah of Redemption 10 Chaim Goldberg: Will Demographics Change Halacha? 12 Tzvi Goldstein: Contemporary Korbanos: Issues and Opportunities 16 Jacob Lazaros: Stories of Return 20 Eitan Rozenberg: Gishmei Bracha 23 Isaac Selter: Actualizing Prophecy: Man’s Obligation or God’s? 29 Effie Wagner: The Powers of a Jewish King

3 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 KATZ SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH MS IN CYBERSECURITY

Ehud Eliyahu Former Member of the Israeli Defense Forces Student, MS in Cybersecurity

SECURE YOUR FUTURE AT YU Master innovative methods pioneered by Israel’s elite cybersecurity and intelligence units.

Learn more at www.yu.edu/cybersecurity

BUILDING TOMORROW, TO DAY

4 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780

Syms offers the

“ education you need to succeed in NYC’s“ booming real KATZ SCHOOL estate industry. OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH David Abrams Managing Director, MS IN CYBERSECURITY NEWMARK KNIGHT FRANK

MITZNER MASTER’S IN REAL ESTATE

Ehud Eliyahu Former Member of the Israeli Defense Forces Student, MS in Cybersecurity

SECURE YOUR FUTURE AT YU Discover the art and science behind every deal Master innovative methods pioneered by Israel’s elite Create impactful business Receive mentoring from Master the fundamentals relationships through YU’s real estate practitioners with of financial analysis, cybersecurity and intelligence units. Real Estate Network. experience in every sector. modeling and deal-making.

Learn more at www.yu.edu/cybersecurity Learn More at: yu.edu/syms/real-estate

BUILDING TOMORROW, TO DAY BUILDING TOMORROW, TO DAY Yeshiva University 5 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Eli Weinstein OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

THE TORAH OF REDEMPTION

s the Jewish people grow and divide them up. The first pillar is the Rav Kook explains: מתי הוא טוב ללמוד סתרי תורה, כשהתשוקה evolve throughout history, increased focus on the hidden side of הפנימית של קרבת ד' היא חזקה, מתעלה .the Torah follows a similar Torah, known as penimiyus Hatorah pattern.A Just as new attributes of our The main feature ofpenimiyus Hatorah ומתגברת, עד שלא תתן מנוח לנפש, ואינה משביעה את חפצה בשום תכן רוחני וקדוש .national character are realized and is its fixation on Hashem’s presence שבעולם, כי אם עם ההגיון הפנימי המדבר developed over time, so too Torah Instead of speaking about the halacha ברזי עולם. study grows, and new facets of Torah itself for example, it focuses on are revealed with each day. And so, Hashem’s divine wisdom that went When is it good to learn the secrets of alongside the dramatic changes that into commanding the law. Whereas the Torah? When the inner desire for our people undergo as we return the halachic side of Torah may closeness to Hashem is strong, ascending to our homeland, the Torah, too, is focus on practical behaviors in the and increasing until it does not give evolving with us. The flowering of the workplace, focuses penimiyus Hatorah rest to the soul and does not satiate its Torah in the time of redemption is on looking deeper and seeing Hashem desire except through the most spiritual termed “ ,” and it has a in every business deal. In the past, Toras hageula and holiest content in the world, except unique character that is directly tied such study was limited to only a few through the inner logic that speaks of the to the times during which it is being unique people, but the soil of Eretz secrets of the world.2 revealed. In the upcoming essay, we Yisrael is rich with the right nutrients Oros Hatorah 10:1 will both attempt to defineToras to foster its spread to the masses. The hageulah as well as understand some is the land of prophecy, The return to the land of prophecy has of its impact on klal Yisrael. the land of interaction with Hashem, sparked this desire in our people to be and that is what makes it spiritually close to Hashem,3 and thus not only Toras hageulah can be described with ripe for Torah study that is entirely is the soil ripe for penimiyus Hatorah, three main pillars, and though they all the people, too, are primed to engage flow from the same source, it helps to focused on seeing and interacting with Him.1 in it in a real and broad way.4 [The

6 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 unity of the people is also a major in all places, Hashem can be accessed throughout the exilic distance. Toras theme in penimiyus Hatorah, and klal and appreciated in what was once off hageulah speaks to the Jewish heart Yisrael is seen as one body, with each limits because it was deemed unholy. and enhances that relationship with individual acting as a unique cell The third pillar is the expansion of Hashem. with a unique purpose. In this way, avoda shebilev, the service of the The evolution of Torah study in the klal Yisrael acts as single chariot for heart. Tefila has extended beyond times of redemption is just getting off materializing Hashem’s presence in the borders of the synagogue and has the ground. Already, its impact has this world.] become a mode of existence. Tefila dramatically affected the experience The second pillar ofToras hageulah does not occur only in three specific of Jews in the Land of Israel and it flows directly from the first, and that meetings of the day, but rather is a is beginning to spread its influence is the expansiveness of the Torah. yearning for connection with Hashem in the Diaspora. The outcome of Toras hageulah is not limited to any that is constant. As Rav Dov Singer these developments include greater sphere, and in fact covers all bases of terms man the “homo mispalelus” connection to Hashem, greater life. Whereas in the past, the enemy (Tikon Tefilati, intro), we are naturally connection to each other, and a of the Jewish people may have been pray-ers and tefila is our frame of tangible march toward the days of the Greeks, and their evil activities life. Thus tefila has grown to more of prophecy. Toras hageulah is deep and included influencing the Jewish exhilarating, and is worth engaging people to be involved in sports, art with on a deeper level no matter and music (the Yefes of the universe), where it is studied. The moreToras in the days of geulah, those activities The return to the hageulah spreads to the Diaspora, the play a big part in avodas Hashem. Exile more those in the Diaspora will realize has forced our people to put up walls Land of Israel the importance of returning home — from the beauty of the material world provides an the place where these ideas are most and separate from it in the safety of relevant and most potent — and the batei medrash and shuls, but on the opportunity to more unified our people will be. soil of Eretz Yisrael, the mundane can heal pain that we be holy and need not be shunned. Art, Endnotes music and athletics all have a place in have experienced the Torah, and there can be healthy throughout the 1. This is not a coincidental phenomenon. engagement in the holiest of contexts Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai wrote in the Zohar, without fear of being dirtied by exilic distance. Ra’aya Mehemna, Naso 124b, the foundational text of penimiyus Hatorah, that the study of his ulterior un-Jewish motives. Hashem sefer will bring the Jewish people out of exile. is everywhere and is the life force of 2. Translation by R’ Yosef Bronstein shlita. everything, and therefore He can be a natural state of dveykus, no matter accessed in all corners of existence. In what activity is going on. 3. This thirst is a direct fulfillment of a fact, this was an ideal since the earliest prophecy in Amos: This also includes a deepening of הִ נֵה יָמִים בָאִ ים נְאֻ ם ה' א-לקים וְהִשְ לַחְתִי רָ עָב בָאָרֶ ץ days of mankind when the Torah tells the Torah’s view on the human לֹא רָ עָב לַלֶחֶ ם וְ לֹא צָמָ א לַמַ יִם כִי אִ ם לִשְ מֹעַ אֵת דִבְרֵ י :us ה'. experience, which encapsulates both the emotional and psychological A time is coming — declares my Lord Hashem יַפְתְאֱֹלהִ ים לְיֶפֶת וְיִשְ כֹן בְאָהֳ לֵי שֵ ם... May Hashem grant beauty to Yefes, and realms of ideas and activities. The — when I will send a famine upon the land: not he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Jewish heart is developing and a hunger for bread or a thirst for water, but for Bereishis 9:27 our relationship with Hashem is hearing the words of Hashem. (Amos 8:11) 4. See “Ma’amar Hador” from Rav Kook for This means that the kingdom of Yefes, deepening. The return to the Land of Israel means a return to the place his understanding that the core of the nation the glory of Greece, will one day find — both observant and not yet observant where Hashem’s presence is most its place in the tents of Shem, the Jews — have this same yearning for penimiyus ancestor of the Jewish people. Due to potent, and it provides an opportunity Hatorah. the spreading of awareness of Hashem to heal pain that we have experienced

7 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 Make the most of your בין הזמנים summer

The path to success starts with an MSW from Wurzweiler School of Social Work.

OUR MEN’S SUMMER BLOCK PROGRAM OFFERS: With an MSW You Can: • Flexible Schedule Classes Live Online • Change lives in the • Orthodox community

• Scholarships Available • Generate additional income • Enhance your emotional intelligence and counseling skills

Learn More 8 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series •212.960.5400 Yom Haatzmaut 5780 x5801 [email protected] NEW RELEASES FROM MOSAICA PRESS

THE EMUNAH HAGGADAH HAGGADAH FOR THE CURIOUS II BY RABBI LEVI FELSENTHAL BY RABBI A. LEVIN

Do you believe? Bestselling author has Will they believe? An done it again! New experiential Haggadah. fascinating Q&A!

