Sicha, 26 Nissan 5751
A. Days of Miracles
In 1991, the First Gulf War broke out. The world prepared for a large-scale war, and in Israel there was great concern about the possibility that Scud missiles, potentially equipped with chemical warheads, would fall. In the face of these serious fears, the Lubavitcher Rebbe reassured everyone and proclaimed that the Land of Israel is the safest place. Indeed, the fear of an broader war and disaster did not materialize, and through many miracles, there were no fatalities from the missiles.
In a letter written after the war, the Rebbe noted that great miracles occurred for the Jews and for the entire world: a world war had been prevented, and the victory was achieved in a short time, avoiding much greater bloodshed (Source 1).
B. Others Do the Work for Us
The Exodus from Egypt, the first redemption of the Jewish people, paved the way and gave the Jewish people the capacity to merit freedom and redemption in a miraculous manner in every generation. Therefore, in every generation we must reflect on the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt and see how they are also reflected in the miracles occurring in our own time.
The first miracle in the Exodus from Egypt occurred when the Egyptian firstborns, who feared for their lives, went out to fight against their own people and demanded that the Jews be released (Source 2).
Similarly, during the Gulf War, one could see the same phenomenon: the “firstborns” among the nations of the world—the superpowers—fought against the enemies of the Jews until victory.
C. Passover-like Miracles
The Gulf War took place in the period of the holidays of Purim and Passover. The difference between the miracles of Purim and Passover is that on Purim the miracle was clothed within the natural order. The events unfolded over an extended period of time: the feast and the killing of Vashti in the third year of Ahasuerus’s reign; the appointment of Esther as queen in the seventh year; and the decree of Haman in the twelfth. Therefore, only from a broad perspective and general reflection can one recognize how the hand of G-d guided all the events.
By contrast, the miracles of the holiday of Passover were openly above the laws of nature.
Similarly, in the events of the Gulf War, open and tangible miracles that were evident to all, both to the Jews and to the nations of the world.
D. Recognizing the Miracles
When we see that G-d performs miracles, it reminds us that the world has a Creator who saves the Jews and protects them from their enemies. This recognition leads us to thank G-d and even to break out in dancing.
E. Learning from Hezekiah
G-d wished to make Hezekiah the Mashiach, but the Divine attribute of justice protested because he did not sing praise to G-d (Source 3).
This case teaches an important lesson: when we experience a miracle from G-d, we need to thank and praise G-d—not only in our hearts, but also with our mouths.
