When a nes is done for klal yisroel, for example the nes of purim or chanukah (or one may add the nissim we have seen in Israel the last 2 years). Do the nissim come only if klal yisroel has zechusim, or does Hash-m do nissim even wen klal yisroel doesnt have zechusim because of his ahava to klal yisroel.
I dont know if chazal talk about this but if they do I would be happy to hear what you jave to say.
Ari
Shalom Ari,
It's great to hear from you! Many times we are given special, even miraculous, treatment not in our own merit, but because of Hash-m's commitment to our holy Avos. For example, Devarim 9:4-5 teaches that Klal Yisrael will acquire Eretz Yisrael not because we were righteous but because Hash-m made a promise to our Avos, in addition to the fact that the Canaanites were wicked. Similarly, in Shir ha'Shirim Rabah #2 we learn that Klal Yisrael was redeemed from Egypt not for being any more righteous than the Egyptians, but because Hash-m made an oath to redeem them. See also Yalkut Shimoni #234, which discusses a similar idea regarding Keri'as Yam Suf.
Interestingly, the Gemara in Shabbos 55a says that the merit of the Avos has been used up, but Tosfos (DH u'Shmuel Amar) cites Rabeinu Tam who maintains that nevertheless Bris Avos still endures (see, for example, Vayikra 26:41-42). The Ri, however, maintains that the Gemara means only that for Resha'im the Zechus Avos no longer can provide protection, but for Tzadikim it can.
On the other hand, it seems that at times Hash-m wants to bring salvation to His people, but the generation is not worthy of it. See, for example, Sanhedrin 94a which tells us that Chizkiyahu theoretically could have been Mashi'ach and Sancheriv would have been Gog u'Magog.
Additionally, some commentaries point out that sometimes the purpose of an open miracle is not necessarily in response to Zechuyos but rather a lesson to show people that all events are from Hash-m. See the Ramban at the end of Parshas Bo.
Beautifully, the Malbim explains (see Tehilim 44:4) that there are two types of salvation that Hash-m provides, and each one has a unique term. When it is in response to the Zechus of Klal Yisrael, it is called Hash-m's hand (Yad), but when it is initiated from above then it is called Hash-m's arm (Zero'a).
There is much more to write about this subject, so I have not done full justice to your excellent question, so feel free to send any follow-up comments or questions, but I hope this gives you a good start.
Warmly,
Yishai Rasowsky