By Daniel Keren
Rabbi Yisroel Reisman
One of the featured speakers at the recent 2023 Flatbush Veterans Day Hakhel Event was Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, mora d’asra of the Agudath Israel of Madison. He began by noting that all of us today feel the horrors and fears of the war in Gaza.
It is a time for us to daven, pray to Hashem that the Bnei Yisroel, the Jewish people should enjoy periods of shalom, peace.
In his Veterans Day lecture, Rabbi Reisman focused on Perek Daled (Chapter 4) of Sefer Micha that is found in Sefer Trei Asar (the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets). “And it shall be at the end of the days, that the mountain of the L-rd's house shall be firmly established at the top of the mountains, and it shall be raised above the hills, and peoples shall stream upon it. And many nations shall go, and they shall say, ‘Come, let us go up to the L-rd's mount and to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and let Him teach us of His ways, and we will go in His paths,’ for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of the L-rd from Jerusalem. And He shall judge between many peoples and reprove mighty nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift the sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Micha 4:1-3)
A Different Location for the Bayis Shlishi (Third Temple)
Rabbi Reisman noted that the Prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel) predicts that when Moshiach comes and the Bayis Shlishi (Third Temple) will be built, it won’t be on the Temple Mount near the Kosel (the Western Wall) where the first two Holy Temples were built by Shlomo (King Solomon) and Ezra. Rather the Third and eternal Beis Hamikdosh will be built 45 mil (or 30 miles) to the north of the Temple Mount.
The Rambam writes that the concept of “Ki Mi’Tzion teitzei Torah/for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth...” refers to the Jewish people’s study of the Torah. The ability for navuah, prophecy can only begin in the Land of Israel. Once a navi has gained such prophecy, he can then deliver such navuah even in chutz la’aretz, outside of the Holy Land.
If the concept of Torah must come from Yerushalayim, the holy city of Jerusalem, why do we primarily study the Talmud Bavli that was developed in Babylonia as opposed to learning from the Talmud Yerushalmi that was composed by Torah scholars in the Holy Land?
Rebounding in Both Our Torah Learning and Ruchnius
Rabbi Reisman explained that many times tragedy befalls Klal Yisroel and it seems that Hakodesh Baruch Hu is distant from us. Throughout Jewish history we find that it is the result of such unwanted tragedies that have struck the Jewish people that we have rebounded by increasing in both our Torah learning and in our ruchnius (spiritual service to Hashem).
The reason why we paskin (determine the halacha or Jewish law practice) from the Babylonian Talmud is that it was composed by Torah scholars in the painful difficulties of galus, exile. Sometimes the darkness of galus and its challenges can offer us an ability to strengthen our Torah study [and our connection to Hakodesh Baruch Hu.]
Rabbi Reisman pointed out that Rav and Shmuel opened respective yeshivas in Bavel, Babylonia in the towns of Sura and Pumbadisa. These two yeshivas lasted for almost a thousand years. For almost 2,000 years until recently, the center of Torah learning during our current galus was always in chutz la’aretz. It is only recently now that the focus of Torah learning has returned to Eretz Yisroel.
Rejoicing in the Resurgence of Torah Learning Today
Do we realize that Ki Mi’Tzion teitzei Torah mi ’Yerushalayim has returned? Rabbi Reisman declared that in just one generation we are the Dor Haria that witnessed the mesorah (tradition of Torah learning) return to the Land of Israel. Therefore, we have to look at what is happening now in Eretz Yisroel and rejoice at the miracles that are happening, especially with the resurgence of Torah observance. One has to appreciate the kindness of Hakodesh Baruch Hu.
The reestablishment of the Yishuv (the Jewish presence in the Holy Land) was a greater brocha, blessing to the non-frum (secular Jews living in Israel.) They are not suffering the high rate of intermarriages in Eretz Yisroel as there are among the Jews living in America [and other countries in the Diaspora]. We have to recognize this as a nes (miracle) from Hakodesh Baruch Hu.
The Disrespect Precious Gift
Imagine someone gave another person an important and precious gift. But the recipient does not respond appropriately by showing an appreciation for what he has received, perhaps causing the giver to regret having bestowed the gift. The giver may even want to take back the gift temporarily until the person who initially received it will now recognize his loss and regrets his behavior in not appreciating what he was given. Perhaps, Rabbi Reisman offered, that might explain what is happening to us today.
Eretz Yisroel is the makom, the best place, to learn Torah. It is closer to the ultimate source (Hakodesh Baruch Hu) and a better influence for one [to live in.] So, the Navi Micha prophesizes that in the final days there will be serenity in Eretz Yisroel. Our dream is for the fulfillment of that navuah. But, we have to deserve it.
Hakodesh Baruch Hu gave us such brocha in Eretz Yisroel. If we truly appreciate it, we will get even more blessings. Let us hope that each and every one of us should see good news for not only security in Eretz Yisroel but also for all Jews around the world [leading to the long-awaited coming of Moshiach.]
Reprinted from the December 1, 2023 edition of The Jewish Connection.
