Parshas Vaera 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
וישבו עליה לבטח ובנו בתים ונטעו כרמים וישבו לבטח ... (יחזקאל כח-כו)
Yechezkel HaNavi exclaims that when Moshiach arrives and Hashem gathers all of Klal Yisroel to dwell in Eretz Yisroel, “They shall dwell on it in security. They shall build houses and plant vineyards, and dwell on it in security.” Why does the Navi say the same thing twice?
R’ Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk zt”l (Meshech Chochma) explains that hatred between nations comes about because of two things. The first is that one nation may have smarter and more capable citizens. The second is that one nation may be wealthier and have more prestige in the world.
Klal Yisroel is a nation of superior knowledge and usually wealthy individuals. As such, the nations of the world tend to hate us more than others. When Moshiach comes, these two things will be put to the test. Yechezkel HaNavi declared, "ונקדשתי בם לעיני הגויים" - “I have shown Myself (Hashem) holy in the eyes of the nations ...” This declaration revealed what we already know for generations; Klal Yisroel lives in the image of Hashem and gleans wisdom from Him.
The Navi then says "וישבו עליה לבטח" - despite the Jewish people’s higher level of intelligence, we will live in peace in Eretz Yisroel amongst our neighbors.
But then the Navi clarifies the second point of contention - the wealth. Jews are hardworking people and as a result Hashem showers the nation with wealth. But Yechezkel HaNavi emphasizes again, "וישבו לבטח" - despite our wealth and prestige, we will live in peace in the holy land.