In the brocha immediately preceding Shema in the morning, we conclude: “And You have brought us close to Your great name forever in truth, to offer praiseful thanks to You and proclaim Your oneness with love…”
We see from this brocha that the FIRST listed reason that Hashem has brought us close to Him is so that we can offer appropriate thanks. Let us consider the following: Although every injury is traumatic and every death is equivalent to the death of an entire world, if we note the hundreds upon hundreds of missiles and other projectiles that have been hurled by murderers upon our men, women and children in populated cities, towns, and villages over the last days (140 missiles just during yesterday) and compare it to the actual number of tragic casualties, we will find what the murderers would deem to be an incredible (miraculous) failure. On the very same days that the rockets were landing among apartment houses and city centers, individual suicide bombers and limited tsunamis in other areas of the world were taking seemingly far greater tolls. We understand that stories have already been written about the miracles taking place in Tzefas and other areas where the missiles have fallen, or not fallen.
Thus, as we continue to implore Hashem to shower His mercy upon us, let us not forget to take the special effort to thank Hashem for the miracles that are with us daily, in war as well as in peace. The most appropriate place for offering these thanks would appear to be in the brocha of Modim in Shemone Esrei each day.
With respect to our continuing Tehillim recitation, especially the recitation of Chapters 83, 130, and 142 in public, each shul’s Rav may have a particular p’sak about such recitation on Shabbos. See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 288:9) and Mishne Berurah there; also see Teshuvos V’Hanhagos (3:97).
Finally, we have received the text of a Public Proclamation signed by 30 leading Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva in the United States calling on Shuls and Yeshivos to gather together this coming Sunday between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for Tehillim and Selichos on behalf of each and every member of Klal Yisroel who is in tzara--in captivity--or otherwise needs a yeshua.
May the coming days take us from distress to relief, from darkness to light and from subjugation to redemption
Important Numbers
