Revenge

The final task given to Moshe Rabbeinu before his death, was to take revenge against the Midyanite people. The text of the Torah is clear in the usage of the word, נקום, meaning, “to take revenge.”

There is some misunderstanding of this word, נקמה, revenge. There is a commandment in the nineteenth chapter of Vayikra, that tells us לא תקום ולא תטור, not to take revenge and not to bear a grudge. This applies to Jews against other Jews. We must learn to forgive and get along. But Nekama is absolutely permitted concerning the enemies of the Jewish people.

We must not forget that hatred of the Jew, is synonymous with hatred of the G-d of the Jewish people. If this hatred turns to actions against our people, it is a statement on their part, that, “Jews are nothing, and their G-d is nothing.” This is Chillul Hashem, a desecration of the Name of G-d.

When Hashem helps us to eliminate and take vengeance on those who wish to harm us, it is a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of the Name of G-d. It is a time for rejoicing and giving thanks that evil has been eradicated.

Clearly, the world is a better place when leaders of Hamas and Hizballah meet their deaths in such a terrifying manner. This is Divine justice, and there is more of this to come.

The heroism and bravery of our soldiers, and the pain suffered at the loss of so many precious holy Jews, will not be for naught. There is a Divine plan unfolding that will lead to great celebrations, when all of our enemies will be crushed, as vengeance and justice will prevail. At that time, the world will know that there is a G-d in Israel. He neither sleeps nor slumbers, the Protector of Israel.

Great days are ahead as good will be victorious over evil, the sacred over the profane, sanity over craziness, and the light of Torah, will once again shine in the world. We must never stop believing that the future is bright.