Parashat Bechukotai: FDR, Truman, & the Resurrected Land

In the exploration of Parashat Bechukotai, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik delves into the profound connection between the Torah's teachings and the historical and political developments in the Land of Israel. The narrative begins with a fascinating piece of trivia: Franklin Delano Roosevelt was reading Walter Clay Lowdermilk's book on soil reclamation in Israel when he died. Lowdermilk, an American soil scientist, was captivated by the Zionist efforts to rejuvenate the land, envisioning a massive reclamation project that could support millions of Jewish refugees. This vision aligns with the Torah's themes of land restoration and the enduring bond between the Jewish people and their ancestral land. The parashah underscores the cyclical return of land to its original owners during the Jubilee, symbolizing the eternal connection between the people and the land. Despite historical exiles and devastations, the Jewish people's return to their heritage is seen as a testament to divine providence and resilience.