As a 20-year-old yeshivah student, Rabbi Shimon Schwab visited the Chofetz Chaim in Radin and requested a berachah. Before conferring his berachah, the tzaddik asked Rav Schwab whether he was a kohen or levi. When he replied that he was neither, the Chofetz Chaim described how wonderful it will be to be a kohen or levi when Mashiach arrives and the Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt.
Then he said:
“Perhaps you have heard — I’m a kohen. Tell me, why aren’t you a kohen?”
Rav Schwab was puzzled by the question. “Because my father is not a kohen,” he replied.
“And why isn’t your father a kohen?” the Chofetz Chaim asked further.
Rav Schwab decided not to answer. Obviously, the Chofetz Chaim was trying to make a point.
“I’ll tell you why,” he went on. “Because 3,000 years ago, at the episode of the Golden Calf, your ancestors didn’t come running when Moshe Rabbeinu called out,’ Whoever is for Hashem, join me!’ My grandfather, and all the other members of the tribe of Levi, did run to Moshe …
“Now take this lesson to heart. In every person’s life, there is a moment when a call goes forth to him,’ whoever is for Hashem, join me!’
When you hear that call, make sure that you come running!”
(Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, Answering the Call)
In every generation, throughout the Jewish people’s history, there have been a few brave souls who stood up in the face of enormous challenges. Their efforts changed the nation and the effects of their actions can be felt to this day.
From the Leviim in the Midbar to the Chashmonaim in Bayis Sheini.
From the Jews who refused to convert during the Inquisition to those who held steadfastly to Shmiras Shabbos in early 20th-century America.
The actions of a few inspired a nation and led the path forward for Klal Yisrael.
Can you hear the Call?
There is a call today to Am Yisroel. Can you hear it?
It is becoming louder by the week.
She is calling her children HOME.
Eretz Yisrael is begging her children to come HOME.
Operation Home Again’s goal is to encourage communities to answer the call in the spirit of “Mi Lashem Eilay – מי לה’ אלי” and to inspire a nation to make its way HOME.
Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf, founder of OHA, shares his conviction, “that even just 5 communities embarking on the journey of community Aliyah will shift the course of North American Jewry and dramatically impact the direction of Jewish history.”
The first community Aliyah is underway, with the recent move of twenty families from the United States (and ten more within Eretz Yisrael) to Afula under the direction of Rabbi Nesanel Cadle. Two more communities are in various stages of preparation.
Reaching a Tipping Point
OHA is positioned to assist at least five communities in the next 5 years to successfully settle in Eretz Yisrael. With this, we will have reached the Tipping Point where communal Aliyah becomes a viable option for hundreds of communities across North America.
What is a Tipping Point?
As Malcolm Gladwell demonstrated in his seminal work, a tipping point can be a relatively small event, or series of events, that have a course-altering impact on society that belies the modest scope of the inciting event.
“…the world of the Tipping Point is a place where the unexpected becomes expected, where radical change is more than possibility. It is—contrary to all our expectations—a certainty.”
Gladwell, (pp. 13-14).
Operation Home Again’s vision for heeding the call and dramatically shifting the trajectory of the American Jewish community towards a future in Eretz Yisrael is already playing out on the ground.
As more Rabbanim step forward to lead their communities in embarking on Aliyah, the perception of Aliyah will fundamentally shift across the spectrum of Torah Jewry, most specifically throughout North American Jewry, and will create the initial wave in a self-sustaining momentum of returning Home.
Heeding The Call, Holding Your Hands
Operation Home Again will be actively sharing the progress of the first communities with a wide audience, inspiring the rest of Klal Yisrael to follow in their footsteps. These first communities moving to Eretz Yisrael will have the singular zechus of setting the trend for dozens of communities throughout the world who will be empowered by their example. Operation Home Again exists to pave the way for every community, holding your hand as you traverse the road HOME.
For the first time in 2000 years, we have a HOME to go to.
So we ask you: Can you hear The Call?
“Mi Lashem Eilay – מי לה’ אלי”
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