The midrash reads "ki tavo'u el ha'aretz u'nitatem kol eitz maachal" as a charge to learn Torah and cause the "eitz chaim" to grow and flourish in Eretz Yisrael. The very same midrash goes on to interpret the pasuk as encouragement to plant literal trees in Eretz Yisrael. Just like Hashem started the world off by planting gan eden, so too, we must imitate Hashem and plant as soon as we come to Eretz Yisrael.
So what are we supposed to pack in our carry on to grab as soon as we get to Eretz Yisrael -- a gemara, or a hoe and spade? Do we first build greenhouses or first build yeshivos? How do we reconcile the two interpretations of the midrash?
Rav Teichtel in Eim HaBanim Smeicha and in his derashos answers that there is no contradiction. What Chazal are telling us is that to build a country we need people who wear multiple hats. We need farmers who are bnei Torah who appreciate the spiritual value of the land; we need bnei Torah who are willing to roll up their sleeves to help plow the fields.
Ashrei doreinu that we have been zocheh to see a return to the land and the fulfillment of both types of planting.
Very nice and very timely.
ReplyDeleteWhere are these two Midrashim - in Vayikra Rabba?
yes, in the midrash rabbah
Deletea. "what are we supposed to pack in our carry on to grab as soon as we get to Eretz Yisrael -- a gemara, or a hoe and spade?"
ReplyDeleteone should place the arm tefillin on top in his bag so that he reaches it first
b. "there is no contradiction"
one may not speak between the placements of tefillin shel yad and tefillin shel rosh