HANDBOOK OF TORAH AND MENTAL HEALTH CHOOSING UP by DAVID ROSMARIN, PHD and RABBI SAUL HAIMOFF BY ILANA KENDAL LIVING TEHILLIM Fascinating sources and “This book can change by RIVKA SEGAL important explanations. you.” – Rebbetzin Find yourself in Tziporah Heller Tehillim’s holy words.

LEARNING THE NEWS: HALACHIC PERSPECTIVES ON CURRENT EVENTS by RABBI SIMCHA LAUER Understand current events from a Torah point of view.

JUDAISM RECLAIMED: PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY IN THE TORAH BY RABBI SHMUEL PHILLIPS “Thorough and sophisticated....impressive in its scope and depth... sorely needed in this generation.” Rabbi Zev Leff MINDFULNESS by JONATHAN FEINER, PHD “Masterful...” – Dr. David Pelcovitz

AVAILABLE AT JEWISH BOOKSTORES9 EVERYWHERE OR AT WWW.MOSAICAPRESS.COM Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 Mosaica Press is directed by Rabbi Yaacov Haber and Rabbi Doron Kornbluth TORAH FOR THE TIMES Chaim Goldberg OF THE REDEMPTION Chaim Goldberg finished his semikha this year in the RIETS Israel Kollel and is currently a graduate student in child clinical psychology at Hebrew University.

WILL DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE HALACHA?

etween 2007 and 2018, the of Israel retains a level of holiness today destruction of the Second Temple. For percentage of world Jewry located that triggers a Biblical obligation of our purposes, to reduce a complicated in Israel rose from 41% to 45%.1 tithing. The Talmud3 records that Joshua Talmudic debate, those who hold the BWith demographic trends indicating sanctified the land, giving all agricultural holiness of the land remains in force that by 2029 (perhaps much sooner) commandments (mitzvot teluyot b’aretz) until this day hold that tithing remains 2 a majority of Jews will be living in the status of a Biblical obligation. There a Biblical obligation even today,5 while Israel, some may question whether the is a debate whether this Biblical status those who hold that the land’s holiness obligation to tithe one’s produce—to was eternal or not. Most opinions hold was nullified regard the obligation as separate terumot and ma’asrot—will it was nullified with the destruction of Rabbinic. 6 Maimonides, however, whose soon change from its current status the First Temple, but that Ezra renewed opinion we will focus on since it was later as a Rabbinic obligation to a Biblical the sanctification upon the return of codified by the Shulchan Aruch, paves obligation. the exiled Jews to rebuild the Second the way for a third approach7. He sides Temple. 4 The further debates with the view that Ezra’s sanctification The background necessary to understand whether Ezra’s sanctification was eternal remains, yet rules that tithing is Rabbinic this question consists primarily of two a phrase—”ביאת כולכם“ or whether it, too, was nullified with the due to the lack of concepts. The first is whether the land

1 Sergio DellaPergola. “World Jewish Population, 2018,” in Arnold Dashefsky and Ira M. Sheskin. (Editors) The American Jewish Year Book, 2018, Volume 118 (2018) (Dordrecht: Springer) pp. 361-452. 2 As the study cited did not use a strictly halachic definition concerning who is a Jew, there is ample reason to believe that this benchmark will be reached in the next year or two, as there are likely more non-halachic Jews in the Diaspora reported as Jews in this survey than there are in Israel. 3 Shevuot 16a 4 Rambam H. Beit HaBechira 6:16, Ra’avad H. Terumot 3:13, Tur/Shulchan Aruch 331:1 5 Tosafot Yevamot 82b, Ra’avad H. Terumot 1:26 6 and Meiri Sanhedrin 26a 7 H. Terumot 1:26

10 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 ”.The third sanctification“ ”קדושה שלישית“ representing the second concept, to that only a majority is required, the matter which we now turn. remains unresolved. There remains a Regardless of how many Jews live in question that emerges from Maimonides’ Regarding the commandment of Israel, this is something which will only opinion which demands explanation. take place with the coming of 14 .Mashiach "בבאכם separating challa, the Torah states Namely, if he holds Ezra’s sanctification When you (plural) come to the To end on a philosophical note, what“ אל הארץ" was eternal and the land of Israel has R’ Chaim’s understanding means, in "'בבאכם'— ,Land.” The Talmud8 expounds an elevated level of holiness to this day, essence, is that what gives the land of —בביאת כולכם אמרתי ולא בביאת מקצתכם" necessary? How ”ביאת כולכם“ why is “all of you, not some of you,” that is, Israel its ultimate holiness is the Jewish does all (or most) Jews being in Israel challa only applies on a Biblical level people’s physical presence in the land. change anything? R’ Chaim Soloveitchik when all Jews come to Israel. Therefore, Thus, while there are a number of valid understands that this requirement all would agree—even if one holds that reasons why any given individual may not signifies a fundamental difference in the Ezra’s sanctification was eternal—that be able to make aliyah at the present time, land’s holiness12. Yes, it was sanctified separating challa is of a Rabbinical nature the thought that “I’ll go when Mashiach by Ezra and constantly maintains a state so long as not all Jews are living in Israel. comes, once the Temple is rebuilt and of holiness; nonetheless, it does not Maimonides’ ruling is innovative because all the holiness is restored” ought not be achieve its ultimate level of holiness he extends this condition from challa part of one’s thought process. Rather, we to tithing terumot uma’asrot. Therefore, should feel empowered by the thought despite ruling that Ezra’s sanctification that the aliyah of every Jew brings the remains until this day, he maintains the land one step closer to its ultimate level obligation of tithing is not Biblical since of holiness. May we merit to see Jewish this second condition of all Jews being in The what gives the communities in Israel continue to flourish Israel remains unfulfilled. He emphasizes and to see the day when terumot uma’asrot that even in the Second Temple era the land of Israel its become a Biblical obligation once again! obligation was rabbinic, since not all Jews returned with Ezra. ultimate holiness is Given our understanding of Maimonides, the Jewish people’s presumably this halacha will not change until all Jews are in Israel. However, there physical presence is a debate on how to understand the in the land. does it—”ביאת כולכם“ requirement of require all Jews to be in the land of Israel? Or does it simply require a majority? The Sefer HaChinuch9 and the Ritva10 hold that only a majority is required and the until the Jews are in the land itself. Some Chazon Ish implies this as well11. On commandments require this ultimate this basis, one can suggest that when level of holiness and terumot uma’asrot a majority of Jews are in Israel the is one of them. Torat Ha’Aretz13 builds nature of the obligation will in fact turn on this understanding of Maimonides, Biblical. Nonetheless, this appears to be suggesting that since this level of holiness the minority opinion and, importantly, was lacking in Ezra’s time as well, Ezra’s it is not clear whether Maimonides sanctification did not take hold with and Shulchan Aruch would themselves regards to terumot uma’asrot. Thus, in subscribe to that understanding. order for terumot uma’asrot to regain a Moreover, even if we accept the opinion Biblical status once again, there would need to be what Maimonides calls

8 Ketubot 25b 9 Mitzva 385 10 Ketubot 25b 11 Shevi’it 21:5 12 H. Shemitta v’Yovel 12:16 13 Vol. 2, 3a-3b. See there for further discussion and additional proofs. 14In a personal communication, R. Reichenberg, S’gan Rosh Beit Hamidrash Emunat Ish (a Kollel exclusively dedicated to learning and research regarding mitzvot teluyot b’aretz) mentioned that he views this opinion as legitimate consideration vis-à-vis the question of what the psak (ruling) would be should we reach the benchmark of a majority of Jews in Israel.

11 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Tzvi Goldstein OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

CONTEMPORARY KORBANOS: ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

magine it is right after . The Kedushas Har HaBayis though, that everyone agrees bamos pile of mishloach manos has begun are no longer an option. Our only to shrink to a manageable size, Does Har HaBayis (The Temple chance at offering korbanos nowadays Ithe costumes have returned to the Mount) retain its kedusha even would be on Har HaBayis, and only box in the basement, and you start to after the Beis HaMikdash was according to the opinion that Har come to grips with the fact that Pesach destroyed? The Gemara inMegilla Habayis retains its kedusha. cleaning is on the horizon. Then, (9b-10a) compares the period of the Which opinion do we follow? The someone posts in your neighborhood Mishkan at Shilo and the Mikdash Rambam (Beis HaBechira 6:14-16) WhatsApp group: “Looking for a in Yerushalayim. One difference, holds that it does retain kedusha. family of 4-6 to join our KP. Anyone it writes, is that there was a period He explains that the kedusha of interested?” You read it again; are of heter bamos, personal altars, that Yerushalayim and Har HaBayis comes they really looking for someone to were allowed after the destruction from the presence of the Shechina, join their korban Pesach? Was the of Mishkan Shilo. However, after which descended when King Shlomo Beis HaMikdash rebuilt, and you King Shlomo built the Mikdash in built the first Beis HaMikdash. just somehow missed it? You reply Yerushalayim, that was the end of the Nothing, not even total destruction, privately to your neighbor, and she “Bamos era”; personal altars were no can remove the presence of the explains that this year, they’re planning longer allowed. What is the law after Shechina; Har HaBayis remains holy. on bringing a korban Pesach even the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed? R’ Ishtori HaParchi, author of the though the Beis HaMikdash hasn’t The Gemara quotes a dispute about Kaftor VaFerach, brings a number of been rebuilt yet. You send a question the status of Har HaBayis after the other sources that also indicate that in to your “Shailos U’Teshuvos” group churban: one opinion holds that it Har HaBayis still has kedusha, even chat, asking if that’s at all allowed. And retains its kedusha, while the other though the Beis HaMikdash was the answer, surprisingly, isn’t as clear as holds that the kedusha left when the destroyed (Chapter 6). Therefore, we you might expect. building was burned. Tosfos holds, can bring korbanos even without the

