Something Powerful Is Happening

There is a certain secret to the Jewish People that our enemies have yet to discover, despite over 3,000 years of experience: The more we are beaten, the stronger we become. Already in Egypt the rule was established: “As much as they would afflict it [i.e., the bnei Yisrael] so it would increase and so it would burst forth…” (Shemos 1:12). When they attack, they drive us into the embrace of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the source of our endurance and our strength.

There is a hisorerus (spiritual arousal) taking place today in Israel, not through the efforts of any kiruv organization — though, of course, those organizations are rising to the occasion — but as a spontaneous surge from the Jews of Israel.

I watched an interview in which a well-known public personality, who lives in one of the affluent northern suburbs of Tel Aviv, related how her 15-year-old daughter told her late one night that she was going to Selichos. She joined her daughter and found a room bursting at the seams with teenagers. When the Selichos were over, they went to a shiur given by a charismatic young rebbetzin. Again, the hall was overflowing.

The mother told the interviewer that there is a great thirst for connection to Hashem among young people. But unlike previous teshuvah waves, today those taking on Shabbos observance, kashrus, etc., mostly continue to define themselves as chiloni (secular) — only now as chilonim who keep Shabbos.