7 Tevet 5784
December 19, 2023
Dear K.I.N.S. Family
Today was the first day of our volunteer service, and we spent most of it in a vineyard and olive orchard outside the Moshav of Nechushim. Officially, our task was to clear the weeds around the vines in a vineyard, remove rings that restricted water flow around the drip irrigation system, and pick olives.
But unofficially, we were there to inspire and be inspired. As the vintner, Nadav Jesselson, told us from the start, "You don't understand how important it is that you are here." And then, he added the famous adage that מעט מן האור דוחה הרבה מן החושך [lit. a little bit of light pushes away much darkness] saying; your coming is much more than just a little bit of light.
The work was intense, and it was also hot outside, but our seniors did admirably (I didn't do too bad either) - pulling weeds and thorns (which went right through the work gloves) and removing the rings from several acres of vines.
But it all came together at dinner when one of the seniors asked me about the work and how they could do this regularly. At this point, I reminded them that "normally" there are other workers, but they're all in the army. Without volunteers, the crops would spoil, and maybe the vines would be destroyed. And I saw the "light bulb" go off in her head and the realization that we had made a difference!
After returning to the kibbutz, enjoying some ice cream, coffee and sweets at the Kfar Etzion "mall," we had the pleasure of hearing from HaRav Yedidyah Berzon, the head of the Mevasseret institutions (MMY and Yeshivat Mevasseret Zion) .
His stories were amazing and he left us with two key messages:
1. He explained that for centuries, Jews had been forced to live a Galut Experience, where persecution and crisis seperated us from one another. Since October 7th, however, we've been living in a Geulah Experience, living through a crisis which brings all of klal Yisrael closer to one another.
2. We need to be proud and proclaim that "Ivri Anochi" - that we Jews share in a common destiny of being different and living lives that celebrate that difference and our role as a nation of priests and a holy nation.
One last thought from KINS past presidnet, Dr. Yigal Yahav. Tragically, his cousin, Captain Netanel Silberg, הי"ד, was killed yesterday in Gaza, and the family is sitting shiva in Alon Shvut (an adjacent community to where we are staying). Earlier today, when we saw the announcement, while we didn't know who he was, we began to plan for our students to go to the shiva for tefillah and nichum aveilim. This evening, Dr. Yahav helped arrange that visit, and he said, "Rabbi, I am so proud of your program, but even more, this program will change their relationship with the Land of Israel." I believe he is correct, but I must add that it will also change their lives.
As I noted yesterday, this trip is very different than my two previous missions. Those missions were to bear witness to the tragedy. While this mission is about being part of the effort to rebuild the land. But, as the days go on, I also am beginning to belive that this mission is about anticipating the Geulah, bringing our young adults closer to the land, and ensuring that they begin to write their own chapters in that redemptive experince.
B'vracha,
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky
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