So much can occur in a nation that complies with all the legal norms, and that is accepted within the boundaries of all of society's norms, and still be so terribly wrong. The legal framework is created in a society or a community in order to protect and nurture that society .Yet, if there is no Yirat Shamayim ("fear of G-d") in that construct, then that same framework can be easily manipulated and distorted. Rabbi Rephael Feuerstien, the head of Rabbanei Tzohar, described the recent findings of the Winograd Commission similarly.


The commission's findings clearly showed that one can maneuver between the lines of law and still do things that

One can maneuver between the lines of law.

are cowardly, immoral and false. The Winograd Commission was bludgeoned by the Supreme Court and by its own political leanings, after the first half of its findings were released, to avoid determining personal liability and responsibility. The lack of such a clear determination was heralded as a great victory and proof of exoneration by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his friends. Olmert, without any semblance of Yirat Shamayim, has found refuge in the letter of the law, but has succeeded in distorting that same law's purpose and ideals.


When the Patriarch Avraham visits the land of the Philistines, he finds a society with clear rules and guidelines. He decides nevertheless to hide the fact that Sarah is his wife. When the king, Avimelech, is made aware of the subterfuge, he is aghast and essentially tells Abraham: Didn't you know that we do not do things like that in our society? We would never take away a man's wife.


"Then Avimelech called Avraham, and said unto him: 'What hast thou done unto us? And wherein have I sinned against thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? Thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.' And Avimelech said unto Abraham: 'What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?'" (Genesis 290:9-10)


Avraham's answer is short and powerful: "And Avraham said: 'Because I thought: Surely the fear of God is not in this place.'" ( Exodus 20:10)


Avimelech could have used the laws of his society and found a reason to eliminate Avraham, thereby allowing the taking of his wife. That is what happens in a society that has lost its Divine spark. That is what happens to an Israeli government that has lost its Divine purpose.


The Torah portion of Terumah offers the remedy: "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell within them." (Exodus 25:8)


If they will build a sanctuary for G-d and His purpose, then G-d will dwell amongst them and within them. Could it truly be that simple? The simple building of a sanctuary is the key to have G-d's Presence and impact living amongst them and within them?


The first verses of the chapter describe what it takes to build this sanctuary, and I believe they give an answer to the question: "And HaShem spoke unto Moshe, saying: 'Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart maketh him willing ye shall take My offering.'" (Exodus 25: 1-2)


The artifacts and the raw materials of the sanctuary must be "taken" from those whose hearts were open to giving. The sanctuary can only be created out of the desire to give of oneself. It can only be created by those who are

Mankind has a tendency of filling himself up with things of the ego and of selfish desire.

ready to let go of part of themselves.


Only then do they have room within themselves for holiness. Mankind has a tendency of filling himself up with things of the ego and of selfish desire. There is usually no room left in the satiated ego of such an individual for anything of the spirit or of the Divine. That is the reason the sanctuary must be built by people who have made room in their souls for things other than themselves. It is into that vacuum that G-d's Presence enters and can then "dwell within them."


The young men and women who valiantly entered the battlefields of the Second Lebanon War had room in their hearts for all the people of Israel. Many of them left the self-centered lifestyle that has spawned many of Israel's present leadership. Yet, they enlisted, volunteered and obeyed for the sake of their people and their country. These young people are worthy of a different type of leadership. A leadership filled with Yirat Shamayim and a love for the people of Israel.


Israel's present leadership has only room for themselves. As a result, Israel has no room for them anymore.