We are still paying a heavy price for the horrible mistake of the disengagement in 2005 from our land in Gaza. Four yidden lost their lives in this last barrage of missile attacks, and much damage was encountered. If one needed any proof that giving Arabs land in exchange for peace was not a wise decision, look no further than Gaza. In 2005 Israel naively disengaged from a massive portion of land and gave it to the Arabs. Since then there have been thousands of rockets fired at Israel from that exact piece of land and many casualties. Yet we still hear of people making the same ridiculous suggestion time and again.
There is a wonderful speech that was sent around social media claiming that it was Binyamin Netanyahu’s words spoken in front of the Knesset. It contains some uplifting words and a courageous claim that we were on the verge of taking back the Gaza Strip. It sounded too good to be true, and it was. In fact, a quick Google search pulled this “speech” up from July of 2014.
In this speech, which one could only wish was actually given, it begins by stating that we owe Hamas gratitude for unifying us. Hamas made us realize that while we are all their targets, no matter the level of affiliation or other discrepancies, and we should be unified in all other areas of life as well.
We must not lose sight of who is running the world and who orchestrated the recent rocket attacks, and the insubstantial and meaningless ceasefire. The rockets were sent for a purpose.
The Gemara in Megilla 14a says that the transfer of Achashverosh’s ring was greater than all of the nevi’yim. The Gemara explains that the purpose of a navi is to bring Klal Yisrael to teshuvah. The transfer of Achashverosh’s ring to Haman brought about more teshuvah than the nevi’yim did. This is true of all harsh decrees; they can bring us to a level of teshuvah that would otherwise not be achieved. In a similar vein, the 700 rockets that Hamas has fired can bring us to teshuvah and let us not waist this opportunity.
Additionally, it should be noted, and must not be taken for granted, that while there were more than 700 rockets fired into Israel, there were only four casualties. Although we have witnessed this same miracle before, it is an open miracle nonetheless. We must thank Hashem for each miracle that he performs for us, especially the open ones, as this was.
Unfortunately, Israel did not wipe out Gaza and re-annex it. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the nekama that Hashem will one day take on our enemies. And unfortunately, that speech was not given. But one day it will be given, by Melech Hamashiach. Melech Hamashiach will unite us and take back our lands and gather all of us back to our home land, may it be speedily in our days, amen.