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By Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, Shliach to Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida

“עם כלביא יקום וכארי יתנשא”

“The nation shall rise like a lion and lift itself like a young lion.”

— Numbers 23:24

These stirring words, spoken by the prophet Balaam — a man who sought to curse but was compelled to bless — have echoed through the ages as a prophecy of Jewish resilience and divine destiny.

Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed this verse in the sacred stones of the Western Wall, affirming it as a timeless emblem of our people’s unbreakable spirit. But its message is not reserved for leaders alone — it calls out to each and every one of us.

Rising Like a Lion: What It Truly Means

In the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, this verse is more than poetry — it is a call to action.

Just as a lion awakens with strength, confidence, and clarity of purpose, so too must the Jewish soul rise each morning — not sluggishly, not timidly — but with a powerful resolve to live meaningfully, to pursue truth, and to serve G-d with joy and pride.

This is not just a metaphor for personal devotion. The lion represents a national identity the Jewish people as a collective force, standing tall and unwavering in the face of challenges. In a world of uncertainty, the Rebbe taught that we must rise not with fear, but with faith. Not with despair, but with determination.

The Young Lion Within Us

The Torah’s use of both “lion” and “young lion” conveys a deep truth: that strength must be paired with renewal. The Jewish people do not merely survive — they rejuvenate. We are a people constantly reinventing ourselves through Torah, mitzvot, and acts of kindness. Every generation brings a new energy, a new roar, and a new sense of mission.

This verse is a spiritual wake-up call. It reminds us that each day is a fresh opportunity to elevate ourselves — to rise like a lion in prayer, in study, and in action.

Our Collective Role Today

In these trying times, when the Jewish people face threats both physical and spiritual, this verse could not be more relevant. We are reminded that our strength is not in numbers, but in our neshama — in the Divine soul that resides within every Jew.

The Rebbe taught that when we stand firm in our identity and strengthen our commitment to Torah and mitzvot, we unleash an unstoppable spiritual power that transforms the world around us.

Let us rise each day like a lion. Let us lift ourselves — and our communities — with the boldness of youth and the wisdom of our heritage. And may we soon witness the ultimate redemption, when the entire world will recognize the roar of truth and peace.

Amen.

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