Loving Israel

I was riding in the car today, contemplating the reasons why people love Israel. Too often we focus on why our enemies hate us; this is fruitless. Just as we need to re-direct our focus away from our enemies and onto our G-d, we must stop berating ourselves with the complaints of our enemies and start uplifting each other with the love of our friends.

Some love Israel the land because it is the one place in the world where it is safe to be Jewish.

Some love Israel the people because G-d promises in Genesis 12:3 that He will bless those who bless Israel.

I love Israel, my land and my people, because just as the Torah is our ketubah between ourselves and HaShem, we as Israel are the ketubah between HaShem and the world. We're that living promise, that light unto the nations that promises to them that HaShem really does love them and really does have a plan for their salvation. We are a living promise as a nation that, as long as we survive, there is hope for this world. I love Israel, because our very life illustrates HaShem's love for us-- as a people, a nation, and a land, and His love for the rest of the world.

Israel
HaShem
Torah