Choni Davidowitz, Johannesburg
Rabbi Kievman gave us 90 minutes of inspirational words, describing the Divine history and destiny of Eretz Yisrael.
I have been associated with Chabad for almost 30 years and have always been under the impression that they are not overenthusiastic about aliyah until the arrival of Mashiach. Rabbi Kievman’s first lecture dispelled my opinion, until he mentioned that in spite of all the achievements – both physical and spiritual – made by Israelis, living there is still like living in the exile. He stated that until the Temple is rebuilt and Mashiach arrives, Israel will still be a state of exile.
Speaking to many Chabadniks who share the view that Israel is still exile, I understand why they do not encourage aliyah.
In my opinion, any Torah leader in the Diaspora who agrees that Israel has flourished tremendously since its rebirth in 1948, in spite of all the wars and setbacks, but still insists that it is still “exile”, is doing a great disservice to the thousands of young Jewish boys and girls who might be contemplating aliyah.
How can anyone say that the ingathering of the exiles now taking place – from 600 000 in 1948 to seven million at present – is not the beginning of the process of geulah (redemption), but that we are still in galut?
