- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayelech
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
1212
Rashi explains each of the two occurrences. As for the first "veshav," Rashi cites the answer suggested by the Gemara: "Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai teaches: Come and see how beloved are the children of Israel before the Almighty. For every destination whereto they were exiled, the Divine Presence was also exiled. So too, only when they shall be redeemed, shall God himself be redeemed." The Talmud and Rashi understand the word "et" as a preposition, "with." Moshe is not saying that God will return your captivity, but rather that God Himself will return together with your captivity.
Rashi’s creative genius bursts forth in his interpretation of the second "veshav": "Moreover, so great an event albeit so fraught with hardship is the ingathering of the dispersed, that God Himself takes hold of each returnee’s hand to accompany him from his place."
What a magnificent description of each modern oleh’s journey to Israel. As he descends the staircase from the plane, not only is he redeeming his children, grandchildren and generations beyond, but he is returning together with God Almighty Himself.
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This is a weekly column contributed by Aloh Naaleh an organization devoted to motivating Jews to make Aliya.
Aloh Na'aleh
POB 4337, Jerusalem 91042
Tel: 972-2-566-1181 ext. 320 ~ Fax: 972-2-566-1186
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