We find the Menahel Ruchani of Yeshivas Mir, HaRav Binyamin Finkel, during these chaotic days, in the afternoon, between one chuppah and another, of weddings taking place in the afternoon. He describes the following:
Eretz Yisroel has suffered through several wars in these recent years. As children, we lived through the Six Day War here in Yerushalayim. We were terrified, while the central part of the country was quiet. There were periods when the North suffered acute unrest while all was quiet on the southern part. Now, the whole country is in turmoil. There is no respite anywhere. We are under fire all the time, may Hashem preserve us.
We are endangered; it is a time of constant fear. But if we only open our eyes, we will discern that amidst the suffering and darkness, we can see a great light.
We certainly need much Heavenly mercy. The situation is not at all simple nor is it in our hands. We have reached a state where what we must do is draw closer to Hashem, to fortify ourselves all the time. Our obligation is doubled and tripled. We must pity our brethren wherever they may be.
Everyone is seized with fright and anxiety. Not only here in Eretz Yisroel but throughout the world, especially those abroad who have children living here but the danger threatens everywhere else as well. The gemara in Yuma (10:1) tells that Persia (Iran) will fall in the hands of Rome (the Western world). Moshiach will only come after the 'kingdom of Rome' has spread throughout the world. We need Heavenly mercy that we survive this with kindness and pity.
We must make our own effort and not act haphazardly. Some people go outside to see missiles being intercepted in the skies. This is a mortal danger. We once thought that everything is protected, but we saw several missile fragments which fell not far from the yeshiva and in other areas of concentrated housing. Shell fragments are not negligible, but very dangerous.
The true and preferred conduct of these days is to create a positive atmosphere in the home. Caution must be taken, but not through panic. Panic and fear can cause more damage than the danger itself.
An avreich asked me whether to wake the children up in the middle of the night at the sound of the alarm. I said that he should ask the rav of his neighborhood. It depends on several factors: if there is a protected room or not; if there is a shelter in the building; on which floor does he live and so on. And even if they must go down, it should be calmly, not pressured, not from a feeling of fear and tension.
Hashem has shown us kindness that in these times, there is an advance warning and we can descend without panic but with a strong faith that Hashem is in charge. We can even sing with the children, if possible, so that they remain calm. The Guardian of Jewry neither sleeps nor slumbers.
Through all the fog and uncertainty we see that America praises Israel and helps us. All the talk was: Trump is threatening. Will he attack or not?
I want to tell you: to trust in America is forbidden. Chas vesholom. We have no one to learn on but our Father in Heaven. But if they are saying and doing nice things it is important.
On Yomim Noraim we say, "Place in the hearts of the rulers and the advisers for our good." So when we hear that they are speaking favorably of us and acting to help us, we thank HaKodosh Boruch Hu that he caused America to view us favorably. Iran wanted to destroy and murder and then we hear that Trump attacked. Thank you for that.
But whom do we thank? Not America but HaKodosh Boruch Hu for putting into his heart to do this.