12 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 Beis HaMikdash being rebuilt. Altar for the service to be valid? The (ritual impurity) is not a problem; The Raavad stridently disagrees. He Gemara in Zevachim 62a, records when most of the nation is tamei, brings a number of sources indicating that Chagai, Zecharia, and Malachi we can ignore the problems that that Yerushalayim and Har HaBayis no returned with the Jews from exile in tuma causes for offering korbanos. Bavel. One testified as to the proper However, many (including the longer have kedusha. In fact, he suggests that this was by design: when Ezra placement of the Mizbei’ach, another Chasam Sofer, Shu’t Yoreh Deah 236) returned to Israel and rebuilt the Beis testified as to its measurements, and suggest that the chinuch, the initiation HaMikdash, he knew that the third the third testified that korbanos can of a new vessel, requires complete Mikdash would be drastically different, be brought even before the Beis holiness. Is that attainable to initiate as described at the end of Sefer HaMikdash was rebuilt. This implies our Mizbei’ach? Everyone is assumed Yechezkel. Therefore, he only planned that there was a need to identify to be tamei meis nowadays, and we exactly where the Mizbei’ach was don’t have ashes of a on infusing temporary kedusha. parah aduma meant to stand; it wouldn’t have to purify ourselves. Rav Shternbuch sufficed to guess or choose a new suggests that this may not be an Korbanos Without a Beis place for bringing korbanos. What issue. According to the opinion that HaMikdash could we do now that we don’t have a the original kedusha of Har HaBayis prophet showing us the proper place is everlasting, that means that the Assuming Har HaBayis retains and measurements for the Mizbei’ach? chinuch of the first Mizbei’ach is still kedusha, are we allowed to bring extant. Even though that original korbanos without a Beis HaMikdash? While we could try to measure using descriptions found in various sources, structure is no longer standing, a new While the Gemara seems to say that another problem becomes immediately Mizbei’ach would be considered a if there is kedusha, a Beis HaMikdash “ ,” a rebuilding or fixing, rather clear: we don’t know how long an amah tikkun is not necessary to offer korbanos is! How can we use measurements than a new vessel, obviating the need (makrivin af al pi she’ain bayis), the to determine the location of the for initiation with complete purity. Chofetz Chaim, Likutei Halachos, Mizbei’ach? Furthermore, the Let us assume that we can resolve these Zevachim 66b, raised a technical Mizbei’ach is supposed to 32 X 32 X issues: Har HaBayis still has kedusha, issue. One of the requirements for 10 amos. If we don’t know the exact there’s no need for pesach Ohel Moed, most korbanos is that they need to measurement of an amah, how can and we can at least approximate the be brought lifnei pesach Ohel Moed we build the Mizbei’ach? Fortunately, place of the Mizbe’iach. Who will — at the entrance to the Ohel Moed, the Rambam in the same perek perform the service? We need two a phrase that shows up a number (halacha 17) provides a solution. The things: 1) a Kohen, who is 2) tahor of times in the pesukim. Even if Har Rambam writes that the exact size of from all different strains oftuma . Do HaBayis retains its kedusha, is the the Mizbei’ach is not critical. In fact, it we have either of these? lack of a pesach Ohel Moed a problem? can be as small as 1 X 1 X 3! As long as Rav Moshe Shternbuch (Moadim we can figure out the approximate area U’Zemanim 4:351) suggests several Status of the Kohanim where the Altar used to stand, we can answers. For example, that may only build a tiny replica anywhere in that apply as long as the structure exists. While we have many Kohanim, it’s original square and the Mizbei’ach will While we have a Beis HaMikdash, not clear how confident we are in their be valid. korbanos need to be brought at the yichus (lineage). A Kohen is entitled entrance of the Beis HaMikdash, as to teruma from produce grown in opposed to anywhere else. However, Inauguration in a State of Israel, charged with nesias kapayim once the structure has been destroyed, Purity and delivering Birkas Kohanim that requirement is no longer relevant. (duchening), and instructed to carry Even if we manage to build a out the service in the Beis HaMikdash. Mizbei’ach, we have another problem. Of those, serving in the Mikdash Placement of the Altar Every vessel in the Beis HaMikdash carries the most severe punishment needs to be initiated before use. When if done improperly. were Do we need to build our Mizbei’ach it comes to using the vessel, tuma willing to settle on lower standards in the exact same place as the original

13 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 for teruma d’rabanan (terumah that is which we don’t have. Other forms (Rambam Klei HaMikdash 8:7). When only rabbinic in nature) and Birkas of tuma need only immersion in a we had the Beis HaMikdash, every Kohanim. Anyone who has a chazaka mikveh or flowing spring. member of the nation donated a half that he is a Kohen — born to a father shekel each year. This money was used Of course, avoda can’t be done in who was a Kohen — can eat teruma for korbanos of the nation, as well as a context of tuma. However, when d’rabanan and do Birkas Kohanim. for the clothing of the Kohanim and most of the tzibbur is tamei, tuma is However, they insisted that only upkeep of the vessels. There is only one temporarily ignored (tuma dechuya verified Kohanim serve in the Mikdash. korban that is an exception to this rule: b’tzibur). This leniency applies only to A Kohen needs more than just chazaka the korban Pesach. (While each family tumas meis. Therefore, the tuma issue to serve; he needs to prove his lineage. can be avoided: the Kohen would or group pays for their own korban, it The Rambam ( 20:1-2) Isurei Biah immerse in a flowing spring. is still treated as a public offering, and writes that he needs two witnesses is still subject to the leniency of tuma who can verify that his lineage goes dechuya b’tzibur.) The Rambam (ibid) back to a Kohen who actually served Bigdei Kehuna suggests a workaround that will solve on the Mizbei’ach. No one has such the problem for other korbanos: an Assuming we have a Kohen who a strong yichus nowadays; this would individual can donate something to is able to serve, he also needs to be seem to be a major problem. However, the Mikdash on behalf of the tzibbur. wearing the uniform. Every regular Chasam Sofer argues that the issue As long as he really has in mind to give Kohen had to wear four special pieces is not as overwhelming as we might the donation on behalf of the entire of white linen clothing while he was have thought. The only concern of a nation, it would be considered public serving in the Mikdash: pants, a tunic, Kohen without yichus is that at some funds and usable. a hat or turban, and a belt or sash point, someone in the family married a (Rambam, Klei HaMikdash 8:1). chalalah, a woman who isn’t allowed to Without this uniform, a Kohen is like Conclusion marry a Kohen. Her children no longer a non-Kohen and is not allowed to have the status of Kohanim. However, This only scratches the surface of do the avoda. Unfortunately, we have the Gemara, Kiddushin 66b, says that many questions about how to make the issues to be dealt with. There are the service of chalal (the son of a these special clothing; for example, more that we didn’t even mention, chalalah) who serves and then finds we don’t even know what the regular and each one we did mention could out that he is a chalal is still valid after Kohen’s headwear is meant to look like be significantly expanded. Even if we the fact. Rav Shternbuch dismisses solved all the halachic issues, there (See Tosfos, Sukka 5a-b and Rambam/ this rationalization, pointing out that are obvious practical impediments Raavad Klei HaMikdash 8:2). There being a chalal is not the only concern. to building a Mizbei’ach and offering is also a sha’atnez issue to deal with: The fourth perek ofKiddushin relates the belt was interwoven with wool korbanos on the Har HaBayis. that the family of the Chashmonaim and linen. As long as the clothing is Nevertheless, learning the sources and lost their yichus when women from that made properly, we can apply the rule working through each potential issue family had relations with non-Jewish gives practical expression to our desire of asei doche lo saasei — a positive servants. Those children are not simply commandment can override a negative for the Beis HaMikdash to be rebuilt. chalalim — they have no connection commandment. However, if anything Across the generations, different to the Kehuna! The lack of verified was made improperly, the mitzva is personalities have tried to find ways Kohanim is a significant problem. not fulfilled by wearing the priestly to bring back the service of korbanos. garments, in which case there is no We look forward to the opportunity to present ourselves to Hashem and Dealing with Impurity permissibility to wear the sha’atnez. dedicate everything we have to His Tuma is less of a problem. The only service, and to bring that Mikdash- tuma we can’t fix nowadays istumas Need for Public Funds infused perspective back into our meis, tuma incurred from contact with everyday lives (see Rav SR Hirsch’s Every aspect of the Beis HaMikdash or proximity to a dead body. That commentary on the beginning of Sefer needs to come from public funds requires ashes from a parah aduma, Vayikra).

