Rav Margolis is the rov of Carmiel
Our people have been experiencing a frenetic period for over a year, says the chief rabbi of Carmiel, HaRav Margolis. At first we thought that it would all be behind us after a month or two, but many are thoughts of man, whereas the counsel of Hashem prevails.
A year has passed since the outbreak of the plague and we are still bleeding. Devout Jews are being buried daily, each precious soul being lost to us amidst great pain. What can we do? Undoubtedly, Hashem is shaking us up terribly and chillingly, with the demise of many, many thousands of sick ones, and no less from the breach in Torah study in the botei medrash and chadorim which have been shut down. It is alarming. Only a deaf person can fail to hear and to willfully ignore it all.
It is clear that some amends must be made, and each person is privy to his own failings. HaRav Shach always used to say: What corrections must one make? Everyone best knows what he must mend. And he would quote from Chazal: "What caused the destruction of the land?" This question was asked of the chachomim and the prophets but they had no answer until Hashem provided it, saying, "Because they abandoned My Torah."
If neither the Torah leaders nor the prophets were able to provide the answer, how can anyone hope to do so?
But an individual can identify the crux more readily than a scholar, a prophet or an angel. Why? Because each person knows exactly what he must do to repair his failings and must do what is expected of him. However, one cannot make the rectification in a moment's time. But until we can achieve it, we still have a wonderful power which is the power of prayer, whereby one can change and move worlds.
Wherein lies that power of prayer?
I am fond of telling one of many stories portraying this about the great Gaon Rabbi Akiva Eiger zt"l. He was asked to pray for a sick woman, and they gave him her name. Unfortunately, only a few days later the woman passed away. When they told Rabbi Akiva Eiger, he responded, "Apparently they gave me the wrong name"
It was clear to him that if he prayed for the proper sick person she would have recovered, since prayer has the power to change nature.
The Mashgiach, HaRav Yechezkel Levenstein, quoted, "Hashem is close to all those who call unto Him, to all those who call to Him in truth." It suffice to have an iota of truth in heartfelt prayer in order for Hashem to hear and hearken, and to fulfill one's requests. The world is being greatly shaken up and the first thing we must do is to pray to the A-mighty Creator.
The Beis HaLevi comments on the posuk: "I lift my eyes unto the mountains, from where shall come my salvation" as follows: When a Jew finds himself in a difficult situation, he formulates all kinds of escape routes. In our situation, during the Corona epidemic, we ponder how we must pray and what to ask for. That Hashem endow scientists with the right vaccination or that the expert doctors find the right antidote? Perhaps there are other methods to remove this epidemic from our midst.
But the real solution lies in the power of Hashem alone. We needn't bother outlining world solutions for Hashem to save us. We must "lift out eyes and seek from where will come our salvation." To pray and not to offer Him advice on how to help us, but to internalize that "my help is from Hashem, Creator of heaven and earth." Hopefully, this plea will rise to heaven and beg succor for all the sick ones that they be healed and the well ones to remain healthy, and leave the management of the world up to Him alone. Let Him choose how to arrest this horrific epidemic.
The Rav of Carmiel seeks to focus this message: We find ourselves on the eve of Purim. HaRav Ben Zion Sternfeld, Rav of Bilsk (whose haskomoh to the Chofetz Chaim's Mishna Berurah is brought in its introduction) spoke about the gemara in Megilla 11a. Rabbi Yochonon quotes: He remembered His kindness and faith towards Beis Yisroel; all the nations of earth saw..." When? In the times of Mordechai and Esther.
The question begs to be asked: Was it only then that they saw Hashem's salvation? They surely saw it in Egypt and again when Yehoshua stopped the sun in its orbit, or by King Chizkiyohu who set the sun back several hours. There were many miracles. What, then, was so unique about the miracle in the times of Mordechai and Esther?
He derives an important fundamental: What is the difference between Helper (Ozer) and Savior (Moshi'a)? Help is when a person exerts his own efforts and Hashem lends a Hand. Salvation comes without man's input and Hashem performs His salvation beyond the rules of Nature. This is fundamental in Hashem's conduct of the world.
Parallel to this are the different names of Hashem. Hashem as opposed to Elokim. Ado—- denotes the miraculous conduct of the world where He defies the laws of nature while Elokim denotes natural conduct. Under regular, normal circumstances, He helps, but His conduct as Savior represents miraculous conduct, as in the posuk, "...the salvation of Elokeinu." But this seems contradictory since Elokim refers to natural means while "yeshua" denotes miraculous intervention.
In the miracle of Purim, both conducts were apparent. The salvation was truly enormous as a miracle, a yeshua, which was visible and tangible. And yet, each single event by itself in the whole saga of the Megilla seems altogether natural. It is only as a whole picture that one sees the miracle. This cannot be said of any other miracle. Only on Purim did we experience "yeshu'as Elokeinu," both from the aspect of miracle and from the natural developments whereby it took place.
We are not dwelling upon nature and miracle in our own situation, but leaving such things up to Hashem to conduct His world in the best way He sees fit, just as He did in the decree of Homon. Our obligation lies in crying out, in praying, as we must do in all times of trouble - to pray and be saved.
