“Avraham heard his brother had been captured and he armed his disciples those who were born in his home.” (Bereishis 14:14)

The Avnei Nezer used to say that the aroma of Gan Eden emanates from all of the stories of Chazal especially those about the Avos for “the deeds of the forefathers are a sign for the children” and they convey important lessons for every generation.

In our parshah the Torah describes the cruel battle four kings fought against five others. It is incumbent on us the children of the holy Avos to pay attention to the conclusions we can draw from it.

With what weapons did Avraham fight? How did he have the power along with the 318 men with him to vanquish those hordes whose numbers were like the sand of the sea?

Why did Avraham choose specifically 318 men?

… It’s obvious that Avraham Avinu despite the fact that he relied wholeheartedly on Hashem also engaged in his own hishtadlus and that is why he chose that number. We must therefore understand its deeper meaning. (Tuvcha Yabiu Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein)

Once I sat down with a cup of coffee a piece of cake and a three-day-old paper. What did I read? Israel was about to attack Iran Egypt was threatening Syria was providing arms to Hizbullah and three terrorists were prepared to carry out a suicide attack for the sake of jihad.

What am I supposed to do with this terrifying news? I have small children older children children in between. All of whom travel about taking buses and frequenting bus stations. And none of whom are armed.

I know that a million armed soldiers cannot stop a single missile or a terrorist who plans on killing himself in order to kill others. I know the decision makers are biased by a thousand considerations and aren’t particularly concerned about one frightened woman who wants her children to come home healthy and well.

The Kli Yakar explains that since Avraham saw there was no natural way he could win the war he wanted to create a constant reminder of his obligation to rely on Hashem. The number 318 is the gematria of “Eliezer” which stands for Elokei avi b’ezri “my father’s G-d helps me.” That is why Avraham chose this number of soldiers — so he would always remember that he was dependent on Hashem….

Ultimately says the Daas Zekeinim Mibaalei HaTosafos all Avraham’s soldiers fled and only Eliezer himself remained with Avraham. Let us imagine these two elderly men going out to fight against the mighty army opposing them … [Their victory was due to] the power of the Jewish people who are not subject to the laws of nature but rather to other forces.

We are fighting not against the four kings but against the entire world. Dozens of cruel terror organizations vie for the opportunity to spill Jewish blood. In Arab countries fromIrantoLibya 70 wolves with sharpened teeth are pursuing us as if we were their last succulent meal. And the rest of the world today’s enlightened populist society? Almost all of them are filled with compassion for … no not for the small boy in Sderot not at all; they identify specifically with that boy inGaza.

Do we really think we have the ability to stand up to the entire world?

Avraham Avinu knew he didn’t. An army of 318 soldiers against the army of the four kings was just the tiny necessary hishtadlus. They were really nothing more than a small sign a gematria for the name of his elderly servant like a sign proclaiming “Hashem is really fighting for us and we are nothing more than pawns on a game board.”

And when those 318 soldiers fled and only Avraham and Eliezer were left on the battlefield they didn’t need any signs or reminders. Hashem was there — only Hashem Whose glory fills the world and the battle was won with a few handfuls of sand.

The army does not win the war nor do the advanced weapons the sophisticated fighter jets or the sanctions on Iran.

Only Hashem brings about victory.

And as for me — the small helpless woman reading those big headlines — I need to make my own small sign. To remind myself that there is only One upon Whom I can rely.