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Dvar Torah - Parashat Matot – Rav Erez Levi
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In the Parshat Shavua of Sefer Bamidbar, we encounter the many events that happen
to Am Israel in the first few years of it becoming a nation.
Our Torah, a Torah of life, does not hide the hard and awkward parts, including
the revolt against Moshe and Aharon, the sin of the Ten Spies, and even the sins
of the leaders themselves, of Moshe and Aharon.
Every day in the Amida prayer we say: “Return our judges as in former times, and
our counselors as in the beginning.” In this Beracha we reminisce of our past leaders
and look forward to such fine leadership in our generation.
The question is: Which period in our history are we reminiscing of and looking forward
to?
Is it referring to the generation of the desert, which argued so fervently with
Moshe and Aharon that the nation, many times, wished to stone them? Or, is it referring
to the period of Yiftach HaGiladi who was the child of a Harlot and who spilled
a lot of Jewish blood? Is it the period of Shimshon who fooled around with Philistine
girls? Maybe it is referring to the time of Yehoshua Ben-Nun who, with all his greatness,
did not completely conquer and the settle the land and who left a confused nation
with no organized leadership?
Practically speaking, there never was a true golden age in our leadership's history
to which we can truly yearn and crave. Nonetheless, we feel today that the aspect
that is most lacking is a true and faithful leader who will reunite and lead Am
Yisrael.
In these weeks, following the passing of our rabbi, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l,
the above feeling is even stronger.
Rav Eliyahu was a guide for all of us both in Halacha and Minhag. The hardest and
most complex questions reached his door, and in every important national matter,
he always stood at the front of the camp. Also we, residents of the Golan, myself
included, found ourselves seeking his advice and counsel.
Indeed we feel orphaned since his departure, yet it is clear to us that this emptiness
will lead us and strengthen us in believing in ourselves and in our method of education
which will bring forth fitting leaders for our nation. We value and appreciate all
expressions of leadership; in is through each one of our students, who continue
to make essential decisions concerning their future, that we see hope for change.
Baruch Hashem, in the past few days we have ended the sixth year of the Mechina.
Graduates going home are responsible and dependable individuals, who will undoubtedly
return to Israel for in the future.
We would like to thank all those students and their families who part of the LYA
family and all of those who have and continue to support us.
We all share one goal: To extract the most from ourselves and every student, to
be the best we can possibly be, and to take part in sanctifying Hashem in our world.
Now we are preparing to receive the new students, and we wish all our friends a
good and blessed year ahead.
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