I only had the opportunity to meet Rav Moshe Wolfson zt”l once. Rav Wolfson was the Mashgiach of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and the Rabbi of Congregation Emunas Yisroel in Brooklyn, and he was widely respected as a Torah leader. He passed away last week at the age of 99.
Despite the fact that I didn’t really know Rav Wolfson, I feel a connection with him through Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman. I am blessed to consider Rabbi Finkelman one of my lifelong rebbeim, based on the summers I spent with him in Camp Torah Vodaath and Camp Dora Golding. In Camp Dora Golding, I had the good fortune to work closely with Rabbi Finkelman and to learn, not only from his insights and perspectives, but mostly from his personal example.
Rabbi Finkelman is a devoted talmid of Rav Wolfson and would quote him at least once in every lecture he gave.
Rav Wolfson was renowned for his passionate love of Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Finkelman related that he and his wife had the opportunity to enjoy a few Shabbos meals with Rav Wolfson and his family. Rav Wolfson was particular to eat something from Eretz Yisrael with every course of the Shabbos meal. With the fish, he would eat a sardine from Eretz Yisrael, with the soup he added croutons from Eretz Yisrael, with the main course he ate a pickle from Eretz Yisrael, and a raisin from Eretz Yisrael was added to the compote he ate for dessert.
Several years ago, Rav Wolfson traveled to Eretz Yisrael for Lag BaOmer, and Rabbi Finkelman was part of a group that joined. Since Lag BaOmer fell on Sunday that year, they spent the previous Shabbos there as well. Rabbi Finkelman related that after Shabbos ended, he commented to Rav Wolfson that it was such a spiritually elevating Shabbos that it was worth coming for Shabbos alone, even if they wouldn’t stay for Lag BaOmer. Rav Wolfson replied, “I’m ashamed of you that you’re only saying it was worth coming for Shabbos. The moment I exited the plane and stepped onto the tarmac of Eretz Yisrael, it was worth the entire trip.”
In bentching, we thank Hashem, not only for the food He allowed us to enjoy, but also for the Holy Land from which all blessing emanates: “We thank You, Hashem, our G-d, because You have given to our forefathers as a heritage, a land that is desirable, good, and wide.”
That the land is desirable and good is clear. But how can it be said that it is a spacious land? The country of Israel is 8,522 square miles, while the state of New Jersey is 8,729 square miles. Even if the Biblical parameters of Trans-Jordan are included, the land is dwarfed by any one of the surrounding Arab countries.
Rav Wolfson explained with a parable: Someone meets his neighbor and excitedly tells him that he purchased real estate. When the neighbor asked him how much land he bought, the man replies that he got a bargain on an inch by an inch of land. The neighbor starts laughing. What can you do with an inch of land? Grow a carrot? However, if a man tells his neighbor that he purchased a diamond that’s an inch by an inch, the neighbor will be highly impressed. One inch of diamond is worth exponentially more than an inch of land.
The Torah describes Eretz Yisrael as “a land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out; the eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are always upon it…” (D’varim 11:12). Every inch of Eretz Yisrael is invaluable. Because it is “a land that is desirable and good,” it is wide and spacious. Although, in comparison to other countries, it is physically small, since every inch is so precious, it is a vast land.
It is fascinating that Rav Wolfson’s funeral took place during the week of Parshas Sh’lach, when we read about our ancestors’ disastrous rejection of Eretz Yisrael. Rav Wolfson taught and personified deep love and yearning for the Land.
The sefer Tziyon V’Areha (Zion and Its Cities) is a collection of Rav Wolfson’s explanations and insights about Eretz Yisrael generally and the individual significance of its cities. It was recently translated into English (entitled, Sacred Soil).
It is not enough that we concern ourselves with our brethren in Eretz Yisrael. We also have to yearn for the land and love it. That unyielding love is a large part of the reason why we continue to thrive despite our pain and anguish.
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This essay is being written on American Independence Day. Throughout my life, I have always been proud to be an American citizen and of the values that the United States was founded on. Although I am still very thankful to Hashem to live in this great democracy, this year has reminded us that we are not at home in America. The sacred soil of our Holy Land is still our ultimate and only true destination.
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, a rebbe at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, New Jersey, is a parenting consultant and maintains a private practice for adolescents and adults. He is also a member of the administration of Camp Dora Golding for over two decades. Rabbi Staum was a community rabbi for ten years, and has been involved in education as a principal, guidance counselor, and teacher in various yeshivos. Rabbi Staum is a noted author and sought-after lecturer, with hundreds of lectures posted on torahanytime.com. He has published articles and books about education, parenting, and Torah living in contemporary society. Rabbi Staum can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. His website containing archives of his writings is www.stamTorah.info.