14 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 THE MOST EXCITING TANAKH PROJECT IN GENERATIONS! THE HERTOG EDITON THE KOREN TANAKH OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL

Expand the way you understand the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim with The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel. Using the latest discoveries from the worlds of Archeology, Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Linguistics and other scholarly disciplines, The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel brings the text to life by looking at the context in which the Tanakh was written.

The Book of Exodus features the full Hebrew text, alongside the brand new English translation by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Includes stunning visuals, articles by world-class scholars, and much more!

SPECIAL FOR PESAĤ

PASSOVER HAGGADA GRAPHIC NOVEL KOREN MAGERMAN YOUTH HAGGADA Created by veteran Batman editor, Developed by Dr. Daniel Rose, Jordan B. Gorfinkel & Erez Zadok Israeli artist Rinat Gilboa With translation by David Olivestone & designer Tani Bayer Integrates a brand-new, modern translation An illustrated Haggada for reflecting, into sophisticated & super fun sequential art! questioning and experiencing.

Download the Parent-Educator’s Guide from www.korenpub.com

Now available online and at Jewish15 bookstores • www.korenpub.com Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Jacob Lazaros OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

STORIES OF RETURN

השם והוא מוטבע בנו מאבינו אברהם ... וכן n July 2014, during Operation to leave their homes and families ההתעוררות לאדם פתאום לילך לארץ הקודש .Protective Edge, Max Steinberg, behind to support their Jewish state הוא מנסיון לך לך. an American-born IDF lone But how exactly do we explain this Isoldier, was killed in Gaza. He, like phenomenon? There are many great levels that a many others, was inspired by a In his commentary to Pirkei Avos, tzaddik works and toils to achieve, to Birthright trip to make aliyah and R’ Chaim of Volozhin, the foremost whose descendants after him they are join Israel’s army. The night before his student of the Vilna , provides naturally inborn. And with only a little funeral, however, a disturbing article us with an answer. The Mishnah effort, he (the descendant) will reach was published. Allison Benedikt, the in Avos (5:3) praises Avraham for [this high level], as we see with our own current executive editor of , wrote Slate withstanding the ten trials posed senses that many simple Jews give their an article on the online magazine to him. But whereas the preceding lives for the sanctification of God’s name. partly blaming Birthright for his mishnah refers to him simply as And this is our nature from Avraham death. Needless to say, the brash Avraham, our mishnah refers to him our forefather…And so too the sudden statement crossed many lines. But as Avraham Avinu, Avraham our inspiration to travel to Eretz Yisrael, this one of her questions remains valid: forefather. Noting the subtle lingual is from the test of “lech lecha.” “What makes an American kid with difference, R’ Chaim remarks: Every nisayon, every trial that shaky Hebrew and no ties to the state Avraham Avinu withstood, was כי כמה מדות שהצדיק טרח ויגע להשיגם, of Israel suddenly decide he is ready to not merely a personal spiritual לבניו אחריו המה כטבע מוטבע ובקצת יגיעה make this sacrifice?”1 And Max is not achievement by the individual יגיעו לזה כמו שנראה בחוש שרבים מעמי alone; hundreds, even thousands like Avraham; it was an experience and ארץ מהיהודים מוסרים את עצמם על קידוש him have made the courageous move essential quality that Avraham Avinu,

16 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 the father of a nation, would bequeath to all of his Visit the Parents descendants. The spiritual and mental courage that this pesach in Avraham (then Avram) displayed in response to the call of “lech lecha” would be built into the fabric of the Jewish soul for all time. חבר ן We can understand this idea further based on a ו comment by Rabbeinu Nissim (the Ran), the great Spanish Talmudist. In his philosophical work, Derashos HaRan (8th derasha), the Ran notes: שהענין כאשר קבל צורה אחת, גם כי תסתלק הצורה ההיא

View weekly tour dates מן הדבר ההוא, שיקבל הדבר ההוא הצורה ההיא שנית יותר and book your tour at hebronfund.org בקלות במעט פעולה. additional tours added over Pesach When something once acquired a certain form, even if and Summer! the form subsequently departed from it, it will be easier for that thing to acquire that form once again.2 Once Avraham Avinu made the sacrifice and carried out the charge of “lech lecha,” it subsequently became easier for every Jew after him to follow suit. Book your family favorite And so it was throughout Jewish history that Hebron tour! Jews around the world left everything behind and responded to this inner calling with an almost absurd passion. Absurd in the sense that it was not because of greater financial opportunity or stronger NCSY GIVE Summer Program enjoying the 4D Movie Ride familial ties — historically, it was usually the at the new Hebron Museum opposite — but by an inner yearning ingrained in A day of holy sites and Fun and inspirational our spiritual DNA from the time of Avraham Avinu. memorable experiences tours for all ages! Although, as the Rambam tells us in his Sefer Hamitzvos (Positive Commandment, 153), the Jews will always maintain some presence in our homeland, this did not preclude the historical

Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum will reality that after the destruction of the Second connect you and your family to the Land of Israel Beis Hamikdash (70 CE) most Jews were living & your roots Return visitor? Explore new sites A highlight of your in the Diaspora. Be that as it may, the call of “lech with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum! entire Israel vacation! lecha” never left the Jewish consciousness. And so there were always those great individuals, those Round-trip private coach bus transportation from Jerusalem to Kever Rachel & Ma’arat HaMachpela courageous sons of Avraham Avinu, who left behind “their land, their birthplace and their father’s house” headed for “the land that I will show you.” TOP 10 MOST VISITED SITES IN ISRAEL One of the first “stories of return” we have on record of belongs to R’ Achai Gaon, the author of Sign up for our newsletter online and receive your digital copy THE HEBRON FUND the halachic-aggadic work the Sheiltot, one of the SIDDUR SOLDIER MORE MEANINGFUL first post-Talmudic works published. In around the DEDICATION 2019-20SPONSORSHIPS ARTISTS CALENDAROPPORTUNITIES year 750 C.E. he left , the center of Jewish learning at the time, and settled in Israel, where he 3 remained until his last day. For more info visit hebronfund.org [email protected] | (718) 677-6886

17 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 נוסע לארץ הקדושה שהכל מצפים לראותה Most famous, however, was the aliyah and quickly became the spiritual חמדת כל ישראל. of the Ramban. The great Talmudic leader of a community in need. The scholar and Kabbalist famously famed Kabbalist, R’ Yeshaya HaLevi It is common for men to leave their wives disagreed with the Rambam (Mitzvos Horowitz (the Shelah), left the post for years traveling for business…But omitted by the Rambam, positive, no. of Chief Rabbi of Prague and moved I, thank God, am traveling to the Holy 4) and argued forcefully that living in to Israel in 1621. Some seventy years Land, about which everyone longs to see, Eretz Yisrael is one of the 613 mitzvos. later, R’ Yehuda Hachassid (not to be our people’s most Beloved Moreover, this one mitzvah is equal confused with the medieval scholar) Iggeres HaGra, Alim L’terufah to all the mitzvos in the Torah and took with him a small following and It is unclear what year exactly the one about which Chazal expanded settled in Jerusalem at the turn of Vilna Gaon set out for Eretz Yisrael, greatly. The Ramban, however, didn’t the 18th century. The Ohr Hachaim but it is clear that he never made just talk the talk; he, quite literally, too followed suit in 1740, settling it. For reasons unknown to us, he walked the walk. In the year 1267, at in the Holy Land. And in 1789, turned back in the middle. When the age of 72(!) the Ramban left his Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, almost pressed by his sons as to his motives family and the world he knew behind, impulsively, set out for the Holy Land. for returning, his response was: set out for the land of Israel, and on Although he remained there for six “Heaven did not grant me permission” the 9th of Elul arrived home at last in months, upon walking daled amot on (Introduction to Biur HaGra; the port of Acco. Shortly thereafter, he the holy ground, he remarked that he Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim). traveled to Jerusalem where he found could return. And there were many, Though the Vilna Gaon himself did poverty, ruins, and hardly any Jews at many more who risked everything to not complete the journey, his students all. Though he found destruction, he return home. did for him. In 1808 a close disciple saw hope: One aliyah trip, however, taken by an of the Vilna Gaon, R’ Menachem unparalleled scholar, was especially Mendel of Shklov, headed for Eretz ומה אגיד לכם בענין הארץ כי רבה העזובה mysterious: Yisrael only to begin what would וגדל השממון וכללו של דבר כל המקודש מחבירו חרב יותר מחבירו ירושלים יותר later be known as the aliyah of the הנה אנשים נוסעים על כמה שנים בשביל הרבה מן הכל ... ועם כל חרבנה היא טובה Perushim, the community founded by ממון מניחים נשותיהם ... ואני תודה לא-ל מ אד. What can I tell you about the land, greatly forsaken and significantly desolate? But the principal of the matter is: the more sacred, the greater the destruction. And Jerusalem is more destroyed than all…but despite its destruction, it is very good. Kitvei Ramban, Vol. 1, pg. 368 He turned a dilapidated old house into the city shul, taught Torah, composed his classic commentary on Chumash and helped rebuild and restore a Jewish community in the Jewish city. And ever since, Jerusalem has been home to a community of Jews. Skip forward about 200 years. In 1488, R’ Ovadiah of Bartenura, the author of the famous commentary on the Mishnah, set out for Jerusalem

