Torah InSite: Israeli Independence, Now What?

By By R’ Yitzchak Snyder

     Whether we like it or not, we're all familiar with it. Either we've seen other people do it or we've done it ourselves. What am I talking about? Are you sure you want to know?

     It's truly perplexing, but for some reason many Jews, just after they accomplish the amazing and inspiring feat of coming to live in Israel, they spiritually retire. It seems as if they reason to themselves that they've done everything they can for Judaism and now they can sit on their laurels. Don't know what I'm talking about?! I'll present you with a parallel example: Did you even see the boy who was given a Jewish education up until he graduated from Judaism? Sorry, I mean had his Bar-Mitvah? We've all seen it! Just when we've accomplished something amazing, something that has brought us to a new threshold of meaning, just when we're supposed to really start becoming greater people, we relieve ourselves from the task of spiritual growth. Indeed it is a phenomenal pattern, and I ask why it is so?

     The mitzvah of Sephiras HaOmer (Counting the Omer) gives us insight into this matter. The Torah mentions the mitzvah in the context of three national events: after we've entered into our country, then after we've gone through the Pesach experience, and finally after we begin harvesting our crops. Interesting, all of these share a common denominator: national independence! Pesach is all about the transition from slavery to freedom. Harvesting your crops is a sign of economic stability. And what is a greater sign of independence than having your own country? But just when you'd think it was time to party what does the Torah do? Hashem gives us a mitzvah to count the forty-nine days between Pesach and Shavuos - when we celebrate the giving of the Torah.

     What's the message of all this? It seems that the natural human reaction to a great accomplishment is to feel as if there is nothing left to achieve. Our minds tell us that we've arrived. But the Torah is leading us in a different direction. What should we do after we've made a spiritual accomplishment? The answer is we're supposed to gather all of the wonderful things we've accomplished and harness them for making even greater achievements. Eretz Yisrael is a land full of potential for spiritual growth. That potential can only be realized through Torah.

     This year, while we celebrate Israel's independence, let's not forget that we're in the middle of Sephiras HaOmer; that we're counting the days towards something that makes living in Israel so special. Let's appreciate that, and if we can, even help our friends and family to as well.

     Happy counting!

     (Based on the writings of Rav S.R. Hirsch)