by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis
(based on a shiur heard from HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita, Ravad of Yerushalayim, leil Shabbos Parshas Vaera in Beis Keneses HaGra, Har Nof.)
Learning From the Past
Israel’s top military brass met this week to review the outcomes of the recent Gaza war. After some in attendance mentioned the great miracles that transpired during the conflict, one of the highest ranking officials made the following statement: "You say that there were miracles. I say that there were no miracles! Everything was teva (nature)!"
Such an outright denial of clearly miraculous events is not a new phenomenon. Pharaoh saw ten makos in Mitzrayim, and although he briefly recognized Hashem's Hand, the effect wore off quickly. Seemingly in that case, Pharaoh’s blindness could be justified, considering that Chazal tell us that his free choice had been taken away.
Rav Dessler reveals what is meant by the removal of Pharaoh’s free will. When a person witnesses an open miracle, it is only natural that he is awestruck to an extent that he begins to question his whole worldview. Hashem suspended this normal reaction in Pharaoh, in order to reveal His miracles to Klal Yisrael.
A Jew once complained to the Brisker Rav: "If only Hashem would do miracles for us today, everyone would acknowledge His existence and sing praises to Him." The Brisker Rav responded, "Miracles do not change anything! If a person does not make the effort to recognize Hashem's Hand, he will be exactly the same after the miracles as he was before!"
The Jews in Mitzrayim personally witnessed some of the greatest miracles of human history. Yet at least eight million Jews died during the plague of darkness because they did not internalize the message of the miracles and consequently make changes their lives. Only one-fifth of Klal Yisrael truly acknowledged the miracles and used them as a catalyst to raise their level of emunah.
At Krias Yam Suf we find that the melachim decried Hashem's decision to drown the Egyptians and save the Jews, claiming "Halalu ovdei avoda zara, v'halalu ovdei avoda zara" – Klal Yisrael was steeped in idol worship as much as the Mitzrim. Why did they deserve to be saved?
If the Jews who were saved from Mitzrayim had internalized the miracles they witness there, and were part of the mere 20 percent worthy of being taken out, why did the angels claim that they were idol worshipers? Although the Jews who left Mitzrayim believed in miracles they did not believe in hashgacha pratis, personal Divine supervision. Denying hashgacha pratis, which is the first of the 13 principles of emunah, is tantamount to idol worship.
While it is easy to look down on others who are further away from Torah ideals than ourselves, at this point in Jewish history each individual must focus on their own situation. During the past weeks, all of us have witnessed open miracles. Have we responded with Shiros vetishbochot a seudos hadayah, or any significant changes in our lifestyle?
Previous generations reacted differently when confronted with miracles. During World War II, Rav Sternbuch was a bachur learning in Yeshivas Toras Emes in London. The British government decreed that everyone had to take part directly in the war effort; either by enlisting in the army or by working in factories to fuel the war machine.
Rav Shneider was the Rosh Yeshiva and despite this regulation, he refused to even temporarily shut down the yeshiva. As a result, he and all the students were in danger of imprisonment or worse. This was discovered on a Thursday night, and he called the entire yeshiva together for a tefila to annul this decree.
The next day, some of the students of the yeshiva were summoned by a government official regarding their refusal to do their part for the war effort. The official asked the first student, "Don't you realize that your relatives being slaughtered in Germany?" The student replied that although the situation was dire, the best way they could help their relatives was to continue learning in the yeshiva.
"But if your family is killed you will need to provide sustenance for yourself," continued the official. "Shouldn't you should learn a trade?" The student replied that he was not worried, as Hashem would take care of them.
"But sir", exclaimed the official, "what would happen if everyone thought like you?"
The student replied that Hashem had provided sustenance for all of the Jewish people when they wandered in the desert for forty years, and therefore he was not worried. The official concluded that Rabbi Shneider and all his disciples were crazy, and exempted them all from military service.
Rav Shnieder realized that a great miracle had taken place, and he called the whole yeshiva together. Half Hallel was recited, as Chazal warn us against saying the full Hallel on a regular weekday. When the students saw the tears of devekus flowing down the Rosh Yeshiva’s face while reciting that Hallel, they felt that they had never before experienced a Hallel.
We must learn from history and respond accordingly. Miracles must lift us up to a higher level of Divine service, and not merely impart of fleeting sense of awe which quickly fades as we return to our normal routine.
A Message for the Future
While we are experiencing temporary respite from battling our enemies, we should not be so foolish as to think this war is anywhere near over. It has just begun. A great world war is on the horizon, and what we have experienced so far is a mere skirmish compared to what they future holds.
The Zohar writes that the final redemption will be preceded by a great gathering of the children of Yishmael, banding together with the supreme goal of destroying Klal Yisrael. We are all eye-witnesses to the fulfillment of this Zohar today. Members of the Arab world are rallying to the cause and are ready to die en masse for the sanctification of their religion and, chas vashalom, the eradication of the Jewish people.
The past few weeks have given us a taste of what's to come. Whoever wishes to witness the redemption, must act now and make substantial changes in their lives. Most importantly, each one of us must recognize, speak about, and publicize the hashgacha pratis, personal Divine supervision, in our lives.
The Medrash (Bamidbar Rabba 11) says "Before the decree has come about, Hashem is yisa panim, He takes into account the efforts that are made. After the decree has taken place, Hashem is not yisa panim, and it will be too late to change.”
Now is the time to shake ourselves awake and prepare for what Chazal foresaw would take place b'achris hayamim, in the days preceding the coming of moshiach.
