Tuesday, Iyar 6, 5777 / May 2, 2017 (21st day of the Omer)

Yesterday was Yom HaZikaron– Day of Remembrance, as we remembered the fallen heroes of the IDF, who gave their lives for the defense of our Holy Land and to safeguard its people.

In addition, we remember the over three thousand innocent men, women and children murdered by Arab murderers just for their “crime” of wanting to live in peace, in their own homeland, in Israel.

In time of war and even during time of, so called.. peace, the men and women of the IDF put their lives on the line for the defence our Holy Land – the only land we have. The Land which G-d gave us as an eternalinheritance.

Today, Israel celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut - Day of Independence.

We do have to clarify the true meaning of the term Independence. We, the Jewish people are never independent. We are always dependent on G-d. Our existence as a people and our having the Land of Israel is because G-d chose us and gave us the Holy Land as an eternal gift. Inour dependenceis the secret of our independence. Our independence goes back over three thousand year, with the Exodus from Egypt and accepting the Torah.

The Torah uses the term “Chorus” to describe the Ten Commandments being engraves on the Two Tablets. “Chorus” means engraved. But the Torah could have used a different expression. Our sages explain that “chorus” also means “Freedom” and “independence.”

The sages explain that the two ideas are interconnected. G-d chose the word, “Chorus” when describing the Ten Commandments to teach us that true freedomand independencecan be achieved onlywhen we adhere to G-d’s commandments and stay connected and dependent on Him.  

Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, or better known as, Rashi, one of the greatest Torah commentators, explains why the Torah begins with the story of the creation of the universe. After all, the Torah is a Book of laws and directives, so why did G-d begin the Torah with the storyof creation?

Rashi replies that before the Torah tells us about G-d’s eternal gift of the Holy land to the Jewish people, the Torah wants to tell us the story of creation, how G-d created the entire universe. This way, if the nations of the world will come and say to the Jewish people, “The land of Israel is not your land. It belongs to us.. You stole OUR land..”  We will say to them: “Everything was created by G-d and everything belongs to Him. He has the right to give it to whomever He wants.” Thus, when He decided to give it to the Jewish people after the Exodus, for a everlasting inheritance, it rightfully belongs to usand no one can take it from us. Am Yisrael Chai – Long Live Israel!!!

May Israel continue to be independently dependent on G-d and may G-d protect and grant her peace.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY