Monday, 18 May 2009 12:33
Written by Rabbi Eliezer Waldman: Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba
During the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot we are commanded to count every day and make a daily blessing. The significance of performing this mitzva of counting the Omer, is to illustrate the process of advancing up along the ladder of freedom which began by G-d redeeming us from Egypt, and came to its culmination at Mount Sinai where the holy Torah was given. The Torah guides us in the expression of true freedom in every aspect of life; it provides direction towards a life according to divine principles of kindness, purification and sanctity.
In our recent history, we were privileged to experience another special aspect of this period of time between Pesach and Shavuot, and just as then, in those days of redemption from Egypt, we too were given days of celebration by Hashem on the way to our redemption. The 5th day of Iyar is Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, and the 28^th of Iyar is Yom Yerushalayim, the day the eternal Jewish capital of Israel was liberated and reunited. This week, we again remember and experience those days of powerful injections of faith brought upon us by the G-d of Israel in the Six Day War. The weeks before the war were days of fear, as the ruler of Egypt threatened to throw the Jews into the sea. Then, within a mere six days, the Israel Defense Forces miraculously destroyed the armies of our enemies on the ground, while our Air Force incredibly wiped out the air forces of Egypt, Syria and Jordan while they were still parked on the tarmac. Once again, with the help of the Almighty, our people were delivered from the threat of annihilation by our wicked enemies. This astounding victory paved the way for the renewed and vibrant establishment of Jewish settlement within the heart of the Land of Israel. The physical bond with the Biblical cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, Beit El, Shilo and others, was restored, and all of Judea and Samaria was reunited and returned to the Children of Israel. Again, just as in the years of the Zionist process, the divine phenomenon of revitalization of the Jewish homeland and the Jewish people emerged. The ancient Jewish towns, and the hills of Judea and Samaria could now be brought back to a life of faith and Jewish values by the devotion of the Children of Israel. We, as people of faith, were not only elevated spiritually by witnessing this great step forward in our redemption process, but even more so, we recognized the divine mission and responsibility that was bestowed upon us. We realized it was our duty to proudly and persistently reinstate Jewish life on the barren hills of Judea and Samaria, re-establishing modern towns in the heart of Biblical Israel. More than 41 years ago, we returned to Hebron and from there the seeds of resettlement of Judea and Samaria sprouted. Today, it is gratifying to witness the phenomenon of 300,000 Jews living flourishing and thriving lives in Judea and Samaria, restoring Zionist faith and pioneering spirit to the State of Israel.
