April 30, 2025|ב' אייר ה' אלפים תשפ"ה Yom Ha'atzmaut and the Metzora: Reflections on a Nation’s Dual Mission
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Tonight, we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, marking the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel. This momentous occasion is not merely a historical milestone but a profound reminder of the Jewish people’s return to their ancestral homeland after millennia of exile. It is a time to reflect on the miracle of Israel’s existence and to honor those who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation, as we do on Yom HaZikaron.
Yom Ha'atzmaut is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the Jewish state and to consider its deeper significance. One of the enduring questions surrounding Israel is its dual identity as both a Jewish and democratic state. At first glance, these descriptors may seem at odds. How can a nation simultaneously prioritize a specific culture, language, and narrative while ensuring equality and rights for all its citizens, including those from minority groups?
This perceived tension often sparks debates both within Israel and internationally. Is Israel to be primarily Jewish, potentially at the expense of inclusivity, or democratic, potentially at the expense of its Jewish identity? However, this dichotomy is not necessarily a conflict. Israeli legal scholar Ruth Gavison addressed this issue in a number of articles, arguing that a Jewish and democratic state is not a contradiction but a balanced expression of national identity and universal rights.
For centuries, Jews lived as a vulnerable minority, facing persecution, forced conversions, discrimination, and exclusion. Even during periods of relative acceptance, such as the Enlightenment, Jews were often treated as outsiders. This precarious existence underscored the need for a homeland where Jewish identity could thrive without fear. The creation of Israel provided such a sanctuary, enabling Jews to live as a majority and fully express their heritage. Gavison contended that ethnic nation-states are a global norm and that Israel, as the nation-state of the Jewish people, is no different in asserting its unique identity.
A Jewish state, she explained, can celebrate its heritage through language, holidays, and educational curricula without compromising democracy, as long as it upholds basic rights for all citizens, including freedom of religion, expression, and participation in democratic processes. Thus, Israel’s Jewish character coexists with its democratic framework, ensuring that minority groups are respected even as the majority expresses its culture.
This argument is a compelling response to critics who label Israel’s Jewish identity as inherently discriminatory. Yet for those who embrace Israel’s dual character, its significance transcends political theory. Israel’s establishment and continued existence resonate with profound spiritual meaning, particularly when viewed through the lens of Jewish tradition and this week’s Torah portion.
This week’s parsha describes the purification process for a metzora (leper), whom the sages compare to a person considered “like dead.” In exile, the Jewish people, too, were metaphorically “dead” as a nation—dispersed, lacking sovereignty, and disconnected from their land and Temple. The world watched as Jews struggled to survive, many assuming they would eventually fade into history. Yet the creation of Israel revived the Jewish people, much like the metzora’s purification allowed them to rejoin society.
The purification process for a metzora occurs in two stages. The first stage involves a ritual performed by the kohen, symbolizing reintegration into the community. Similarly, the founding of Israel restored the Jewish people to the global stage, providing a safe haven and a place to live openly as Jews. But the second stage of the metzora’s purification—their return to the Temple and a life of holiness—parallels Israel’s deeper purpose: to become a center of spiritual renewal.
Israel offers an unparalleled opportunity for national kedusha (holiness). It is a place where Jewish principles and values shape public life, where Torah learning flourishes, and where even secular Jews participate in traditions like the Passover Seder, lighting Shabbat candles, and fasting on Yom Kippur. The state’s very existence fosters a unique God-consciousness, evident in the way it unites Jews from diverse backgrounds in shared identity and purpose.
Israel’s rebirth is, in itself, a miracle. No other modern nation has succeeded in gathering a dispersed people from across the globe, uniting them without a common language or culture, and establishing a thriving state. Despite tensions and challenges, Israel embodies the prophetic vision of kol dodi dofek—the sound of God knocking, inviting the Jewish people to return and rebuild.
The interplay of democracy and Jewish identity within Israel reflects its divine mission. As a democratic state, Israel upholds the dignity and rights of all its citizens. As a Jewish state, it serves as a vessel for sanctity, showcasing what it means to live as a nation guided by ethical and spiritual values.
The text of Israel’s Declaration of Independence poignantly reflects this duality. During its drafting, there was debate over whether to include God’s name. A compromise was reached with the phrase “mitoch bitachon b’Tzur Yisrael” (“placing our trust in the Rock of Israel”). For the religious, Tzur Yisrael refers to God; for the secular, it symbolizes the resilience of the Jewish people. This ambiguity captures the multifaceted nature of Israel’s identity.
The Talmud interprets the phrase “Ein Tzur k’Elokeinu” (“There is no Rock like our God”) to mean “Ein Tzayar k’Elokeinu” (“There is no artist like our God”). Rabbi Simcha Zissel Broyde explained that, like an artist’s work, God’s plan is often incomprehensible until the masterpiece is complete. The establishment of Israel, with its extraordinary achievements and enduring challenges, is a testament to this divine artistry. Decades later, the picture is clearer, revealing a nation that has surpassed expectations in every realm—technological, cultural, and spiritual.
As we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, we honor not only Israel’s accomplishments but also its role as a beacon of hope and holiness. It stands as a testament to the resilience and faith of the Jewish people, a reminder of God’s enduring presence in history, and a call to continue striving toward a vision of unity and sanctity.
May this Yom Ha'atzmaut inspire us to deepen our connection to the Jewish state and to the values it represents. Just as God is both the Tzur (Rock) and Tzayar (Artist), we are called to build and beautify this remarkable homeland, ensuring it remains a source of pride, sanctity, and inspiration for generations to come.