OPENING YOUR EYES
This Yom HaAtzmaut we celebrate 77 years since the declaration of the independence of the State of Israel. And it’s not just another anniversary: this year is very special —and much better!— than the previous ones. Barely a year and a half after the brutal attack of October 7, 2023 —when Israel was attacked from Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen—, the Jewish State emerges more firm, stronger and more determined than ever, in every aspect: territorial, economic and demographic.
As believing Jews, we cannot fail to see in this transformation an extraordinary modern miracle.
And when we see that, once again, Israel rises from the ashes, the pain and the affliction, and does so with achievements it had not even reached after its victory in the Six-Day War of 1967, it is impossible not to hear in our hearts the echo of that famous verse that describes the first time we were oppressed as a people, in Egypt:
וְכַאֲשֶׁר יְעַנּוּ אֹתוֹ כֵּן יִרְבֶּה וְכֵן יִפְרֹץ
“And the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread.”
In 2025, we are living a biblical moment in real time.
It is curious that the majority of Yehudim in the world, including many who live in Israel, “do not see it.” It reminds me of what our Sages say: when one experiences a miracle, while it is happening, they may not realize what they are living.
It is as if a Yehudi were crossing the Red Sea, with the walls of water standing to his right and to his left, and instead of lifting his eyes, being amazed and praising God, he complains about the mud in his sandals, or argues with his neighbor over who walks faster.
The miracles surround us, envelops us, protect us. We are crossing the open sea and we don’t see it.
That is why, on this Yom HaAtzmaut 77, I want to help uncover the incredible miracles we are living. How? By informing ourselves with objective data about some realities of Israel in 2025 that, in times of war, are simply inexplicable from a rational or statistical point of view.
We will rely on the original biblical indicators of the Tora, examining three areas where the blessing of God is evident:
The economic prosperity of Israel
The victory of Israel over its enemies
The demographic growth of Israel
These are three indicators that the Tora presents as clear signs of the Divine covenant toward Israel —and which are happening before our eyes today.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
The most frequent way in which the Tora describes Divine intervention over the people of Israel is through material blessing —economic prosperity. We read three times a day in the Shema Israel that rain in its due season was, in biblical times, the main indicator of that blessing. When the people fulfilled the will of God, the rains came in measure and in time, the fields flourished, and there was abundance. When the people strayed, the punishment was drought, poverty and, eventually, exile.
This pattern appears repeatedly throughout the Tora. Prosperity is not a random phenomenon: it is a visible sign of Divine closeness. That is why a reflection on Israel’s economy should not be approached from a merely materialist point of view, but as an opportunity to observe the Berakha of God with our own eyes.
Despite the context of war and geopolitical challenges, the Israeli economy is going through a historic moment. There is no other way to put it. While neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Iran and Egypt face severe economic crises —and many European economies stagnate— Israel flourishes.
Economic growth and GDP
The International Monetary Fund projects a 3.2% economic growth for Israel in 2025. This number not only surpasses the global average (2.8%) but also eclipses powers such as Germany (0.0%), the United Kingdom (1.1%), and Spain (2.5%).
Israel’s total GDP will reach 585 billion dollars, surpassing countries such as the United Arab Emirates (568 billion). GDP per capita is estimated at $58,474, placing Israel among the most developed economies in the world.
Foreign currency reserves
Another key indicator: Israel’s foreign currency reserves. In February 2025, they reached 220.25 billion dollars. To compare: the United Kingdom has 113.8 billion in reserves, and Spain 103.1 billion. Israel surpasses them combined!
Additionally, when considering total reserves (including gold), Israel ranks 18th globally —above countries such as the United Arab Emirates.
Natural gas: strategic wealth
Offshore gas production is also transforming the economic landscape. In 2024, Israel produced 27.38 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, 8.3% more than the previous year. It exported 13.11 bcm to Egypt and Jordan (almost half of total production), generating over 1.38 billion dollars in tax revenue.
Cyber and military technology
Israel’s economy not only grows, it also innovates and leads in key global areas. Israel is the third most advanced country in the world in technological innovation.
Israel has become one of the world’s top exporters of military technology. It currently ranks 8th globally in defense exports. Its systems —such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 3— are recognized for their effectiveness and sophistication.
In 2025, a historic agreement was finalized: the sale of the Arrow 3 system to Germany, for a value of 3.5 billion dollars. This contract represents the largest military export in Israel’s history, consolidating its reputation as a global leader in defense technology.
