In a poignant reflection on Israel’s ongoing conflict and recent military operation “Rising Lion,” Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui has issued a stirring call for the nation to persevere until complete victory is achieved. Drawing inspiration from a biblical passage cited by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ezagui emphasizes the need for Israel to rise like a lion and not rest until its enemies are destroyed and the land secured.
The operation, launched in June 2025, takes its name from Numbers 23:24, where the prophet Balaam foretells a nation rising like a lion that “does not lie down until it eats its prey and drinks the blood of the slain.” Ezagui interprets this as a mandate for Israel to decisively defeat its adversaries, warning against yielding to external pressures that have historically led to painful setbacks.
Reflecting on lessons from history, he cites Egypt’s former leader Gamal Abdel Nasser’s repeated conflicts with Israel and the consequences of diplomatic compromises, including the 2005 Gaza disengagement, which Ezagui describes as disastrous for Israeli security. He criticizes Israel’s recent halting of its campaign against Iran, urging the nation to avoid repeating past mistakes by not fully neutralizing threats.
Ezagui acknowledges the heavy toll the conflict has taken on Israeli society loss of soldiers, financial strain, and deep communal wounds—but insists that the path forward requires unwavering resolve. He calls on Israelis to learn from history, stand firm, and complete the mission with total victory, invoking biblical assurances of divine support alongside human responsibility.
The rabbi’s message is both a spiritual and strategic exhortation, emphasizing that Israel’s survival and future depend on finishing the fight decisively rather than settling for partial measures. His reflections underscore the enduring challenges Israel faces amid regional hostility and the complex interplay of military, political, and moral considerations in the current conflict.