They Took Hold of the Land

The Torah tells us that Yakov and his family dwelled in the land of Goshen, and ויאחזו בה, “they took hold of it.” They prospered and multiplied in a miraculous.

The commentators discussed why this word, ויאחזו was chosen rather than simply saying, וישבו שם, “and they dwelled there.”

They explained that “taking hold of the land,” implied that they no longer saw themselves as temporary residents. They became firmly implanted and felt that Goshen was their home. They felt comfortable there. This was the beginning of the Galut, exile.

The Keli Yakar commented that the positive side of ויאחזו is that they prospered. But the negative side of this prosperity was very severe. Their deep entrenchment in Egypt, made it that much more difficult to get out of Galut and come home to Israel.

This has been the story of our current exile. Jews have been entrenched and have felt very comfortable living in various places outside of Israel.

They see themselves as citizens and part of the Gentile society. They really believe that they are home. When this happens, it is exactly what the Keli Yakar is talking about. They are so deeply in Galut, that it’s difficult to get out.

I am very saddened when family and friends visit Israel, and they end their stay by saying, “We are going home tomorrow.” They are not going home, but they are leaving home.

They are going to the place where they have been welcome guests for a long time. It is now becoming clear that Jews are no longer welcome. All Jews must realize that the only permanent home for the Jew is Israel.

They must get the Galut mentality out of their heads, and not be fooled by their affluence and comforts. The Jews in Egypt learned this the hard way. This lesson must be relearned today, when all Jews can come home with dignity, and their heads held high.