Amidst the festive celebrations of decades of the existence of the State of Israel, there is one thing that is not entirely clear: what are the Israelis celebrating, really?
While the apparent facts indicate that the celebration is related to the spontaneous gathering of immigrants from all over the world in one place, some – like Herzl, the state’s visionary – might argue that the day marking the Jewish nation’s establishment is the holiday that gives the Jews validity as a nation, as a people.
But aside from the political and cultural implications of this holiday, it raises a greater, more general question of Jewish identity: what is it that connects and unites those in the Jewish nation differently from the Jewish immigrants and the sons of immigrants of other countries in the world?
What Is the Jewish Nation?
If one looks at ancient Kabbalistic texts that talk about the Jewish nation, one will see the concept of the mutual guarantee.
The Midrash Raba (Leviticus 4:6), written by the great Kabbalist Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, explains this concept using an example of people who were sailing in a boat together. One of them began drilling a hole under his seat, and his friends asked him, “Why are you drilling this hole?” To which he replied, “What do you care, I am drilling the hole under myself!” The others replied, “Nonsense! After all, we are all together in this boat!”
The wisdom of Kabbalah goes on to explain that the mutual guarantee, a quality that has historically been present in the Jewish nation, is what makes life possible in a group setting.
By looking at the history of the Jewish nation, one can see that there were periods when its members kept this mutual guarantee – for example, during the times of the First and Second Temple. During these periods the members of this nation were loving to each other because they rose above their egos, above their personal desires and thoughts. And that is when they became a true nation, because – as the Midrash story shows - when they unite together, they become a consolidated group.
Today, however, the people of the Jewish nation are in a very different state. Kabbalah explains that it’s because they are victims and perpetuators of an ego that has grown beyond all bounds, causing suffering to them and everyone around them. The history of the young Jewish nation clearly shows that there is no brotherly love between the citizens, and thus, some might argue that they aren’t a true nation.
A Free Jewish Nation
Kabbalist Baal HaSulam writes in the article, “The Freedom” that the path to true freedom for each individual in the Jewish nation is to attain freedom from one’s ego, to go through life with love for one’s fellow men.
The Jews have to catch up to the modern reality and join forces in order to rise above the ego, which can serve to divide. Then each individual in the nation will feel united to the rest, and will contribute to the group that nourishes him. Doing this is not simple, but as Herzl, the visionary of the State of Israel, has said, “If you desire it, it is not a legend.”
Thus, if the Jewish nation changes its way of thinking in this direction of group mentality, and raises the importance of uniting together, it will change the balance of forces working in the Israeli society and guarantee its nation a safe and happy future.
Author George P.
While the apparent facts indicate that the celebration is related to the spontaneous gathering of immigrants from all over the world in one place, some – like Herzl, the state’s visionary – might argue that the day marking the Jewish nation’s establishment is the holiday that gives the Jews validity as a nation, as a people.
But aside from the political and cultural implications of this holiday, it raises a greater, more general question of Jewish identity: what is it that connects and unites those in the Jewish nation differently from the Jewish immigrants and the sons of immigrants of other countries in the world?
What Is the Jewish Nation?
If one looks at ancient Kabbalistic texts that talk about the Jewish nation, one will see the concept of the mutual guarantee.
The Midrash Raba (Leviticus 4:6), written by the great Kabbalist Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, explains this concept using an example of people who were sailing in a boat together. One of them began drilling a hole under his seat, and his friends asked him, “Why are you drilling this hole?” To which he replied, “What do you care, I am drilling the hole under myself!” The others replied, “Nonsense! After all, we are all together in this boat!”
The wisdom of Kabbalah goes on to explain that the mutual guarantee, a quality that has historically been present in the Jewish nation, is what makes life possible in a group setting.
By looking at the history of the Jewish nation, one can see that there were periods when its members kept this mutual guarantee – for example, during the times of the First and Second Temple. During these periods the members of this nation were loving to each other because they rose above their egos, above their personal desires and thoughts. And that is when they became a true nation, because – as the Midrash story shows - when they unite together, they become a consolidated group.
Today, however, the people of the Jewish nation are in a very different state. Kabbalah explains that it’s because they are victims and perpetuators of an ego that has grown beyond all bounds, causing suffering to them and everyone around them. The history of the young Jewish nation clearly shows that there is no brotherly love between the citizens, and thus, some might argue that they aren’t a true nation.
A Free Jewish Nation
Kabbalist Baal HaSulam writes in the article, “The Freedom” that the path to true freedom for each individual in the Jewish nation is to attain freedom from one’s ego, to go through life with love for one’s fellow men.
Understanding Who Are the Taliban
Real Ale Pubs in Sneinton, Nottingham (England)
The Jews have to catch up to the modern reality and join forces in order to rise above the ego, which can serve to divide. Then each individual in the nation will feel united to the rest, and will contribute to the group that nourishes him. Doing this is not simple, but as Herzl, the visionary of the State of Israel, has said, “If you desire it, it is not a legend.”
Thus, if the Jewish nation changes its way of thinking in this direction of group mentality, and raises the importance of uniting together, it will change the balance of forces working in the Israeli society and guarantee its nation a safe and happy future.
Author George P.
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