Israel Forever - Exercise in Futility

ISRAEL FOREVER

-- Exercise in Futility ------------------------------------------------ by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/2257

The Torah's warning to all the enemies who seek a "final solution to the Jewish problem" is that it is an exercise in futility.

Strangely enough this warning came from the mouth of the animal upon which the wicked heathen prophet Bilam was riding on his way to pronounce a curse on our ancestors and thus make them vulnerable to destruction.

"What have I done to you," complained the animal after being repeatedly beaten by its master for refusing to continue the journey upon seeing an angel blocking the road, "that has caused you to strike me these three times?"

The significance of the phrase "three times", Rashi points out in his commentary on this week's Torah portion, is that it was a Heavenly message to Bilam: "Do you assume you can destroy a people who celebrate sacred festivals three times a year!"

Here is the secret of Jewish survival in spite of all the plots of our enemies. So long as Jews properly celebrate their three festivals they guarantee Israel forever.

===================================== By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions

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