Hashem Fights the Wars

Look what we read in this past week's Torah portion, Beshalach:

Hashem shall fight the war for you, and you shall remain silent (Exodus 14:14).

Interesting, the above passage is Exodus, chapter 14, verse 14. 14 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for "hand" - yad. And, 28 (2x14) is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for "power" - koach.

To this day, Hashem's mighty hand is fighting the war for us. So isn't it logical that the Israeli Government shouldn't bite the hand that not only feeds us, but fights for us too? Once again, that's Hashem's hand.

Throughout modern Israeli history, every time the government attempted to disrupt Torah learning, war broke out. Hashem seems to be saying, "Oh, you politicians have time to meddle with My Torah learners, I'll send some enemy to meddle with you and to keep you busy." But non-emuna eyes are blind, so they fail to see the connection.

The recent Gaza hostilities and the GRAD missiles that reached as far as Tel Aviv came right after all the populist gab of drafting Yeshiva boys. And now, as Bibi dreams of his secular honeymoon with Lapid and a Haredi-less Israeli government, the threat of war in the north amid the chaos in Syria is mounting every minute, and chemical weapons of mass destruction are about to fall into the hands of either Jihadi Sunnis or Hizbulla Shiites. Tension is very high here now. Only a blind man or a fool can't connect the dots.

For years, I've been an active supporter of the Nachal Haredi. Emuna Outreach has been fighting in every possible way for Haredim to receive the necessary conditions they need to serve, such as glatt-kosher food and time for prayers and Torah. I vehemently oppose Haredi draft dodging, and if it were up to me, any young man who is not learning Torah would be doing either national civil service or military service, immediately. But Heaven forbid if one serious young man is yanked away from his Gemara.

What, do you think that Hamas doesn't know how to direct their rocket fire? Is the IDF responsible for all the missiles that fell in parking lots between high-rise buildings, and not on the high-rises themselves? No, that's the power of Torah.

I'd suggest that the government focus its animosity on our enemies, and not on our spiritual front line of defense. If we want Hashem to continue fighting for us, then we cannot lay down any of our own weapons, military and spiritual. Reducing Torah learning is not a shot in the foot, it's a shot in the soul. The only thing worse than a dead body is a dead soul. It's time to strengthen Torah, not to weaken it.

Comments

[Dovbearbarleib]

All Matmidim should stay Matmidim. But for those who are not matmidim, there are compromises that can be worked out over a period of time. How about Limud Torah battalions for some Chareidim to teach Torah to clueless secular Jews so that they have an idea what they are fighting for? Maybe 20% of a future "draft" might be well suited for this. This would be the highest form of national service. G-d willing there will be a compromise which will unify the nation.

[theresa]

G-d bless israel. i have often wondered what it takes to make every jew realise Hashem is in control. all the answers are in the holy torah. i pray daily for the mosiach ben yosef and mosiach ben dovid to come, and that mosiach ben yosef not be killed. because enough holy blood has been spilt. Hashem bless all your leaders and guide them. theresa

[Puah yiska]

Shalom:)
Beautiful promise from the Torah.
I'm totally comitted to progressing spiritually and strengthening my emuna ...
However looking at Jewsih history on paper one can for sure wonder where Hashem's promises were during all the calamities so it's asking alot of a nation's leaders to put full trust in him. Isn't it possible people still have deep wounds on a soul level which prevent them from the willingness to let hashem lead?

[Puah yiska]

Addendum to my previous post:
1) thnx for the well written article.
2) this is a topic which is charged be used it focuses on our existence yet superficially alot of us conduct our day-to-day affairs within the boundaries of nature and therefore; possibly, Hashem's promises and ways, remain hidden.
3) I like to comment thinking I may have some insight and then I'm reminded that no matter how much I would like to be completely dependent on Hashem and independent from certain social services provided to my family, I'm left with cv entertaining the " it would be so right if Hashem was my only employer and every event and resource provided to me was from an emuna source but the reality is : I'm dependent on non emuna sources as a subsidy for my existence:(
In my heart I feel that childhood simplicity of being close to Hashem and as a grown-up I can relate to the frustrations of the leaders and residents of Israel:(
Also I do for sure believe emuna is essential for us all to learn ; yet , it's one subject the educators have overlooked :(!
I'm raising a family and what I've heard recently from a soul sister is: kids get knowledge at school but yiras ha shamayim comes from home. Makes sense? To me yes ---is this the best approach to jewish education---I disagee strongly. I'd like jewish education to be more congruous . Without Hashem we don't have an educational foundation or a foundation for life.
I think this next quote may support/ illustrate why we need to become deeply familiar with emuna and bitachon:
"Prevention weighs ounces and regrets weigh tons" (I learned this quote from Tony Robbins)
Hatzlacha everyone !:)