Beresheit

Rabbi Yitzchak said (Rashi’s father): The Torah should have commenced with the verse from Exodus “This month shall be the first of months to you,” (as this was the first commandment ever given to Israel).  Why does the Torah then begin with the story of Creation? To show the world the strength of His power to give the land to Israel.”


We understand that the land of Israel is sacred.  As a result the other monotheistic faiths that base their scriptures on ours also understand the land as holy.  Yet even as long ago as the eleventh century we were praying and pining for a return to the Land, which God promised.  

For is then the return and independence of a Jewish nation in 1948 was miraculous.  It was a fulfillment to the Divine promise mentioned in the Bible, alluded to in the very first verse of the Torah!


Rabbi Yitzchak went on to quote Midrash when he wrote, “All the earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it and gave it to whom He pleased.  When He willed it he gave it to them and when He willed it He took from them and gave it to us.”


We are living in such a time.

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