Baruch Shehecheyanu!
Tomorrow (Monday), the 20th of Sivan, as per the Hebrew calendar, marks my first Aliyah anniversary, also known as the “Aliyaversary.” On this day last year, I proudly, excitedly, and nervously landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, and with my new teudat oleh in hand, made my way to Yerushalayim It Hakodesh. One year ago, I said so-long to my many years of dwelling in the exile; one year ago, I made the leap from just yearning for Tzion to actually dwelling in Tzion.
As most of you are likely aware of the many years I spent yearning for Tzion, you also know that I have always actively engaged in many projects related to the Holy Land as well. Whether the projects revolved around political ideologies or religious philosophy, I am forever dedicated to the cause. Finally, thousands of hours of volunteer work later, Hashem said that it was the time, and so He granted my freedom.
In my farewell speech last year, I underscored that “Eretz Yisrael nikness b’yisurim—Eretz Yisrael is acquired with hardships.” In many ways this still holds quite true for my current situation, but I am quite sure that at this point these are yissurim shel ahavah—hardships that Hashem has inflicts upon the righteous. Baruch Hashem, I am healthy, can serve Hashem without pain or other obstacles, and have an extremely loving and supportive family both back in the U.S. and here in Israel who continue to make sure I have what I need for both emotional and financial support.
And for those who have advised me or even hinted to me to “come back” to the exile, I will quote Rabbi Meir Kahane, H”yd:
“It all goes back to our sages’ comment in Berachot 5a: ‘G-d gave Israel three fine gifts and all solely via suffering: Torah, Eretz Yisrael, and the World-to-Come.’ A person’s whole life is a test to see whether he will accept the yoke of Heaven and the mitzvot. There is nothing precious that does not exact a heavy price of him who wishes to acquire it. Eretz Yisrael, a precious gift requires self-sacrifice, as befits a tool of the Chosen People.” (Or Hara’ayon: The Jewish Idea, p. 569)
With the winds of war blowing quite rapidly here on the eastern front and as the missiles from Iran, yemach shemam, rain on us while I type this, every day, every hour, I become an even stronger believer that we are indeed in the atchalta degeulah. Now, I am not going stand here and preach to an empty room of nonbelievers—I did that for many years—I am just going to reiterate this to exemplify the notion that seeing the everyday miracles of Hashem’s defensive shield over this Land reinforce and strengthen my beliefs, and so it should yours as well.
With gratitude to Hashem Yisbarach, I am home, and with His blessings, I will remain home in the Holy Land where we all belong.