Vayeira 5761Volume 13 · Issue 8

Divine Providence and Governance

The Ramban concludes, “In my eyes, the correct interpretation appears to be that it means actually knowing him. It intimates that God’s knowing, which means His hashgachah, providence, over the shallow world, is to guard the generalities. And even the children of man are subject in it to happenings until the time of their accounting comes.

In On the Torah I · Chapter 33View Sefer

Emor 5771Volume 7 · Issue 27

From Coincidence to Providence

Peculiar Wording Prior to counting each of the days between Passover and Shavuos, we recite the blessing, “Blessed are You,…

In Omer & Shavuos · Chapter 2View Sefer

Miketz Chanukah 5754Volume 16 · Issue 12

Light of the Home

Third is faith in Divine providence on an individual level. The Creator, from Whose being all of existence emerges and upon Whose being all of existence hinges, has not abandoned the world. He has not left earth to its own devices. He governs it with full

Ki Seitzei 5757Volume 19 · Issue 2

The Shell of a Pomegranate

The Ramban, however, defines knowing in the sense of individual providence. “The correct meaning appears to be the actual knowing of him. This implies that the knowing of God—His providence—over the lower world protects in a general way, and there, even humans are subject to happenstance until their death

Chayei Sarah 5760Volume 20 · Issue 10

Branches of the Fathers

Divine Providence

Toldos 5754Volume 16 · Issue 8

Man of Chaos

Now, the nation that is most steadfast in faith—in the Creator of the World, in Divine Providence, in His governance of the world—is sadly this nation. It is sad because we too are descendants of Avraham. It truly makes us very accountable. Their faith is so powerful that they even forfeit their lives

In On the Torah I · Chapter 26View Sefer

Vayishlach 5758Volume 19 · Issue 11

Man of the Right

Land of Providence

Haazinu 5760Volume 20 · Issue 6

Book of Originality

Divine Providence

Ki Seitzei 5762Volume 23 · Issue 2

Parallel Beginnings

Divine Providence

Shelach 5750Volume 14 · Issue 32

Walk in Innocence

Truly, their journey in the desert was unfeasible by any natural means. The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 3:50) considers it the greatest proof of Divine Providence. An entire nation of millions of people existed in the desolateness of the desert where there are no means of survival—and for the duration of forty years. It is inconceivable. No other miracle was as publicized and for such

In On the Torah IV · Chapter 142View Sefer

Balak 5752Volume 15 · Issue 36

Language of Clarity

answered him, from the Sheettim to the Gilgal, so that you may know the righteous acts of God” (Michah 6:5). The Talmud (Berachos 7a) explains that during the days when Balaam was involved in cursing Israel, unique providence and kindness were required from on high to foil his plan and to ensure that he would not be successful in his curse. In short, there had never been such a formidably dangerous time for Israel.

In On the Torah V · Chapter 179View Sefer

Vayeitzei 5754Volume 16 · Issue 9

Laughing and Jesting

…profound. It encompasses faith in the Creator of the World, as well as Divine Providence on an individual level. Every move they make is together with Him! But what they lack is obligation due to this. It only grants them…

In On the Torah II · Chapter 45View Sefer

Toldos 5756Volume 17 · Issue 10

Delivered from Hatred

On our level, this is how we can understand the process of all that is happening around us and fulfill the obligation to contemplate the years of generation after generation. What is the mystery of Divine Providence behind the course of these events? As it appears to us, things only keep deteriorating. They are becoming worse and worse. But they are reaching the point where they can sink no lower.

In On the Torah I · Chapter 15View Sefer

Emor 5760Volume 20 · Issue 29

Basking in His Radiance

In Israel, Divine Providence is different. As a place, it reveals what the manna and Omer Offering reveal. They reveal that not through food alone does man live, and Israel reveals that not through the land do we live, but only inasmuch

Naso 5761Volume 21 · Issue 30

Between Man and His Fellow

last vestiges of man’s individuality, if any yet remains. Man is a common creature, no different from any other. There is no individual cat, mouse, fly, or mosquito. The Ramban himself says they have no individual Divine Providence, only of the species (Bereshis 18:19; Shemos 13:16). No particular exists as a particular but as a representative of the entire species.