Post Oct. 7 Miracles
A young boy comes home from Hebrew school, excited to share with his parents what he learned about the Exodus from Egypt.
He begins, "Mom, Dad, you won’t believe this! The Jews were running away from Pharaoh, and they got stuck at the Red Sea! But then Moses called in the Israeli engineers, and they built a huge bridge overnight so everyone could cross safely. Then, when Pharaoh’s army chased them, Moses radioed the Israeli Air Force, and they bombed the bridge, causing the Egyptians to drown!”
The parents, puzzled, look at him and ask, “Is that what your teacher told you happened?”
The boy sheepishly replies, “No, but if I told you what the teacher said, you wouldn’t believe me!”
Israel has faced countless challenges and attacks that could have resulted in devastating casualties and destruction, G-d forbid. Despite the immense pain and losses our nation has endured, particularly over the past year and a half, along with our heartfelt prayers for the safe return of all hostages, we must also acknowledge the tremendous miracles that continue to unfold each day.
Over the past few months, the nation of Israel has grown so accustomed to incredible miracles that they almost seem natural. From intercepting 99% of the thousands of powerful missiles launched from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, to eliminating most of Syria’s military capabilities in just a few days, to the targeted beeper operations against Hezbollah and the elimination of their top leadership, along with thousands of more daring operations, Israel has witnessed miracles on a biblical scale.
Even the greatest skeptics and rationalists are compelled to acknowledge the hand of G-d at work. Statistically, Israel's advanced defense systems are designed to intercept up to 85%-90% of attacks before becoming overwhelmed. Yet, miraculously, even the small percentage of missiles that have landed in Israel have, in most cases, caused no casualties. While we deeply honor and appreciate the heroic efforts of the IDF in defeating our enemies, it is important to recognize that human judgment is not infallible, as tragically demonstrated by the intelligence failures leading up to the October 7 massacres.
Only when we place our trust in G-d, can we be fully confident that we will succeed in winning this war against terror.
In fact, nature itself is nothing more than a recurring series of miracles. From the rising of the sun to the birth of a baby to each breath we take, these are all plain miracles. It’s only because we have become so accustomed to them that they cease to amaze us.
However, for a person attached to a respirator, struggling to breathe, G-d forbid, the ability to breathe freely would be miraculous.
Judaism teaches us to delve beneath the surface of nature and uncover the miraculous divine spark and purpose within each creation. By doing so, we develop an appreciation and gratitude for all the capabilities and blessings G-d bestows upon us. Otherwise, our accomplishments can easily feed into our egos, leading us down a slippery slope of self-serving narcissism.
In this week’s Torah portion, Va'eira, we learn about the first seven of the ten plagues that G-d brought upon the Egyptians. Many commentators have struggled with the significance of these plagues. If they were meant to punish the Egyptians for their brutal enslavement of the Jewish people, or to force them to release the Jews, there were certainly faster and easier ways for G-d to accomplish this.
One great Biblical commentator, Rabbi Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437–1508), who also served as the financier and treasurer to King Afonso V of Portugal, explains that the plagues were not merely a form of punishment for the Egyptians, but rather, a means to elevate and transform their culture. The plagues were meant to teach the Egyptians truths about G-d’s existence and providence. As the verse states, “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand over Egypt and bring out the Israelites from their midst” (Exodus 7:5).
The Nile River was the backbone of the Egyptian economy. Since Egypt receives very little rain, the Egyptian farmers didn’t turn to the heavens for sustenance; instead, they worshipped the Nile, which provided the irrigation for their fields. The first plague turned the waters of the Nile to blood, forcing the Egyptians to recognize a higher power and turn to G-d for help. The same was true for each subsequent plague; they removed the Egyptians' false sense of self-sufficiency and pride in their own accomplishments.
Pharaoh is known for his stubborn boasts: "I do not know G-d," and "The river is mine, and I have fashioned it." These statements denied G-d’s influence and replaced it with a belief in the power of man and self. The primary purpose of the plagues was to counter this approach, to openly reveal G-dliness and break the pride of Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
This also serves as a crucial lesson for the Jewish people. The message of the plagues is to look beyond the surface and become aware of G-d’s involvement in our lives. Nothing happens by chance. Instead, in a way that only G-d’s infinite wisdom can fully comprehend, He is guiding our lives and working miracles on our behalf. The only difference between the plagues in Egypt and our current situation is the extent to which G-d’s hand is visibly manifested, but His presence and actions are always at work.
Belief in one G-d means not only rejecting polytheism but also dismissing the notion that other forces control the world. Nature, science, technology, the stock market, and medicine are merely powerful tools that G-d uses to provide for us. They do not possess any inherent power of their own. As Maimonides explains in his Guide to the Perplexed, "[The sun acts] as an ax in the hand of the one who uses it." Just as an ax has no independent choice, nature too is simply a tool in the hands of the Creator.
While we must put in our own efforts, utilizing our intellect and abilities to work hard, explore, and develop the world around us, it is essential to always remember the Divine providence and purpose that permeates all of existence.
It is heartwarming to see our brave IDF soldiers returning from battle, singing praises and expressing gratitude to G-d for their miraculous protection. These young soldiers recognize that while they must act with professionalism and utilize the most advanced weaponry and technology available, these tools are ultimately gifts that G-d has granted us. They understand that our true protection comes from G-d.
The mission of the Jewish people in this world is to reveal G-dliness within creation by demonstrating how every physical thing is meant to serve and express its true, divine purpose. This mission helps prepare the world for the coming of Redemption, when all nations will live in peace, harmony, and prosperity together, serving G-d as one. As the Prophets say, “I will turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the LORD, to serve Him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9).
Let us continue to pray and do an additional Mitzvah for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world and merit the coming of Moshiach today!