18 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 students of the Vilna Gaon. Soon after, It is clear that exile is a divergence from to his homeland, the Jew will return, R’ Yisrael of Shklov, another close the natural order. For God, Blessed be He almost compulsively, as if steered by student of the Vilna Gaon’s, followed. delineated each nation in its proper place an inner, constant voice, whispering In 1816, R’ Menachem Mendel moved and the Jewish people in their proper “lech lecha, go, go to yourself, to your to Jerusalem and established the place, namely, Eretz Yisrael. And exile Creator, to your homeland.” So when Ashkenazi community of Jerusalem. from their place is a total divergence. we hear of a seemingly unaffiliated The “Shklovs,” along with fellow And all things that are moved from their Jew suddenly seek out his Creator students of the Gra and their families, natural place cannot persist in a place or abruptly decide to give his life for were responsible for setting in motion that is unnatural for them; rather they his people and we are asked, “What a revival of the Holy Land. Their must return to their natural place… makes an American kid with shaky impact is felt to this very day. Only things that are natural persist…” Hebrew and no ties to the state of Any student of the Talmud knows When a Jew speaks of “return” he can Israel suddenly decide he is ready to that when encountering a halacha refer to either the return to his Creator make this sacrifice?,” we know very well. Because it comes naturally. two questions must be asked: What (teshuvah) or the return to his Land. is the makor, the source for the law, As the Sefer Chareidim (chapter 59) and what is the sevara, the logical writes, “Just as Hashem chose the Endnotes reasoning behind the law? If R’ Chaim Jewish people, so did He choose Eretz 1. https://slate.com/news-and- of Volozhin has provided us with the Yisrael.” The natural state for a Jew is politics/2014/07/max-steinberg-death- makor for the “aliyah phenomenon,” it in the Presence of God and the natural how-birthright-convinces-american-jews-to- is the Maharal who provides us with place for a Jew is in the land of God. A embrace-israel.html.. the sevara. In the first chapter of his lacking of either is unnatural and, says 2. Translation from Sefaria.org. philosophical work, Netzach Yisrael, the Maharal, bound to end. Hence the 3. See R’ Zechariah Fendel’s Legacy of Sinai he writes the following: Rambam writes in his Hilchos Teshuva pg. 248. :(7:5) …וזה כי אין ספק כי הגלות הוא שינוי ויציאה וכבר הבטיחה תורה שסוף ישראל לעשות מן הסדר, שהשם יתברך סדר כל אומה תשובה בסוף גלותן ומיד הן נגאלין. במקומה הראוי לה, וסדר את ישראל במקום The Torah already promised that הראוי להם, שהוא ארץ ישראל. והגלות מן ultimately, Israel will repent at the end מקומם הוא שינוי ויציאה לגמרי. וכל הדברים of her exile and, immediately, she will be כאשר הם יוצאים ממקום הטבעי, והם חוץ .redeemed למקומם, אין להם עמידה במקום הבלתי טבעי להם, רק הם חוזרים למקומם הטבעי…שאין Whether it is a return to his Creator or עומד בתמידות רק הדברים הטבעיים…

Were you Koveah time to learn today? Daily Learning What you want, when you want, at the pace you want

Visit www.koveah.org to start adding more learning to your day!

19 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Eitan Rozenberg OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

GISHMEI BRACHA

mbrellas and raincoats have Geshem, we welcome the summer with The list goes on… Why does the rain been a necessity for those Pesach’s Tefilat Tal, and signifying of Israel play such a central role? fortunate to have spent their importance, the chazzan dons We could ask a more fundamental Uthis year in the Holy Land. Over a kittel. Inside the Holy of Holies question: For a nation of farmers the winter, Israel was blessed with on , the Kohen Gadol Yom Kippur who have an entire order of Mishna, the most rainfall in over 50 years! would pray for the upcoming year’s Seder Zeraim, dedicated to their The seasons are now transitioning rainfall ( Seder Ha’Avodah, Nusach agricultural endeavors, a desert land from to , from winter to ). A large portion of choref aviv Sefard Mesechet with little access to water seems to be spring. And while the contrast in is involved with the additional Ta’anit a poor choice of location. Why in fact the Diaspora may be limited to a prayers and fasts established in did G-d choose Israel? The answer difference in temperature, the Jews of order to supplicate G-d for rain, and to this question might be hidden in Israel experience a dramatic change the (Ta’anit 7a,7b) make the pesukim of Parshat Eikev (Deut. in weather patterns, where stormy statements as remarkable as: 11:11-12): אמר רב יהודה גדול יום הגשמים כיום שניתנה rain clouds are replaced by bountiful וְהָאָרֶ ץ, אֲ ֶשר ֶ אַם תעֹבְרִ ים ָש ָ מה לְ רִ ְש ָ תּה-- בו תורה. sunshine. This transition is most ץאֶרֶ הָרִ ים, ּובְקָ עֹת; לִמְטַרהַּׁשָמַ יִם, ִת ְש ֶתה- poignantly expressed in the change R. Yehuda said: the day that it rains is ָ מיִם. אֶרֶ ץ, אֲ שֶר-ה' אֱֹלקֶ יָך דֹרֵ שאֹתָ ּה: תָמִ יד, of our nusach hatfillot, removing as great as the day that the Torah was עֵ ינֵי ה' אֱֹלקֶ יָך בָּה--מֵ רֵ ִ יתש הַּׁשָ נָה, וְעַ ד אַחֲרִ ית mashiv haruach and altering the vten ָ ש ָ נ ה . .given אמר רבי חמא בר' חנינא גדול יום הגשמים tal u’matar in our Shmone Esrei. By But the land you are about to cross into כיום שנבראו שמים וארץ. reading our texts carefully, we will notice that these are not the only and possess, a land of hills and valleys, R. Chama b. R. Chanina said: the day references to the rain of Israel in our soaks up its water from the rains of that it rains is as great as the day that prayers and literature. We embrace the heaven. It is a land which the Lord your the heavens and the earth were created. winter with Shimini Atzeret’s Tefilat God looks after, on which the Lord your

20 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 God always keeps His eye, from year’s Although for thousands of years Jews in every Israeli household, multiple beginning to year’s end. in the Diaspora prayed for rain in swimming pools per hotel, and drip We see that it was no unfortunate Israel, the true feeling of dependency irrigation across every farm in Israel — coincidence that the Jewish people on Israel’s rain had not been on the the Land of Israel is more hydrated landed in the desert land of Israel. Jews’ consciousness until the recent today than many western countries. G-d tells us that is specifically because resettlement of the Land in the past What reason is there to continue He cherishes Bnei Yisrael that He puts hundred years. The Jews of Israel are praying for rain? them in a desert land. People with an once again blessed to live with an active While this may seem true, and unlimited water source will never turn feeling of dependency on G-d’s rain. our dependency on rainfall has to G-d for help, will never look to the The specialnuschaot in the tefillot of diminished, the Land of Israel does skies for rain; their life resources are Eretz Yisrael that address the need for not allow its inhabitants to merely streaming by their feet. In contrast, sit back and enjoy the Land. She says G-d, settling Bnei Yisrael in a challenges her people. She challenges desert region will allow them to turn them so they turn to G-d. Whether to the One above for its sustenance, Although Jews this challenge is manifest in rain, pray to G-d for rain, and always know security concerns, or the difficulty of from where their livelihood stems. in the Diaspora making a living, the Land will forever force its people to look to G-d for In these few pesukim, G-d reveals an always prayed important message. Our dependency for rain in Israel, help. The very fabric of the Land of on Him is not an inadvertent Israel is imbued with a connection to arrangement, nor a happenstance the true feeling its Creator, and she expects no less of coincidence. Rather it is a conduit of dependency her people. אשא עיני אל ההרים מאין יבוא עזרי עזרי that affords us the opportunity to מעם ה' עושה שמיים וארץ. turn, beseech, and ultimately connect on Israel’s rain with G-d. Behind every challenge had not been I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. is a blessing. A blessing from the From where does my help come? My help One above, reminding us that He is on the Jews’ comes from the Lord, who made heaven present and readily available. Earlier in consciousness and earth. Parshat Eikev, G-d cautions about the Psalm 121:1-2 challenges of wealth. All too often does until the recent The Jews of Israel endure struggles the wealthy man forget Who provided resettlement of the and challenges, but it is for this exact his wealth, while the destitute fellow reason that Jews choose to live there. is in constant connection with G-d, Land in the past The flip side of every challenge is a always requesting His basic needs. hundred years. blessing — the opportunity to look G-d’s settling His agricultural nation to G-d for assistance. While the Land in a desert land was the best way of Israel may not have an elaborate to guarantee the nation’s constant highway system nor many rushing beseeching of His heavens for rain. rain, such as the addition of “g’shamim rivers, her humble roads whisper to Rain does not merely sustain our b’itam” (rains in their proper time) G-d as they traverse the Jerusalem physical survival in Israel, it is at the in Birkas Hachodesh and the distinct hills, and her rivers rush not with core of our spiritual existence. The “Aneinu” in Shmone Esrei, highlight water but with the heartfelt prayers of rain of Israel is hand-delivered by G-d the unique connection with G-d only every Jew in Israel. May we all be zoche in response to the tefillot of klal Yisrael, the Jew living in Israel can experience. to internalize that the greatest blessing and each drop penetrates the soil and Today in 2020, the advent of modern in life is not to receive rain, but to imbues the land with kedushah. The technologies and desalination plants need rain — gishmei bracha. Land of Israel is no desert — it is a has seemingly reduced Israel’s reliance flowing oasis of prayer. on G-d’s rain. An endless water tap

