By Rabbi Shimon Finkelman
For they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them (Devarim 32:20).
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld
The great Rav of Jerusalem, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, offered an original interpretation of our verse, which transforms it into a message of hope and rebirth.
In the year 5674 (1914), a distinguished group of rabbanim in Eretz Yisrael embarked on what came to be known as “The Teshuvah Campaign.” The rabbanim were led by “R’ Chaim,” as Rav Sonnenfeld was fondly known; Rabbi Ben Zion Yadler, the Maggid of Jerusalem; and Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook, who was then Rav of Jaffa.
This delegation traveled to settlements throughout Northern Israel, exhorting the settlers to embrace a life of Torah and observe the Land-related mitzvos. In one settlement, Rav Kook delivered an impassioned address, exhorting the people to go in the ways of their ancestors and observe the mitzvos, in particular the mitzvah of Shemittah which is a great declaration of the farmer’s faith in Hashem.
When Rav Kook stepped down from the podium, one of the settlement’s leaders arose and brazenly told the rabbanim that they were wasting their time. “Leave us alone!” he shouted. “Your old-fashioned ways do not interest us. We will build a modern land with modern ideas and your own descendants will follow our lead.”
Upon hearing such blasphemy, Rav Kook burst into tears. R’ Chaim then ascended the podium and in a loud, confident tone declared: Rav of Jaffa, and all those who are assembled here: It is true that at this point in time, matters do not look good for those like ourselves who strive to make this Land what G-d intends it to be — a land of Torah, of mitzvos, of faith in Hashem. But I tell you with certainty: ki dor tahpuchos heimah, there will come a generation of reversals, banim lo aimun bam, children whose upbringing is not in them.
“Yes, the previous speaker and those like him are bent on raising a generation that will not know the Name of Hashem and the greatness of His Torah. But I assure you that a generation will come that will reject the empty, meaningless life of which you preach. That generation will reverse this terribly destructive approach. They will return to Hashem with all their hearts and will fill the Land with people who love the Torah and observe the mitzvos — including the precious mitzvah of Shemittah. U’dvar eilokeinu yakum l’olam, But the word of our G-d shall stand forever.
Before Shemittah 5754 (1993-1994), a gathering of farmers in Northern Israel was held in Chatzor. Hundreds of farmers came to hear a major address by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Sonnenfeld, Rav and Rosh Yeshivah in Kfar Chassidim and a great-grandson of R’ Chaim’s. In his address, Rav Sonnenfeld related the above story and concluded that the commitment of so many farmers to keep Shemittah 5754 was a fulfillment of his great-grandfather’s words.
No sooner had he uttered these words than a very old man sitting in the crowd waved his cane to catch Rav Sonnenfeld’s attention. He indicated that he wanted to ascend the stage and speak. Two men helped him up, and Rav Sonnenfeld gave him the podium. This is what he said:
“I was there 80 years ago, at that settlement when that gathering took place. I vividly recall the settlement leader’s harsh words, Rav Kook’s tears, and Rav Sonnenfeld’s fiery response. And I must confess: Neither I, nor any of the other settlers who were present, believed that Rav Sonnenfeld’s words would ever come true.
“This week, when I saw the posters announcing that there would be a major gathering for farmers who will be shomrei Shevi’is (observers of Shemittah), I felt that I simply had to come and tell everyone: Rav Sonnenfeld was right! The Land is becoming filled with those who are faithful to the word of Hashem. I never dreamed that I would hear Rav Sonnenfeld’s great-grandson tell the story that I was witness to ... U’dvar eilokeinu yakum l’olam, But the word of our G-d shall stand forever.”
Reprinted from the Rosh Hashanah 5785 edition of At the ArtScroll Yom Tov Table. Excerpted from the ArtScroll book - :Living the Parsha” by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman.