High Tech: a cybersecurity giant
Another remarkable milestone this year: the sale of the Israeli startup Wiz to Alphabet (Google’s parent company) for 32 billion dollars. This agreement is not only the largest in the history of an Israeli company —it is also the largest global acquisition of a private cybersecurity firm.
These types of deals confirm that, even in times of war, Israel’s innovation ecosystem does not stop.
Monetary stability
In normal contexts, a prolonged war causes a significant devaluation of the national currency. But Israel is not in a “normal” context: the Israeli Shekel remains strong and stable against the dollar and other foreign currencies. The confidence of international markets in the Israeli economy is so solid that foreign investment not only remains, it grows —especially in strategic sectors such as high tech, defense, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Property prices in Israel have not gone down. On the contrary, they continue to rise —both for buying and for renting. A unique phenomenon worldwide in a country at war.
Surpassing Germany
In April 2025, the IMF published a historic statistic: for the first time, Israel surpassed Europe’s greatest economic power —Germany— in GDP per capita. While Germany reached $56,360, Israel reached $58,270. This economic milestone is even more meaningful considering it was achieved amid active military conflicts and under constant geopolitical threats.
Many analysts describe this phenomenon as a (positive) anomaly —an inexplicable resilience. For us, it should not be surprising: it is the Berakha of HaShem, who blesses and makes prosper the effort and ingenuity of His people —manifesting before our very eyes.
GOD IN BATTLE
A second great sign of Divine intervention in the Tora manifests in victory over our enemies. Again and again, the Creator promises in the Tora that He will accompany the people of Israel in their battles and grant them victory —not to replace military intervention, but to empower it with heavenly assistance.
As several verses affirm, among them:
כִּֽי-תֵצֵ֨א לַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה עַל-אֹֽיְבֶ֗ךָ… לֹ֥א תִירָ֖א מֵהֶ֑ם, כִּֽי־ה׳ אֱלֹהֶ֤יךָ עִמָּ֔ךָ
“When you go out to war against your enemies… do not fear them, for HaShem your God is with you.” (Debarim 20:1)
כִּֽי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ עִמָּכֶ֑ם לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם לָכֶ֛ם עִם־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֖ם לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ אֶתְכֶֽם
“HaShem your God goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, and to save you.” (Debarim 20:4)
In this past year and a half, we have seen how these biblical promises become reality in Israel’s military situation. Despite being the victim of a savage and surprise attack, Israel has responded with a forceful, precise and effective strategy.
Gaza: from terror to exile
After the massacre of October 7, 2023, Israel launched an unprecedented military campaign. Today, a year and a half later, the Israel Defense Forces control nearly 40% of the territory of the Gaza Strip, including:
The entire northern area that borders Israel
A security buffer zone of at least one kilometer along the eastern border
A wide region in the south, from the Philadelphi Corridor to Morag, protecting Gaza’s border with Egypt
And although there are still about 20 living hostages and approximately 30–35 bodies yet to be recovered, Barukh HaShem, the majority of the kidnapped hostages have returned home.
And finally, something even more unexpected: more than 36,000 Palestinians have voluntarily left Gaza during April 2025! Relocating to countries such as France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Jordan.
This emigration —inspired by the initiative originally promoted by President Trump— represents a profound political and military victory for Israel, and the greatest deterrent to prevent the enemy from ever attacking the Jewish State again.
Syria: weakened enemies
On the northeastern front, the Israel Defense Forces have succeeded in securing full control over the northern sector of Mount Hermon (Kéter haHermon), the second highest peak in the Levant. From this strategic position, Israel can monitor real-time military movements in Syria and Lebanon, significantly enhancing its deterrent capabilities.
This control adds to other surrounding areas, tripling the original size of the Golan Heights under Israeli control. In recent months, following the exile of Assad, Tzahal destroyed most of Syria’s strategic weaponry and neutralized its military capacity —without suffering casualties of its own.
Lebanon: a safe border B”H soon
For decades, the northern border was synonymous with constant threat. Today, thanks to the technological superiority and precise intelligence of Tzahal, Hezbollah’s weapons have been pushed further into central and northern Lebanon —far from Israeli northern cities such as Metula, Kiryat Shemona, etc.
These cities had lived for years under the threat of rockets and terrorist tunnels. During the October 7 war, they were evacuated, and today they are beginning to enjoy safety and a surprise-free border. When will this become definitive? Just a few days ago, Ron Dermer, senior advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stated that Israel will announce its definitive victory over Hamas and Hezbollah in April 2026 —which I estimate will include —with the help of ה׳— the safe return of the evacuated northern residents.
Iran: Crippling the Octopus
The great challenge remains Iran. But if we compare Iran in 2025 with Iran in 2023, the difference is enormous. The Persian regime is now “the head of an octopus” without its tentacles —Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Shiite militias in Iraq and Yemen— have been severely crippled.
With the help of the Almighty, Israel is consolidating its defensive and offensive capabilities like never before in its ancient and modern history.
DEMOGRAPHIC GROWTH
The most measurable blessing
Demographic growth is the first blessing that God gave to humanity and to our forefathers: Abraham, Yitschaq, and Yaakob. But in the latter case, with an additional detail: the blessing of multiplication is mentioned specifically in relation to the land of Israel.
God says to Abraham in Bereshit (Genesis) 22:17: אֲבָרֵךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ, וְהַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה אֶת-זַרְעֲךָ כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְכַחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל-שְׂפַת הַיָּם; וְיִירַשׁ זַרְעֲךָ אֵת שַׁעַר אֹיְבָיו
“I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore; and your offspring will inherit the cities of their enemies.”
Then to Yitschaq in Bereshit 26:4: וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶת-זַרְעֲךָ כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְנָתַתִּי לְזַרְעֲךָ אֵת כָּל-הָאֲרָצֹת הָאֵל, וְהִתְבָּרֲכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ
“I will multiply your offspring like the stars of the heavens, and I will give to your offspring all these lands; and through your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”
And then to Yaakob, in Bereshit 28:3–4: וְאֵל שַׁדַּי יְבָרֵךְ אֹתְךָ, וְיַפְרְךָ וְיַרְבֶּךָ, וְהָיִיתָ לִקְהַל עַמִּים
“May El Shaddai bless you, make you fruitful and multiply you, and may you become a congregation of peoples.”
In the Tora, the demographic growth of the people of Israel in their land is one of the clearest signs of the enduring covenant between the descendants of Abraham Abinu and the Almighty.
And in this area too, extraordinary events are taking place in Israel —you’d have to be blind not to see them, or very ignorant not to recognize them.
While in almost the entire developed world birth rates are plummeting and populations are aging, in Israel —and only in Israel— the opposite is happening. In 2025, the average fertility rate in Israel is 3.0 children per woman, the highest among all developed countries.
In contrast, the OECD average (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which groups 38 similarly developed countries) is around 1.5. In countries like Japan or South Korea, the figure has dropped below 1.3; in Germany and Spain, it barely exceeds 1.4.
In other words: while those nations are shrinking, Israel is opening new preschools and building new neighborhoods nonstop.
Within the Orthodox sector, the fertility rate is the highest in the world: over 6 children per woman, more than double the national average. In more traditional cities, the increase in demand for housing, kindergartens, and elementary schools is unprecedented.
The Muslim population, which historically led in this area, now shows demographic decline, with 2.8 children per woman.
The main novelty of this 77th Yom HaAtzmaut is that Israel’s total population in 2025 has surpassed, for the first time in its history, 10 million inhabitants. And although there is no official statistic yet, I believe that by next Yom HaAtzmaut (or the one after, BE”H), THE MAJORITY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE —MORE THAN 50%— WILL BE LIVING IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL.
IDENTIFYING THE DIVINE HAND
All these numbers and data have enormous spiritual and religious significance. And I find it INEXPLICABLE that they are not celebrated and recognized with enthusiasm by all Jews —especially by Jews who know and study the Tora, and who know these biblical blessings by heart!
Perhaps it is because no one is teaching us to connect the Tora with current events, or perhaps because —unknowingly repeating the terrible sin of the ten spies— they focus only on the negative aspects of the Promised Land and are incapable of appreciating the blessing of God in the land of their ancestors.
This ignorance and indifference worry me —because when we fail to appreciate the blessing of HaShem, perhaps, we may no longer deserve it.
Israel is not only the miracle of the past: it is also the visible stage of ongoing divine blessing —daily, extraordinary, observable, and measurable.
May the Almighty continue with His blessing —despite our indifference— and bring us closer to the Gueula Shelema, the final (or ultimate) redemption, in which all the descendants of Abraham, Yitschaq, and Yaakob become recipients of His blessing in the Promised Land.
Shabbat Shalom and Yom HaAtzmaut Sameach!
