Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik

Speaking Lashon HaRa Against a Jew Living In Eretz Yisrael Is Like Speaking Against Eretz Yisrael

by R. Aharon Ziegler

Ezra decreed that the Berachot and Kelalot (curses) of Bechukotai must be read before Shavuot and those of the Mishna Torah (Ki-Tavo) before Rosh Hashanah (Gemara Megillah 31b).

Rav Soloveitchik noted that harsh words of rebuke must be accompanied by words of consolation. Indeed, we find such words at the end of Bechukotai, “vezacharti et briti Ya’akov, veAf et briti Yitzchak, veAf et briti Avraham ezkor, veHa’Aretz ezkor”[I will remember My covenant with Ya’akov and also my covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham will I remember and I will remember the land} (VaYikra 26:42). The meaning of this consolation is that HaShem will never completely forsake us or abandon us. No matter how far astray we go, somehow, G-d will always find some zechutim, (merit) on our behalf to bring us back. Thus the parsha reads, “I will remember my covenant with Ya’akov”. Ya’akov is the symbol of Torah; he was the ish tam, yoshev o’halim. So HaShem declares, even if My people are not perfect, but as long as they study My Torah and devote themselves to Torah, I will redeem them.

But what if the majority are not involved in Torah study then the consolation continues, “VeAf et briti Yitzchak ezkor” and also My covenant with Yitzchak will I remember. Yitzchak is the symbol of Avodah, and Avodah is Tefillah, prayer. So that even if majority of My people are not involved with Torah, I will add on those who are involved in Tefillah. The combination of the two, Torah and Tefillah should cover the majority.

But if that does not yet constitute a majority, then “VeAf e briti Avraham ezkor” then I will remember My covenant with Avraham. Avraham, as we recall, was the symbol of Hach’nasat Orchim, hospitality. and Gemilut Chasadim. So, if our people are deficient in Torah study, and they are lacking in observance of Tefillah, then HaShem says, He will add on those Jews who are gracious in Hach’nasat Orchim, and thus, bring our total up to the necessary quota.

But, the passuk continues, if between the three groupings we are still short of a majority to satisfy the requirements of HaShem, then HaShem will bend back one step further. “VeHa’aretz Ezkor”. I will remember The Land. Meaning, G-d will add on to our zechutim those Jews who love the Land of Israel. Even if they are not religious, even if they do not study Torah, they do not Daven (Tefillah), and they are not hospitable, but as long as they live and love Eretz Yisrael, they are beloved in the eyes of G-d. “She’kol Hadar BeEretz Yisrael Domeh Ke’mi Sheh’yesh Lo Elo’ah. (Gemara Ketuvot 110b).

We should consider this aspect very carefully before we look down with disdain upon a Jew who smokes on Shabbat, eats in non-kosher restaurant and doesn’t fast on Yom Kippur, but he lives in and loves his Land of Israel. Remember, when HaKadosh Baruch Hu looks scrupulously into our lives and deeds we may need the merit of these non-frum Jews to bring us to the Ge’ulah Sheleima. Just as we are not permitted to speak negatively against Eretz Yisrael, so are we not permitted to speak negatively against any Jew that lives and loves Eretz Yisrael.