Shabbat Parashat Eikev 5785

Moreshet Shaul:A Crown and its Scepter – part I

These words come from a draft of Rav Yisraeli’s speech at his installation as rabbi of Kfar Haro’eh, which took place on Chanuka 5698 (1938).

We have a double celebration today – a celebration of the past and a celebration in the present. We have a holiday that celebrates the renewed inauguration of the Beit Hamikdash, well in the past. Together with that, we have a contemporary celebration of the inauguration of a rabbinic position in a location in the agricultural pioneer settlements that is built on values of purity and sanctity in Eretz Yisrael. There are common lines and united content for these two celebrations.

The mitzva of Chanuka lights is to place them on the outer side of the entrance of the house (Shabbat 21b). The mitzva to inaugurate a rabbinical position is another name for the Torah’s mitzva of appointing rabbinical judges, which is also done outside … “in all of your gateways” (Devarim 16:18). The difference is that Chanuka lights are by the entrance to the house and judges are seated near the gateway to the city. The lights of Chanuka take light from within the home and spread it to the outside, down the street and around the neighborhood. It represents the influence of the individual within society. Regarding judges, the light of justice of Israeli society, which finds expression broadly in the city and the settlement, breaks forth from city gates to the whole national, political structure. When the various lights of justice unite from their sources, it creates a special content of a Jewish state.

That is the reason that the mitzva of appointing judges in all gateways is specifically in Eretz Yisrael. The power of the Jewish judiciary is also only in Eretz Yisrael, and ordination for that role can be done only there. The appointment of judges and placing the judiciary’s imprint on society are characteristics of independent life in our Land. They place their stamp and set the special content of the gateways of Israel.

The midrash says: “Hashem said: From all the nations I created, I love only Israel, as it says, ‘For Israel is a youth, and I love it’ (Hoshea 11:1). Of all that I created, I love only justice, as it says, ‘For I am Hashem, Who loves justice’ (Yeshayahu 61:8). Hashem said: I will give that which I love to the nation that I love. That is why it says, ‘Judges and officers …’ (Devarim 16:18)” (Devarim Rabba, Shoftim 5:7).

There are many nations in the world, and there are powerful states, which have many cities and gateways, but these are not our gateways. They do not have the clear definitive sign that makes our gateways what they are. They have gateways based on “Whoever is stronger will be victorious,” gateways built on corruption of holy justice. Over history we have too often felt on our skin the “justice” of their courts. Only our gateways are set on law and justice. To the same extent that justice is stronger, so too the special character of that locality of the Jewish city or settlement will be stronger.

The installation of a rabbinate in one settlement is not an event that is limited to a specific person or a specific settlement. It is, rather, another step in the building of the Land that is the “house of our lives.” It is another rung in the religious settlement movement and another victory for the spirit of traditional Judaism.

If we are joyful that we merited to see the establishment of the cities and settlements of the region of Judea, it is a far greater joy to see the building of settlements that carry the stamp of the holy religion. How awesome is the joy that we have merited to celebrate the founding of the settlement’s “gateways,” with this appointment that Hashem bestowed upon me through you, in His great kindness.

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