A couple thoughts about the disaster in Hawaii that claimed so many lives. The loss is unimaginable.
The following is just some observations. I don't judge to say who is wicked - that is up to HKB"H. But let's see what Tanach says.
As we know, the fires spread via high winds which were initiated by Hurricane Dora many miles away.
The following verse from Barechi Nafshi comes to mind:
| ד עֹשֶׂה מַלְאָכָיו רוּחוֹת; מְשָׁרְתָיו, אֵשׁ לֹהֵט. | 4 Who makest winds Thy messengers, the flaming fire Thy ministers. |
עֹשֶׂה מַלְאָכָיו רוּחוֹת; מְשָׁרְתָיו, אֵשׁ לֹהֵט. = 2403
שרפת להיינה במאווי בהוואי בארה"ב ביום כ"א מנחם אב התשפ"ג = 2403
Here's another verse from Yeshaya that seems to give the order of events: storm then fire, even though there is agreement that this verse is referring to the downfall of Ashur:
| ו מֵעִם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת תִּפָּקֵד, בְּרַעַם וּבְרַעַשׁ וְקוֹל גָּדוֹל; סוּפָה, וּסְעָרָה, וְלַהַב, אֵשׁ אוֹכֵלָה. | 6 There shall be a visitation from the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire. |
Another verse that comes to mind from Iyov:
| יג לֶאֱחֹז, בְּכַנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ; וְיִנָּעֲרוּ רְשָׁעִים מִמֶּנָּה. | 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? |
Note the word וינערו, which is commonly translated as shaken. But, given the context, it could be similar to נעורת של פשתן (tow of flax), which is something that burns easily. See
Yeshaya 1:31, for example.
Hawaii is at the ends - or corner - of the earth. Especially if we consider the International Dateline the dividing point of the earth, Hawaii is near the westernmost point of the earth.
Also, in the Canary Islands, the island of Tenerife has a fire that is out of control.
Thousands are being evacuated right now. This too can be deemed a corner of the earth as it is near the westernmost part of the Eastern Hemisphere.
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| Major fires in these locations |
Three of the ארבע כנפות הארץ were recently or are currently burning.
May Hashem save us from this destruction, but at the same time, we should know a possible reason why it's happening.
