A number of years ago, I was speaking to a student about a recent trip he had taken with his family to Eretz Yisroel. It was his first time there and the student expressed that he was disappointed with “Eretz Yisroel.” He felt that it was somewhat of a letdown. He had seen so many pictures and heard so many stories about Eretz Yisroel — and particularly the Kosel — and he was expecting the experience to be much loftier and glamorous than it was.
I told my student that life is often like that. Things often aren’t as spectacular as we anticipate. But more importantly, he wasn’t alone in his experience in Eretz Yisroel, or in visiting the Kosel for the first time. Many people report that same sense of disappointment. They expect to arrive at the Kosel to feel an angelic embrace, as they are swept off their feet by their spiritual force that exudes from the holiest place on earth. But instead, they find that they are staring at a wall; an ancient wall with greenery protruding from between its stones, and many people milling around in front — some praying, some learning, some collecting charity, some taking pictures with stapled cardboard kippot on their heads and others talking gregariously on their cell phones, seemingly oblivious to the sanctity of the place.
The truth is that holiness isn’t something one naturally feels. Feelings of the soul must be developed. One must have a sense of spiritual maturity to appreciate sanctity.
In parshas Shemos, Hashem instructs Moshe to inform Klal Yisroel that He will soon be redeeming them from Egypt and bringing them to Eretz Yisroel. There, the pasuk (Shemos 3:8) describes Eretz Yisroel as a land “flowing with milk and honey.”
Rav Shlomo Wolbe, zt”l, explained that both milk and honey are valuable and necessary commodities, but are not immediately accessible. Unlike fruits which are noticeable on a tree and can easily be picked, milk remains hidden in the animal’s udder and must be squeezed. Honey too — whether bee honey or even date honey — must be squeezed in order to attain it.
The greatness and beauty of Eretz Yisroel is not necessarily immediately apparent. It is only palpable to one who can appreciate the intrinsic holiness and how invaluable the land is.
My rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman, relates that years ago he took a group of campers to visit the Bobover Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Halberstam, zt”l. The boys were not very affiliated with Judaism and had never been to a rebbe before. Each boy lined up to shake the rebbe’s hand. When it was the turn of one particular boy, he stuck out his hand and as though greeting an old friend said, “My name is Jack. What’s yours?” The rebbe was unfazed and warmly replied, “Shlomo Halberstam, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
One needs to develop and foster a sense of spiritual awareness in order to appreciate kedusha. Otherwise, it’s just a wall, or an old religious guy with a white beard, or another synagogue where we go to pray, socialize and have a good kiddush. The difference between inspiration and a wall depends on whether we have the insight to see beyond what our physical eyes see.
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is a popular speaker and author. He is a rebbe in Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ, and an experienced therapist, recently returning to seeing clients in private practice, as part of the Rockland CBT group. For appointments Rabbi Staum can be reached at 914-295-0115. Looking for an inspirational and motivating speaker or scholar-in-residence? Contact Rabbi Staum for a unique speaking experience. Rabbi Staum can be reached at [email protected]. Archives of his writings can be found at www.stamtorah.info.
