The world is becoming an exceedingly confusing place. What once was simply wrong is now raised as viable alternative options. What once was clear and obvious has become clouded and vague. The very survival of the Earth is in question. The worthiness of mankind’s very existence is being doubted. Is it any wonder that depression has become the current plague to hit mankind? Is it surprising that the vision of most human beings on this planet does not extend beyond their own personal needs and desires.


Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is fighting for his political life. That, it seems, is more important than the lives of the young men he sent into battle in the waning days of the Second Lebanon War. His failing management of that crucial war led to his need to score some propaganda points, and the lives of these brave young men became the fodder.


President George Bush, as well, seems to have lost direction. Evan Thomas of Newsweek wrote "After 9/11, he

The "secret of the angels" implies more than the spiritually powerful act of "simple obedience."

asked the nation to invest in his narrative of good versus evil. He seemed to be saying, 'I'm taking care of this, you have to trust me.' ...Bush wanted to appear resolute, but at times he just seemed bullheaded and oblivious.”
President Bush may have been a man with a clear view of purpose and a good friend of the state of Israel; yet, as his legacy became corrupted, so did his vision. That legacy may have become more important than the struggle against terrorism and danger. Simple solutions suggested by advisors such as James Baker have always involved putting more pressure on Israel to capitulate. That is the route that the Bush government has now decided to follow.


Contrasting the actions of these men with those of simple people in Israel is dramatic. The difference seems to be sourced in the "secret of the angels."


We read in the Torah portion of Mishpatim (Exodus 24:7): “And he ( Moshe) took the book of the covenant, and read in the hearing of the people; and they said: 'All that HaShem hath spoken we will do, and we will listen.'”


We subsequently learn from the Talmud: “Rabbi Eleazar said: 'When the Israelites gave precedence to “we will do” over “we will listen,” a Heavenly Voice went forth and exclaimed to them, Who revealed to My children this secret, which is employed by the Ministering Angels, as it is written (Psalms 103:20), 'Bless the Lord, ye angels of His. Ye mighty in strength, that fulfill (oseh) His word, that (lishmoa) hearken unto the voice of His word. First they fulfill and then they hearken?” (Shabbat 88 a)
Mortal men first always try to understand what they are being asked to do, and only after this understanding can they choose whether or not to act. Angels, on the other hand, first “do” what they are being asked to do by G-d. Understanding, if needed, will come from the doing.


On the simple level, the secret discovered by the Israelites standing at the foot of Mount Sinai is based on their declaration that they will be obedient to G-d's direction even before they comprehend what that message will be. Obedience to the Divine call inevitably leads to deeper understanding.
Yet, on a deeper level, the "secret of the angels" implies more than the spiritually powerful act of "simple obedience." The subtext of the statement “we will do and we will listen” is a declaration of unparalleled faith. It is a declaration that is based in a faith that all that is being demanded of them will lead to ultimate good. It is that same underpinning of faithfulness that motivated Abraham to go forth into a land that he did not know. It was the same empowerment that motivated Ruth to declare, “Whither thou goest, I shall go.” It is the secret that gives the eternal people the courage to go on the long voyage.
Seven teenage girls were arrested weeks ago for being part of a group that was building a new civilian outpost near Bet El. Though many of them were still minors, they remained in jail for a very long time, until pressure from civilians and human rights groups forced the police to release them. It seems that these young women, empowered by the "secret of the angels,” were more dangerous than the terrorists who were being released by the Israeli government.
One of the girls, called Herut (Freedom), was asked why she did not leave such difficult struggles to others who were older and perhaps more prepared. She responded, "You can always let things fall to other people; there are always excuses. But that's not how the Redemption will be brought. Everyone has to give up a little and give of himself, according to what he can. We don't have families to run, so we can take this mission on ourselves. The Hebrew word for youth is no'ar, which comes from the same root as hitna'arut, to arise; if we don't do it, no one will."
On November 19, Ido Zoldan was murdered on his way home in the settlement of Shavei Shomron. Ido left behind his wife Tehilla, and three-year-old Aharon and one-year-old Rachel. Ido was a decorated officer in the Golani brigade and lived in the community of Homesh until they were expelled under Sharon's Expulsion Plan. His grieving family decided "to do" before they could ever expect to understand such a grievous loss. They decided to maintain Ido's vision by laying the foundations for a new Jewish neighborhood on the Mount of Olives. Empowered as well by the “secret of the angels,” Ido's brother recited the following prayer after laying the foundations:
 
“May it be Your Will, HaShem, our G-d and G-d of our forefathers that the action of the laying of these foundations be accepted and desired before You as if we had enacted this mitzvah with all its Divine intentions, its particulars and its parts. And all the 613 commandments connected to it. In order to repair all of its Supernal roots in the Higher Spheres and to bring favor to He who fashioned us and do the Will of He who created us, in order to raise the Shechinah from the dust. May the merit of this mitzvah banish all the exterior husks of evil and all 'those that come to do harm' from this place.... Amen.”


Recently, a family of new olim who moved to Har Nof from one of the Five Towns celebrated their son Aryeh's Bar

One's soul is set afire by Jewish destiny.

Mitzvah at a hotel in the Galilee. Friends and relatives arrived from all over Israel and from the affluent community the family had come from to celebrate with them. It was obvious that nothing had been lacking for them back in the town they were from. They had wonderful friends, a lucrative livelihood, and intensive and varied educational opportunities. Yet, this young family of ten got on a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight and established roots in the land of their forefathers. When one's soul is set afire by Jewish destiny and one's ears tingle with the sound of G-d's call, making such a move becomes almost natural. .Aryeh, this young new immigrant, stood before the Torah scrolls and read the verse that echoed again "the secret of the angels."


“Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the Earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5)


The world may be engulfed by noise and confusion, but obviously the secret declared at Mount Sinai has not been forgotten.