The stories of our forefathers are not only historical accounts of events gone by, but rather foreshadow the future. Yaakov’s fateful meeting with his brother Eisav has thus been reenacted on numerous occasions throughout the generations.
The story is told that in 1933 after Hitler’s rise to power, the Ponovezher Rav (Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman) asked the Chofetz Chayim: “What will happen to the Jewish People now that we know about Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’?” The Chofetz Chayim answered: “We know what the Torah says in Parshat Vayishlach (32:9) “If Eisav comes to one camp and strikes it down, then the remaining camp shall survive.” The Ponovezher again asked: “Where would this remnant be found?”, to which the Chofetz Chaim replied quoting from this week’s Haftorah: “But on Har Zion there shall be a remnant that escapes, and it will be holy” (Ovadiah 1:17). To this day, this verse from Ovadiah graces the entrance of the Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak.
On the words quoted by the Chofetz Chayim, the Ramban comments as follows: “The remaining camp will survive – Yaakov knows that at least one camp will survive – his seed will not be totally destroyed by Eisav. This story points to the future when some nations will do evil to our People, while other rulers will gather in the survivors.”
This brings to mind a second episode which took place in mid-1942. Rav Yitzchak Isaac Herzog, the Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, was in the USA and was cautioned by Lord Halifax, the British consul to the USA, that due to the rapid advance of the German general Rommel towards Palestine, the British were advising their citizens to evacuate the Middle East. Rav Herzog, as a British citizen, was asked by Lord Halifax not to return to Palestine. Rav Herzog responded: “Inform them in London of my opinion that there is no reason to be afraid because a Nazi victory in the Middle East would constitute a third destruction of the Jewish settlement in the Holy Land and our Prophets do not prophesy about a third destruction.” Once again: The Bible is not a record of what was, but a depository of knowledge as to what will be.
When a number of rabbis attempted to convince Rav Herzog that he should err on the side of caution, and not to return to Palestine he retorted: “Not returning would cause a big Chilul Hashem, as it would indicate that I am unsure of the veracity of our prophetic tradition.” When the Rav returned to Palestine, as Rommel continued his advance towards them, there were those who suggested preparing mass graves on Har HaCarmel for another occurrence of Masada-like proportions. Rav Herzog was unmoved, however, publicly reiterating his position that our tradition depicted no possibility of a third Churban.
The advance of Rommel on Palestine was finally stopped by British General Montgomery with the famous victory of El Alamein, thereby ending the so called “two hundred days of dread” in Israel.
Interestingly enough, as the battle raged on and fears kept mounting, we find Rav Yosef Kahaneman laying the foundation for the new Ponovezh Yeshiva from upon whose rooftop the Israeli flag is flown to this day on every Yom Ha’atzmaut…
This message of hope emerging from the shadow of the Holocaust brings us back once again to Yaakov and Eisav. Having concluded his rendezvous with his brother the Torah writes that “Yaakov arrived Shalem (intact)” (Bereishit 33:18). As Rashi points out “He arrived intact physically, monetarily and spiritually”.
The remnant that remained on Har Zion continued to rebuild, opening up a new chapter in Jewish history. As some focus on Israel’s physical and monetary situation, it is our responsibility to do all in our power to further Israel’s spiritual rebuilding as well – for then and only then will we truly be Shalem.
Rabbi Yerachmiel Roness
Ramat Shilo, Bet Shemesh
RABBI YERACHMIEL RONESS was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. After serving as a congregational Rabbi and as a Hillel Director in New York City, he made Aliyah in 1983 with his wife Dina and their five young children.
Ever since, Rabbi Roness has dedicated his life to promoting Aliyah. First, as Rabbi of the Jewish Agency’s Absorption Centers, and subsequently as the executive director of the Aloh-Naaleh organization.
This article was taken from Rabbi Roness’s new book: Aloh Na’aleh – Eretz Yisrael and Aliyah in the Weekly Parshah. The book is for sale on Amazon: