After months of little contact, Jack decided it was time to visit his mother. He hopped on a plane and after many hours of travel arrived at his destination. His mother was excitedly awaiting his arrival; she even baked his favourite cake for him.
However she never actually got to see him…
As he arrived he noticed the garden gate was open and went in. He removed his clothing and jumped straight into the cool pool. After swimming a little he decided to spend some time in the Jacuzzi. He then took out his lap top, watched a movie ordered a pizza to be delivered to the garden. He even invited some friends to come and join him so that he wouldn’t be lonely. All the while his mother was still waiting by the front door – wondering what on earth had happened to him.
When he was done relaxing, he picked up his mobile, called his mother and said ‘thank you mom, it was lovely seeing you – we should do the same next year’. He then hopped in a taxi and began the long journey back home..
Moshe was desperate to enter the land of Israel. In fact the Medrash tells us that he prayed a total of 515 times to be granted entry. Why was he so desperate?
Moshe himself answers this in his prayer. He specified that he wished to see the holy city of Jerusalem and the holy Temple. He didn’t make mention of any of Israel’s beautiful resorts, despite the beautiful beaches that exist there.
With the month of August around the corner the holiday season is in the air. Could an argument be made someone who travels to the land of Israel and only spends time in Netanya and Eilat is comparable to Jack in the story above. He travelled right to her very house, but never actually bothered to see her.
Or perhaps one could argue the other way. Hashem exists everywhere, He’s not called the Omnipresent for no reason. In addition every four cubits walked anywhere in the land of Israel is a mitzvah. Thus there is no need to visit the holy city of Jerusalem and the Kotel.
What do you think is right?
Happy Thinking – Mychiel