In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series we began to define a concise platform for rectifying the state with correspondence to the Kabbalistic sefirot. We began with the sefirah of crown and we reached the sefirah of beauty. Now let’s continue from where we left off.
Making Aliyah – Victory
Loving-kindness, might and beauty are the principal attributes of the heart, corresponding to the emotive level of the human psyche. The attributes that follow have a more practical-operative character and represent the lower, more behavioral level of the psyche; like the movement of the legs, which is more powerful than the hands, but less refined. Here, we come to the sefirah of netzach (victory), corresponding to the right leg, which steps out first. The inner motivating power of the sefirah of victory is confidence. This refers to trusting God, which in turn leads to a rectified sense of self-confidence, and the ability to get up and act. The root “victory” (נֶצַח) has a number of related connotations: acting resolutely to be victorious and overcome the obstacles that stand in our way; overseeing work and organization (e.g., conducting an orchestra); acting to achieve a stable and long-lasting realization of goals, etc…
In the structure we recommend for rectifying the state, the sefirah of victory corresponds to making aliyah (immigrating) to Israel, following in the footsteps of Abraham whose first commandment was, “Go for yourself…” The concept of making aliyah in the Torah and in our sages’ teachings – in contrast to wanderlust and emigration for vague reasons – portrays the sanctity of the Land of Israel and its uniqueness from all other countries. “The Land of Israel is higher than all other countries” and immigrating to the Holy Land is a part of a complete elevation process, “One elevates in sanctity [and does not downgrade].” The pinnacle of ascent is the pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Although the past few generations have seen the immigration of millions of Jews to the Land of Israel, we must not forget that there are millions more who remain in foreign lands, and any Jewish state worthy of its name should encourage aliyah as a national goal of the highest priority. How can we encourage aliyah? Obviously, the state must open its gates to every Jew, as in the law of return that exists today (which still needs fundamental amendment; see below), by offering benefits and grants to new immigrants (an “absorption basket”) and by helping them in the absorption process with substantial assistance. But, the material conditions provided for new immigrants cannot suffice to warm the hearts of our brethren in the Diaspora to immigrate to the Land of Israel. Thank God, aliyah these days is considerably quicker and easier than it was during previous generations. However, we should find a way to stimulate the desire to make aliyah and warm their hearts to love and live in the Land of Israel, not just as a refuge from persecution, but as an ideal. This goal can be achieved once the country has a pleasing “Jewish face” that will attract every Jew to automatically wish to make his or her home here.
This is why there is a strong connection between rectifying the legal system (which we mentioned with regard to the sefirah of beauty) and immigrating to Israel: when the Torah sets the tone of the country, and the sanctity of the land comes to the fore in the public arena – then the natural connection of the Jew to his land will be aroused from its slumber, “Zion shall be redeemed through justice [rectifying the judicial system in the Land of Israel, then] and her returnees through righteousness [referring to the renewed return to Zion].” In addition, mass aliyah will result from an amended leadership that strives forward, like that of Moses (who represents the attribute of victory) who brought the Jewish People out of Egypt and led them to the Promised Land.
