Like an Eagle Awakening Its Nest: How Hashem Sends Challenges With Compassion

“Like an eagle that awakens its nest, hovering over its young, spreading its wings, taking them and carrying them upon its pinions” (Deuteronomy 32:11).

This verse teaches us the extent of Hashem’s compassion for His creations. Even when punishment is necessary in order to awaken a person to return from wrongdoing, Hashem does not begin with the harshest consequence. Instead, He sends warnings gradually, giving the person opportunities to recognize what is happening and correct his ways.

The Three Stages of Warning

The Or HaChaim HaKadosh cites a Midrash from Vayikra Rabbah explaining that when the Jewish people act against Hashem’s will, punishment does not immediately affect the person himself. Rather, the warning comes in stages.

First come afflictions on the home. If the person still does not change his ways, the afflictions move to his clothing. Only if he still fails to respond do they eventually appear on his body.

“Like an Eagle That Awakens Its Nest”

This, explains the Or HaChaim, is one meaning of the words “Like an eagle that awakens its nest.” An eagle does not suddenly crash into its nest and frighten its young. It first flutters its wings above them, gently awakening them.

In the same way, Hashem awakens His children gradually, giving them repeated opportunities to change course.

A Test According to Our Strength

Further, just as the eagle awakens its young in a way they are capable of handling, so too Hashem sends challenges “according to the measure they are able to withstand.”

The Or HaChaim connects this idea to the teaching of Bereishit Rabbah that Hashem does not test a person beyond what he is capable of enduring.

The message is one of Divine compassion. Challenges are not random or without measure. Even when a person needs to be awakened or redirected, Hashem deals with him gradually and according to his individual strength and capacity.

The Words of the Or HaChaim

The Or HaChaim writes: “‘Like an eagle that awakens its nest.’ Our Sages expounded upon this verse as they did... In addition to their words, it may be explained according to what our Sages said in Vayikra Rabbah: when Israel transgresses His will, the Judge does not first strike their lives, but begins by awakening them through afflictions of their homes, afterward through afflictions of their garments, and so on. This is the meaning of ‘Like an eagle that awakens its nest’: so too Hashem awakens His children. He also awakens them according to what they are capable of enduring, as our Sages said in Bereishit Rabbah, that Hashem does not test a person beyond the measure he is able to bear.”