We are living in unprecedented times. In the last few years we have witnessed so many tragic events: The COVID-19 pandemic, the Meron and Karlin tragedies, the immense political crises in the US, UK, and Eretz Yisrael, the Russian Ukrainian war, the worldwide financial crisis, and most recently and tragically, the terrible attack of October 7th when so many Yidden were killed, maimed, injured, or captured, and since which so many have been displaced.
To those who did not directly experience these events, they may seem slightly distant. We certainly cannot fathom the reason for all the pain, difficulty, and atrocities. However, as we mentioned, we only give half a shekel. We are experiencing just the first half of the megilah - we only see the Megilas Eicha half.
The second half - that of Megilas Esther - is being written as we speak. World powers are being drawn into the war. The Huthis are escalating their attacks in the Red Sea and the Americans and British are beginning to retaliate more strongly. The region is nothing short of a tinderbox.
We may not see it, we may not understand it, but we follow the opinion of Rabbi Meir. One cannot begin the megila from the salvation. That is the middle of the story - one must start from the beginning.
Let us hold on tightly. Let us see Hashem in all that transpires, even if we do not see His name written, and may we be zocheh to see the second part of the megila, b’karov.
