B"H
Thursday, Cheshvan 9, 5777 / November 10, 2016
It’s the day after the elections in the USA. This election was perhaps one of the most participated and most enthusiastic of elections. More people were passionate about this election than any other that I can remember. While many people voted for one of the candidates as a protest vote against the other candidate, many have voted for the ideas the candidates stood, or were presumed to stand, for.
We pray and wish the newly elected president of the USA, Mr. Donald Trump, good health and Divine guidance in leading the country. We wish him to lead to a better and more peaceful world. To take a hard stand when needed and be compassionate to all.
The Talmudic sages, over two thousand years, say, “You should always pray for the welfare of the government, for if not for the fear of government, one would swallow the other alive..”
Whether it’s the government we chose or not, we must pray for the welfare of the government which governs the land. Even if they are not perfect (and who is) they do keep stability and order in the land. I believe this to be especially true with the election of Mr. Trump, who advocates law and order. We pray for his welfare and the welfare of his cabinet and government.
Our sages say, “The hearts of kings and ministers are in G-d’s hands.” Although, it is the people of America who choose the government, in truth it was G-d’s hand that pulled every lever at the polling stations. We believe that Divine Providence is everywhere and at all times. This is especially true in this election where the chances for Mr. Trump to be elected was laughed off from the very beginning and all predictions were against him. We see G-d’s hand here in a more revealed way than in any other election of our time.
As Jews we are always concerned, and rightfully so, about the welfare of our beloved country, Israel. The country which is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. I pray that Mr. Trump will care, not only for the U.S., but for America’s true friend and only democracy in the Middle East – Israel.
It is Divine Providence that Mr Trump’s election took place this week, when we read Parshat Lech L’cha, in which G-d promises our forefather, Abraham, the Land of Israel (Canaan) as an eternal inheritance to the Jewish people.
G-d said to Abraham, “Raise your eyes, from the place where you are; look to the north, to the south, to the east and to the west. Because to you and to your descendants I will give this land for eternity.”
Q.How many years was it from G-d’s promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land, until they actually came to the land of Israel?
A.470 years later. It was 430 years after G-d’s promise that they were liberated from Egypt and another 40 years of wandering in the desert, before going into Israel.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY