Conclusions: Where do we Go from Here?

In the opening video, I tried in about 20 minutes to encapsulate ideas that have become the basis of my entire worldview or outlook – the way I understand life and history, the way I understand the Torah, and the way in which I try to make decisions and live my life in the very best way possible.

In this video series (and in the notes accompanying it on my website), I’ve tried to elaborate a bit more, and I hope to write more and produce more videos about this in the future.

There are several reasons I find these ideas to be so compelling and important:

• As I’ve tried to show, this genuinely seems to be what the Torah says, even though – as I indicated in the opening video – historical circumstances have caused us to focus on other matters and to forget some of these points.  It’s part of my mission to try to correct that.
• Also, as I mentioned in the opening video and also in Video #7 (“Two Paths to Redemption”), it amazes me how our strange and incredible history has played out EXACTLY as predicted in the Torah.  I haven’t spoken much here about faith and why I believe in the Torah – that’s also a topic for a whole other series, perhaps in the future – but I will just say that seeing prophecies fulfilled in the past, and even more of them in front of my eyes here in Israel every single day, convinces me beyond any real doubt that the Torah is true.
• And most importantly, understanding all of this makes me realize what my personal mission must be in my life, as well as what the Jewish people, and our country Israel, needs to do. 

People often ask Orthodox Jews why we live the way we do. For me, the answer is “to bring redemption to myself and the world.” This isn’t a slogan; it’s a consequence of the idea that the Torah – by which I try to live my life – is the constitution of the Am Levadad and the vehicle for spreading Avraham’s message to all of humanity.

People often ask Orthodox Jews why we live the way we do. For me, the answer is “to bring redemption to myself and the world.”

We’ll get to the practical ramifications of all this in just a moment – but first I want to clarify what I said at the end of the previous video: “History may be a lot closer to this triumphant conclusion – the messianic redemption – than we think.” 

When I say that to people, I often get strange looks.  Anyone who follows the news and understands all of the difficulties and problems in the world must be acutely aware of the fact that the world we live in still seems very far from that idyllic vision we discussed of what the messianic era is. 

At the same time, though, I’m a student of history, and I can see how far we have come.  Of course there is still much war, strife, and evil in the world.  But at the same time, the ideas of ethical monotheism have taken root to the point that now, even ruthless murderous dictators at least feel compelled to pretend that they are acting ethically and morally.  Even meaningless lip-service is significant, because it shows that they understand that they’re wrong and people know it.

And although Isaiah’s vision of all the nations streaming to Jerusalem to learn God’s Torah and follow it is still a future dream, the fact that a majority of people in the world are now monotheists is a big step in that direction. 

And the existence of worldwide institutions like the United Nations – with all of its many, many, shortcomings and failures – is also a step towards the realization of that vision.  We aren’t yet beating swords into plowshares, but the fact that every nation on earth sends a representative to sit in the same room and at least pretend to talk about these goals…in my mind that is a huge step in that direction.  And has anyone noticed that those verses from Yeshayahu are written on the wall outside??

Isaiah’s vision of all the nations streaming to Jerusalem to learn God’s Torah and follow it is still a future dream, but the fact that a majority of people in the world are now monotheists is a big step in that direction. 

Again, we are most certainly not there yet, but I am firmly convinced that we’re closer than many of us think.

So where does that leave us – you and me, and the Jewish people as a whole? 

I think there are several practical ramifications that come from these ideas:

• The first is that the state of Israel, as the apparent fulfillment of some of the messianic prophecies, is of utmost importance.  It must always be the center of the Jewish world, and supporting it must be a top priority of Jewish communities everywhere.
• This also includes the primacy of aliya – immigrating to Israel – as what should be the ultimate goal of all Jews.  I am not in any way suggesting that every Diaspora Jew should get on a plane tomorrow and move here – I am well aware that life is more complex than that (and the halakha also knows that). But as a nation, we should all acknowledge that ultimately, the Jews belong in Israel, and our goal should be to get as many of us here as possible each year.
• But there is more to this than simply supporting Israel and/or moving here.  Israel itself is only a means to an end – we need to finally live up to the description ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש!  Our independent nation was destroyed twice in the past because we didn’t fulfill that mandate.  We’ve been given another opportunity now and we must all – wherever we live – do everything in our power to shape our worldwide nation around those ideals.

So where do we go from here?  If this video series meant something to you, how can you implement these understandings in your life and contribute to this great national endeavor?  I have a few suggestions for you:

• First of all, try to think differently about what the Torah, and Jewishness, mean.  When thinking about all sorts of issues – not only those classically associated with the “religious” aspects of Jewish life – try to see them through the lens of the Torah as the constitution of the Am Levadad, who needs to bring ethical monotheism to the world.
• And then share these ideas with other people – Jews as well as non-Jews.  You can start by sharing this video series with people!
• And finally, if you want to learn more about all of this, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I intend to post more videos in the future exploring other aspects of these concepts.  You can also subscribe to my monthly email newsletter where I send out articles, lectures, and updates.  And finally, if you want to share any thoughts or discuss any of this with me, I invite you to contact me directly.  

You can do all of that – subscribe to the YouTube channel and email list, and also contact me – all at my website: rabbihaber.net.   See you there!