Hope in Times of War

SAN DIEGO — Amid the war in Israel and all the atrocities being committed, it is easy to get depressed. Missiles fired, bombs blasted, homes destroyed, innocents killed. It is beyond atrocious. Horror like this has not been seen since the Yom Kippur War almost 50 years ago. Similar to that attack, this one happened during a Jewish holiday with terror starting on Simcha Torah. With those in America separated by an entire ocean from Israel, it’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless. However, it is crucial to remember that G-d sees what is happening and is ultimately in control.

“The LORD of Heaven’s Armies sent me against the nations who plundered you. For he said, ‘Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.’” (Zechariah 2:8)

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31)

Miracles happened before and they can happen again. As part of our ancestral story, we recall when G-d sent ten mighty plagues against the Egyptians and saved us seemingly against all odds.

“The LORD your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 1:30)

There are other less-famous stories like this in the Tanakh. Whether one sees these events as superstitious magic or scientifically-explainable (yet rare) phenomena, the end results are still astounding.

“That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere.” (2 Kings 19:35)

Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. The tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.” (1 Samuel 14:15, 19-20)

No one knows how the war in Israel will end or how long it will go on for. All we can do is pray, contact our government representatives, and donate (contact your local rabbi to avoid scams). What we must not do is succumb to the enemy that tells us to live in fear and hide our Judaism. I love what my local Chabad rabbi said at Simcha Torah. He told his congregants to dance for those who can’t dance and rejoice for those who can’t rejoice. For those of us with the luxury of living in the peace and safety of America, embrace your Judaism wholeheartedly. Have faith in G-d that He will ultimately save His people.

“Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’” (Psalm 35:1-3)

“The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14)

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