A Miracle of Biblical Proportions!

There are rare times in our lives that G-d performs miracles of Biblical proportions, and all we need to do is open our eyes and witness the incredible unfolding before us.

This past weekend was one such time.

As Shabbat ended, I turned on my phone and saw that a group of Jews had been taken hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. Like everyone else, I was glued to the news, latching onto every new snippet of information as it was released.

“Please G-d, let them be safe!” was all I could think, as I prayed, and encouraged everyone else to pray and do good deeds for their wellbeing and safe release.

Although this terrorist, may his name be erased, chose Jews in Colleyville, this was a personal attack against all Jews the world over. Which is why we are all shaken. This isn’t some distant happening; this happened to us!

We live in a dark world; one which conceals the face of G-d. Of course, we know He orchestrates everything that transpires, but He hides Himself. We don’t see Him at work.

But on Saturday night, we did. G-d revealed Himself to us in an incredible and unprecedented way! The fact that the standoff ended without a single Jew being harmed is a miracle of Biblical proportions—one of those rare moments when G-d reveals Himself directly to us.

Think of the all the recent terrorist attacks and hostage situations. Unfortunately, there have been all too many: The Mumbai attacks, Toulouse massacre, Burgas, Sandy Hook, Charlie Hebdo, Orlando Shooting, Pittsburgh, Jersey City, Poway and so many more vicious attacks against us. Not one of them ended without blood being spilled.

And here, not even a scratch! It is nothing but a sheer, open miracle. Let’s take a moment to simply say “Thank you, Hashem!” for this incredible feat that unfolded in front of our very eyes.

And after that, how should we respond?

This terrorist just happened to take his hostages in Texas, but we were all his targets. So we all need to respond. Let’s commit to dramatically increasing our observance of mitzvot. Commit to putting on tefillin daily, lighting Shabbat candles every week, giving regular tzedakah, and making Torah study a steady part of our lives.

Most importantly, we cannot allow fear to cower us. This Shabbat, make it a point to go to shul. Show up. Be out and open and proudly Jewish. Let’s gather in thanks for the miracle we witnessed last weekend, and demand from G-d that this one-off revelation become the norm, with the coming of Moshiach, when we will see His hand at work openly at all times.

Thank you Hashem