Please Keep Praying for Rabbi Karp's MotherChaya Ruda Bas Shaindel - She is still in the hospital recovering from heart surgery and there has been a challenge of keeping blood pressure where it needs

Alone in the Forest - Shoftim/Ellul

In this week's parashah, before the Jewish people go to battle, the Kohen calls out: "Shema Yisrael... Listen Israel! Today you are going to engage your enemies in war" (20:3).

Rashi teaches us something profound: the Kohen begins with "Shema Yisrael" to reveal the secret of victory. When we truly say Krias Shema with proper intention, we will surely defeat our enemies.

But what's the connection between reciting Shema and winning battles?

A father and his young son were walking through a forest. The child played fearlessly, running ahead while his father watched from nearby. When a stranger asked the boy, "Aren't you afraid to be alone in the forest?" the child replied confidently, "I'm not alone - my father is here protecting me!"

The father smiled, pleased that his son trusted in his protection.

Imagine if the child had instead boasted, "I'm not afraid - I'm brave enough to handle anything myself!" The father might have thought, "If he believes he can manage alone, perhaps next time he's in trouble, I'll let him try..."

When we recite "Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One" with genuine feeling, we're declaring our complete dependence on Him. We acknowledge that He controls everything and that only through Him can we succeed and survive.

This recognition pleases our Father in Heaven. Seeing that we understand He is our salvation, He wants to help us. But when we forget Him and think we can manage alone - that's when we're truly vulnerable.

The lesson for our battles - both physical and spiritual: Our belief that only Hashem can help us becomes our protection, our salvation, and our path to victory.

Wishing you an amazing Shabbos and a meaningful Elul, filled with the awareness that Hashem is always with us.

Miriam, Noach and The Whole Karp FamilyMJX: Memphis Jewish Experience