Good Will — The Key to Amicable Relations on the Individual and the National Level
Regarding the words, “Take My offering from everyone whose heart impels him [yidvenu] to give” (Exodus 25:2), Rashi explains: “‘Yidvenu’ is from the same root as ‘nedavah.’ It is a term denoting ‘good will.’”
The Tabernacle was erected through donations given by the Jewish People out of their own good will. This good will was the foundation behind the erection and continued existence of the Tabernacle and the Temple.
In one’s own home as well, if good will reigns, i.e., love and brotherhood and peace and friendship, that home is compared to the Tabernacle or the Temple, in which G-d’s light is revealed, illuminating those inside and those outside.
Our national home, as well, the State of Israel, was established with G-d’s help, through the good will displayed by large segments of the people. They united together at an auspicious moment and established the Jewish State despite the Arab’s attacking us and despite the enormous difficulties.
Today, despite all of the complications, the vast majority of the nation likewise show good will. That good will is displayed amongst the marvelous soldiers of the Israeli army who defend our state. It is displayed amongst the millions of Jews who live in Israel, facing enormous difficulties. It is displayed amongst the myriad of settlers who endanger their lives daily for the sake of our holding on to the Land that is our life’s blood. It is displayed amongst those learning Torah, with great self-¬sacrifice, all over the country. It is displayed amongst all of the tens of thousands of Jews who do kind deeds and volunteer to help out their fellow man in matters great and small.
Fortunate is he who has good will and good deeds to his name. With these he will be able to walk in G-d’s path: “G-d is good to all and His mercy is over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).
“Remember what Amalek did to you.”
Amalek had two goals which were really one and the same when they attacked us on our way out of Egypt. By this act, they paved the way for all the enemies of Israel, the “Hamans” who rise up in every generation to attack the Jews. The first goal was to destroy the Jewish People physically, and the second goal was to blur our specialness and our identity as the people chosen by G-d to bring goodness and light to the whole world.
Therefore, when we set out to remember what Amalek did to us, we must not forget their despicable goals. We will then be better able to fight the Amalekite spirit and blot out their memory from under the heavens.
Today, Amalek’s lowly purpose has not yet ceased from the world. There is still anti-Semitism, and terrorist organizations and the nations are still rising up against us to annihilate the divine, eternal people. Yet it will never happen!
We must strengthen ourselves against the Amalekite goal not only from a military and economic standpoint, but also by strengthening Jewish identity and by learning and recognizing the historic destiny of the Jewish People down through the ages — to bring goodness and light to the world. The war of the children of darkness against the children of light is still being waged in full force, and shall continue “until the day warms and the shadows flee” (Song of Songs 2:17), and we all are privileged to see “a new light over Zion” (morning prayers).