21 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 SOMETIMES LAUGHTER REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE.

When a child faces an uncomfortable or painful procedure, a smiling face or silly joke can make all the difference. The Dream Doctor medical clowns at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem found that when they engage and distract patients, the children report feeling less pain.

For more than a century, Shaare Zedek’s medical staff has been helping patients heal through advanced medical treatments and compassionate care – even those that include squeaky toys and red noses.

www.acsz.org | [email protected] | 212.764.8116

22 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Isaac Selter OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

ACTUALIZING PROPHECY: MAN’S OBLIGATION OR GOD’S?

ny attentive member of a full of boys and girls playing in the broad these prophetic visions play in a Religious Zionist youth places thereof. halakhic life? Are eschatological group will immediately smile Zekharyah 8:4-5 prophecies merely descriptive in uponA seeing an elderly couple sit on a nature, telling us of hopeful times, Tanakh is saturated with prophecies Jerusalem park bench or children run that ostensibly foreshadow the where we may find comfort amidst SOMETIMES LAUGHTER REALLY around Gan Sacher. These seemingly Jewish People’s rise from the ashes terrible years of exile and persecution, insignificant occurrences in truth IS THE BEST MEDICINE. of , its return to the yet not demanding anything from carry with them an over 2,000 year Land of Israel, and its creation of a us in addition to a life committed promise: 1 to mitzvot? Moreover, perhaps When a child faces an uncomfortable or painful procedure, a smiling face or silly joke sovereign state. Any Religious Zionist that the State of Israel prophecies and their fulfillments כֹה recognizesאָמַר ה'צְבָ אֹות עֹד יֵשְ בּו זְקֵ נִים ּוזְקֵ נֹות can make all the difference. The Dream Doctor medical clowns at Shaare Zedek Medical 2 ”,does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it are ‘’the secrets of the Holy One בִרְ חֹבֹות יְרּושָ לִָם וְאִ יש מִשְ עַ ֹונְ תבְ יָדֹו מֵ רֹב apathetic to or even discouraging of plays a critical, metahistorical role in יָמִים. ּורְ חֹבֹות הָעִ יר יִמָ לְאּו יְלָדִ ים וִילָ דֹות Center in Jerusalem found that when they engage and distract patients, the children human involvement. Or, on the other the fulfillment of the Jewish People’sמְשַחֲקִים בִרְ חֹבֹתֶיהָ . .report feeling less pain hand, are prophecies proscriptive, Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall destiny, expressed and outlined in the For more than a century, Shaare Zedek’s medical staff has been helping patients heal charging the Jewish People to yet old men and old women sit in the words of our ancient prophets. actively through advanced medical treatments and compassionate care – even those that the messianic vision and broad places of Jerusalem, every man pursue Aside from perhaps putting a smile bring about its fulfillment? Is a Jew include squeaky toys and red noses. with his staff in his hand for very age. on our faces, what function do obligated to actualize prophecy and And the broad places of the city shall be

I would like to thank Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein whose shiurim on “The Rav, the Rebbe, and Rav Kook,” and more specifically on this topic, inspired me to write this article. His and his family’s Aliyah to Israel greatly inspired and continues to inspire many of his students who are passionate about doing the same. www.acsz.org | [email protected] | 212.764.8116

23 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 .Israel והמריעים לישראל, אילו לא רצה להרע להם take part in the realization of the הרשות בידו, שלא גזר על איש ידוע אלא Jewish People’s destiny, even in the Ramban5 rejects Rambam’s view and הודיעו שסוף זרעו עתיד להשתעבד בארץ לא absence of or in a perceived conflict offers his own: להם, וכבר אמרנו שאין כח באדם לידע היאך with halakhic obligations? This article והרב נתן טעם בספר המדע . . . ולא נתכנו ידע הקב"ה דברים העתידין להיות will explore the different approaches דבריו אצלי, שאפילו גזר שאחד מכל האומות to this question, specifically in relation In regard to the Egyptians, each and יריע להם בכך וכך, וקדם זה ועשה גזרתו של to fulfilling the vision ofBerit Bein every one of the Egyptians who caused הקב"ה זכה בדבר מצוה . . . HaBetarim, the dreams of Yosef, and hardship and difficulty for Israel had the eschatological prophecies of the choice to refrain from harming them, if The [Rambam] gave an answer in Sefer ultimate redemption. he so desired, for there was no decree on a Madda . . . but his words have not settled particular person. Rather, [God merely] with me, for even if God decreed that one I. Berit Bein HaBetarim: informed [Abraham] that, in the future, of the nations cause hardship for [Israel] Egypt’s Role in Fulfilling God’s his descendants would be enslaved in a through any means, and a certain Decree land which did not belong to them. nation arose and fulfilled that decree, that nation has merited performing a Rambam asserts that Pharaoh and the mitzvah. If the descendants of Avraham were Egyptians had no place in determining destined to undergo persecution in a Had they not taken things too far, 3 how prophecy was to be manifest, foreign land for 400 years, how could especially when it entailed persecuting Egyptians could have performed Egypt have deserved punishment for another people. A human is not meant a mitzvah by running to enslave bringing this prophecy to fruition? In the Israelites before anyone else 4 to intervene with the secrets of the a discussion about free will, Rambam supernal worlds. Egypt should have did. Prophecy or Divine decrees asks this very question and answers: waited until God’s decree was fulfilled are analogous to the decrees of any through another nation enslaving human king—the ruler wants his המצריים, כל אחד ואחד מאותן המצירים

