I will make the land desolate that your enemies who live on it will be astonished (Vayikra 26:32)

This week’s parsha lists punishments taht will happen if we do not perform Hashem’s mitzvos. In the middle of the punishments is the above verse. Rashi comments that this is actually a kindly measure for Israel because our enemies will not find any satisfaction on the land because it will be desolate. This is a great lesson for us! Two thousand years ago, we were exiled from our beloved Eretz Yisrael. All seemed hopeless, but Hashem comforted us. He stated that He would make sure no one else would find comfort on the holy soil of Eretz Yisrael. Although the Middle East is a gold mine for oil, Eretz Yisrael would not be. Hashem would still show us that He cares for us by not allowing anyone else to enjoy our land.

Hashem loves us very, very much!

Rabbi Wallerstein tells a very interesting thought regarding lightning bugs. During summer nights, lightning bugs are seen flashing against the dark sky. Why did Hashem make them this way? Supposedly, lightning bugs taste bitter (I’ve never tasted one so I cannot prove this) and can be harmful (or even deadly) to predators that eat them. Therefore, Hashem made them to let off this glow so it will warn predators not to eat them. Now think about this – Hashem made a lightning bug flash so a nasty predator who is trying to kill this innocent bug is warned to avoid eating the lightning bug because it is bitter. Hashem has such care for this predator that it does not want it to have to taste anything bitter! If Hashem cares so much for this predator, how much more does He care for us.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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