The Journey of Independence and the Miracle of National Existence

Parashat Hashavua – Shabbat Parashat Shmini – Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut 5785

Rabbi Eliezer Haim Shenvald

In salute to the heroism of the fallen, and in prayer for the success and safety of the IDF soldiers, that no harm shall come to them, for the healing of all the wounded, and for the return of the abducted.

In our conversations with the students of our Yeshiva in Modi'in, we share our long-standing feeling: that despite the tremendous efforts made by all those involved in building and defending the country, both materially and spiritually, still the State of Israel stands by a miracle. Anyone engaged in this can feel this tangibly. The existence of the state cannot be explained rationally: so many things that could naturally threaten its survival are neutralized, and even ultimately become levers for its growth and strength.

Since the beginning of the war, the phrase "The State of Israel is a miracle" has become a common saying and has become part of the public discourse, even among those who never uttered it before.

The history of the State of Israel, רֵאשִׁית צְמִיחַת גְּאֻלָּתֵנוּ "the first sprouting of our redemption” from its founding to today, is marked by severe crises and national birth pangs: externally, from our surrounding enemies, and internally, from struggles over identity and character. Yet it is precisely through these crises that the true image of the state is formed, and its inner sanctity revealed. Indeed, the road is full of obstacles, storms, and upheavals, but through them, the State’s essential purpose becomes increasingly clear. Those challenges do not hinder its progress, on the contrary, they are tools for its advancement. The State of Israel is being built in a miraculous manner beginning with grace and culminating in eternal light.

Independence Day, which is closely tied to and emerges out of Memorial Day, is a special time to reflect on this great miracle and to give thanks to G-d, both publicly and privately.

Our teacher and Rabbi, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook zt"l, would deliver a yearly sermon on Independence Day based on a Psalm corresponding to the age of the state. (This practice likely originates from Chabad tradition, where each individual reads a Psalm daily according to their age. For example, a boy who turns thirteen reads Psalm 14, and so on.) From that Psalm, Rabbi Kook zt"l sought direction and inspiration for confronting the events of the coming year of the state. As he said (Netivot Yisrael II, “Psalm 19 for the State of Israel,” HaTzofeh, Sivan 1967):

"כל שנה ושנה היא מזמור נוסף, מזמור אלוקי מפואר, המתאסף כחוליה לשרשרת".

"Each and every year is an additional Psalm, a glorious divine Psalm, joining as a link in the chain."

Following the events of the 1929 Hebron Massacre, Rabbi Kook zt"l published an article titled “Return to the Stronghold.” Among other things, he wrote:

וכל מי שהוא עוקב את סדרי היישוב, מראשית צעדיו עד עכשיו, יכול הוא להראות בחוש, איך שמכל ירידה אשר סבלנו נצמחה אחר כך עלייה והתפתחות יותר גדולה, וצעד של דליגה לטובה יצא מכל משבר.

“Anyone who has followed the development of the settlement, from its first steps until now, can clearly see how from every decline we suffered came later an even greater rise and development, and each crisis gave rise to a leap forward for the better”. (Ma'amarei HaRa'ayah)

Growth emerging from crises is also the deeper meaning behind the unique connection, found only in the State of Israel, between Memorial Day and Independence Day.

We mentioned this principle at the Passover Seder:

וָאֶעֱבֹר עָלַיִךְ וָאֶרְאֵךְ מִתְבּוֹסֶסֶת בְּדָמָיִךְ וָאֹמַר לָךְ בְּדָמַיִךְ חֲיִי, וָאֹמַר לָךְ בְּדָמַיִךְ חֲיִי

“When I passed by you, and saw you weltering in your blood, I said to you, 'in your blood, live'; yes, I said to you, 'in your blood, live'!” (Yehezkel 16:6)

A similar principle appears in connection with the deaths of Nadav and Avihu in this week's Torah portion, when they offered “external fire.” The command that follows their deaths in Parashat Acharei -Mot says:

וַיְדַבֵּר ה' אֶל⁠ מֹשֶׁה אַחֲרֵי מוֹת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן בְּקׇרְבָתָם לִפְנֵי⁠ ה' וַיָּמֻתוּ . וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל⁠ מֹשֶׁה דַּבֵּר אֶל⁠ אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וְאַל⁠ יָבֹא בְכׇל⁠ עֵת אֶל⁠ הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת אֶל⁠ פְּנֵי הַכַּפֹּרֶת אֲשֶׁר עַל⁠ הָאָרֹן וְלֹא יָמוּת כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה עַל⁠ הַכַּפֹּרֶת.

“Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Hashem, and died, and Hashem said to Moshe, "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at all times into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the cover which is on the ark; lest he die, for I will appear in the cloud on the cover” (Vayikra 16:1-2)

It is precisely through the crisis of the external fire that the fundamental principle of the sanctity and reverence of the Temple is clarified: one must not enter the Holy at just any time, but only through the cloud of incense, during the Yom Kippur service.

This principle is the source of our optimism and faith in the future of the state, similar to what Rabbi Kook zt"l wrote then:

"ומזה עלינו ללמוד ולקחת לקח טוב, שלא להיות נופלים ברוחנו גם מחרדתה של הנפילה הנוראה אשר נפל יישובנו כעת על ידי הרשעים הרוצחים הטמאים..."

“And from this we must learn a good lesson: not to fall into despair even from the terrible shock that has now befallen our settlement by the hands of the wicked, impure murderers...” (ibid.)

Indeed, the hardships and crises are painful and exact a heavy price, but we are committed, as we have been since the Establishment of the State of Israel. Every difficulty and crisis: political, social, or cultural, is not a break in the redemption, but a part of it. They force the people of Israel to ask fundamental questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What kind of state do we want to build? A Western-style state like all others? Or an advanced, tolerant, and inclusive Jewish state, governed by democratically elected representatives; a state that is a "foundation for G-d’s throne in the world” (Orot Yisrael 6:7).

Every Independence Day is a Thanksgiving Day. We thank G-d for the miracle of the state’s existence, for the progress of our independence, and for the clarity of our national identity. We emphasize that the state’s existence is not just a national success, but a true divine miracle, and we remind ourselves of our responsibility to take ownership of its fate and continued existence.

מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה ולגְּאֻלָּה שְׁלֵימָה

Wishing you festivals for rejoicing and a complete redemption.