G-d's Promises Unfolding Before our Eyes

By Michael Fuah

We are living in amazing times. While there are still people living among us who lived through " And G-d rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation," and the terrible curses from last week's Torah portion, we are already experiencing G-d's promises: "Then G-d your G-d will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples, where G-d your G-d has scattered you. If any of your dispersed will be in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there will G-d your G-d gather you, and from there will He take you. And G-d your G-d will bring you into the Land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will do good unto you, and multiply you above your fathers". (From this week's Torah portion, Netzavim-Veyelech, Deuteronomy 30: 2-5).

After almost 2000 years of exile, which culminated in the destruction and near annihilation of European Jewry, the promises of blessing and joy, ingathering of the exiles and the return to the Land of Israel are beginning to unfold before our eyes.

After the return to the Land of Israel, the Torah promises that a spiritual awakening will take place. " And G-d your G-d will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your children, to love G-d your G-d with all your heart, and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 30:5) That awakening is in progress now.

There is an additional stage to this process. After the return to the Land of Israel and the Divine heart-circumcision, the Torah promises: " And you will once again listen to the voice of G-d and you will fulfill all the commandments that I command you today." What sort of repentance is the Torah referring to? According to the progression in the Torah, at this stage we have already returned to the Land, our hearts have already been circumcised and we are already lovingly serving G-d with all our hearts and souls.

The additional stage of return is the return to a Jewish way of life on the national level. Until now, we have sufficed ourselves with perpetuating our exile-mode of private Jewish conduct in our homes or synagogues. Now we are being challenged to return to G-d, to make Him a part of all aspects of our national life. G-d's presence must be felt everywhere; in our approach to economy, education, politics, foreign affairs, security and more.

The Torah does not explain how we will reach the conclusion that we must return to Jewish political life that will fulfill the promise "And all the nations of the world will see that G-d's Name is called upon you." On this Rosh Hashanah, let us all pray that we will find the way to return to G-d on a national level with our own free will and joy in our hearts.

Shabbat Shalom