24 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 constituents to actively fulfill his moment, however, Yosef can continue this secondary goal. command and not tarry in bringing it neglecting his responsibility to contact 10 to fruition. Ramban, unlike Rambam, his father. III. Actualizing Eschatological understands there to be a value Rabbi Yitzchak Arama11 strongly Visions: The State of Israel or perhaps obligation in fulfilling objects to Ramban’s assumption that 6 by prophecy, even in face of sinning human action should be directed to This debate presented above has persecuting another nation7. Aligning fulfill divine prophecy: continued to pervade the discussion one’s destiny with God’s promises has about our relationship with the State of Israel today. When asked ותמהני ממה שכתב הרמב"ן ז"ל שעשה .real halakhic consequences whether prophecies or Kabbalistic כדי שיתקיימו חלומותיו כי מה תועלת לו בשיתקיימו ואף כי יהיה תועלת לא היה לו II. Yosef and his Dreams ideas that foretold of redemption’s secular, anti-religious beginnings לחטוא כנגד אביו. אבל היה לחשוך עצמו provided any legitimacy to the מחטוא לו והחלומות העושה יגש פתרונם גם Commentators struggle with Zionist project, Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev שתראה סכלות עצומה שישתדל האדם לקיים determining Yosef’s course of action Soloveitchik12 (the Brisker Rav) called חלומותיו שהרי הם הדברים אשר יעשו שלא as the viceroy of Egypt in relation to upon Berakhot 10a, which discusses מדעת הבעלים: his brothers. Accusing the brothers of espionage, not contacting his I am bewildered at Ramban’s King Chizkiyah’s sudden illness father for years, as well as Yosef’s explanation that Yosef did what he did and subsequent conversation with other erratic behavior motivate in order to make his dreams come true. Yeshayah: commentators to explain Yosef as What did this benefit him? And even if it ראֲמַ לֵיּה: מַ אי כּולֵי הַאי? אֲמַ ר לֵיּה:מִ ּׁשּום profited him, he should not have sinned דְלָא עָסְקַתְבְפִרְ יָה וְרִ בְ יָה. אֲמַ ר לֵיּה:מִ ּׁשּום slyly encouraging repentance, testing 8 against his father. As for the dreams, דַחֲ זַאי לִי בְרּוחַ הַ קֹדֶ ש דְ נָפְקִי מִ ינַאי בְ נִין דְ לָ א .his brothers, or even taking revenge 9 leave it to Him Who sends them to make מְ עַ לּו. ראֲמַ לֵיּה: בַהֲדֵ י כְבָשֵי דְרַחֲמָ נָא לְמַ ה Ramban, however, understands that Yosef had a different goal in mind: them come true. It seems infinitely foolish לְָך? מַאי דְמִפַקְדַתְאִ יבְעִילְָך לְמֶעֱבַ ד, ּומַ ה for a man to strive to fulfill his dreams דְ נִיחָא קַמֵיּה, קּודְשָ אבְרִ יְך הּוא לִעְבֵ יד. .which are matters beyond his control ולפי דעתי . . . כי בראות יוסף את אחיו Hezekiah said to him: For what משתחוים לו זכר כל החלומות אשר חלם ?transgression am I being punished להם וידע שלא נתקיים אחד מהם בפעם Isaiah said to him: Because you did הזאת . . . וכיון שלא ראה בנימן עמהם חשב .According to Rav not marry and engage in procreation זאת התחבולה שיעליל עליהם כדי שיביאו Kook, a Jew acts in Hezekiah said: I had no children because גם בנימין אחיו אליו לקיים החלום הראשון I envisaged through divine inspiration תחילה. It seems to me . . . when Yosef saw his tandem with God’s that the children that emerge from me brothers bowing to him, he remembered Hand rather than will not be virtuous!? Isaiah said to him: his dreams that he dreamt about them Why do you involve yourself with the and understood that at present one of passively wait for secrets of the Holy One, Blessed be He? them was not fulfilled (because not all the Redemption to That which you have been commanded, of the brothers had bowed down) . . . the mitzva of procreation, you are when he saw Binyamin was not with the come. required to perform, and that which is brothers, Yosef conjured up this plan to acceptable in the eyes of the Holy One, accuse the brothers so they would bring Blessed be He, let Him perform, as He Binyamin to him to fulfill his dream. Like Rambam above, Rabbi Arama has so decided. understands dreams and prophecy to Yosef actively pushes to fulfill his exist outside of the realm of human The Brisker Rav’s proof comes dreams, which he realizes have decision making. Furthermore, were from Chizkiyah’s original plan: foretold his ascent to power in Egypt. there even some value in actualizing by neglecting to fulfill the vision Only once all the brothers bow down prophecies, Yosef could not have of having kids and instead opting to him will Yosef be able to reveal his bypassed real halakhic obligations to avoid something halakhically identity and contact his father. For the such as honoring his father to achieve reprehensible (i.e. raising unvirtuous

25 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 children), Chizkiyah clearly fulfillment one must contribute to that they may become a part of it, to settle it displayed that prophecy cannot achieving full realization: with enterprises and buildings, to purchase property, to plant and sow, to do everything ועתה מי הוא העור שלא יראה בזה יד ד' overrule halakhically problematic actions. Similarly, prophecies necessary for the foundation of life of a stable .and organized settlement הנוהגת אותנו, ומי לא יחוש חובה לעצמו להיות פועל עם אל ועתידה בת קול להיות hinting at secular Zionism being According to Rav Kook, a Jew is מפוצצת בראשי ההרים ואומרת: כל מי שפעל the harbinger of Messianic times obligated to react to historical shifts עם אל יבא ויטול שכרו.16 מי יוכל להפטר do not sanction an individual to act on the world stage and recognize their מלסבב מצדו תוספת ברכה ומהירות ישועה, in support of secular Zionists who 18 significance for Jewish destiny. A Jew לעורר לבות רבות לשוב אל אדמת הקודש, clearly expressed their opposition to acts in tandem with God’s hand rather לנחלת ד', להאחז בה, לישבה בעסקים Torah values (something the Brisker Rav considered a formal halakhic than passively wait for the redemption ובבנינים, בקנית קרקעות, בנטיעות ובזריעה, 13 .to come ובכל דבר שהוא מקור חיי ישוב נכון ומסודר prohibition). Metahistorical values emerging from Tanakh and Kabbalah And now, who is so blind that he does not Even Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveichik— cannot compete with the technical see the Lord’s hand guiding us in this, and who articulated his own hesitancy laws laid out in the Shulkhan Arukh. does not feel obligated to work along with of an over-fervent Messianic God? A heavenly voice in the future will cry The consistent opinion of the Zionism19—expresses a similar Ramban14 reflects the attitude of aloud from the top of the mountains and say, ‘Whoever has wrought with G-d, let perspective on fulfilling prophecies: many Religious Zionist leaders at the him come and receive his reward.17’ Who Halakhic man discerns in every divine movement’s founding until today. For can exempt himself from doing his part in pledge man’s obligation to bring about example, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak bringing additional blessing and swifter its fulfillment, in every promise a specific Kook writes15 that upon witnessing salvation; from awakening many hearts to norm, in every eschatological vision an the beginnings of prophetic return to the Holy Land, to the Lord’s legacy, everlasting commandment.20

26 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 According to the Rav, one does not have the capabilities of reeling the addresses how Yosef neglected his father live halakhically if messianic visions redemption closer to the present day : ‘’How is it that Yosef, after living many do not translate to commands by and have those very same prophecies years in Egypt, having attained a high and influential position in the house of an which one lives his/her life. Active realized in the present. important Egyptian official, did not send his building and working the Land, as In our days, the ancient visions do father even one message to inform him (that well as perhaps playing or sitting in the he was alive) and comfort him? Egypt is only perhaps foreshadow our current streets of Jerusalem, fulfill obligations six days' travel from Chevron, and respect for situation; the history of Zionism and as they realize the visions of old. his father would have justified even a year's the modern State of Israel may very journey! ... [It would] have been a grave sin to well have the potential to fit into the torment his father by leaving him in mourning IV. Conclusion: But How do we prophetic narrative. Only we can and bereavement for himself and for Shimon; Know? even if he wanted to hurt his brothers a decide whether to actualize them. little, how could he not feel pity for his aged father?’’ (Ramban Bereishit 42:9) Ramban and Rav Kook have won out Endnotes in the Religious Zionist world against 11 Akedat Yitzchak Sha’ar 29:9. those who argue that metahistorical 1 See for example: Yeshayah 11:11-12, 12 Quoted in Shu’’t Teshuvot V’hanhagot sensitivity and the realization of Yechezkel 37, Michah 4:8 and Malbim there. 2:140. dreams are not essential in living a 2 See Berakhot 10a. 13 It is unclear how exactly the Brisker Rav proper halakhic life. Nonetheless, understands the end of the Gemara where 3 one glaring question remains: how Bereishit 15:13-14. Yeshayah clearly disapproves of Chizkiyah’s can anyone be audacious enough 4 Mishneh Torah: Hilkhot Teshuvah 6:5. tactics. to postulate that the visions of the 5 Bereishit ad loc. Interestingly, Ramban 14 Ramban remains consistent in yet another prophets specifically refer to our also disagrees with another assumption example of fulfilling prophecies. According to Ramban (Bereishit 49:10), the prophecy of generation and this State of Israel? Rambam makes. Rambam, as we saw above, understands the decree to be open for any lo yasur shevet M’Yehuda (Bereishit ad loc.), Can we really know with certainty? which confirms that the kingship is reserved 21 nation to fulfill. Ramban (Bereishit 12:10) The Gemara relates: asserts that the decree was destined to be for the tribe of Judah, halakhically binds all fulfilled through the Egyptians alone. of Israel to not ascend to the throne if they do not come from Judah. The Hasmoneans אמר רבי אלכסנדרי רבי יהושע בן לוי ,Meshekh Chokhmah (Bereishit 15:13) (2nd century B.C.E) , who were kohanim 6 רמי כתיב )ישעיהו ס:כב( ׳׳בעתה׳׳ וכתיב asserts that the by persecuting Israel, were ineligible to be kings and violated this ׳׳אחישנה׳׳ זכו אחישנה, לא זכו בעתה. Rabbi Alexandri said: Rabbi Yehoshua Egyptians formally violated the Noahide prophecy. This set up their ultimate downfall. command of setting up courts and a justice Ben Levi posed a contradiction: The I thank Efraim Wagner for pointing this out system (dinim). to me. verse (Isaiah 60:22) says God will bring 7 Ramban ad loc. also extends this ,(הקריאה הגדולה) ,the redemption in “its fixed time,” and 15 Kook, The Great Call principle to the actions of Sanheriv and 1907. then the verse states God will “hasten Nebuchadnezzar who were both called upon the redemption?” If Israel merits the by prophets to persecute Malkhut Yehudah. 16 Rav Kook is referencing Vayikra Rabbah redemption, God will “hasten it.” If they Both rulers were punished since they did not 27:2. do not merit it, God will bring it “in its act to fulfill the divine decrees but rather to 17 See previous footnote. glorify their names and kingdoms. I thank affixed time.” Rabbi Mayer Twersky for pointing this out to 18 See, for example, Orot HaMilhama where me. Rav Kook writes about World War I and its There is a fixed time in history that implications for ushering in the Messianic Era. redemption is destined to come; at 8 Radak Bereishit 42:1, Seforno 44:2, Keli 19 that point, the visions of old will be Yekar 42:7 for different explanations. See Community, Commitment, and Conversation, 163-164, for an articulation realized. Nevertheless, R. Yehoshua 9 Ramban Bereishit 42:9. See also Aderet of the Rav’s stance towards the religious Ben Levi tells us that prophecy and Eliyahu of the Gra and Netziv ad loc. who say significance of the State of Israel. See alsoKol redemption are flexible, and each can similarly to Ramban. Netziv writes that Yosef Dodi Dofek (also known as Fate and Destiny). fit into different periods of history; only had to fulfill the prophecy because he was the prophet. A prophet cannot “give up” 20 Halakhic Man, 100. while eschatological visions will on his prophecies (See Mishnah Sanhedrin 21 Sanhedrin 98a. describe a redemption fixed for, say, 11:5). the year 6000, the Jewish People 10 For Ramban, this answer directly

