The Tree

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

Yosef tells his brothers, “Do not get angry on the way” (Bereisheet 45:24). Rashi explains: Yosef was worried lest they quarrel along the way, blaming one another over who was responsible for his being sold.

Right now, the Jewish People are “on the way.” We have not yet reached our final destination. We still face harsh struggles over our survival and security and we must do all we can to preserve the unity in our midst - be it right now or in the face of the challenges that lie ahead.

The Jewish People are like a tree, since, just like a tree has branches, roots, and a trunk, so, too, a nation. At the branches, the tree appears to split into many different parts, but at the trunk and roots, it becomes unified. Therefore, the way to unify and strengthen the nation is by returning to its roots.

How should we do this? First of all, we must learn, teach, and deepen our Jewish identity. We must ask what has made us unique since we became a nation at Yitziat Mitzrayim and set out on our two thousand-year-long journey of self-sacrifice to Yerushalayim. We must not only learn what makes us unique, and fathom the essence of the nation G-d chose from among all others, but we must inform ourselves, our children, and all of mankind, what is our historic, eternal mission to all the nations. We are not returning to our land just for ourselves. We are doing so to fulfill our universal destiny, to proclaim G-d’s name to the world, to all mankind, as in G-d’s promises to Avraham, “You shall become a blessing... All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Bereisheet 12:2,3). Let us strengthen our roots and send forth branches and flowers. Then we will reap delicious fruits.

BeSorot Tovot,

Looking forward to complete salvation,
With the Love of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael,

Shabbat Shalom.