Wake up Am Yisrael! Redemption time has arrived
In Israel, the term “miracle” has been bandied about, perhaps at times recklessly. However, no one but the most hard-hearted can deny that the remarkably thwarted flydubai jet hijacking with no loss of life or serious injury over a hostile country with which we (as yet) have no diplomatic relations, all represent the very definition of the word miracle.
As several people have pointed out, had this not been hijacking not be stopped, a tragedy combining the worst elements of 9/11 and October 7, would have resulted in the loss of 174 Jewish lives, including 27 children, as well as innocent non-Jews and who knows, G-d forbid, who else on the ground if the plane had crashed in Israel.
On top of that it “just so happened” that the injured pilot was able to open the locked cockpit door before he collapsed, it “just so happened” that the noise of the struggle in the cockpit was heard by nearby passengers who heroically entered, it ”just so happened” that one of those, the Israeli who saw the plane was descending rapidly (over 20,000 feet in about 40 seconds) knew he had to pull up on the stick to prevent a crash, because he saw it several times on a “Mayday” TV series, it “just so happened” that “deadheading” pilots were on the flight, “it just so happened” that a doctor was on board and actually identified himself and got up to help.
As we know, nothing “just so happens,” all is under the control of the Master of the Universe.
For Torah observant, G-d fearing Jews, especially those who know Tanach, this is understood.
• • •
In parshat Eikev, (Devarim 11:12), were read that Israel is “a Land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out; the eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are always upon it.”
Postings by and interviews with both survivors on the plane and thoughtful observers have shown them displaying clear, unabashed joy and appreciation to the G-d of Israel for intervening in the most explicit way to save His people from disaster. This is the definition of a nes nigleh, an open miracle. There is no other explanation for it.
And about this, Tanach has been clear. The prophet Micah reveals that at the End of Days, at the time of Israel’s Redemption, “As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them [all the nations, the whole world!] my wonders”.
All that it requires is we be awake, receptive and attentive. It requires us, the Jewish people, to “wake up” and realize what Hashem is doing for us, and them. As Yeshayahu, 52:1, says:
Wake up! Wake up! Don your strength, O’ Zion.
And in Yeshayahu 60:1:
Arise! Shine! For your light has arrived, and the glory of Hashem has shined upon you!
This is Hashem’s promise and instruction to us, now. — to bring this message to the nations of the world.
• • •
This is precisely where the midrash Yalkut Shimoni gets its language, that in the hour when King Moshiach arrives, he will ascend to the roof of the newly built Beit Hamikdash and declare to Israel:
Humble ones! The time for your Redemption has arrived! And if you don’t believe, see my light that shines upon you!
Isn’t that what last week’s remarkable event was? An open display of Hashem’s Glory shining upon us?
Yet there is an even greater miracle we are witnessing every single day, but we must be awake and open to seeing it.
The existence of this country arising from the ashes of all our many years of persecution, the fact that after the horrors of October 7, which we commemorated on Shmini Atzeret, we are still here, stronger and more faithful to Hashem than ever — that is a miracle we sometimes don’t properly appreciate.
The best way to show Hashem our light is by paralleling His light, His glory, and by showing Him we’ve learnt the lesson of October 7. And that despite many challenges we will endeavor to bring about true ahavat achim, much the same way all those heroes on the plane came together to save them all from certain disaster.
Now that would be a real miracle!
Shabbat shalom.
Dr. Alan A. Mazurek is a Great Neck native who now lives in Jerusalem and Florida.
