By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
As I write, Eretz Yisrael is in great danger and suffering under the threat of Iranian bombs. It is true that in the grand scheme of things, it seems that Iran has been more grievously hurt, but nevertheless there have been many casualties and wounded closer to home. Only the Ribono shel Olam knows what is next.
Allow me to share a lesson from Shoftim, one with great relevance for the moment. For 18 years, Midyan had been oppressing the Jewish tribes on the Eastern side of the Jordan river. In a nevuah, Gideon was appointed to lead the battle. He was told that he would be successful.
Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 and was ready to go to battle. But Hashem told him, “The people are too many...lest Yisrael praise themselves over Me, saying, ‘My hand saved me.’” Instead, Hashem told Gideon, he should send home anyone who was afraid. Twenty-two thousand soldiers went home, leaving Gideon with only 10,000.
“The people are still too many,” Hashem said. “Take them down to the water and I will purify them there. Whoever I tell you shall go with you and whoever I tell you should not will not go.”
At Hashem’s instruction, Gideon took the soldiers to the water’s edge to drink. Some cupped water in their hands, but others bowed on their knees as they were accustomed to do before the Baal, drinking directly from the water. Only 300 did not bow at all. Hashem told Gideon to send home everyone but those 300.
Hashem wants to bring us salvation—but only when we are prepared to attribute the victory to Him. It is not acceptable for us to think it was our might that brought about our victory. In modern terms, if our strategies worked and our bombs hit their targets, it is only through the will of Hashem. We must never lose sight that whatever happens is only thanks to Hashem’s agenda, and the more we focus on that the worthier we are of a yeshua.
Perhaps this is the reason that thousands of rockets fall, many intercepted, many landing in open fields, time and time again. Contemplating this, we can realize that the Redeemer of Yisrael is the one bringing all these nissim, and gain the awareness that ein od milvado.
