Preparing for Moshiach
The Mikdash was a place for daily miracles. Chazal tell us that ten miracles happened there regularly. One of them was that the fire on the mizbeiach was never extinguished by rain. This miracle makes sense in light of the Torah mitzvah to the Cohanim to keep the fire on the mizbeiach continually lit. In fact, based on another statement by Chazal the fire of the mizbeiach was sent down from Shomayim rendering the effort by the Cohanim to be unnecessary. Although, there is a positive commandment to keep the fire lit and a negative commandment not to let it be extinguished, HaShem relieved the Cohanim of the constant pressure to fulfill His commandments by providing this two-pronged miracle.
Actually, the above-described situation begs the question, why did HaShem command the Cohanim in this important function if He took it upon Himself to fulfill it. The Sefer HaChinuch raised this question. As well, he asked the same question on Krias Yom Suf-the splitting of the sea that miraculously saved the nation of Israel from its Egyptian predators. The Torah records that a strong East wind blew throughout the night and caused the sea to split. Yet, HaShem commanded Moshe Rabeinu to stretch out his hand over the sea and it would split. Many Medrashim also describe the splitting from the courageous actions of people like Nachshon ben Aminadav, who caused the sea to split when he stepped in.
The Sefer HaChinuch supplied a classic answer to the Torah dilemma. In every revealed miracle that HaShem brings to this world to impact mankind, he brings it in a manner that a person could actually miss the miracle. That means, by standing at the sea at the moment it split would not guarantee that the observer would recognize the direct involvement by the hand of HaShem. He could be mislead to think that this truly unbelievable event was actually an act of nature or manmade. Another words, for those who lack deep faith in HaShem an alternative explanation for every revealed miracle is available. We can conclude that revealed miracles are not meant to bring a person to faith. It would actually negatively impact man’s free choice, which is vital to acquiring a true deep belief in HaShem. Rather, the revealed miracles are meant to deepen the love between HaShem and his beloved nation.
For G-d Fearing people the Chinuch’s message raises anxiety because of the obvious question that every individual should be asking, “if a revealed miracle happens in my lifetime will I recognize it”? To lessen our anxiety let’s remind ourselves that we are “Bonim LaMakom” HaShem’s children. Like every parent, He guides and provides. In fact, Chazal bring down HaShem’s training plan for us.
In the Gemara Pesachim it’s recorded that “ the sustenance for mankind is as difficult as the splitting of the sea”. The Rashbam in his commentary explained the passage to be speaking about miracles. He said HaShem provides the same magnitude of miracle when he provides someone with food as the miracle He provided for the nation of Israel when He split the sea. Chazal is conveying a profound eternal perspective on miracles. Processes like farming, raising animals, fishing, food production and the like are all accomplished through miracles or the involvement of the Hand of HaShem just like the events of the splitting of the sea. Similarly in this instance, the Chinuch’s message rings out. How easy it is for people to think that the food production process is not a miracle but either a natural occurrence or manmade?
Therefore, for people who are G-d fearing or who are aspiring and working towards that lofty spiritual goal, approaching the entire food process, preparation and consumption as the result of HaShem’s direct handiwork will greatly sensitize people to HaShem’s involvement in all aspects of the world and life. In fact, that is how the Rashbam concluded his comment to the above statement by Chazal. By telling us that the magnitude of miracle is the same between providing sustenance for mankind and the splitting of the sea, people should do the same thing for their sustenance that the people did by the sea; cry out in prayer to HaShem. In other words, through consistent expressions of HaShem’s gift to mankind either in praise or in profound appreciation, we will grow in our ability to recognize miracles in other less common events, like greeting Moshiach soon in our day.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the story of Purim as part of this conversation. Our recognition that the events although seemingly at random were in fact orchestrated by HaShem behind the scenes. From here we learn to see HaShem in all aspects of our lives as a means to sensitize ourselves for the final chapter that will reveal the greatest miracles ever.