Shavuot 5785: Israel’s Unyielding Spirit Amidst a Seven-Front War- A lesson from the Torah

By Matthew Narh Tetteh (Mattityahu)

As Jews worldwide celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, in 5785 (2025), Israel stands at a pivotal moment in its history, embodying the resilience and divine promise celebrated on this sacred holiday. Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, a covenant that forged the Jewish people as a nation under God. Today, that same unyielding spirit fuels Israel’s resolve as it faces existential threats on seven fronts—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian proxies in Syria and Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, terror cells in Judea and Samaria, and hostile actors within its borders. In this crucible of conflict, Israel’s hawkish stance is not merely a strategy but a moral imperative, rooted in the Torah’s call to protect life and secure the homeland God entrusted to the Jewish people.

The Torah, received on Shavuot, commands strength and vigilance: “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16). Israel, surrounded by enemies seeking its destruction, has no luxury for complacency. Hamas, emboldened by its October 7, 2023, atrocities, continues to launch rockets and plot terror from Gaza. Hezbollah, Iran’s heavily armed proxy in Lebanon, rains missiles on Israel’s north, displacing tens of thousands. Iran’s proxies in Syria and Iraq, alongside the Houthis’ maritime assaults from Yemen, tighten a noose of aggression. Within Israel, terror attacks in Judea and Samaria and subversive elements among its own citizens challenge national unity. This seven-front war is not a coincidence but a coordinated campaign to annihilate the Jewish state.

A hawkish Israel is the only rational response. Diplomacy with groups sworn to Israel’s destruction—Hamas’s charter calls for genocide, Hezbollah pledges allegiance to Iran’s apocalyptic regime—has proven futile. The Torah teaches that peace comes through strength, not appeasement: “When you go out to battle against your enemies… you shall not fear them” (Deuteronomy 20:1). Israel’s military prowess, demonstrated in precision strikes against terror leaders and infrastructure, is a modern fulfillment of this biblical mandate. The IDF’s operations in Gaza, dismantling Hamas’s tunnels, and airstrikes on Hezbollah’s arsenals in Lebanon showcase a nation that refuses to bow. Strengthening defenses, expanding settlements in Judea and Samaria, and neutralizing Iran’s regional influence are not acts of aggression but necessities for survival.

Shavuot’s celebration of the Torah also reminds us of Israel’s unique role as a “light unto the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). While detractors accuse Israel of belligerence, they ignore the moral clarity of a nation defending its people against genocidal foes. The international community’s double standards—condemning Israel’s self-defense while ignoring Hamas’s human shields or Hezbollah’s civilian-targeted rockets—only underscore the need for unwavering resolve. Israel must reject calls for premature ceasefires that embolden terrorists and instead pursue decisive victory, as King David did against Goliath.

This Shavuot, as we read the Book of Ruth, we are reminded of loyalty and redemption—qualities Israel embodies as it protects the Jewish people’s ancestral homeland. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi mirrors Israel’s steadfastness amid adversity. The holiday’s tradition of studying Torah all night reflects the intellectual and spiritual fortitude required to navigate today’s challenges. Israel’s enemies may encircle it, but the Jewish state, like the Torah, endures through faith, strength, and action.

Let Shavuot 5785 inspire a renewed commitment to Israel’s security. The Jewish state must continue its hawkish policies—bolstering military capabilities, rejecting concessions to terror, and asserting sovereignty over its biblical heartland. As we celebrate the giving of the Torah, let us pray for the IDF’s success, the safety of Israel’s citizens, and the ultimate triumph of a nation that, like its ancestors at Sinai, stands firm against all odds.

Am Yisrael Chai.

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