Taking on the Greater Enemy (Behaalotecha 6/14/25)

Taking on the Greater Enemy

The news of Israel’s attack on Iran early Friday morning was not just surprising, but also deeply concerning. How could Israel, a nation engaged in conflicts on three other fronts, have the audacity to strike such a formidable opponent? Iran’s landmass is nearly 75 times larger than that of Israel, and its population is ten times greater. The sheer scale of this war is staggering.

Indeed, Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership felt that they had no choice; they had to stop Iran from procuring nuclear weapons. Nonetheless, undertaking this war alone is a hugely ambitious endeavor. What’s the source of their sheer audacity?

This Shabbat, we listened to the words the Prophet Zechariah spoke to his generation. To those scattered, insecure Jews living in Babylon, Zechariah transmitted the promise of redemption and return to the Holy Land.

וַיַּ֜עַן וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֚ה דְּבַר ה’ אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֤א בְחַ֙יִל֙ וְלֹ֣א בְכֹ֔חַ כִּ֣י אִם־בְּרוּחִ֔י אָמַ֖ר ה’ צְבָאֽוֹת׃

“This is the word of GOD to Zerubbabel: Not by might or by power, but by My Spirit, says the GOD of Hosts.”

God said to that despondent generation, ‘Don’t focus on your enemy’s strength and numbers, but rather on my Spirit that is within you.’

How could David dare approach Goliath, or the Maccabees contemplate defeating the trained Greco-Syrian army? How did Shimon Bar Kochba and his ragtag army destroy an entire Roman legion, or how did Israel succeed against nine Arab nations in 1948 and 1967?

Zechariah’s words are engraved in our DNA. When faced with no alternative, our spirit compels us to fight rather than capitulate. Over the last 2,700 years, how many empires, nations, and cultures have disappeared? Yet, we remain. Our chutzpah drives our enemies mad, yet we persevere and overcome the most tremendous odds.

Israel’s spirit is not just about fighting; it’s also about loving their country. My main takeaway from my visit to Israel in March was the unwavering devotion of Israel’s youth to their country. They adore their homeland and are motivated to fight for it. Their passion and dedication are a beacon of hope in these challenging times.

While the world considers us a bully, we are the ones who have taken on the larger opponent. Thankfully, we have a promise not to look at their numbers but to follow our instincts and passions. We will succeed.

P.S. I will be on vacation from June 23 to July 31. If I’m not out of the country, I’ll be reachable by phone or email.

Have a wonderful summer,

R’ Neil