Chillul Hashem

Shavua Tov. There is a Pasuk in פרשת פרה that tormented me when I was living in America. Actually, it was on Parshat Para in 1983 that I announced to my congregation that I was making Aliya. It was largely because of this Pasuk.

The Pasuk reads עם ה׳ אלה ומארצו יצאו, “ You are G-d’s people, then what are you doing outside of His chosen land.”

The context of this verse is that the Prophet Yechezkel is saying that after defiling the land with their evil ways, the Jewish people were banished from the land. They continued to desecrate Hashem’s name by their very presence in Chutz L’aretz. The nations of the world would mock the Jews living outside of Israel by accusing them that their G-d was weak. If he were strong, His children would not be living outside the land.

Simply put, the presence of a Jew in חוץ לארץ, even if he observes the Mitzvot is a חילול ה׳. Hashem says that He is tired of having His name desecrated among the nations. Therefore, He is rebuilding the House of Israel. No more חילול ה׳. The State of Israel is קידוש ה׳.

For years, I wished this Pasuk would go away. In order to be at peace with myself, I had no choice but to do the right thing and make Aliya.

The Pasuk עם ה׳ אלה ומארצו יצאו, was a great motivator.