As children of Israel, we are blessed to have a rich heritage and a strong connection to our homeland. Our sages teach us that our people were once slaves in Egypt, but with the help of God, we were freed and brought to our true home, the land of Israel.
However, it is important to note that not all of our ancestors were willing to leave their comfortable lives in Egypt. In fact, 80% of the children of Israel did not want to leave and ultimately perished in the plagues or darkness. Rabbi Avigdor Miller of blessed memory once said that it was not only in Egypt but in every generation only 20% of Jews survive, the rest is lost to assimilation, pogroms and persecution. This serves as a reminder to us that sometimes we must remember who we are, be willing to let go of the familiar, the false sense of security in foreign lands, and embrace the unknown in order to fulfill our true destiny.
Israel is often compared to a grapevine, which must be pruned in order to reach its fullest potential. This pruning is always difficult and painful, but it is necessary for growth and success. In the same way, we as the children of Israel must be willing to "prune ourselves" by let go of certain things in order to reach our full potential.
Our true home is the land of Israel, and it is important for us to remember this. The land of Israel is not just a place on a map, but a spiritual home that is deeply intertwined with our identity as Jews. It is a place where we can fully express our faith and connect with our heritage.
So, will you be pruned away? Will you be one of the 80% who cling to the familiar and ultimately miss out on the true potential of our people? Or will you be one of the brave few who are willing to trust in God, take the leap of faith and embrace the unknown?
As children of Israel, we must remember that our destiny is in the land of Israel. We have been given the tools and the guidance to succeed, but it is up to us to take action and make the most of these opportunities. Let us embrace the challenges that come our way and trust in God to guide us towards our true home, the land of Israel.
Let us remember the lesson of our ancestors and let go of the familiar in order to fulfill our true potential. Let us trust in God to guide us towards our true home. As children of Israel, we have been blessed with a rich heritage, an important mission and a bright future, and it is up to us to make the most of these blessings.