Rav Dovid Cohen puts the Yissachar–Zevulun paradigm into perspective
WE are taught that when a tzaddik arrives in a city, “Hu hodah, hu zivah, hu hadarah — he is its glory, its splendor, its beauty.” And when he leaves, “Panah hodah, panah zivah, panah hadarah — its glory departs, its splendor departs, its beauty departs.”
One year ago, Jewish communities throughout North America welcomed an assembly of leading gedolim from Eretz Yisrael, here to collect desperately needed funds for lomdei Torah back home.
We greeted them with open arms, leaned forward to hear their words of chizuk, and lined up to receive their brachos. And when they left, we all felt the void. The glory, the splendor, the beauty, had departed.
But a few weeks ago, we learned that they would be returning. The news sparked a bittersweet reaction. Their return signals that more funds are needed; the plight of the Olam Hayeshivos in Eretz Yisrael has not abated. But it also means that their glory, splendor, and beauty will once again illuminate our communities.
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