Miracles Today
“Rabbi, why doesn’t G‑d perform miracles today?” I get that question about once a month.
Well, amidst the sadness and tragic devastation of the fires raging here in California, I’ve personally experienced a swelling sense of gratitude and thanks to G‑d Almighty this week for the miraculous kindnesses he has showered upon the Jewish People this week.
Almost 500 missiles rained down upon our homeland this week. The result? Not one Jew was killed. Think about that for a moment. Do you realize what this means? Did you see the video of the missile that hit a bus just moments after 50 Jewish soldiers got off the bus? Did you read the countless stories of direct hits to homes whose occupants “just happened” to be out at that time or they just “happened” to have moved to a different room moments before the missile hit? (Check them out on YouTube)
To me, the miracle is of biblical proportion. Yes, we read historical and biblical accounts of the ancient Israelites who were unscathed by massive military onslaughts; of Goliath being unable to harm David; of the Maccabees who overcame the mighty Greek army. But this week’s miracle we just lived through and witnessed with our own eyes.
Do you remember the 1991 Gulf War? For 7 weeks Iraq launched nearly 100 scud missiles onto Israel. The result? Nothing. Not one death. During that very same war, just one of those Iraqi scud missiles killed 27 US soldiers in Saudia Arabia. But when they fired the scuds at Israel – nothing!
Dear friends, we do, and should, turn to G‑d during trying and difficult times. But it is equally as important to turn to G‑d when we experience miracles and blessings.
“Give thanks to G‑d for He is good. His kindness is everlasting” (Psalms 118)
Join us in synagogue tomorrow where we will thank G‑d for these miracles and pray for the wellbeing of our fellow Californians devastated by the fires.
Fruma and our children – Malka, Yankele, Shimi, Mendel, Mushka, Riva & Rachmiel – join me in wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
