Questions About Israel (Biblical and Modern)
Q. What does Israel mean?
A. Jacob was given the name Israel in Genesis 32, after the incident in which he wrestled with an angel. The angel bestowed the name upon him, saying that Jacob had "struggled with God and man, and prevailed." Israel represents the first part of this phrase, that Jacob had "struggled with God."
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Q. The conquest of Jerusalem by Israel in the Bible: when and by whom?
A. Thanks for your question. The city of Jerusalem straddled the border of two territories: that of Judah and that of Benjamin. The half that was in the territory of Judah was conquered in the time of Joshua; the half in the territory of Bejamin was conquered in the time of King David. (The final conquest of Jerusalem is recounted in II Samuel chapter 5.)
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Q. Are "Israelites" and "Jews" generally synonyms?
A. They are essentially synonymous, but "Jews" is a more contemporary term. When speaking of the exodus from Egypt (for example), you might refer to the nation as "the Israelites" or "the Jews," but when speaking of Roman times, Medieval times or modern times, you would only speak of "Jews."
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Q. In Amos 5:2 of the Targum, it says, “shall not rise again this year.” What does “this year,” mean?
A. I assume you are referring to the Targum Yonasan. He appears to be clarifying the meaning of the verse. You might think that the kingdom of Israel will never rise again. Not so, he informs us. She won't rise again right now but she will rise again eventually. (Though they won't have their own king; see Rashi.)
Q. But why does it say, “shall not rise again this year?” Because Israel was not revived in the year after or the year after that, right? Israel (northern kingdom) will not revive again until the end times.
A. Which will be when? He's not revealing when it will rise, he's just saying that it wouldn't be imminent.
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Q. Why does Israel allow full on idolatry on its land? The many churches, crosses, etc.
A. Leaving aside the question of which religions are and are not considered idolatry, the modern State of Israel is a democracy with freedom of religion; it is not a theocracy.
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Q. Can you please tell me why people make aliyah?
A. Thanks for your question. Israel is a gift from God to the Jewish people. We feel closer to Him there and there are many mitzvos that can only be performed there. According to some opinions, one is obligated to live there if one is able but everyone agrees that doing so is meritorious. You can see more here.
Rabbi Jack's latest book, Ask Rabbi Jack, is now available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.