From Torah Tidbits issue: 1147
http://www.ttidbits.com/
July 28, 2015

Chizuk and Idud for Olim & not-yet-Olim respectively
by Rabbi Yerachmiel Roness, Ramat Shiloh, Beit Shemesh

Recently I had a conversation with a prominent senior Rabbi from the USA 
who was visiting family here in Eretz Yisrael. After exchanging pleasantries 
I said: "It is always a pleasure to meet and greet you on your visits, but when 
will you finally make Aliyah?" He answered that part of him is already here 
since he has children and grandchildren living here contributing to Yishuv Eretz Yisrael. 
While it is certainly true that in a certain sense, his family members are an extension of 
himself, nonetheless, I still told him that: "Just as you must lay the Tefillin on your own arm, 
so, too, the mitzva of Aliyah cannot be fulfilled by proxy." To this he replied that his 
rabbinic position back home provides him with many teaching opportunities, 
speaking engagements etc. "If I were to come to Israel now", he said, 
"Could you guarantee me I could continue to fulfill a similar role?"

Obviously I was in no position to make any such guarantees, and shortly 
afterwards we parted ways. As I walked away from this brief conversation 
I found myself wondering about all those who pose other types of conditions 
on their coming on Aliyah. These are the many well-intentioned individuals 
who are ready and willing to come to Israel if only they could see how they 
could make the move without having to give up on anything. They are 
merely waiting on the prospect of finding and replicating their current positions 
in the Diaspora. The moment they find the same paying job, a replica of their 
current house in a similar neighborhood etc. etc. - they would be happy 
to board the very next plane...

With this in mind we turn to the beginning of this week's Parsha (D'varim 3:23) 
where we find Moshe praying that he be permitted to enter the Land. The Malbim 
explains that although Moshe had already been notified that Yehoshua would be 
leading the people into the land, he nonetheless hoped that he be allowed entry 
as a private individual. Moshe is resolved to the fact that he will no longer maintain 
his former status, and he is fully prepared to give up his position of leadership, 
all he asks for is the privilege of being in Eretz Yisrael. In fact, the Midrash 
goes much further describing Moshe's utter desperation at the thought of being 
barred entry, having Moshe stating: "If I cannot enter the land as a human being, 
let me enter as a bird(!)" The allure of Eretz Yisrael is so great that Moshe is willing 
to forgo not only creature comforts, but every single component of his existence - 
including his very humanity itself - in order to merit entry!

Rav Kook drew an additional lesson from Moshe's supplication noting the date 
this prayer was uttered. In the sefer Parperot LaTorah, the author Menachem Becker 
tells the story of a rich supporter of the Chovevei Zion Movement who came to the 
Holy Land to check out Aliyah possibilities for his family. He traveled the length 
and breadth of the Land and then decided not to make Aliyah as he felt he could do 
more for Judaism in his home town. When he came to Rav Kook to tell him of his 
decision and to explain his reasoning, Rav Kook quoted the opening words of 
our Parsha: "Va'etchanan el Hashem Ba'eit Hahi", "and I prayed to the Almighty 
at that moment" -  Rav Kook noted the Torah's seemingly superfluous addition of 
the words: "at that time" -  He explained that the timing is indeed surprising: 
Almost forty years had gone by since it was decreed that Moshe would not enter - 
Why then did he wait so long only praying at the moment the Jews were to enter 
the Promised Land? Rav Kook answered that Moshe thought that perhaps now 
that the military victory over Sichon and Og had been accomplished under his 
leadership (See Rashi ad. loc.), these accomplishments would lead the Almighty 
to change His mind. Having thereby proven his strong desire to come to the 
Land perhaps the Almighty would change His decree. "Therefore", concluded 
Rav Kook, "after so many years of working for this land from afar, it is now time 
for you to personally make Aliyah."

Perhaps this is the answer to those who stay away out of fear that their contribution 
to the Jewish people will be diminished if they come on Aliyah. Every Rabbi, 
communal leader, or individual Jew, may have contributed much to the Jewish 
community outside of Israel - it is now time to come back home. Moshe made 
no conditions whatsoever - he was willing to forgo everything in order to make 
it happen - what are you willing to give up?