WHY SHOULD HE SAVE US?
How is it that Hashem saved Am Yisroel in Mitzraim if great numbers of Bnai Yisroel were rebelling against Him?
How do we know about this rebellion? Because Rashi tells us, “There were among Israel of that generation wicked individuals who did not wish to depart [from Egypt] and they died during the days of darkness.” (Shemos 10:22)
The question about our salvation has strong contemporary implications, because it is obvious that the world is in a dangerously precarious state. Many Jews are rebelling against the Torah, and this in turn is causing ferment throughout the world. What’s the connection? The Chofetz Chaim said, in a famous letter in 1923, “Everything that happens in the world happens because of Klal Yisroel.”
The contemporary world is like a volcano in which underground pressure is building at an alarming rate. At some point it has to explode. In fact, scientists are warning of increasing volcanic activity around the world, but the volcano to which I am referring is more than physical; it is also social and political.
If such an explosion occurs and Hashem does not make His Presence known immediately, then one cannot imagine the chaos which will result. I am reminded of the words of the late President Truman about the dangers of nuclear war: “The possibility of an atomic war will continue to threaten to destroy the world, and – even more -- to leave the residents of the world in a situation worse than death.” (Quoted by by Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz zt”l in Miluai Shlomo) And this was said seventy five years ago!
Do we have the merit to deserve Hashem’s help?
As I mentioned last week, the level of internal division within Klal Yisroel is frightening. We know that the fracture of Israeli society before October 7, 2023 strengthened our enemies and was the catalyst to the war which is still so much upon us. The number of Yidden who demonstrated hatred against their brethren is prodigious.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller zt”l had the courage to write notes (from which his students later compiled a book called “Divine Madness”) concerning the causes of the Holocaust. His basic theme is that “what is written in the Torah will come true.” In the late 18th Century, Jewish reformers, especially in Germany, began to mock the Torah and its leaders. This so-called “Enlightenment” generated a desire on the part of some Jews to curry favor with non-Jews in order to “succeed” in their society. This became a tidal wave of assimilation, in which the Torah and its adherents were increasingly ridiculed, culminating in the most terrible event known to man, the Holocaust.
Hashem warns us, over and over, that, if we fail to follow His Torah, G-d forbid, terrible punishments will result. “Beware lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve gods of others and bow to them. Then the wrath of Hashem will blaze against you.” (Shema)
As I said earlier, the prototype for assimilation occurred in Mitzraim, where those who rebelled disappeared in the Plague of Darkness. Yet Hashem still saved the remnant, who became our ancestors. This scenario actually provides a huge beacon of hope for us, because it became clear that Hashem will never forsake His People, even if many rebel.
At the Akeida, Hashem swore twice to Avraham Avinu to bless his children forever. The second oath, “Bi nishmasi … by Myself I swear” (Beraishis 22:16), became the “irrevocable” guarantee that Hashem would redeem Avraham’s children even if some of them would sin. This guarantee is our surety that – no matter what -- those who remain loyal to Hashem and His Torah will experience the ultimate Redemption. (Artscroll Bereishis)
The last Novi describes the world before Moshiach, in which heresy and rebellion are rampant. “Then those who fear Hashem spoke to one another and Hashem listened and heard and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear Hashem, [and] they will be a precious treasure to Me, says Hashem, Master of Legions, on the day which I bring about, and I will have mercy on them as a man has mercy on his son who serves him….” (Malachi 3:16ff)
In the beginning of our daily tefillah there is an amazing word “buried” in the text, where we ask Hashem to gather in “those who yearn for You” from the four corners of the earth. Isn’t that amazing! Not “everyone” can expect to be gathered in during the time of Moshiach, but those “who yearn for You” will be gathered in!
It is our business now to “yearn” for Hashem! That is what brought our ancestors out of Mitzraim and that is what will bring us to the days of Moshiach. May Hashem answer in our days the fervent prayers of His Children that we may witness once again a mighty Redemption like we saw in the days of Moshe Rabbeinu! But following this Redemption we will never again have to shed a tear of anguish but only tears of joy.
“Hashem, You have raised my soul from the lower world …. Give thanks to His holy Name, for His anger endures but a moment.… In the evening one lies down weeping, but with dawn a cry of joy!” (Tehillim 30)
May we see the Rebuilt Yerushalayim soon in our days!
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO ARTICLE/VIDEO NEXT WEEK
Volcanic eruption
GLOSSARY
Akeida: the binding of Isaac
Am Yisroel: The Jewish People
Bnai Yisroel: The Children of Israel
Mitzraim: Ancient Egypt
Moshe Rabbeinu: Moses
Novi: prophet
Yerushalayim: Jerusalem
2 comments:
The trouble is that division in Yisrael is due to the EREV RAV leadership in all departments of government (court, military,, etc.). They have the control
and made sure to raise a generation of Jews who know nothing about
being Jewish and we have all these leftists, many of whom were
indoctrinated from youth and many also of the erev rav. They have the
power because they have the backing of the nations.
Unless, we get salvation from a heroic MBY or the good Jews,
we will have this problem until MBD arrives. May it be NOW.
emes
In Mitzrayim (between the straits) Hashem “remembered” and “heard our groaning” and only then did HE come to rescu3 us. IT MUST BE THAT WAY GAIN!
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