In this week’s parsha, parshas Chukas, we wish to focus on an incredible miracle HKB”H performed on behalf of Yisrael after completing their 42 journeys in the midbar, prior to entering Eretz Yisrael. Two mountains—one on the side of Moav and one on the side of the Emorim—came together to crush the Emorim hiding in caves intending to ambush and kill the people of Yisrael passing between them. As we will explain, this miracle was in the merit of Torah-study and service of Hashem.
In this merit, HKB”H rescues Yisrael from its enemies seeking to annihilate them in every, single generation. This is especially true and evident in the turbulent times currently experienced by the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael. Yisrael’s oppressors, descendants of the wicked Haman living in Persia (Iran), launched hundreds of missiles threatening lives and property throughout Eretz Yisrael. They indiscriminately attacked Hashem’s people, young and old alike, intending to cause the ultimate physical and emotional damage.
Despite the awful sorrow every Jew feels for the loss of sacred lives caused by the Iranian bombs, senseless victims, Hashem will avenge their deaths. Notwithstanding, it is apparent to all of us that we have witnessed amazing miracles and history in the making, in keeping with the passuk (Tehillim 91, 7): "יפול מצדך אלף ורבבה מימינך אליך לא יגש"—a thousand may fall victim at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near to you. And since we are believers descended from believers, we must remember the word of Hashem to Zerubavel (Zechariah 4, 6): "לא בחיל ולא בכוח כי אם ברוחי אמר ה' צבאות"—not by army and not by strength, but by My spirit, said Hashem, Master of Legions.
The Gemara explains clearly how the Spirit of Hashem is expressed (Makkos 10a): אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי מאי דכתיב עומדות היו רגלינו בשעריך ירושלים, מי גרם לרגלינו שיעמדו במלחמה, שערי ירושלים שהיו עוסקים בתורה"—Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: What is the meaning of that which is written (Tehillim 122, 1): “Our feet were standing at your gates, Yerushalayim”? Who caused our feet to remain standing in battle? The gates of Yerushalayim, where they were engaged in the study of Torah. This includes the study of Torah by young children, as per the teaching in the Gemara (Shabbas 119b): "אין העולם מתקיים אלא בשביל הבל תינוקות של בית רבן"—the world continues to exist solely in the merit of the breath of schoolchildren, i.e., the words of Torah coming out of their mouths. This is because the words of Torah they utter are free of sin.
Furthermore, the following divine, undeniable words of inspiration should echo throughout the world in every Jewish home and every Beis Kenesses and Beis Midrash louder than one thousand alarms. In the Midrash Shochar Tov, they expounded on the tefilah of David HaMelech (ibid. 35, 1): "לדוד ריבה ה' את יריבי"—by David: O Hashem, fight my adversaries. The Midrash inquires: May a servant of flesh and blood make such a demand of his Master?! The Midrash answers: HKB”H said to David, “Study Torah and I will fight your battle.” Similarly, Moshe said: “About this it will be said in the sefer of the wars of Hashem”—if you studied the Torah that is written in the sefer, I will battle on your behalf. To this David said, “O Hashem, fight my adversaries.”
The entire world is familiar with the courage of David HaMelech. Not only did he dare to confront Goliath without any conventional weapons and felled him with a slingshot, but he is considered one of the greatest, fiercest warriors of all time, fighting Hashem’s battles against the enemies of Yisrael with the utmost strength and courage. Only the Jewish people, however, are aware of the true key to his success. As Chazal teach us (Berachos 3b): "כנור היה תלוי למעלה ממטתו של דוד, וכיון שהגיע חצות לילה בא רוח צפונית ונושבת בו ומנגן מאליו, מיד היה עומד ועוסק בתורה עד שעלה עמוד השחר". A harp hung above David’s bed. At midnight, the northern wind came and blew on it, and it would play by itself. Immediately, he would rise and engage in Torah-study until the break of day. Only then, after devoting his entire night to the study of Torah, did David go out to battle guided by the counsel of Achitophel, the Sanhedrin, and the Urim V’Tumim.
It should be evident from all of the above that we are obliged to devote ourselves to the study of Torah. In the words of the Gemara (ibid. 63b): "מנין שאין דברי תורה מתקיימין אלא במי שממית עצמו עליה, שנאמר זאת התורה אדם כי ימות באהל". From where do we learn that words of Torah can only be retained by someone who is willing to sacrifice himself on its behalf? For, it says (Bamidbar 19, 14): “This is the Torah of a man who dies in a tent.” It is also important, however, to remember that (Shabbas 10a): "זמן תפלה לחוד וזמן תורה לחוד"—there is a separate time for tefilah and there is a separate time for Torah. In addition to studying Torah, it is imperative to address many sincere tefilos and heartfelt pleas to Hashem, in keeping with the words (Eichah 2, 19): "שפכי כמים לבך נוכח פני ה'"—pour out your heart like water before Hashem.
Since the gates of tears are never locked, we should pray constantly for divine mercy (Shacharis, Tachanun): "שומר ישראל, שמור שארית ישראל, ואל יאבד ישראל, האומרים שמע ישראל. שומר גוי אחד, שמור שארית עם אחד, ואל יאבד גוי אחד, המיחדים שמך ה' אלקינו ה' אחד. שומר גוי קדוש, שמור שארית עם קדוש, ואל יאבד גוי קדוש, המשלשים בשלש קדושות לקדוש". Guardian of Yisrael, protect the remnant of Yisrael, and let not Yisrael perish, who declare “shema Yisrael.” Guardian of a unique nation, protect the remnant of a unique people, and let not that unique nation perish, who proclaim the oneness of Your name: "ה' אלקינו ה' אחד". Guardian of a holy nation, protect the remnant of that holy nation, and let not the holy nation perish, who repeat three times the threefold declaration of holiness to the Holy One.
