In this week’s parsha, Matos-Masei, we learn that the tribes of Reuvein and Gad want to live in the land that was conquered outside of Eretz Yisrael. Half of Menashe is to live there also. The commentators note that there are very good reasons why they want to live in this area. Reuvein had much cattle and in Eretz Yisrael, where there is less room, the cattle might graze off their property. They would then be guilty of stealing. In this conquered area across the Yardein (Jordan) River, they have more room and the cattle will not steal. Gad wanted to protect the area around Moshe’s gravesite. According to some, half of Menashe were forced there because they were great talmidim chachamim (sages) and would be able to teach Reuvein and Gad. Therefore, at least according to some, there were very good intentions that these tribes had when they settled there. When these tribes first crossed into Eretz Yisrael, though, they all were very sad. (Although these tribes did not live in Eretz Yisrael, they agreed to help the other tribes conquer it.) The Midrash says when they saw the land, they stated it would have been better to have a tiny piece of land in Eretz Yisrael, then all of the land outside of it. Therefore, this week, I would like to share with you a few thoughts on Eretz Yisrael.

I had a very scary thought a few days after the tragic September 11, 2001, attack. During that time also, the situation in Eretz Yisrael was very rough. I remember at my job hearing about a job opening for our office in Tel Aviv (I was unqualified to apply for it). The people in my office joked and said who would want to go over there? They were non-Jews in my office that were saying this but I remember also thinking this. Who wants to go to Eretz Yisrael? It is dangerous! I believe it is because of this thought and many others that thought the same that brought down the World Trade Center. When we think about Eretz Yisrael as a dangerous place and a place that we do not want to go to, Hashem reminds us that where we are living is not safe either. We all thought that America was safe and Eretz Yisrael is in danger. The exact opposite is really true: Eretz Yisrael is Our Homeland! Eretz Yisrael is the greatest place on this planet.

The Chofetz Chaim’s son once went to Eretz Yisrael without telling his father. When he came back, he told his father that he was in the Holy Land. His father reprimanded him and said that who told him to come back? If you go to Eretz Yisrael, stay there. Don’t come back here. If you are lucky enough to touch the holy soil and breath the air, why come back to galus (our exiled state).

Some of us are forced to live outside of Eretz Yisrael at this point in our lives. We need to live in America, England, Canada, or wherever else we may be residing for certain reasons now. These are beautiful countries that we live in and we must be thankful to the Governments for all they do for us. But we also need to realize that there is only one true home for us. We might be here now, but we must daven that we can return to Eretz Yisrael. And for those in Eretz Yisrael, we must daven that peace will be restored within its borders.

Let me share one final story. A rabbi told me that when he was younger, he learned in Eretz Yisrael. On the last day of his trip, he was taking a taxi back to the airport. The whole ride, he stuck his head out the window. He wanted to breathe the air of Eretz Yisrael as much as he could. Eretz Yisrael is a very special place. May Hashem let us return to our Homeland in peace, speedily in our days!

Good Shabbos!
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By Rabbi Yaacov Seltzer
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