Where Did All the Miracles Go?

One common question among those who don't observe religious commandments concerns the straightforward reality we live in: "Let's say there's a Creator of the world," they muse, "why doesn't He perform miracles to make us believe and follow His ways? For Him, it would be no problem, and for us, we'd know the truth—if it is indeed the truth." Another point they raise is that the Bible is brimming with stories of open miracles, yet today such marvels are absent from our daily lives. They long for "just one grand miracle," reasonably enough. So why doesn't Hashem perform more miracles for us today? We set out to find answers.

"In a reality of open miracles, the expectations on people to behave correctly are significantly higher, and so is the immediacy of punishment," explains Rabbi Zamir Cohen, head of the Hidabroot organization. "This was the situation when the Israelites were in the desert. They witnessed miracles like water from a rock or manna from the sky, but the moment they sinned, punishment followed swiftly. Back then, miracles were necessary because there was no other way for them to first recognize the Creator. They lacked the detailed historical evidence that we have today to acknowledge the Divine. Once they entered the Promised Land, things changed. Miracles became more concealed, and what we call 'the slow path' took precedence.
"There's another reason: when Hashem created the world and established its laws, His desire was for the world to function according to those initial laws without frequent alterations. Only when it was essential for recognition did He alter nature, as He said, 'that you may tell in the ears of your son.' He documented these events in the Torah, which stands as a verified certificate throughout all generations, something whose truthfulness can be demonstrated. Hashem doesn't need to deviate from His laws at the behest of every demand. There is a story to illustrate this: Rabbi Yisrael Salanter heard that a wealthy man had begun to falter in observing commandments. He visited him, and the wealthy man declared, 'If Hashem performs miracles, I'll start believing.' The Rabbi pondered how to respond, when suddenly the man's daughter returned from high school with a certificate in piano proficiency. She enthusiastically shared the news with her father, and the Rabbi gently expressed skepticism about certificates. He asked her to prove her skills, but she brushed it off and went to another room. The Rabbi asked the father about this, and he explained she didn't feel the need to prove herself since she had a certificate. The Rabbi replied, 'There's your answer. Hashem doesn't dance to everyone's tune. He wrote a certificate that can be proven true in numerous ways, and He doesn't perform miracles at everyone's whim.'

"Moreover, anyone with some spiritual sensitivity can feel the hidden miracles that accompany us to this day—in both the collective life of the Jewish people and in our individual lives," adds Rabbi Zamir Cohen. "Take for example the numerous rockets fired at us from Gaza and compare that with the number of casualties in the populated areas they strike. Additionally, all of nature surrounding us is a clear miracle. We have a fiery ball that rises and sets every day, allowing life on Earth—the sun. Its precise distance from Earth allows water to remain liquid, balanced perfectly between steam and ice. If we were closer, Earth would be scorched; if further, we'd freeze to death. Then consider the incredible immune system within the human body, the oxygen percentage in our atmosphere, photosynthesis. There is always someone ensuring everything stays balanced, because if there was too much oxygen, a single match would ignite the planet. If it was lower, breathing would be difficult. Isn't that a miracle?".

Rabbi Yiftach Sofer uses the old show "Yotzet Tzaddik" by Chaim Hecht to illustrate Hashem's inconspicuous presence. "If all professionals knew they were being filmed, everyone would appear righteous, so no commendation or medal they earned would have any meaning. The challenge and struggle are the real issues," he explains. "Secondly, anyone truly wanting to see miracles just needs to open their eyes. Today, many doctors also acknowledge the existence of miracles beyond nature—patients with no chance of recovery.

"Furthermore, we've seen in the past that miracles don't immediately lead to faith and observance. The Israelites witnessed the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Torah, yet they still created the golden calf. We've heard of people who saw great miracles, not mere trifles, yet continued in their transgressions. If someone is driven by desire for wealth, for women—if they see a miracle, will it quell that desire? Can a miracle silence the craving? In other words, sometimes a person thinks if they witness a miracle, they'll repent, but it's known that if there's no will to change, nothing will help. Therefore, miracles are not the solution. The answer lies in a far deeper place, with a genuine and honest quest for truth."