Amid the ongoing “Shaagat HaAri” war and dramatic developments in Iran, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Sfas Emes, Rav Shaul Alter, delivered remarks connecting current events to the approaching days of Purim, emphasizing that Jewish strength lies not in military calculations but in trust in Hashem and immersion in Torah.

Rav Alter drew a clear distinction between battlefield achievements and spiritual responsibility, cautioning against overconfidence following reported successes in Tehran. Referring to the many interceptions seen in the skies over Yerushalayim on Shabbos, he opened with a pointed observation: “There are many who look upward, but they are not looking at the right place. They just want to see whether it hit or didn’t hit. There is a completely different concept.”

Quoting the Megillah, he said: “It says in the Megillah, ‘And the king said to Esther the queen: In Shushan the capital the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men… what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces?’” Rav Alter explained that while military strategists analyze strength and weakness in conventional terms, the Jewish perspective is fundamentally different. “The king makes calculations of a general and an army — who is stronger and who is weaker… we Jews rely on the Ribbono Shel Olam. These are not calculations of flesh and blood at all.”

Addressing the visible miracles of recent nights, Rav Alter recalled the Gulf War, noting that it too took place in the month of Adar. “It was in the month of Adar, and the Rebbe (the Pnei Menachem zt”l) said then that ‘Adar da’ihu mazleih d’Yisrael,’ and Klal Yisroel is victorious. Indeed, then no Jewish soul was harmed.” He added with a smile and in a tone of secrecy, “Mordechai and Esther are there, so we also have an agent in Iraq and in Iran… Don’t just look at the airplanes.”

At the same time, the Rosh Yeshiva stressed the obligation of practical caution and responsible action. “We must be careful, because we are required to make hishtadlus. We are not worthy that it should be this way without effort, but we must make normal efforts and, above all, immerse ourselves in learning.”

He referenced Mordechai HaYehudi, who was engaged in teaching the laws of kemitzah to the children even in the midst of the decree against the Jews, and urged the public to focus on what truly endures. “That is the only thing that is true and correct and lasting. The main thing is to look upward — that is what we need to remember.”

{Matzav.com}