Torah

Based on shiurim by Rav Yisrael Altusky, shlita – Yeshiva Torah Ore, Yerushalayim

 I’m writing this article on Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Korach, one week after hearing the news about the U.S. bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities. I happened to wake up at 5 a.m., looked at my phone, and saw three alerts (not sirens) for incoming missiles. I turned on the radio and heard about the attack. I couldn’t fall back asleep—not sure why—and ended up davening early. Who would’ve thought that one week later there would be a ceasefire, the airport would open up, and everything would return to normal?

Each individual has their own perception of reality, their own view on religion, and their own ideas about leadership. Every religion as well has its own perceptions and views on these topics, and just as a person’s views serve as a gateway into understanding their inner beliefs and values, a religion’s views serve as a window into its inner beliefs and value system.

The human mind possesses the powerful ability to create order and meaning from disorder and chaos. We find patterns in scattered texts, correlations in scrambled data, and harmony in individually meaningless pieces of information. Applying this ability to spiritual wisdom allows one to enter the gateway into the infinite, gaining access to the deepest and most powerful truths of existence.

News flash: We are at war with Iran. After two Iranian missile attacks on Israel and their support of terrorist groups who openly attack Israel, Israel’s preemptive strike has certainly declared open war. Iran isn’t Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis—they sponsor them! Attacking a sovereign country is always more challenging. But without a doubt, we have experienced amazing miracles—miracles through natural means that are not at all natural! Everything is falling into place in miraculous ways. There have also been tragedies. This war brings surprises and great inconveniences.

We have all just heard the news of the U.S. bombing Iranian nuclear sites. Baruch Hashem! While the full extent of the damage is not yet known, the fact that it happened—and certainly caused extensive damage—is terrific! When all elements of an operation work together perfectly, it’s nothing short of miraculous.

It is always important to reinforce our commitment to the journey of faith. There is no greater act of emunah than living a spiritual, holistic life in an often chaotic, fragmented world. The famous words, “kedoshim tihiyu — you shall be holy,” are not a call to be transcendent, angelic beings — lofty and perfect, completely beyond the struggle innate to the human condition. This is not permission to deny our humanity or restrict our sense of self. This is a calling to be human — to be the ultimate human, to bring transcendence and spirituality into this world.