Residence in the Land: A Refuge from the World's Dangers


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A famous story about Avraham Avinu has important ramifications for Jews living today in Exile. R. Yitzchak in the Medrash teaches this parable:

A man was traveling from place to place, and saw a palace alight. He said, 'Could this palace be without a master?'  The master of the palace then peeked out at him, and said, 'I am the master of this palace.'

So too with Avraham. He looked around the world, and said, 'Could this world be without a master and leader?' G-d then peeked down at him and said, 'I am the Master of the Universe.'


The Y'dei Moshe and other commentators explain that when the Medrash says Avraham saw the palace alight, it means that he saw it burning. Furthermore, when Avraham saw no one extinguishing the fire, he thought that there must be no one in charge. The master then looked out and said, "I am the master – and it is my will that the palace burn…" This means that G-d said, "It is My will that the evil ones should be destroyed, and therefore you, Avraham, should lech lecha, get yourself going away from these evil ones, to the Land I will show you."


Without a doubt, the above words were not taught merely about what happened to Avraham in the past, but rather mainly for the future – to show the Nation of Israel the dangers of living outside the Land. Every intelligent person understands that the world is on the verge of destruction, just like a burning palace; all the governments are amassing weapons and tools of destruction, and the dangers are very great.  But the Land of Israel is safe. Regarding the Land, the Prophet 152 says, "I will be a wall of fire around her, and will be the glory in her midst." And the Bible further states, 153 "No tool formed against you shall succeed, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall find guilty."




  1. 152.Zecharia 2,9

  2. 153.Isaiah 54,17




FOOTNOTES

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