We’re Living in Miraculous Times

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No Jew Left Behind

It’s the best of times; it’s the worst of times.

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech before a half-empty hall at the United Nations. Whilst Israel’s brave and courageous actions have earned the world’s respect in recent months, Israel is still despised by so many.

During his speech today, Israel dropped 60 bunker-busting bombs on the Hezbollah Headquarters in Beirut and we are still awaiting on confirmation on whether Nasrallah himself was killed together with all the remianing leadership of the Hezbollah terror group. No doubt, Israel will be criticised at the UN for defening herself from such terrorists. Israel’s recent beeper-bombs seemed to be like a script out of a sci-fi movie. Yet Israel was once again slapped on the wrist by world leaders for having the gall to defend herself so ingeniously.

In the eyes of the world, we are viewed with a paradox of awe and admiration counterbalanced by disgust and exclusion.

In light of these events, I am finally able to understand a prophecy from Isaiah, 2800 years ago.

While describing the wonders of the future redemption through Moshiach, he speaks of a great shofar that will be sounded that will inspire even the most distant and lost Jews:

“And it will be on that day, a great shofar will blow, and the lost ones of the land of Assyria and the distant ones of the land of Egypt will be inspired to serve Hashem in Jerusalem”. (Isaiah 27:13)

Whilst the prophecy is inspiring, it strikes us as a little odd as to why it references the Jews of Assyria (Iraq) and Egypt, neither of which have significant Jewish populations. Also intriguing is why the Assyrian Jews are lost and the Egyptians are called distant. It almost seems like Isaiah’s prophecy, though well intentioned, is out of touch with our time.

In an explanation which validates our national sense of isolation today, the Rebbe sheds light on the prophecy and shows us how it speaks precisely to us today.

For millennia, we Jews have mastered the art of survival under duress and persecution. Despite the ancient Romans, the Nazi, militant Jihadists, and everyone in between, we have flourished against all odds. However we have never really been tested to see how we fare in times of prosperity. Only in recent years, with a highly sophisticated and advanced Jewish army of our own are we able to celebrate freedom from oppression and quell tyranny when faced with it.

Both of these conditions have proven challenging to our spiritual wellbeing. Our bodies have suffered when persecuted; our souls have struggled when we prospered. The test of poverty might be more painful, but the test of plenty is more lethal, threatening to cut us off entirely from our Heavenly Father under the illusion of self determination and the smokescreen of self-insured security.

It is both of these groups that Isaiah speaks of in this mysterious prophecy: In Hebrew, the word “Assyria” also means pleasure. The word “Egypt” also means struggle. Whilst the Egyptian Jews—Jews of struggle—are called “distant”, the Assyrian Jews—Jews of prosperity—are called “lost”.

Thus, the prophet is telling us that the price of prosperity is far higher than that of persecution. Jews who suffered always remembered that they were Jews. The anti-Semites always made sure they knew. But Jews who prospered were quickly able to forget, with no one to remind them.

Nevertheless, Isaiah assures us that both groups will come home with the Shofar blast. Not just hunchbacked Jews, but even those on their high horses too.

In 1995, a friend of mine from South Africa, Rabbi Aron Lipskar, was heading back to Miami from visiting a jail in Daytona Beach. He and a friend had shlepped across the state to spend ten minutes laying tefillin with a Jewish inmate. On the way back, their gas tank was dangerously low. They were relieved to find an isolated gas station off the highway. After filling up, they noticed the attendant eyeing them curiously. He walked up to them and asked if they would mind stepping into the back office. Though it sounded like a bad idea, they complied. 

Upon arrival, they found an older man behind his desk. The gas attendant then said :’Dad, they have come to get you!”. As soon as he saw the two rabbinical students, he asked them “who sent you here?”. “The Rebbe”, they answered. His face turned white and tears welled in his eyes. 

The man explained that he was born into a Hasidic family in Europe before the war. His entire family perished in the Holocaust and he was the sole survivor. He moved to Miami but soon left for Daytona because there were too many Jews in Miami. He wanted to run away from his past and never face it again. He raised his family in Daytona and never revealed to them his true identity as a Jew. 

Recently, as he was flipping channels on the TV, he noticed a rabbi with a white beard, speaking in front of thousands of Chassidim. They spoke in Yiddish, a language he had long ago buried. The Rebbe spoke passionately about how every single Jew will be gathered together with the imminent arrival of Moshiach, and he felt that the Rebbe was talking to him. He told his family that he is a Jew and that there was a prophet on TV that had told him that they were coming to bring him home to his people. His children mocked him at first. But when the two Chassidim arrived at the forlorn gas station, they all knew that the time had finally come.

The test of strength and success is not easy. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Security and comfort can quickly desensitize us from our spirituality. This is why we are instructed in the opening verse of the Torah portion this week to stand together as one:

“You stand together as one before G-d, under the inspiration of your leaders..” 

When we come to Shul to learn, pray and socialize, we gather strength from the community to remain committed to our values and aspirations and stay on the right track. Trees grow crooked in the garden when alone, but grow straight in the forest when surrounded by other trees.

As we enter into the last Shabbos of the year, let us resolve to band together stronger than ever, emboldened by the promise that no Jew will ever be left behind. Draw strength in the community that surrounds you with love, knowing that we’re all in this together to support and assist each other.

Isaiah’s prophetic words seemed to be hinting to us that redemption would happen when we are both in a state of weakness (Egypt) as well as in a state of strength (Assyria). Though we’ve never been able to see how that’s even possible, it’s the world’s bizarre reactions to our people in these days that seem to be bringing this prophecy to fulfillment. So instead of despising the nations for their scorn of the Jews, let’s embrace the mysterious plan of G-d Almighty unfolding before our eyes, as we brace ourselves to experience the miracles and wonders of the era of redemption.

—

Rabbi Dovid Vigler
Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens
6100 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
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