There is a secret weapon that a Jew can marshal at all times. It is called “kivui,” hope in Hashem
Let’s consider their dire straits — stripped of all their possessions, personal autonomy, and human connection. All they are left with is emunah alone, and therein lies their only path forward. As former hostage Agam Berger famously declared to the world when she was released, “B’derech emunah bacharti. I chose the path of faith, and that is what set me free.”
Her statement is particularly poignant when we consider that she did not identify as strictly dati at the time, and yet still she found salvation through emunah. What a powerful affirmation of the truth articulated by the Ramchal long ago — that there is a secret weapon that a Jew can marshal at all times. It is called “kivui,” hope in Hashem, and he asserts that by dint of this avodah, any Jew can achieve geulah, regardless of his or her level of shemiras mitzvos.
Ramchal explains that the word kivui is etymologically connected to the word kav, a “line,” because hope opens a line straight up to Hashem, even from the pit of a low spiritual madreigah. He promises that any of us can entreat Hashem from this perspective — wherever we find ourselves — and we will see salvation. It is through this power alone that we will merit the final redemption. As the pasuk says, “For your salvation I hoped [kivisi], Hashem.”
This teaching of Ramchal becomes even more powerful when we consider the context of that pasuk. It appears in Yaakov’s brachah to Dan when he foresees the fate of Dan’s descendant, Shimshon, who would be captured by the Pelishtim. Shimshon was in the abyss, not only physically, but spiritually as well.
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