On Erev Rosh Hashanah, as households busied themselves with preparations for the three-day holiday, a different sound pierced the air—not the blasts of a shofar, but the wailing of sirens echoing across the country. For nearly an hour, Israelis were urged to take shelter in public and private spaces, or in windowless rooms, as nearly 200 ballistic missiles rained down on Israel from Iran. Miraculously, not one Israeli was seriously harmed. This incredible outcome is a testament to the effectiveness of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and, many believe, the protective hand of Hashem.
Interestingly, a cloud cover shrouded much of the country that day—an unusual occurrence for this time of year, evoking memories of the protective cloud that surrounded the Children of Israel during their journey through the desert, thousands of years ago.
Many may not fully grasp the magnitude of the miracle that unfolded on Erev Rosh Hashanah. Israel boasts three air defense systems, each a technological marvel designed to intercept missiles at various ranges: Iron Dome, David’s Sling and the Arrow system. That night, as Iranian missiles descended upon Israel, all three defense systems were flawlessly activated and executed, working in perfect unison—a feat so complex that the odds of it happening without a hitch are nearly non-existent.
Had any one of these systems failed, the consequences could have been catastrophic, with hundreds of Israelis potentially killed or injured. Understanding the intricacies of what transpired that night and throughout the ongoing conflict, it becomes clear that the low number of casualties is akin to witnessing a modern-day miracle—similar to the splitting of the Red Sea thousands of years ago.
Historically, there have always been those who questioned the miraculous nature of such events, whether during the War of Independence, the Six-Day War, or the Yom Kippur War. Similarly, the events of Erev Rosh Hashanah stand as just one of many miracles experienced over the past year. From the interception of hundreds of missiles and drones before Passover to the incredible detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie talkies to the successful detonation of crucial targets in enemy bunkers, these instances reflect unprecedented military achievements with remarkably low civilian casualties.
The sirens that night served not only as a warning to seek shelter but also as a divine call for teshuva (repentance). As Rabbi Wein emphasized in his 69th consecutive Shabbat Shuva drasha, teshuva is a personal journey. A journey that starts with one small step. Hashem is looking for that small step, not the completion of the entire process. Some reach out to those they may have wronged, while others recognize a greater divine orchestration in the events unfolding around them. The miraculous successes of the IDF can no longer be dismissed as mere coincidence or the product of skillful strategy.
Yet there remains a segment of the world that fails to recognize these miracles, including major media outlets like the New York Times. In their coverage of Israel’s actions, particularly following the elimination of terrorist leader Nasrallah, the Times framed the operation as an “escalation” while eulogizing a man who sought the destruction of Israel. Such biased reporting does a disservice to the truth and reveals a disturbing tendency to sympathize with those who wish harm upon Israel and the Jewish people.
As we reflect on the three types of sins we must atone for—between man and Hashem, between man and man, and between man and himself—it’s crucial not to overlook the latter. The process of teshuva may begin with small, deliberate actions.
In Shaarei Teshuva (Sha’ar Aleph), Rabbi Yonah presents a poignant parable about a group of prisoners who were digging a tunnel to escape. As they made their way to freedom, everyone successfully broke free except for one man. When the king’s guard discovered him, he began to beat this lone prisoner. The question arises: Why was the guard punishing him?
Various interpretations exist, but one key lesson stands out: This prisoner had the opportunity to escape; he simply chose not to make the effort. His failure to act serves as a powerful metaphor for the teshuva process. Often, all it takes to begin our journey toward repentance is a small, intentional effort.
This idea also resonates with the story of King Achav(Malachim I), one of Israel’s most notorious rulers. When Eliyahu Hanavi questioned why Achav’s teshuva would never be accepted, the answer was clear: Achav made no genuine effort to change. Had he taken even the slightest genuine step toward repentance, it would have been recognized and accepted.
Just like the prisoner and Achav, many of us find ourselves held back by our own reluctance to act. The path to freedom and spiritual growth can often start with a simple decision to make that first effort.
For those who support platforms that promote anti-Israel sentiments, the decision to disengage from such sources is a simple, yet significant act of teshuva. Excuses for maintaining subscriptions or advertising in biased media outlets do not hold water; the time has come to seek alternatives that align more closely with our values.
This Yom Kippur, may we all come to recognize the miracles that Hashem has performed for the Jewish people over the past year. Let us take those small steps toward teshuva, collectively accelerating the journey towards our final redemption.
Rabbi Paul Bloom and his wife Ettie live in Jerusalem. Paul is the CEO of PDB FutureCom International and is on the Board of the NY/Israel Chamber of Commerce. He is also President of the Israel Inspiration Initiative. Paul is retired IBM executive
