The Phoenix in the Torah: Rising From Destruction
- Team Hashem
- Jul 22
- 1 min read
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? In this video, we explore the profound teaching of the Chol—the remarkable bird commonly known today as the Phoenix. Rabbi Yaron Reuven says, this bird can teach us how we can rise from the ashes of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and merit the final Redemption.
The Gemara says, this extraordinary bird was the only creature that refused to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Later, during the flood, it chose to go hungry to spare Noah extra work, earning a massive blessing of eternal life. But this blessing comes with a catch: every 1,000 years, the bird bursts into a fireball, shrinks to the size of an egg, and is reborn from the ashes. What can this ancient Midrash teach us today?
We often put our faith in our own strength, wealth, intellect, or allies. But true salvation—both on a personal and national level—only comes when God strips away these false reliances. Sometimes, He brings us to a point of hopelessness and failure so that He can resurrect us, showing us that true help only comes from HaShem. Once we realize this truth, then the ultimate Salvation will come.
