Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Kedusha Of Eretz Yisrael In Chutz La-aretz

Rebbe Tzadok said in the name of the Ishbitzer that when the Jews went down to galus Bavel they were very sad. However, Yechezkel Ha-navi was very happy because he realized that the light of kedusha would shine upon them more in Bavel than it did in Eretz Yisroel bcause they had previously been in Eretz Yisroel. The pasuk says היה היה דבר השם - Hashem spoke to Yechezkel [in Bavel]. היה מפני שכבר היה -  He spoke to him because He had already spoke to him [in Eretz Yisrael]. [See Yechezkel 1 and Moed Katan 25].

כי שמעתי מאדמו"ר הקדוש זצוקלה"ה שבעת שגלו לבבל כולם הלכו במר נפש ויחזקאל הלך בשמחה רבה היינו מפני שיחזקאל הרגיש אור הקדושה אשר יזריח הקב"ה לישראל בבבל יותר מבהיותם יושבים על אדמתם והקדושה נבעה מפני שהיה קודם בארץ שנאמר היה היה דבר ה' ' היה מפני שכבר היה
 
 פרי צדיק ח"ה סוכות יח

If you were zoche to spend time learning Torah in Eretz Yisroel, you can be bi-simcha like Yechezkel because you can reach greater heights after you leave through the power of your time spent there. The same applies to the aliyah ruchanis you have during chagim. The US is just not the same but the memories and inspiration can stay with you forever.

Of course we must remember that Yechezkel only went to galus because he was forced. If he could have returned, he happily would have....... וד"ל.