27 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 28 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 TORAH FOR THE TIMES Effie Wagner OF THE REDEMPTION Kollel Fellow, RIETS Israel Kollel

THE POWERS OF A JEWISH KING

ewish history certainly seems to virtually all modern democracies of the king. What follows is a brief be on a positive trajectory. After seems almost axiomatic. Monarchy discussion of sources suggesting that 2,000 years, millions of Jews seems outdated, inefficient and aspects of malchus in various forms J have returned home to a unideal. But this is a flawed have, in fact, traveled alongside us burgeoning and bustling country. perspective that stems from a throughout our exile, to this very day. Israel is growing, making strides misunderstanding of the role played The first extension of Jewish geopolitically, economically and by the Jewish king. In reality, Jewish monarchy outside of the prototypical spiritually. However, with all the monarchy is part of a greater system king on the throne in Israel was the developments, advancements and with its own separation of powers. office ofReish Galusa, or . religious progress, we must remind The Ran, in hisDerashos no. 11, TheReish Galusa was the leader of ourselves of a critical missing link in explains that while the role of the the Jewish community in Babylonia. the actualization of the ideal Jewish rabbis and judges of the Sanhedrin This institution was established society. Contrary to the appreciation is to institute and apply halacha, the concurrent with the exile of King of democracy no doubt embedded king’s responsibility and authority lies Yechonia and his court at the end in our DNA, we are still waiting for in maintaining and developing the of the First Temple, and was more the reestablishment of nation in areas outside the realm of Malchus Beis or less an active position in Jewish (the Davidic Kingdom); we are what halacha directly relates to, what David exile for over 1,000 years. Tracing waiting for our king. halachic literature has deemed “ tikkun his lineage to the royal Davidic line, medina,” or modifications of the We may wonder what positive role the Reish Galusa exercised political state. Anything necessary for societal the Jewish king plays. After all, the power over his constituents with tax function, not explicitly addressed separation of powers enjoyed by collecting and judicial authority. This by halacha, falls under the purview

29 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 power was recognized by Chazal. As The truth is, the Torah did not intend for short-term and long-term needs of the the Rambam, Hilchos Sanhedrin 4:13 people to judge without semicha. Only in nation. explains: extenuating circumstances, in common We cannot overstate the significance enough situations which would cause of this approach. Every election ראשי גליות שבבבל במקום מלך הן עומדים, financial loss, to maintain order. In this (even three in a year!) takes on the ויש להן לרדות את ישראל בכל מקום ולדון .regard, he (the rabbi) is comparable to a significance of a coronation ceremony עליהן בין רצו בין לא רצו שנאמר לא יסור king, literally, maintaining order in the What a privilege for those living שבט מיהודה אלו ראשי גליות שבבבל. The exilarchs in Bavel stand in place of land, in which case the position should in Israel, that they can participate the king, and they have the authority pass through inheritance. actively in the crowning of the chief to impose their will on the nation at Finally, and perhaps most significantly representative of the Jewish state, any time and to judge them whether or for the time we live in, some argue the himself (to a certain extent) the not they consent, as the verse states “the modern government of Israel with embodiment of royalty. the prime minister at its helm has the staff shall not leave Judah,” these are the We have seen that the position of status of the kingdom of the Jewish exilarchs in Bavel. king was historically not limited people. This is based on an oft quoted Note that the Rambam brings the to a monarch in Israel. In addition, comment of the Radvaz, verse “lo yasur shevet M'Yehuda” in Melachim throughout this long and often dark 3:8, where he maintains that the king sourcing the authority of the Reish exile our rabbinic leaders may well of Israel is crowned by a prophet, or Galusa. This is based on the Gemara, have taken on regal roles. Finally, with the consent of all of Israel: Sanhedrin 5a. This verse is the source perhaps the office can be assumed by one who has no royal or prophetic והאי מלך היינו שהומלך על פי נביא או that the Jewish king is generally or religious claim to the throne, but שהסכימו עליו כל ישראל. .supposed to be from Shevet Yehuda Here we see the first departure of The king is crowned by a prophet or with rather by a consensus of the people. the classic application of Jewish the consent of all of Israel. Ultimately though, until the full monarchy. Apparently, this authority This second tract, consent of the realization of Malchus Beis David, with can be manifested in a king in exile of people, is novel, and its implications the coming of Mashiach, we should sorts, outside the Land of Israel. It is are profound. Rav Kook, Mishpat remind ourselves of the kingly portion striking that with the onset of galus Kohen no. 144, based on this within all of us. We are all the children efforts were made to establish and comment, maintains that any leader of the ultimate King, Hashem. As maintain a seat of rule for the Jewish recognized by the Jewish nation Chazal, Bava Metzia 113b, state, community. However, today, without takes on the role of king, with all the “kol Yisrael bnei melachim,” the entire a , are we fully devoid Reish Galusa stringencies and honor afforded to nation are the children of kings. The of any semblance of monarchy? The him: Sefer HaChinuch, no. 16, commenting , no. 312, in Avnei Nezer Yoreh Deah on the prohibition of breaking the שבזמן שאין מלך, כיון שמשפטי המלוכה a broader discussion about whether bones of the korban Pesach, explains הם ג"כ מה שנוגע למצב הכללי של האומה, a position of town rabbi should pass that such behavior is unbecoming of חוזרים אלה הזכיות של המשפטים ליד through inheritance to the deceased’s royalty. Every year, on Seder night we האומה בכללה…אבל למה שנוגע להנהגת ,son, maintains that modern rabbis remind ourselves of our monarchical הכלל, כל שמנהיג את האומה דן הוא lacking the authentic semicha ties by assuming kingly behavior. In במשפטי המלוכה, שהם כלל צרכי האומה originating from Moshe, do not hold anticipation of the ultimate fulfillment הדרושים לשעתם ולמעמד העולם. the position of the , the judges shoftim of the geulah unfolding before our of old. Rather, they are acting as In a time without a king, since the very eyes, it would do us well to “kings”: rules of the monarchy are relevant to remember that, in addition to our the general national condition, these religious and political leaders, we are רק באמת אין כוונת התורה לדון כשאין rights return to the nation as a whole… all members of the סמוכין. רק שההכרח לדון במידי דשכיח However, in regard to leading the nation, mamleches kohanim a kingdom of priests — ואית ביה חסרון כיס שלא יחרב העולם. והוא any (modern) leader governs with the v’goy kadosh .and holy nation דומיא דמלך ממש שבמשפט יעמיד ארץ וא"כ rules of the monarchy that includes the הרי הוא בירושה כמו מלך ממש.

30 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Yom Haatzmaut 5780 Katz is valuable inside and outside the classroom. My professor was instrumental in securing my first job in biotech.

Devorah Lamm Student, Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship The Katz School of Science and Health, Yeshiva University

Success starts with an MS in Biotech Management from Katz

Develop a specialized skillset by Join our innovation lab Learn from experts who fusing scientific understanding to take your idea from have experience bringing with business aptitude concept to market products to market

Learn more at www.yu.edu/BME

BUILDING TOMORROW, TODAY The Mitzvah to Live in Israel • Israel in Tanach The Writings of Rav Kook • Laws of Terumot and Maaserot Modern Israeli History • Saying Hallel on Yom Haatzmaut Celebrating a Secular State • The requirement to serve in the army Are we in the days of mashiach? • Being Buried in Israel Is there a mitzvah to speak hebrew? • Visiting Israel The Kedusha of Israel today • The Meaning of a Flag

Prepare for Yom Haatzmaut with thousands of shiurim on The Marcos and Adina Katz YUtorah.org Now available for ios and android mobile devices!