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In our previous article, we began exploring the nature of the Cheit HaEigel. After all, if the Jewish People were elevated to such an angelic state that they could receive the Torah, how could they commit such a terrible sin at this moment? Even worse, they not only committed this sin immediately following Matan Torah, but they did so in the very same spot, Har Sinai, the very place where we “married” Hashem! Chazal compare this to a kallah (bride) betraying her husband under the chupah! As the pasuk says, they strayed “quickly” (Sh’mos 32:8). How could klal Yisrael fall so rapidly and drastically right after Matan Torah?

Four hostages were released this past Shabbos, and BEZ”H three more this week, and then three more this coming Shabbos. There was such a simchah with the return of the four girls. We pray that the rest will also be released soon. Yet, there is still nervousness about the high price being paid.

The ceasefire with Hamas continues, and more hostages are being released in exchange for murderous terrorists. There is disappointment but understanding, as Israel needs to agree to these terms in order to save lives. There are still many who claim Israel was never able to halt the humanitarian aid being flooded into Gaza, and that would have pressured Hamas even more. Why couldn’t they stop it? There are too many people around the world crying over the plight of the poor Palestinian population. All the innocent bystanders, the uninvolved Gazan civilians. (Too quote one of the recently-released hostages: there are 2 million terrorists in Gaza, no civilians.) And as the released hostages begin to share their experiences, we are truly seeing how horrific the enemy is.  

In our previous article, we began exploring the question of why Hashem created the world. The Maharal, the Ramchal, and other key Jewish thinkers explain as follows: Hashem is absolute and ultimate goodness. However, there are two aspects of goodness.

He had been controlling himself for so long, had come so far, but he just couldn’t hold himself back anymore. Everyone else was asleep, so no one else would even have to know. Internally, he was struggling, pulled in every direction, unable to make a decision.

The hostage deal between Israel and the murderous barbarian terror group Hamas has begun. The first three hostages were released - a huge simchah! And 90-plus terrorists, many with Jewish blood on their hands, were released in exchange. Be’ezras Hashem, later this week four more hostages will be released, and in exchange another 120 terrorists. Is this really the best deal they could get? Is it really worth it?