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Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
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Most Miraculous Miracle
If a person wants to see a miracle nowadays, all he has to do is look at a Jew. A Jew living today is the greatest miracle a person will ever see. As the Aruch Hashulchan[1] writes אין לך אות ומופת גדול מזה, there is no wonder greater than this.
More than 3300 years ago, our ancestors were in Mitzrayim where 80% of our nation perished. Yet Hashem preserved our ancestors so that you can be here today. At the time of the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash, the death toll was enormous but Hashem wanted you to be here today. Hashem made certain that we made it through the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash. The number of people that died during the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash was similarly staggering. Josephus writes that the number of people that died was 1.1 million. Then the Romans hunted down each Jew that they could find. But Hashem wanted you and so He saved your ancestors.[2]
Thousands of Jews were massacred during the crusades but Hashem wanted you. in the year 1391, 200,000 Jews were forcibly converted in Spain but Hashem invested in you. 300,000 Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492 and tens of thousands were killed. Hashem saved your ancestors from the Chmielnicki pogroms so that you can be here today.[3] We are a fraction of a fraction that has survived the selection of the Jewish people.
Hashem has been looking out for you for 3300 years. Your ancestor was rescued from the Holocaust so that you can be alive today. For a Jew to be here is not statistically unlikely or not highly improbable. It is IMPOSSIBLE! The greatest miracle!
Here are the astounding words of R' Yaakov Emden.[1] “How can the heretic in G-d’s providence not be ashamed? Simply analyze our situation in this world. We are an exiled people, and despite all that has happened to us over thousands of years we are still here. I swear that when I marvel at this wonder, it is much greater to me than all the miracles that Hashem performed for our ancestors in Mitzrayim, the midbar and in Eretz Yisrael.”
So the greatest miracle in the history of the world Hashem performed for you. And this is because He wants you, your tefillos, your Torah and mitzvos. Throughout the history of the universe, there is nothing that Hashem has invested Himself in more than in the existence of each Jew!
In light of what we have said, we can explain why Tisha B’Av is called a moed.[2] Just like Pesach commemorates the miracles of the exodus from Mitzrayim and Sucos commemorates the miracle of the Ananei Hakavod, Tisha B’Av commemorates the greatest miracle of all — the miracle of Jewish survival and eternity.[3]
[1] Introduction to his Siddur Beis Yaakov. This was written close to 300 years ago. What would he say today?
[2] Eicha 1:15.
[3] Sefer Magid Ha’rakia, p. 232, Tisha B’Av. Another explanation as to why Tisha B’Av is called a Moed (Eicha 1:15) although it is such a sad day is the following. With growth and creation, the first step is the withering, the rotting of what is already present. Only then can growth take place. Consider a grain seed that has been planted where only once the existing seed has rotted the new plant can begin to take shape. With this R' Pinchas Koritzer (Imrei Pinchas, Tisha B’Av, 388) explains why Tisha Ba’v is called a Moed. He explains that to create there must first be destruction. The same applies to the Churban where the great light of Moshiach (see Tanchuma, Naso 11) is preceded by the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. The destruction of the Beis Hamikdash which actually transpired on that day is thus actually a crucial part of the redemption. The ultimate goal for this special day however is one of Moed and celebration as it has been destined to be the day upon which Hashem reveals His special light. It is inherently a day in which celebration is in order.
[1] Orach Chaim 1:10. See also Devarim 28:37, Rashi.
[2] There have been many nations and countries at the top at some point in history, yet have crumbled to its destruction. Such nations include Greece, Russia and Nazi Germany. This is what is meant in קול ה' שבר ארזים, the voice of Hashem breaks the cedars (Tehillim 29:5).
[3] It seems like many times throughout history, the pasuk (Amos 5:19) כאשר ינוס איש מפני הארי ופגעו הדב, when a man flees from before a lion and encounters a bear, was unfortunately fulfilled, as they met one brutal regime after the next.