One of my pet subjects in history is looking for evidence of Divine Providence, which can be defined as “coincidence” so unusual that even skeptics have to take pause to consider them.
I have two books on the subject:
The Hidden Hand: Uncovering Divine Providence in Major Events of the 20th Century
The Hiddent Hand — The Holocaust
Among my favorite things in the books are quotes said by those most closely involved with the given events whom one might not think would have acknowledged something as “spooky” as Divine Providence. Here’s what I mean:
“One night in 1952 during the Presidential campaign, Dwight Eisenhower confided something to one of his advisers, a close friend, Senator Frank Carlson. And Eisenhower told him that during the war when he was commanding the Allied forces in Europe, he’d had a startling and vivid spiritual experience — he had actually felt the hand of God guiding him, felt the presence of God…” (President Ronald Reagan, remarks at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast February 6, 1986)
“Certainly it was unexpected [my success as a leader], but again I felt – forgive me for saying so – that I was serving as the instrument, albeit unworthy, of the plan of Providence.” (Winston Churchill)
“…. Providence facilitated [our] success, and Providence doomed [us].” (Albert Speer, Hitler’s Armaments Minister)
In any event, I tried to make the books are thought-provoking and engaging. If you read them and have a comment or want to share your own story please feel free to do so.
Yaakov Astor's Blog 
November 27, 2011 at 9:17 pm
I am reading the Hidden Hand Holocaust – and I noticed a typo. On page 44, footnote 2, you say “nineteenth century” but I think you mean “twentieth century”.
Still a great book though!
July 5, 2016 at 5:55 pm
I have just finished reading ‘Nothing Bad Ever Happens’. What a wonderful and enlightening story. Would have liked to have known Rachel
I live in Ellenville NY. As I had driven through Bloomingburgh in several months that have passed, I noticed that an Hassidic store had been vandalized. How sad that anti semitism is still raising its very ugly head. I hear people berating Hassicic Jews frequently, even fellow Jews saying unkind thoughts. Will it ever stop?
July 8, 2018 at 12:05 pm
I’d like to email Rabbi Astor a question. What is his email address? (not in a blog)