Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

Every day we pray for the redemption of our people to be enacted by “Tzemach David”, the offspring of King David, as we anticipate God’s salvation through this Messianic arrival. This is a paraphrase of the 15^th blessing of the daily Amidah. The prophet Zecharia actually names this descendant of David, “Tzemach” (Zechariah 3:8). Yirmiyahu before him refers twice to our salvation coming from a figure named “Tzemach Tzaddik” (23:5) or “Tzemach Tzedakah” (33:15-16). For this reason we bless the State of Israel as the “First Sprouts of our Redemption”. This is because our redemption grows like a “Tzemach”, slowly, and in stages. Our redemption may not yet be clear, but the first sprouts are. I suggest a reading of Yirmiyahu chapter 31 for the observance of Yom Ha’atzmaut. This is the chapter in which Yirmyihau promises an exiled people that they will return to their borders once again. Even if some people refuse to see the hand of God in the miracle of Israel, one cannot deny that the essential prophecies of Yirmiyahu 31 have come true right before our eyes.

The abiding point of this chapter is RETURN. Yirmiyahu encapsulates his message in three words, “V’Shavu Banim L’Gvulam” (31:17). The descendants of these exiles will return, and we are the fortunate generation to witness this return. It is no wonder that the holiday that is all about return, Rosh Hashana, a holiday that is all about making ourselves better and hoping for a better day, themes that pervade Yirmiyahu 31, should have this chapter as its Haftara. May the Shofar which will herald that return (Yeshayahu 27:13) be heard soon in our day.

The Talmud says that we lost the opportunity for the Messianic arrival because we did not adequately thank God for the salvation of Jerusalem from the hands of the Assyrians (Sanhedrin 94A). God forbid that we should repeat this error in our day. However this is done is not the issue. It could be full Hallel, half Hallel, with a Bracha, without a Bracha, or Tehillim 125-126. There is room for all of this and more, but if we fail to see the significance of this day, or how different our world would be if we had Israel in 1938 instead of 1948, that is a colossal repeat of the sin so many years ago that could have changed the world back then. Let us rejoice in our return. 

Chag Sameach.

Be safe.  Be healthy.  Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz  

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org