Truly A Land of Miracles
Posted 5/12/2025
I recently had the pleasure of spending the Passover Holiday in Israel. I experienced two sirens, in the early morning hours, to shelter from incoming Houthi terrorists’ ballistic missiles. Both were shot down by Israel’s amazing “Iron Dome.”
I was amazed that despite the brutal barbarian attacks by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, and the continuous calls by the “civilized world” for Israel’s defense to stop the war, the country continues to thrive.
Throughout my travels in the land, I witnessed thousands upon thousands of brand new apartments, skyscrapers, and major global companies, being ready to be inhabited. The continuous building of infrastructures, such as highways, railroads, and new communities, was so inspiring. You have to remember that this miracle is going on while thousands of employees are in the military defending our Jewish homeland.
Unfortunately and tragically, we are reminded of the human sacrifice every few days of soldiers who fell in battle.
Regrettably, no civilized nation is confronting the monsters of the Iran regime, except foolishly trying to coax them to curtail their ghoulish nuclear development.
I also visited the Israel Police Deputy Commissioner’s office, the police station inside the Western Wall Plaza, as well as the police station in Bet Shemesh. I presented the officers spiritual coins in gratitude from the American Jewish community for their service.
Despite the political winds changing not in Israel’s favor (what else is new!), as in the past, Israel’s future is bright because of the spirit of the people of Israel and support from the Jewish community outside her borders.
As Israel celebrates two milestones in the Jewish month of Iyar-אייר, Independence Day – 5th day of IIyar,1948, and Re-Unification of Jerusalem – 28th day of IIyar, 1967, let me remind you that the initials of IIyar in Hebrew is “אני ה’ רופאך” (שמות טו, כו).
“I am G-d, your healer.” Exodus 15, 26.
As we prepare for the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot-שבועות, let us remember the emotional words of recently released Israel hostage, Agam Berger,:
“בדרך אמונה בחרתי, בדרך אמונה שבתי”
“I chose the path of my faith, and by that choice I returned home.”
It was, and is, the continuous chain of faith that has blessed us with the rebirth of Israel in our time.
G-d bless Israel’s Armed Forces and Police for a future without wars.
Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz