Parshat וישב (Vayeshev) is a treasure trove of lessons that resonate deeply with the Jewish people, especially for those inspired by the ideals of religious Zionism and the mitzvah of עלייה (Aliyah). This parsha, with its themes of exile, dreams, and redemption, calls us to reflect on our collective journey and challenges us to take proactive steps toward the fulfillment of our national destiny. Let us delve into the narrative, guided by the wisdom of our sacred texts and the insights of modern luminaries like Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook זצ”ל and Rabbi Meir Kahane זצ”ל, to uncover the profound connection between Parshat Vayeshev and the imperative to return home to ארץ ישראל.
יעקב, גלות, וגאולה: Jacob’s Journey as a Paradigm for the Jewish People
Parshat Vayeshev opens with the words, “וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו, בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן” (“Jacob settled in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan”; Bereishit 37:1). The term “וַיֵּשֶׁב” (“he settled”) conveys a sense of yearning for stability and permanence, yet Jacob’s life remains fraught with turmoil. The trials that follow—Joseph’s dreams, his brothers’ betrayal, and the descent to Egypt—set the stage for the Jewish people’s historical cycles of exile and redemption.
Rav Kook interprets Jacob’s experience as emblematic of the tension between exile and the ultimate aspiration of settling in ארץ ישראל. In his seminal work, “אורות,” Rav Kook writes:
“הכיסופים לציון אינם רק זיכרון היסטורי, אלא הם שורש נשמתו של העם היהודי.”
(“The yearning for Zion is not merely a historical memory; it is the root of the Jewish soul.”)
Jacob’s sojourns remind us that the Jewish soul finds true rest only in the land promised to our forefathers. His struggles parallel our collective exile, and his determination to maintain his identity foreshadows our ultimate return.
יוסף וחלומות: Dreams as Catalysts for Redemption
Central to Vayeshev is the narrative of Yosef and his dreams. Joseph’s visions of leadership and greatness spark resentment among his brothers, culminating in his sale into slavery. Yet these very dreams, seemingly the cause of his downfall, are the seeds of redemption. Through Joseph’s descent to Egypt, the framework for the eventual exodus and the birth of the Jewish nation is established.
Rav Kook sees dreams as a metaphor for the visionary spirit that propels the Jewish people forward. He teaches:
“חלומות הגדולים של האומה הם הכוח המניע של ההיסטוריה.”
(“The great dreams of the nation are the driving force of history.”)
The Zionist movement itself began as a dream—the audacious vision of a scattered people returning to their ancestral homeland. Just as Joseph’s dreams ultimately lead to the salvation of his family, our dreams of rebuilding a sovereign Jewish state in ארץ ישראל have brought about unprecedented miracles in modern history.
Rabbi Meir Kahane, a staunch advocate for Aliyah, echoed this sentiment. He wrote:
“Without dreams, there can be no redemption. The Jew who does not dream of Zion has forgotten who he is.”
Joseph’s dreams remind us that redemption begins with bold aspirations, but it requires courage and action to bring those dreams to fruition.
האתגר של גלות: The Danger of Complacency in Exile
One of the most striking aspects of Vayeshev is the juxtaposition of Jacob’s desire to settle and the turbulence that follows. Rashi, commenting on the opening verse, explains:
“ביקש יעקב לישב בשלווה, קפץ עליו רוגזו של יוסף.”
(“Jacob sought to dwell in tranquility, but the turmoil of Joseph sprang upon him.”)
This teaches us that complacency in exile is not an option for the Jewish people. Whenever we become too comfortable outside of ארץ ישראל, history reminds us of our true purpose.
Rabbi Kahane often warned against the illusion of security in the diaspora:
“The Jew in exile dreams of comfort and acceptance, but history has shown that the only true refuge for the Jewish people is in our own land.”
Indeed, the story of Joseph and his brothers underscores the fragility of Jewish life in foreign lands. Just as Joseph’s descent to Egypt begins with betrayal and misunderstanding, the exile of the Jewish people has often been marked by suffering and persecution. Yet these trials are not without purpose; they serve as a catalyst for our return to ארץ ישראל.
עלייה: The Fulfillment of a Divine Mandate
The call to return to ארץ ישראל is not merely a political or historical imperative; it is a mitzvah rooted in the Torah. The Ramban emphasizes this in his commentary on the mitzvot, stating that the commandment to dwell in the land of Israel applies in all generations:
“שנצטווינו לרשת את הארץ אשר נתן הא-ל יתעלה לאבותינו, לאברהם ליצחק וליעקב, ולא נעזבנה ביד זולתנו מן האומות.”
(“We were commanded to inherit the land that G-d gave to our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not to leave it in the hands of other nations.”)
For religious Zionists, Aliyah is the ultimate expression of faith and commitment to this divine mandate. Rav Kook wrote passionately about the spiritual significance of returning to the land:
“ארץ ישראל איננה דבר חיצוני, כי אם חטיבה עצמותית הקשורה בקשר חיים עם האומה.”
(“The Land of Israel is not a peripheral matter but an essential component intrinsically bound to the life of the nation.”)
To make Aliyah is to reconnect with the core of our identity and to participate actively in the unfolding of redemption.
קריאה לפעולה: A Call to Come Home
The lessons of Parshat Vayeshev challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we, like Jacob, yearning for a stability that can only be found in ארץ ישראל? Are we, like Joseph, willing to dream big and take bold steps toward those dreams? Or are we, G-d forbid, falling into the trap of complacency in exile?
Rabbi Kahane’s fiery words still ring true:
“The Jew belongs in Israel. Not because it is easy, but because it is home. Every moment spent in exile is a missed opportunity to live the life G-d intended for us.”
The modern State of Israel is a miracle that our ancestors could only dream of. It is the fulfillment of prophetic visions, the realization of centuries of yearning. Yet it remains incomplete without the ingathering of all our people. As Rav Kook reminds us:
“כאשר יחזרו בני ישראל לארצם, תתעורר הנשמה הלאומית לתחייה.”
(“When the children of Israel return to their land, the national soul will awaken to life.”)
Practical Steps
1. Learn and Internalize the Mitzvah of Aliyah: Study the sources that highlight the centrality of ארץ ישראל in Jewish life. Reflect on the Ramban’s words and the teachings of Rav Kook.
2. Visit Israel: If you have not yet made Aliyah, take the first step by visiting the land. Walk its streets, breathe its air, and feel its holiness.
3. Strengthen Your Community: Encourage friends and family to consider Aliyah. Share the spiritual and practical benefits of living in the Jewish homeland.
4. Support Those Who Have Made Aliyah: Help olim chadashim (new immigrants) integrate and thrive. Their success strengthens the entire nation.
5. Pray for Redemption: Include heartfelt prayers for the ingathering of the exiles and the rebuilding of our nation in your daily tefillot.
Parshat Vayeshev is more than a historical account; it is a call to action. It reminds us that exile is not our destiny and that redemption requires both faith and initiative. As we read about Jacob’s struggles, Joseph’s dreams, and the unfolding of G-d’s plan, let us recommit ourselves to the vision of a vibrant, united Jewish people in ארץ ישראל.
May we merit to see the fulfillment of the prophecy: “וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים לִגְבוּלָם” (“And the children shall return to their borders”; Yirmiyahu 31:16). The time to act is now. Let us answer the call of Parshat Vayeshev and take our rightful place in the land of our forefathers. עם ישראל חי!