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"The Land of Israel"

Writer's picture: Elissa FelderElissa Felder


“The Land of Israel”


In this week’s parsha we read about the daughters of Zelophehad,

who loved and desired to inherit some of the land of Israel they were about to enter.

We also read about Moses who ascended Mount Avarim to look at and yearn for the

land he would not get to experience.


Israel, is the holy land which God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,

and their descendants.

A land which is where heaven and earth kiss.

A blessed place where God's presence is more concentrated.

A place which God watches over and protects.


We face Jerusalem when we pray,

sending our requests, our thanks, our cries in that direction,

with the belief that they will ascend up once they reach Mount Moriah,

where the holy Temples stood.

It is the holiest place on earth and one to which

Jews throughout history have yearned to return to.


Jews have longed and made huge efforts to be buried there.

The ground there is believed to be infused

with special atoning and purifying properties.

To be buried in Israel is likened unto being enveloped ‘in our mother’s arms.”


Many throughout our long history have kissed the ground upon returning to it,

with the desire to connect to it in the most intimate way,

Using our mouths which are an organ of connection;

to express our deep love and attachment.


As Jews we have fought to survive, to live and eventually to thrive there.

We have died for it,

been homesick for it,

advocated for it,

It is a place of refuge for us.

A place of beauty, of conflict,

of belonging, of tragedy, of love,

of intensity, of strife,

of unity and of hope.


May it be a place of peace for us all very soon.


Shabbat shalom


Elissa



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