Monday, August 20, 2012

One Thing

In every generation, there are "Keitzim" according to the Teshuva, and the special merits of that generation, but the "Keitz HaAcharon" is not dependent on Teshuva, only on Chesed, as is written: "For My sake, for My sake, I will do it" (Yeshaya 48:11). And also in merit of the Fathers, and that is according to "and He remembers the virtues of the Fathers and brings the Savior to their descendants for His sake, in love."

This is what the GR"A wrote in Even Shleimah. Does the Geula actually depend on nothing from our side? As Rav Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel points out in Em HaBanim Smeichah, merit of the Fathers, Zechut Avot, depends on one thing that we must do. It can only be invoked for those who cherish the Land, as it was not invoked by Moshe after the sin of the spies.

The bond between the Fathers and the Land is unbreakable. The need to cherish the Land of Israel is the one thing that the Geula depends on. We must show this one virtue of the Fathers.