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Why was there a need for another acceptance? What was missing before? Chazal answer that the earlier acceptance of Torah was coerced - "kafa aleihem har ke-gigit," G-d held the mountain over their heads and said that if they don't accept the Torah they will be buried under the mountain. Since their acceptance of the Torah at Sinai was forced upon them, they had to accept it once again of their own free will.
What did the acceptance of Torah on Purim add to our religious experience? It added the element of joy. We perform mitzvot and study Torah not only because we have to do so. We engage in Torah because it is a pleasure, because it is a joy, because it uplifts our lives and elevates our souls. Because being near to God is pure good. And when one accepts Torah out of joy and gladness one will keep Torah even when the mountain is not over our heads.
What is true regarding Torah is also true about Eretz Israel. One can come to Eretz Israel beacuse one is compelled to leave galut. One can, however, come to live in this beautiful and wonderful land beacuse of the sheer joy of contributing to the rebuilding of our people and our land. This kind of redefinition of the Zionist agenda can help us overcome these difficult days and inject true joy in our decision to come and live here.

"If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 25 Tammuz 5784

The Minor Fasts and Their Laws
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | tamoz 5761

The Hoop and the Drum – How to be a Good Neighbor
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Shvat 24 5782

Writing on Shabbat
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Daf Yomi Makkot Daf 19
R' Eli Stefansky | 29 Nisan 5785

P'ninat Mishpat: Rental of an Apartment that Was Not Quite Ready – part II
based on ruling 82031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Iyar 5784

Reassuring His Parents – #314 – part I
Date and Place: 23 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Iyar 5785
