To seek out Zion

It was shortly after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, which should speedily be rebuilt in our days. The Jewish people were in shock still unable to digest the indescribable tragedy that had befallen our nation. Harav Yochanan ben Zakka was  the leader of the Jewish people at this difficult time. He would only live for another two years after the destruction. However, during that time he made a decree that would have a gigantic impact on Jewish life for generations to come.

The Mishna in the third chapter of Tractate Succa ( 41A) says that originally, in accordance with the Biblical command,  the Lulav was only shaken for 7 days, during the holiday of Sukkot, in the Beis Hamikdash (the temple). Outside of the temple the Lulav was taken only on the first day. However, after the destruction of the Temple, Rabbi Yochanon ben Zakai made a decree that, also outside of the Temple, we must shake the Lulav for all 7 days of Sukkot-“Zecher Lamikdash”, as a reminder of what once was in the Mikdash. The Talmud ( ad loc) asks what is the source for this decree? The Gemara answers that it was based on a verse in Jeremiah ( 30:17) which says ציון היא דורש אין לה, “She is Zion, nobody seeks her out”. From which the Talmud expounds, “nobody seeks her out” -from here we learn that she (Zion) must be sought out. And, thus, this is the source for the decree of taking the Lulav nowadays for 7 days even outside of the Temple. The reason for the decree is that we should remember the way it was done in the Temple, where taking the Lulav for 7 days was a Biblical imperative. The reason for the decree is also in order so that we should seek out Zion and yearn for the return of her glory.

Based upon this gemara, I began to think of other ways in which we can fulfill this mitzvah of seeking out Zion:

1.) During the times of the Beis Hamikdash, there was a Biblical command on all men to come to the Temple three times a year for the pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. Nowadays, after the destruction of the Temple, there is no longer such a Biblical command (cf responsa Noda Beyehuda Tinyana Orach Chaim #94 ) . However, even after the destruction of the Temple, many Jews used to, and still gather around the Kotel ( the Western Wall) as a remembrance of the Pilgrimage during the times of the Temple ( c.f Ran beginning of Tractate Taanis, and Piskei Teshuvot 529:13 who brings a large array of sources for this custom). The poskim call it a mitzvah. Once, I wondered what mitzvah does one perform nowadays when they come to the Kotel for Oleh Regel ( the pilgrimage)? However, in accordance with what was said above, maybe this is also part of the mitzvah of seeking out Zion.

2.) There is a young teenage boy here in Beitar who I am very close with. We talk a lot about all different types of issues. Baruch Hashem, this boy is a great masmid ( a diligent Torah student) who is also blessed with a tremendous love and devotion for our Holy Land. During the breaks from the yeshiva schedule, he likes to travel to different parts of our beautiful country. A couple months ago, after Simchat Torah, was the first anniversary of the massacre. This boy and his friends thought that it would be appropriate to acknowledge the occasion right where it happened. So right after Yom Tov, they got on a bus, and we’re planning to do ‘hakafos shnius” ( literally the second hakafos, a custom in Eretz Yisroel of dancing with the Torah again right after Simchat Torah) right by the fence of Gaza. Well, after much toil they got there. My friend told me that he stuck his hand through the fence-before the army came and told them to leave. Even afterwards, they stayed in the vicinity. In this eventful night, he slept for maybe two hours in a sleeping bag near the border with Gaza and came home the next morning really tired out. Some time later, I met him again and he told me about his tiring trek. He then asked me, “With all my enormous effort what mitzvah did I do? I thought for a moment and then told him that you fulfilled the mitzvah of seeking out Zion. Gaza is just as much as part of Eretz Yisroel as Bnei Brak and Jerusalem. By sticking your hand in that fence, you were saying that this land is also part of the land that Hashem has given us. And bezrat Hashem will be settled with Jewish people again very soon.

3.) Chazal (our Sages) tell us that “there is no Torah like the Torah of Eretz Yisroel” . The unique understanding of Torah that is found in Eretz Yisroel is like nothing else that can be found anywhere else in the world. Therefore, when one goes through the laws of charity, one will see that there is a very high priority given to helping out Torah scholars who live in the holy land ( cf Paas Hashulchan 2:29 who says that giving tzedakah to people in Eretz Yisroel is the highest form of charity since with this type of donation one is fulfilling the mitzvah of charity and also helping to fulfill the mitzvah of settling the land) When one helps support the Torah scholars of Eretz Yisroel they are also seeking out Zion on a very high level.

4.) About half of world Jewry is still living outside of the land. While many may have legitimate reasons for this, it is still important that everyone come to visit our dear holy land from time to time. There is nothing like a trip to Israel that can reawaken in one’s neshama the latent love for the land and the holiness that it represents. During the time a person is here, he also merits to fulfill the great mitzvah of settling the land ( CF Responsa Mishana Halachos 2:56 who rules that one fulfills the mitzvah of settling the land during the time he is visiting like someone who fulfills the mitzvah of tefillin, when donning them, even if he does not wear them all day). I have an uncle who is very diligent about making an annual trip to Eretz Yisroel every summer. A trip to Israel is also fulfillment of the prophet’s plea to seek out Zion.

5.) Finally, to really seek out Zion one has to think from time to time about making the big move, and returning to our dear motherland. As said earlier there are legitimate reasons acknowledged by halacha for one to remain in Chutz Laaretz ( outside of the land). Concerns regarding  parnassah ( livelihood) and education of the children are just a few of the reasons that can exempt one from this incredible mitzvah. However, let us draw a comparison from another dear mitzvah: the mitzvah of sitting in a Sukkah for seven days during the holiday of Sukkot. If it is raining, one is exempt from this mitzvah. However, when it stops raining one should come back to the Sukkah. So too here. Yes, there are legitimate reasons to still remain outside of the land. However, when it stops raining shouldn’t we come home?