A different answer to "Are we there yet?"

by Rabbi Avrohom Leventhal 
July 11, 2013
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-different-answer-to-are-we-there-yet/

Rabbi David Kirshner posted an article entitled "Are we There Yet?" 
I have chosen to respond. 

Dear Rabbi Kirshner,

Let me preface my words with the clich? that what I am about to say 
isn't (too) personal toward you. On the contrary, I find you articulate 
and rather upbeat.  I also share a passion for baseball (although I am a 
committed Orioles fan with all due respect to your Mets).

David (I would prefer to continue on a first name basis sort of 
Rabbi to Rabbi), you penned a warm, fuzzy piece about the comfort 
and accomplishments of Jewry in present times. Your benchmark 
was a Mets game, complete with yarmulke handout and Israel fest 
during the 7th inning stretch.

To be frank, there is a time in my life in which I might have identified 
with some of what you said. I recall sitting with my wife at an Oriole game, 
enjoying a hot dog and beer from the first kosher stand in a major 
league stadium. Had they handed out a kippa with the "bird", I too 
might have felt a swell of pride.

That was 25 years ago and since then I have come to realize that 
"reaching the goal" and "being there" has a much more profound meaning 
on a personal, national and religious level.

You mentioned Parshat Devarim and Moshe with the premise that 
we didn't "arrive".

You see David, that even 3,300 years ago Moshe had "made it". 
He was a prince in Egypt, married into a wealthy, prominent family 
(perhaps even more prominent than Joe Biden) and was doing rather 
well for himself. For that matter the entire Hebrew people at that time 
had achieved supremacy in Egyptian society. And has history has proven, 
time and time again, rather than embrace and respect the Jews, 
the Egyptians became jealous and resentful leading to a plan for  
a "final solution".

Moshe was then chosen by God for one of the greatest tasks in the 
history of the world, Take the Jews out of Egypt and into the 
Promised Land.

From that point on Moshe became driven to accomplish this goal. 
To bring the Chosen People into the Chosen Land.

All of the wealth, honor and power meant nothing in the scope of 
fulfilling Divine Destiny. And yet,with all of that drive, Moshe did not 
merit then, to bring his precious flock into that precious land. 
He would have gladly traded all his wealth, prominence and even 
a limited edition bobblehead of Pharoh, to just plant one foot on 
the holy soil.

In the 3,300 years since, the Jewish people settled and were exiled 
from their Land. For generations Jews longed to come home no matter 
what sacrifice it entailed.

Fast forward 3,300 years. With the miracle of the founding of the 
State of Israel, the age old prophecies began to come to life. 
For the first time in over 2,000 years, Jews were not only welcomed, 
but encouraged to come and settle the Land.

David, that's when we could begin to say that we "made it".

While not perfect and certainly not a total fulfillment of Divine 
prophecy, we are certainly closer than ever to  "being there".

Eight years ago my family merited to be a part of this historic 
process. For the first time as a parent, I actually cherished and 
smiled when, on the plane, my seven year old asked (repeatedly) 
"are we there yet"?

We have a different perspective of what "making it" means.

"Are we there yet" should relate to a journey. The journey of 
Jewish history and destiny…not a temporary thermometer of 
recognition and finding favor in the eyes of the nations.

I find no pride in knowing that Jews have now married into the 
families of former presidents and current vice presidents. 
This is not a milestone on the path of Jewish history. 
It is a severe setback to Jewish continuity.

To me pride comes through events that solidify the connection 
of our rich past to the present and future of the Jewish people.

Three years ago my son took an oath, upon entering the IDF, 
to protect not the Czar, the King or even the Iraqi people, but to 
defend the Jewish people in the Jewish home. At that time 
he received the 2 things essential to his task..a gun and a Tanach (Bible). 
We need a combination of both to preserve the physical and 
spiritual essence of the Jewish nation. For me, that was a moment 
of true nachat (and not without the concern of any military parent). 
Some of my ancestors fought foreign armies in foreign lands for 
the noble cause of peace and freedom for people, with whom 
they had no connection. My son stood at the front line with a clear 
knowledge and appreciation that he was helping his brethren to 
live in their homeland.

About a year and a half ago we were blessed with our first Sabra 
grandchild. Generations of my family longed to be here and now one 
of their own was born on this holy soil. Eretz Yisrael will not be a trip, 
summer experience or post high school status symbol. Eretz Yisrael 
is her home. My great-grandfather, who died before fulfilling his 
dream to be here, must be beaming from up above.

David, the Jewish people no longer need kosher stadium dogs, 
Mets kippot or a White House seder to feel that we are "there". 
We have the opportunity to live as Jews in the only true home 
we have ever known.

History has shown us that the comfort and security of the Diaspora 
are both fragile and temporary.

The Jews in Spain most certainly had "made it". The parliaments 
of pre-war Europe were full of Jewish leaders. Some countries 
even had Jewish premiers. They too believed that they had made it.  
Comforted by the fact that they were "accepted" by the nations 
in which they lived.

So David, after reading your article about diaspora Jewry, I am not 
convinced that Jews have "made" it, I am concerned that we are not 
even heading in the right direction.

Living in our Jewish homeland gives me a different perspective.

Every Chanuka I sit on the floor with my children (and now 
grandchild) and play dreidel.

The answer to your question, David, is printed on the dreidel 
that we use here in Israel.

You ask…are we there yet?

Our dreidel has a Pey, not a Shin like those in the Diaspora.

Nes Gadol Haya Po…a great miracle happened HERE, not there

Yes, David, in Israel we are here now and we have made it.