My niece got married in Jerusalem on Wednesday. She was supposed to get married on Monday. She was supposed to have her wedding in a hall; instead it was in an apartment. She was supposed to be surrounded by many relatives; instead most were stranded in Rome and Cyprus.
But, she had a wonderful celebration.
The resilience of the Jewish people is amazing. Friends and family got together and cooked up a storm. They improvised, creating a fabulous – and memorable – event.
In fact, the unbelievable fortitude of the Jewish nation is on full display, as millions of people shelter from the relentless bombings of kindergartens, homes, hospitals, and mosques.
How does a nation develop such resilience in the face of pure evil?
Perhaps a lesson from the Parsha can help us. This week’s parsha is Parshat Shelach and its primary focus is the story of the Spies. Moshe sent 12 spies to scout out the Land of Israel, which Hashem had promised to the Jewish people.
They came back with a devastating report, which soured the Jewish people’s commitment to the land. Ultimately, the Jewish people were punished severely for this. After Moshe reprimands the Jewish people and Almighty G-d lashes out at them with brutal punishment, many Jews have an immediate change of heart and declare, “We are ready to go up to the place that G-d said.”
How did the Jews suddenly shift gears? One day they believe that entering Israel will be a suicide mission, because, “The people who inhabit the land are mighty; the cities are fortified and huge; and we even saw there the sons of the giant.” And, the next day they are gearing up to go fight!
In order to answer this question, let’s pose another one:
Can a lion disguise itself as a grasshopper?
We are living in dramatic times, with Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities and its abhorrent regime. The Israeli government has called this operation, “Am KelLavi (Yakum)” (Rising Lion). This phrase is taken from the prophecy of the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam, who stated, “Behold a people that rises like a fearsome lion, raising itself like a lion.” It depicts the Jewish people as bold and strong.
With Israel’s decisive, surprise attack on Iran – and with the resilient and brotherly Home Front – indeed the Jews have embraced the prophetic view of them as lions.
But, where was that pride and valor a week ago?
When the Spies were scouting the land, they viewed themselves as tiny and weak. In fact, they declared that, “We seemed to ourselves as tiny as grasshoppers next to them, and so did we seem to them!”
How did the Jews suddenly overcome that and declare they were ready to fight for their land?
In the book of Tanya, Rabbi Schneur Zalman (the founder of Chabad) explains: In truth, they always believed in G-d’s capacity to prevail over the Canaanite nations. However, we become easily distracted from the deep belief and faith that we possess. We then become full of doubt and infighting.
Drastic actions or events have the ability to awaken the dormant faith that lies at the core of the Jew. When G-d lashed out at them, it jolted them to refocus on their inner core. When they shed their silly shell of self-deception, the ironclad belief radiated forth.
They were really lions, but they had pretended to be grasshoppers. Once they realized that they were not grasshoppers, their unwavering commitment and courage came to the fore.
Today, as well, we are witnessing the reawakening of the Jewish soul. As grasshoppers, we doubt, bicker, and quarrel. But, as lions, we work together to defend ourselves and our values.
And, for those of us not currently stationed in the Holy Land – we too need to find the lion within us. Rashi explains that the above-quoted verse means, “When they arise from sleep in the morning, they overcome obstacles like a fearsome lion and like a lion, grabbing the opportunity to perform the commandments: to wear tzitzit, to recite the Shema, and to put on Tefilin.”
The mitzvot that we do serve as our rising contribution to connect with our brothers and sisters, and with our Father in Heaven, Who will surely continue to protect the Jewish people from harm.
Do an extra mitzvah today for Am Yisrael.
May we rise like a lion – spiritually and physically!