Sermons

For Israel and for Us
Apr 27th 2013

One of the ways that we understand the mitzvah of love your neighbour as yourself is through the concept of ahavat Israel, the loyalty and care we are obliged to extend to our fellow Jews. This may seem tribal in our global age, but this mitzvah is dear to me. We owe deep loyalty to family, our covenant partners, whose history and destiny we share.

When people visit Israel, support its economy and defend it against unjust accusations we demonstrate that commitment. When we help others develop awareness of Israel’s unique security predicaments we demonstrate that commitment. When we work to build a more just Israeli society we demonstrate that commitment

Mort and Saul are out one afternoon on a lake when their boat starts sinking. Saul says, “Mordy, you know I don't swim so well." Mordy remembers how to carry another swimmer from his lifeguard class when he was just a kid, so he begins tugging Saul toward shore. After ten minutes, he begins to tire. Finally about 100 meters from shore, Mordy asks Saul, "Saul, do you suppose you could float alone?" Saul replies, "Mordy, this is a hell of a time to be asking for money!"

Much depends on how we understand what is asked of us and how we frame our understanding of Israel. Time Magazine headlined a recent cover story: “why Israel Doesn't Care About Peace." It pointed out that because Israel had weathered the global financial crisis, was productive and inventive, and had built a thriving economy, Israelis didn’t care about pursuing peace. Let me offer a different perspective on Israel, coming from someone who loves Israel and is lovingly critical of its failings.

Despite the historic challenges of high immigration and the many problems that result from such social disruption, Israel has been a model of how to integrate newcomers into society.

Despite a concern with defence and its cost- both financial and emotional – Israel has used those challenges to develop an amazing high tech industry and to foster a social structure that enables its citizens to be creative and competitive.

Despite the underemployment of Arabs and Haredi men, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development accepted Israel into its membership, signalling the maturing strength of the Israeli economy.

Despite serious questions about political and military decisions – from the the Lavon Affair, to the recent Flotilla-  Israel has convened official commissions to investigate and assign responsibility for errors or omission or commission.

Despite the sacrifice involved in Army service, young people do so with great responsibility and take away from their service more knowledge, added skills, and a robust sense of self-confidence for life.

Despite an underinvestment in education and great social inequality- particularly in outlying areas - Israel still has a very high rate of high school graduates and a low unemployment rate.

Despite severe budget restrictions, Israel is moving ahead with investment – much from Israel Bonds- to develop advanced transportation and information systems.

Despite being a country with many Holocaust survivors, Israel became a nation focused on the future and willing to take risks for peace.

Despite the absence of stability promised by the withdrawals from Lebanon and Gaza, Israel has again entered negotiations with the Palestinians.

Despite the current skepticism about the ability of Israeli and Palestinian leadership  to make difficult decisions, Israeli concerns about security and identity and Palestinian desires for independence and territory are again on the table.

Despite the Boycott, Divestiture and Sanction movement, Israeli international trade is up, and in Toronto we have responded to BDS with communal strength, solidarity and dignity.

Despite the alienation of Israelis from traditional Judaism, hundreds of young adults gather near the beach in Tel Aviv for an informal Kabbalat Shabbat with poetry, song and prayer, an indication of the spiritual yearnings of so many Israelis.

Despite the opposition of the Orthodox rabbinate, the Masorti movement is having an impact with its new Israeli siddur and its defence of women carrying Torah at the Western Wall

Despite the reluctance of the Rabbinate, Israel is once again moving forward to assist Russian olim without halakhic Jewish identities to undergo formal conversion to Judaism.

Despite the Rotem bill which would strengthen the power of the Chief Rabbinate and exclude Conservative and Reform conversions, the government is in serious discussions about how to preserve the unity of the Jewish people.

Israel is a country that is always walking uphill, taking on problems and challenges with realism and hope. As we face our personal challenges, we have much to learn from Israel. We can take what has defeated us, our failures and pain, and turn them into strengths to go forward.

We can be part of that process by investing in Israel through the purchase of Israel Bonds. Parents and grandparents can connect their kids to Israel by purchasing Bonds for a trip to Israel or for educational savings.  We can include Bonds in our retirement plans. These are Bonds of hope- for Israel and for ourselves.

For those of you who didn’t hear me so well, let me remind you in a different way. A guy complained to his doctor that his wife doesn't hear. The physician suggests a test: go home, walk across room and ask her what's for dinner. If she doesn't answer, cut distance in half.  If she still does not answer, walk right up to her and ask again. That’s how to assess her hearing. The man does it. After his first two tries, nothing. The third time, he’s really close. She says, "Harry, for the third time. Chicken."

This is a time to fulfill the mitzvah of binyan Eretz Israel, building up the Land of Israel, by supporting physical infrastructure through investing in Israel Bonds. We are also called upon to support efforts to shape a more just Israeli society, to fulfill the classical mitzvot to care for the stranger, the vulnerable and marginalized.

The creation of a thriving Jewish society and state in the land of Israel in the 20th century - particularly in the wake of the Holocaust- is among the greatest achievements in the history of our people. We can help to safeguard and develop our historic homeland, as the Torah promises us:  And you shall perform my commandments and keep my laws, and you will dwell on the Land with confidence. (Leviticus 25.18)

With thanks to Rabbi Jeremy Kalmansofsky for some critical ideas and for the concluding words.