Why We Should Not Be Afraid

What do you say? What do you say when someone, maybe a friend or a relative or simply just a another member of Klal Yisrael - how can you respond when they mention that for Pesach they were planning on going to Eretz Yisrael, the land promised to our forefathers. The land of Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov Aveenu. The land ruled by Dovid and Shlomo Hamelach. The land of the Bies Hamikdosh; the first, second and BemiHayRah BiYamanu, the third! They were planning on being Olah Regel, visiting our homeland, Eretz Yisrael, but alas, "you know, the 'situation.'" So instead, for Pesach, they are going to Florida, the land of Mickey Mouse and Goofey.

Since such feelings of despair are so widespread I suspect most of us know someone who recently altered their plans. So what did I answer? There are different ways to address this issue. We've all heard the "we can't let the terrorists win" argument. Perhaps you've also heard the "there are still more people killed in car accidents than by terrorists" one. But I didn't use either of those approaches. Nor did I point out that America has not been immune from terror. Instead I pointed to a recent article from the new "Ask the Rabbi" feature on Arutz-7. Rabbi Samson plans on addressing this issue in depth over the next few weeks. He introduces his response by quoting a story brought down by Rabbi Dichovsky, O"H, in his sefer, Neot Desha where he recounts his visit to the Chofetz Chaim O"H, in order to ask him about moving to Israel at a time of clear and present danger.

The year was 1933, just a few years after the Hevron Massacare of 1929. I highly recommend everyone read the full story at israelnn.com but I'll quote the very end of it here where the Chofetz Chaim responds:

'The holy Torah tells us regarding Ishmael that he is a 'pere adam,' a wild beast of a man. It is known that our Torah is eternal, and if it says about Ishmael that he is a wild beast of a man, then Ishmael will remain forever a wild beast of a man. Even if all of the cultured nations of the world will gather together and try to educate Ishmael and transform him into a cultured individual, so that he will no longer be a wild beast of a man, obviously this will be impossible in every fashion or form. They will not be able to do this through any means whatsoever, because he is not capable of being a cultured individual, for behold, the Torah testified regarding him that he is a wild beast of a man. This means that forever, for all eternity, Ishmael is by definition a wild beast of a man. Even if Ishmael will be involved in intellectual endeavor, like being a lawyer, or some similar profession, then he will be a beastly lawyer. If he will study diligently to be a professor, then he will be a beastly professor. This means that the bestiality of Ishmael will never cease.'

"Then the Chofetz Chaim let out a long, painful sigh and said, 'Who knows what this wild beast of a man is capable of perpetrating against the Jewish people in the end of days?'

"Concluding his words to me, he said, 'Nevertheless, fear not - there is no reason for this to prevent you from making Aliyah to the Land of Israel.'

"Then he blessed me, saying, 'Go in peace, and the L-rd will bless your path.' So I left him, and journeyed in peace to the Holy Land." [End Quote]

So we know *how* the Chofetz Chaim felt. Still I was puzzled about *why* he felt this way since he doesn't seem to explain. I'd like to suggest a possible explanation. It's interesting to note that the Chofetz Chaim used the words "fear not." He also said "It is known that our Torah is eternal." Which got me thinking about how the conversation I had paralleled parts of Parshat Shalach which I quote below using Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's O"H translation from "The Living Torah":

"I was thinking of going to Eretz Yisrael. How beautiful it must be to be there on Pesach. But, you know, the situation. The terrorists are out in full force."

(13:27. They gave the following report: "We came to the land where you sent us, and it is indeed flowing with milk and honey, as you can see from its fruit. 28. However, the people living in the land are aggressive, and the cities are large and well fortified. )

"But, that's no reason not to go!" I said.

(13:30. Caleb tried to quiet the people for Moses. "We must go forth and occupy the land," he said. "We can do it!")

"Are you kidding? You can't go outside without having to worry about a bomb or a drive-by shooting, chas v'sholom. People are being slaughtered everyday. It's a war zone! The terrorists are more than we can handle."

(13:31. "We cannot go forward against those people!" replied the men who had gone with him. "They are too strong for us!" 32. They began to speak badly about the land that they had explored. They told the Israelites, "The land that we crossed to explore is a land that consumes its inhabitants. All the men we saw there were huge!)

"Yes, I'm very sad about what's happening in Israel. But it's just too dangerous. Florida, on the other hand, is nice and peaceful. It has nice weather this time of year and the hotels are so luxurious. Why should I have to worry about the Intifada? It's best to stay here in America where it's safe."

(14:1. The entire community raised a hubbub and began to shout. That night, the people wept. 2. All the Israelites complained to Moses and Aaron. The entire community was saying, "We wish we had died in Egypt! We should have died in this desert! 3. Why is G-d bringing us to this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will be captives! It would be best to go back to Egypt!" 4. The people started saying to one another, Let's appoint a [new] leader and go back to Egypt.")

Now I know how to respond as the Torah continues:

(14:5. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the whole assembled Israelite community. 6. Among the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Yefuneh tore their clothes in grief. 7. They said to the whole Israelite community, "The land through which we passed in our exploration is a very, very, good land! 8. If G-d is satisfied with us and brings us to this land, He can give it to us--a land flowing with milk and honey. 9. But don't rebel against G-d! Don't be afraid of the people in the land! They have lost their protection and shall be our prey! G-d is with us, so don't be afraid!")

And this is the Emes! It doesn't matter which government is in power. If Hashem wants peace there will be peace, and only if Hashem wants peace will there be peace. "If G-d is satisfied with us and brings us to this land, He can give it to us-a land flowing with milk and honey." So yes, say Tehillim and do Tschuvah, so we are deserving, but please "don't rebel against G-d! Don't be afraid of the people in the land! They have lost their protection and shall be our prey! G-d is with us, so don't be afraid!" As the Chofetz Chaim said "fear not!"

This seems like an appropriate place to end. But I would be omitting the scariest and most important part. Since Klal Yisrael was afraid even after all Hashem did for us! (23. They will therefore not see the land that I swore to their ancestors. All those who provoked Me will not see it.)

Let us not repeat the mistakes of our past. ------

I hope this helps the next time someone speaks Loshon Hara about our homeland. Please don't hesitate to share it with others outside the group. That's why I wrote it. But since this is a discussion group I'd like to hear feedback. Am I totally off base? Is there a better way to respond? Post here or e-mail me directly. Thanks.
Have a Chag Kusher V'Samayach, L'Shana Habah B'Yerushaliyim!
Pinchas.