Their sanctification of the Almighty demonstrates that only a Zionism that derives its power from divine values of Jewish faith is able to confront and eliminate the threat to Jewish existence in Israel. Only a Zionism of faith will create the motivation and courage to overcome the moral fatigue of our government and revitalize the enthusiasm and pioneering spirit inherent in our people.
This thought is expressed clearly in this week’s parsha in the words of Bilam, in which we find a glowing description of Jewish valor that compares the awakening of Israel to a leopard and lion: “Behold the nation will rise up as a leopard, and as a lion will demonstrate his prowess” (Bamidbar 23:24)
Rashi explains the source of the power of the leopard and the prowess of the lion: “They rise up early in the morning to recite the S’hma, to put on tefillin and tzitzit.” Our spiritual roots are brought to life by the performance of mitzvot that reveal our allegiance and devotion to the word of God, which gives us the power to rise up against our enemies.
The phenomenon of a Kiryat Arba hesder yeshiva student taking swift and decisive action against a terrorist murderer — thereby preventing him from taking the lives of more innocent Jews — is a direct result of the moral values ingrained in him by his rabbis. We are grateful to the Almighty Who has granted us the privilege of being part of an educational process that produces such bravery and selfless devotion – an educational process that brought about a sanctification of Hashem and serves as a shining example to us all.