At the beginning and often at the end of almost every Shacharit service, the prayer Adon Olam is recited. While every line of this prayer is quite powerful, one line sticks out, and that is the last line. “Adonai Li, Ve Lo Yira”. “G-d is with me, I shall not fear”. This verse may sound familiar, as it is based on Psalms 23, 6 where it says, “Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil for You are with me.” 

Divine protection is something present all throughout Jewish History, from the Maccabees fighting Antiochus to Israel fighting off an Arab invasion in 1948, 1967, and 1973. While Israel’s military capabilities and the Maccabees motivation and knowledge of the land can be attributed as factors that helped the Jewish people succeed in these instances, many in the religious community turn to the Torah for the source of this success. 

In This week’s Parsha, the Torah states, “Your army shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall by the sword before you” (Leviticus 26:7-8). G-d promises that if we follow through on our covenant, perform Mitzvot, and engage in Tikkun Olam, G-d promises to protect us. It has been evident before in Jewish history, and G-d willing will continue to be seen, but G-d is always on our side. G-d will help us defend against invading armies, as G-d has for thousands of years before us, and G-d will continue protecting us and taking care of us, as we continue to see daily. 

With antisemitism on the rise, this protection could not be more necessary, and it is crucial that as Jews we know G-d is always on our side and will always take care of us. Whenever one is struck by fear, they can always turn to the fact that if all else fails, G-d will protect them. Keep doing as many Mitzvot as you can and living proudly as Jews, as it is true, “Adonai Li, Ve Lo Yira”, G-d is with us all, so there is no reason to have any fear.

Shabbat Shalom

Luiz Gandelman, 99th Grand Aleph Mazkir

Hurricanes AZA, Miami Region