4th of July Fireworks Emphasizes the Power of "7"

8 Tammuz 5785
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Chukat 

There are reports of several high-profile accidents with fireworks which have produced serious explosions in the run-up to 4th of July celebrations in America.  The worst incident happened in Esparto, California, where it is reported that 7 employees are "missing".

This was the leading story on last evening's NBC newscast.  Every media report I saw started with this emphasis on "7" people missing.  Since there are no coincidences, this new in-your-face reference to seven must have meaning for us.

My initial take on it is this:  Evil Eisav's deal will blow up in his face.  Evil Eisav's power will become its own undoing.  Their world of six will absolutely give way to the world of seven and there is no stopping it.  

This is yom shishi when the light of seven - the Holy Shabbat - begins to enter the world of six.  It is a vivid reminder to the Jews to properly honor and observe the Holy Shabbat.  So much power rests in the seven that "if only all the Jews would keep two Shabbats in a row, the redemption would come immediately" (Shabbat 118b).

~ SHABBAT SHALOM ~