עברית
Faith
Why do we say 'Hashem will avenge their blood'?
Question
Dear Rabbi, why do we say 'Hashem will avenge their blood' or get angry at the nations that harm us and carry out attacks, if this is also a decree from Hashem and Hashem sent them to do these attacks? I do not want to be disrespectful, and I apologize if this question sounds too difficult. Many times people say about victims of attacks or soldiers who were killed that 'Hashem will avenge their blood.' We are always angry at the nations that harm us and we want them to be punished for all the attacks they commit. My question is why are we angry at the nations and why do we want Hashem to avenge the blood of the fallen, if the decree came from Hashem, meaning Hashem sent the attack and the nations to harm us. So it was not their choice. And if a soldier was killed, this also is from Hashem. I know Hashem knows what He is doing and guides the world in the best way. I just do not understand why we are angry at the nations and want them to be punished if it was not their choice to hurt us... it was a decree from Hashem. I hope I managed to clarify my question. Thank you in advance.
Answer
Shalom and blessings,
Though no question is considered disrespectful when asked sincerely, with humility and a genuine desire to understand, your question is a good one. Our Sages said that from Heaven, punishment is brought about through the guilty, and reward through the righteous. For example, a person who wants to harm his fellow - Hashem can prevent him from causing this harm, or direct the harm to affect another person who was destined to receive this exact punishment. The righteous who stood before the Roman emperor who came to kill them said: "We are destined for destruction by Hashem, and if you do not kill us, Hashem has many others destined for destruction; He has many bears and lions in His world that harm and kill us. But Hashem did not hand us over to you except that He intends to take revenge from you." In other words, if Hashem chooses that a person should die, then this person will die regardless, whether by the hand of another who chooses to kill him, or by accident, illness, etc., and then Hashem takes revenge on the transgressor. This means that when there is a decree upon Israel, Hashem selects a nation of wicked people to execute the decree, and if He had not chosen that nation to be the executioner, He would have chosen another nation as His agent of punishment. And even without enemies, disasters, illnesses, etc., are always possible. May Hashem have mercy and save us. Therefore, when a nation harms us, the blame is also upon them. I am happy to be of help with any additional questions.
Blessings, Daniel Bels
