Why Are There No Open Miracles Today? Rabbi Dani Lavi on Tu BiShvat

The question of why open miracles are absent in our generation is a profound query that touches the core of Jewish faith and existential reality. In times of war, uncertainty, and collective distress, people naturally yearn for the overt displays of divine intervention recorded in biblical history, such as the splitting of the Red Sea or the manna in the wilderness. Rabbi Dani Lavi, addressing this enduring puzzle through the Olamot Institute, approaches the subject by examining the subtle layers of divine governance that characterize the post-prophetic era.

Central to the rabbi's perspective is the transition from overt miracles to hidden providence, known in Jewish thought as 'hester panim' or the hiding of the divine face. When miracles are visible and undeniable, faith is essentially replaced by direct sensory experience. However, the spiritual mission of humanity—and the Jewish people in particular—is to cultivate faith and awareness of God within a world that operates according to natural laws. This hiddenness does not imply abandonment; rather, it invites individuals to look deeper beneath the surface of everyday events to recognize the hand of providence.

This theme connects deeply with the agricultural and spiritual lessons of Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees. A seed planted in the ground must undergo a period of complete darkness and decomposition before it can sprout and grow into a magnificent tree. Similarly, historical crises and the apparent absence of divine salvation often serve as the dark, fertile soil from which future redemption and spiritual growth emerge. The slow, imperceptible process of a tree's growth mirrors the gradual unfolding of divine plans in human history, requiring patience, perseverance, and active participation rather than passive observation of supernatural spectacles.

Ultimately, understanding the lack of open miracles transforms how we view contemporary challenges. Instead of waiting for the heavens to open with dramatic signs, individuals are encouraged to become partners in creation through ethical actions, resilience, and strengthening their inner faith. The lessons of Tu BiShvat remind us that true vitality often grows quietly and unseen, rooting deeply before producing visible fruit in the world.