The Unhappy Immigrant
Under the influence of Rav Kook, an American Jew had come to Eretz Yisrael with the intention of settling there permanently. But one day, he showed up at the Rav’s house and asked for a farewell blessing. For some reason, he had decided to return to America.
“Why are you leaving so suddenly?” Rav Kook asked.
“Rebbe,” the man replied, “I am disheartened by life here in Eretz Yisrael. I cannot stand the widespread desecration of the Sabbath and general disdain for our religion that I see among the pioneer settlers of the Land. Therefore, I have decided to leave and return to America.”
These words, coming from the mouth of a simple, well-meaning Jew, giving voice to the yearnings of his soul, agitated and shook the Rav’s heart; but he contained himself. With a gentle smile, he turned to his guest and inquired where he lived in America.
“My home is in Denver, Colorado,” replied the man. Then, with clear pride, he began describing the beauty of the city, with its breathtaking mountains and crisp and refreshing air. “There are no narrow, dirty alleyways,” he added, “like here in Jerusalem. There, the streets are wide, the houses are large and elegant, and trolley cars speed through the city.” He then went on, as if spellbound, about the natural beauty surrounding Denver.
After a while, the Rav interrupted him gently. “If I am not mistaken,” he said, “Denver has a high number of tuberculosis patients. A man from Jerusalem recently returned from a trip to America and told me that he met many people suffering from chronic diseases there. If, as you say, the climate in Denver is so healthy and invigorating, why are there so many sick people there?”
“Does Your Honor really think,” replied the American Jew with quiet indignation, “that those sick people are natives of Denver? They all come from other cities, where fresh air and sunshine are sorely lacking. They contracted tuberculosis in their hometowns and came to Denver, following their doctors’ advice, to benefit from its fresh air and hopefully recover.”
“Of course,” continued the man, “some people come with in very advanced stages of the disease. They neglected their condition for a long time and came too late. Their lungs are filled with bacteria, and there’s almost no hope of recovery. That man from Jerusalem must have met some of those people in Denver and mistakenly thought that the city was to blame for their miserable condition. That naive man didn’t realize that this city, with its healing air, actually brings relief and rehabilitation to thousands of desperately ill patients from all around the world.”
The Air of the Land of Israel
Rav Kook interrupted the flow of the man’s words and replied calmly, “Think about what you are saying! The air of our Holy Land is also special; it nurtures wisdom and has the ability to heal. Hapless Jews have come, and continue to come, to Eretz Yisrael from all over the world, where the foreign atmosphere of the lands of exile had a detrimental effect on their spirits, poisoning their souls. These Jews were on the verge of assimilation, God forbid, and dying a spiritual death on foreign soil. Fortunately, though, the Healer of the Jewish people provided the cure before the disease took hold. He infused them with a breath of life, inspiring them to love and yearn for Eretz Yisrael. They come to this therapeutic environment to breathe in some fresh air and spirit.”
“If you see so many affected souls here in the Holy Land, people struggling with spiritual and emotional ailments, understand that they were born elsewhere. Had they not come here when they did, they would have risked complete assimilation. They are seriously ill, but we must treat them just like they treat the tuberculosis patients in Denver. I firmly believe that the atmosphere of Eretz Yisrael will have a positive, blessed influence on many of them, restoring both their physical and spiritual health.”
(Adapted from An Angel Among Men by Simcha Raz)
