I recently heard a Rav tell over the following incident:
“I was traveling a few years ago in a taxi in Yerushalayim with an Arab driver. Making small talk I asked him what he thought of the current Arab Israeli conflict (at the time there was intense uprising) . His response floored me. He said, “Look, it is all because your G-d left you. Our capacity to harm you Jews lies only in this reason. G-d took you out of Egypt, gave you Mann to eat and you left Him. He created great miracles here in Israel and you left Him.”
Yet, that isn’t 100% true. Look at the current wave of teshuva, in spite of the anti-Semitism and pogroms. Hashem’s name is still bonded in our hearts and spoken in our mouths. Even the Jewish people who do not regularly observe Torah still speak of Hashem’s glory and loving hand.
To give a sense of how G-dly a nation we truly are I take you to an army base. This month on the 11th of Tammuz a Givati Second Commanding Officer by the name of Ofer Vinter spoke to his soldiers and said, “We have completed our preparations and are ready for this moment and the mission ahead. We are ready to give up our lives in order to protect our families, our nation and our country. I lift my eyes up heavenward and recite together with you, Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad. Hashem, G-d of Israel, please bless our coming and going. We are fighting in the name of Ahm Yisrael – against those who dishonor Your name.”
Ahm Yisrael – we are holy. Our essence is compassion and kindness, tzedakah and self-sacrifice. We enjoin our tears together. Our fears are one. Together our tefillot and Tehillim are storming the Heavens. Unity cancels all harsh decrees.