Netziv‘s
approach is that the primary content of the fourth book of the Torah is the
transformation of the nation of Israel from the supernatural lifestyle of the
wilderness to living on a natural level when the nation enters the Promised
Land, as he writes:
The
conduct of the generation which left Egypt was in light of God’s providence,
which was apparent to all; while the conduct of the affairs of the generation
which entered the Land of Israel was with the Divine Providence hidden. Only
one who observed with a keen eye, as one walking carefully at night, would feel
that providence. At times God’s providence would be visible to all, as a flash
of lighting which lights the night.
According to Netziv, God’s
special providence over His chosen nation did not end with Israel’s entry into
its Land, rather it was transformed and became more hidden, though no less real
than it had been.
These words of Netziv, who
was a strong supporter of the Zionist movement, and who died more than a
generation before the State of Israel came into existence, certainly constitute
an accurate description of the reality of the Jewish state from its founding
until today.
Without question, during the Six Day
War, we benefitted from a full measure of miracles, and one whose eyes are open
has no need to “observe with a keen eye” to see and appreciate those miracles.
Indeed, David ben Gurion, who
certainly did not come from Netziv’s academy, commented that in Israel,
one who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.
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