The prophet Ezekiel chastises the House of Israel for trusting in the aid of foreign powers (Ezekiel 29:6), that according to Rashi's commentary there, never ever helped. Rashi of saintly memory teaches elsewhere (see his commentary on Kings II, 18:21) that whenever one leans on a wobbly reed, it breaks. Rabbenu Bahiya, author of the famed Chovot HaLevavot (Duties of the Heart) expands Rashi's train of thought, and teaches an important principle in Jewish spirituality: Whenever a Jew trusts anything or anyone other than Hashem, Hashem moves away and casts the Jew at the mercy of the futile and miserable object of his trust. This is no joke; that's why I talk about emuna day and night.
Let's not waste our valuable time or breath on the tempest in the tea cup of politics and trumped-up Hollywood-style crises. Make an intelligent decision on how current events affect your life and where your future is - yes, beloved brother and sister - I'm referring again to Aliya. Start giving it some good, hard thought.
The first principle of our faith is that Hashem did, does, and will do every deed. In that respect, no government or individual has any power over us - we are completely in Hashem's hands.
Israel can only rely on Hashem - past, present, and future. If we strengthen our emuna, G-d willing, our beloved holy land - with all our villages, towns, cities, homes - will remain in tact, amen. What does it mean to strengthen them? Simple - more Torah, more holiness, more unity, and more acts of compassion and loving-kindness. The month of Nissan is a wonderful time for teshuva, too.
