* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
1. The good can surprise us too! On October 7 we learned the barbaric power of evil, which exceeded the worst anyone could imagine. But now we have witnessed a display of force in the opposite direction: a dramatic explosion of thousands of terrorist beepers, many terrorists have been eliminated or seriously wounded. This was a mysterious explosion, remotely activated, that occurred simultaneously in every beeper and without any of our troops in Lebanon. This was a bold, sensational, historic action that will find an honored place in the annals of military intelligence operations. This is news from which we can draw strength in the continuation of our struggle. May more good news surprise us, with God’s help, in the days ahead.
2. This is a reminder that most important things happen beneath the surface. Who knows how many people were involved in this operation, how they did it, and when it was planned. We will probably never know. We must not only thank the anonymous actors in this drama, but internalize their humility and quiet devotion to their mission. And we can only surmise what is going on behind the scenes even now and what tomorrow will bring.
3. Lieutenant Colonel Udi Ben Hamo (res.) asked this question: “How can it be that whoever planned and executed this operation up north did not see the very real, open threat in the south? We are the most sophisticated and professional army in the world — when we want to be and when we open ourselves to receive God’s influx of assistance and blessing. The story here is not about capacity, but perspective and values. There will always be wind in the sails of our ship, but it’s up to us to keep that ship maintained and afloat through the various physical and spiritual means available to us.
4. Today is all about gratitude. The air is cleaner today. Many wicked people were neutralized or wounded. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we cry out in our prayers for the safety of our soldiers, the return of our hostages, and the healing of our wounded. But our sages have taught us that prayer also pertains to joy and thanksgiving and we are encouraged to recite Psalm 100 upon hearing good news: “A song for a thanksgiving offering. Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy, come before Him with praise. Know that the Lord is God; He made us and we are His people and the flock of His pasture. Come into His gates with thanksgiving, [into] His courtyards with praise; give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His kindness is forever, and until generation after generation is His faith.
May we hear more good news.
5. Mean while, back in Israel, it’s absolutely amazing. Everyone has seen the pictures of the pager attacks in Lebanon, but what most people don’t realize is that while that operation was in full swing, the pictures you see below were taken at Kibbutz Ortal in the northern Golan Heights near the border. While thousands of pagers and terrorists were exploding in Lebanon in yet another mysterious and historic operation, members of Kibbutz Ortal were busy planting a new kiwi plantation.
It's important to recognize that the incredible operation that took place in Lebanon was not the goal itself. It was a vital and necessary step in order to achieve the real and lasting goal— of the Jewish people being able to live in peace in our homeland, safe and secure and of returning home— both to the Torah that to the Land of Israel. When this goal will be fully realized, the entire world will be blessed.
So we thank you, Kibbutz Ortal, for completing your “operation” successfully too.
