Color Red

Tehillim (psalms) 83:19 – “That they may know that it is You alone Whose Name is the L-rd, the Most High over all the earth”
 
Without emuna*, life would be very tense right now (Dec, 2012).  As of this writing, a ceasefire is still being upheld between Israel and our southern neighbors, Hamas and their ilk, but experience has taught us it is only a matter of time before things revert back to the way they were. Prior to Israel’s defensive action known as Amud Anan, or Pillar of Defense (Cloud), the southern towns of Israel had been subjected to constant barrages of missiles. The situation was unbearable until the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) came to the aid of her people. The numerous miracles were clear to most Israelis watching events unfold, regardless of their religious affiliation. The odds were stacked against us, yet the deadly projectiles were divinely redirected, in most cases, away from the population. As expected, much of the outside world viewed our lack of massive casualties as no more than the result of unbalanced force from our side and bad aim on theirs. We know better.
 
This confrontation, along with the multitude of other difficulties affecting the world both internationally and on a personal level, are all part of the prophetically revealed turbulence we are expected to endure as we inch closer to Mashiach.  Instead of spending our time and energy blaming and complaining, we must strengthen ourselves to hold on to Hashem and His Torah. As we are being tossed about like a ship in a stormy ocean we must anchor ourselves firmly to avoid being lost at sea. Any effort to stay on deck will be met with protection from our Almighty G-d.  He just needs to know that we are onboard with Him.
 
In solidarity with those running for cover at the sound of the siren – the shriek of “tzeva adom”, color Red – people began wearing red shirts and utilizing red as a sign of unity. Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered together, forming a human sea of red.  In Judaism, the color red is significant in various ways; it can represent blood, sin, fire and judgment, but it can also stand for strength. When we join together toward a common goal with brotherly love, it lessens the blood, sin, fire and judgment as we are fortified by Hashem’s personal shield.
 
The color red is also indicative of a very special time in the history of the Jewish people. We all know the story of the parting of the Red Sea when the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt.  Pharaoh and his army chased them into the banks of the water, but upon Hashem’s direction, Moses led them through to safety. The Jewish people witnessed the miracles and they understood that Hakadosh Baruch Hu, The Holy One, Blessed is He, was with them on their journey. We look back and say “Of course, they saw the miracles. The sea split before their very eyes”. Also, during the trek through the desert to the Land of Israel which lasted forty years, G-d sent Amud Anan, the Clouds of Glory, to shelter them along the way.
 
So why can’t we so boldly proclaim the wonders that we observe today? Over 1500 rockets, including Grads and several Fajr 5 missiles, were aimed at our population centers and many were either intercepted by the Iron Dome or fell into empty spaces. Had it been left up to statistical reality, the results would have been devastating. There could have been hundreds, if not thousands of deaths and severe injuries, G-d forbid. (The five fatalities we suffered were five too many, HY”D).  Let’s open our souls and publicize the miracles for what they truly are!
 
We go about our day discussing what should have been done and what mistakes were made, instead of focusing on the fact that it is all the way Hashem has planned. We have absolutely no control over anything other than how we live our own individual lives.  Realistically, these miracles should allow us to breathe calmly with the knowledge that He is right here in our midst. Everything will work out for our good as long as we follow His Laws and try to work on ourselves. Harmony, compassion, kindness and generosity are the order of the day, and most importantly, holiness.  Also, through hitbodedut, talking one-on-one with our Heavenly Father, our sins can be tossed into the raging waters as we do symbolically before Yom Kippur during Tashlich. Our fears should disappear right along with them.
 
Tehillim (psalms) 121:4: “Behold, He neither slumbers nor sleeps, the Guardian of Israel”
 
As we ride the monstrous waves on our present-day Red Sea, constantly being thrown off balance from the repeated surges of terror, we can confidently shout out loud with abundant joy: Shema Yisrael – Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One. Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom forever.
 
May our enemies finally be vanquished and “May it be Your will, Hashem, our G-d and G-d of our forefathers, that the Holy Temple will be rebuilt, speedily in our days.” Amen.
 

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*emuna – The firm belief in a single, supreme, omniscient, benevolent, spiritual, supernatural and all-powerful Creator of the universe, who we refer to as G-d (from The Garden of Emuna).