Strengthening Israel . . .
The following is the basic story line of the events leading to this week’s Torah Portion:
The Jewish People, after having spent 40 years in the desert, are finally prepared to enter the land of Israel. Their enemies gather together to conspire against them. “How can this ‘chosen nation’ be stopped and destroyed?” they wonder.
They try a number of tactics:
1) Warfare - But that doesn’t seem to work. Miraculously the Jewish People defeat their enemies without experiencing a single casualty.
2) Curses & Maledictions - They hire Bilam, a ‘world renowned’ sorcerer, to curse the Jewish People. That too is to no avail. For instead of maledictions, it is benedictions that spew forth from the mouth of Bilam bringing blessing and peace to Israel.
3) Immorality - As a final resort, realizing that war and curses have had no effect, they try to engage the Jewish People in immoral behavior. Doing this, they hoped, would put the Jewish People in ‘bad favor’ with G‑d and his divine protection would cease to be upon them.
Although a small minority of Jews was lured into sin, the vast majority remained steadfast to the Torah and its code of ethics and morality thereby bringing salvation to the entire People.
As we deal with the current situation in Israel we recount this portion of our history and remember where our strength truly lies. Our physical might has never been and will never be the sole key to our survival. Our existence as a nation is rooted in our eternal bond with G‑d and it is He who has lovingly protected us throughout history.
This Shabbat, as we read this timely portion of the Torah, let us lend a hand to our brethren in Israel by strengthening our commitment to our Torah and its mitzvoth. By adding an extra prayer, lighting a Shabbat Candle, putting on Teffillin, or learning a bit of Torah we will be victorious thus bringing peace, safety, and security upon Israel and the entire world. Let us do a mitzvah today!
May G‑d protect the Israeli Defense Force
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick