There’s an intriguing halacha in Meseches Baba Basra which teaches that when two individuals have a dispute over the ownership of a particular item, a boat, the solution is, “kol d’alim gvar.”
Whoever is stronger wins. This seems downright puzzling. The Rosh provides a fascinating insight with profound psychological application.
The Gemara here is teaching that whoever truly owns the property will fight with more conviction, more determination, and will ultimately prevail. They will not rest until they secure what is rightfully theirs. I’m reminded of this halacha when we begin the Torah anew every year. The very first Rashi in the Torah asks an obvious question.
Why does the Torah start with an account of creation, would it not be more appropriate to start with the first mitzvah? After all, the Torah is a guidebook on how to live our lives. Rashi quotes Rav Yitzchak from the Gemara, who teaches the reason the Torah starts with an account of creation is to answer the claim of the nations that we are occupiers in the land of Israel.
Hashem created the world and gave the Holy Land to the Yidden. Rav Kook raised the pointed question, is it truly that important to placate and respond to the nation’s claims that the very order of the Torah is altered? More importantly, it hasn’t even been successful. There are still many segments of people who believe that we’re occupiers, that the land is not ours.
Rav Kook explained, the teaching is not for the nations, it is for us. It is for the Jewish people to know with full conviction and surety that this land is our land. To properly and fully defend our land, to fight and persevere with determination, despite the harsh consequences, we must believe in the righteousness and validity of our claim.
Barry Goldwater, the Arizona senator who ran for president, famously said, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
During these times of war in Israel, we find ourselves checking who is showing support for Israel, and who is not. The first Pasuk in the Torah reminds us, it is not only for the nations to know, but for us to know that Eretz Yisrael is rightfully ours.
And with that conviction, of the just nature of our cause, and faith, that enei hashem elokecha bo. Hashem is watching over His land, we will fight because we are in the right and that is why we will persevere. Wishing you all a peaceful Shabbos.
