Unexpected Blessings: The Wars That Never Happened
Even amidst the turmoil and sorrow of a war thrust upon us by a cruel enemy, we discover tales of divine intervention. We must thank Hashem for events that didn't occur, as much as for the rescues in events that did. Here is a brief overview of wars in Jewish history that were suddenly averted.
(Photo: shutterstock)In the midst of the hardships and mourning of this war, forced upon us by a ruthless enemy, we often hear stories of divine assistance and heavenly mercy. Yet, all we know is nothing compared to the kindnesses we are unaware of. As the Chofetz Chaim said: Why is it stated, "Then it was said among the nations, Hashem has done great things for them"? Because only the nations know how many schemes they had, which Hashem thwarted...
This week, the newspaper "Asharq al-Awsat" reported that on Simchat Torah, a unit of Nokhba terrorists was sent to seize control of Shikma Prison near Ashkelon and to release hundreds of despicable terrorists who would have joined, G-d forbid, the horrific killing spree. The unit had a detailed sketch of the prison, equipment, and a military plan to neutralize the guards using RPG missiles, under the cover of rocket launches from Gaza.
So, what happened?
The squad got lost...
In our era, when every child has Waze, a Hamas military unit, with the latest advanced weaponry, riding in Toyota vehicles, could not navigate the ten kilometers from Gaza to Shikma Prison!
Four additional terrorists, who commanded the assault near Kibbutz Zikim, were supposed to join the mentioned squad and assist them, but these four despicable terrorists were eliminated in Zikim, thus foiling another dangerous and terrible enemy plan.
We need to thank Hashem for the events that didn't happen, as much as for the rescues in the events that did.
Several wars in Jewish history have been suddenly averted.
When Sennacherib besieged the cities of Judah, he suddenly received news that Tirhakah, the King of Cush, was taking over parts of his land, so he hurried "to pack up" and return home to settle his affairs.
Yehuda the Maccabee defeated several Greek Hellenistic battalions by divine grace; Hashem performed a miracle and delivered the many into the hands of the few. Ptolemy, the governor responsible for the Kingdom of Judea on behalf of the Hellenists, was forced to commit suicide. But when Antiochus V's regent heard of this, he gathered all his forces, 120,000 trained soldiers, 32 elephants, and thus describes the morning preparation for battle, from the Book of Maccabees:
"And the king arose early the next morning before daylight, and he led his camp suddenly by the road going up to Beth Zechariah, and he aligned his forces and blew the trumpets. And they poured on the tusks the blood of grapes and mulberry juice to incite them to fight. And they divided them according to the army units, and they assigned to each beast and every beast one thousand footmen in iron coats-of-mail and copper helmets on their heads, and five hundred chosen horsemen assigned to each beast. All these stood on the sides of the beast and did not depart from it, and wherever the beast went, there they went also. And on top of every elephant was a wooden tower fastened for protection, and thirty-two warriors, not counting the Indian man guiding the beast. And the rest of the cavalry placed at the end of the army to prevent the separation. And when the sun rose, it shone on the golden and copper shields, and the mountains shone like flashes of fire. And part of the king's forces went up the hill, and part went beneath the plain, and they moved slowly in battle array. Every listener's ears were deafened by the sound of the battle noise from the multitude and the sound of the weapons of war, in this great and terrible camp."
Yehuda had a few hundred fighters, priests, and farmers without combat training...
Yehuda and his men fought like heroes, Eleazar the Maccabee stabbed one of the elephants which collapsed, yet they had no chance.
So, what does Hashem do?
In the midst of the battle, a frantic messenger arrived from Antioch: General Philip is taking control of the royal palace. Antiochus' regent can conduct a magnificent battle with elephants, but if he lingers here, the royal throne he shall no more ascend...
The Hellenistic army turned its back on Yehuda and Jerusalem and rushed to Antioch to secure its rule. Before they left, they managed to sign a surrender agreement, allowing Yehuda the Maccabee to rule Jerusalem "according to the laws of the forefathers."
There is no restraint to Hashem to save by many or by few. He can grant victory, and He can cause the enemy to be confused, to be forced to retreat, or anything else that will prevent the war.
