Miracle alert soldier’s life saved by longer Shabbos meal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262674
Parsha Emor
After
learning the commands that the whole nation should be holy it was now for the
special status of the holiness of the Cohain to be taught.
21:1 And the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the
sons of Aaron, and say unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead
among his people;
An average Jew can participate in the Mitzvah
of honoring the dead: Going to funerals, digging graves, burying the dead,
preparing the body for burial and maintaining graves. The Cohain who serves
HASHEM with the Korbanos must be Tahor and cannot participate in this great
Chesed shell Emmes.
2 except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother,
and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother;
3 and for his sister a virgin,
that is near unto him, that hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself.
4 He shall not defile himself,
being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
A simple Cohain can identify a body of a close
relative and go towards the grave but the Cohain Gadol can only walk far behind
the bier to honor the dead and only enters a street towards the grave yard when
the procession turns the other way. My understanding is that this is a right
angle or such that the bier is invisible to the Cohain HaGadol.
5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither
shall they shave off the corners of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their
flesh. 6 They shall be holy unto
their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the LORD
made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer; therefore they shall be
holy. 7 They shall not take a
woman that is a harlot, or profaned; neither shall they take a woman put away
from her husband; for he is holy unto his God.
These laws are separating a Cohain from an
ordinary Jew. A divorced woman can be one of the greatest women in the world
and even divorced because the husband was a criminal, wife beater, had other
wives and Beis Din forced him to divorce, yet she has this mild blemish and is
forbidden for a Cohain. The laws of how a Cohain must check for the wife back
six generations are the most important thing that she comes from good stock.
Being on call before the L-RD 24/7 he could not defile himself with the dead
except for very close relatives which the Torah made an exception of.
8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread
of thy God; he shall be holy unto thee; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am
holy.
The showbread and wafers of the Korbanos which
require a very high degree of holiness from the Tuma.
9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by
playing the harlot, she profanes her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
A normal adulteress with witnesses is stoned.
Being born on a higher spiritual plane of holiness requires a much harsher
punishment.
In the story of Yehuda and Tamar, she would
have to be burned as she was the daughter of the Priest-King of Salem aka Shem
but she was saved from being burned when it was proven that the staff and ring
of Yehuda, himself was the man who took care of his sons Yibuma. (Levirate
marriage wife).
10 And the priest that is highest among his brethren, upon
whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the
garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor rend his clothes; 11 neither shall he go in to any dead
body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12 neither shall he go out of the
sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the
anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. 13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
An ordinary Cohain can marry a widow and do
Yebum it is only the Cohain HaGadol who can only be married to a virgin.
14 A widow, or one divorced, or a profaned woman, or a
harlot, these shall he not take; but a virgin of his own people shall he take
to wife.
These laws are separating a Cohain from an
ordinary Jew. A divorced woman can be one of the greatest women in the world
and even divorced because the husband was a criminal, wife beater, drunkard or
had other wives and Beis Din forced him to divorce, yet she has this mild
blemish and is forbidden for a Cohain. The laws of how a Cohain must check for
the wife back six generations are the most important thing that she comes from
good stock. Being on call before the L-RD 24/7 he could not defile himself with
the dead except for very close relatives which the Torah made an exception of.
15 And he shall not profane his seed among his people; for I
am the LORD who sanctify him.
Therefore, she should be of the finest of
families to be married to a Cohain.
16 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 Speak unto Aaron, saying: Whosoever
he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish, let him not
approach to offer the bread of his God.
The disabled Cohain or with some blemish can
flay the Korbanos and read during the slaughter for other Cohanim what type of
Korban and the time period to help the other Cohain have Kavannah but is
limited in his work in the Mikdash. He can prepare their food but not
participate in the offering.
18 For whatsoever man he be that has a blemish, he shall not
approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that has anything maimed, or anything
too long, 19 or a man that is
broken-footed, or broken-handed, 20
or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath his eye overspread, or is scabbed, or
scurvy, or hath his stones crushed;
Many years ago, I heard a story of Cohain who
had pains in his tooth but refused to do anything about it as it might
constitute a blemish. Even the perfect Korban, Yitzchak Avinu after a certain
age must have had cataracts and could no longer offer Korbanos.
21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath a
blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire; he
hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God,
both of the most holy, and of the holy. 23
Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he
hath a blemish; that he profane not My holy places; for I am the LORD who
sanctify them.
Cohanim are special people.
24 So Moses spoke unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all
the children of Israel. 22:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 2 Speak unto Aaron and
to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children
of Israel, which they hallow unto Me, and that they profane not My holy name: I
am the LORD. 3 Say unto them:
Whosoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approaches
unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having
his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from before Me: I am the
LORD.
Cohanim must be Tahor,
complete and free from Tuma to the third degree for eating Teruma and the
fourth degree for Korbanos. So if the Cohain was a Leper or was immediately
after relations with his wife or defiled by the dead or touched a carcass of one
of the animals that are called Sheratzim (lizard, mouse, etc.) or something
that died of itself or torn by beasts until he went to the Mikvah.
…
10 There shall no
common man eat of the holy thing; a tenant of a priest, or a hired servant,
shall not eat of the holy thing.
Even a Levy who could
serve and sing in the Mikdash or a Yisrael was considered a stranger for this
purpose but if he was an Eved Evri purchased with money then he could eat as he
was dependent on the Cohain for sustenance.
11 But if a priest buy any soul, the
purchase of his money, he may eat of it; and such as are born in his house,
they may eat of his bread. 12
And if a priest's daughter be married unto a common man, she shall not eat of
that which is set apart from the holy things. 13 But if a priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no
child, and is returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she may eat of
her father's bread; but there shall no common man eat thereof.
Not mentioned is the
possibility that his daughter married a Cohain and her child was a Cohain.
14 And if a man eat of the holy thing
through error, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give
unto the priest the holy thing. 15
And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which
they set apart unto the LORD; 16
and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings
guilt, when they eat their holy things; for I am the LORD who sanctify them.
The
section that I am skipping over deals with Korbanos that must be like the
Cohain unblemished and complete. That was the problem of Kayn vs. Hevel. Kayn
offered up an inferior beast and Hevel offered up the choicest of fruits.
…31 And ye shall keep My commandments,
and do them: I am the LORD. 32
And ye shall not profane My holy name; but I will be hallowed among the
children of Israel: I am the LORD who hallow you, 33 that brought you out of the land of
Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.
A necessary reminder of whom we pray to and
what HE did for us. And even if HE would not work a miracle for us like he did
with the soldier this past Shabbos, we would still have to honor and praise
HIM.
23:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 2 Speak unto the
children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the LORD, which
ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons.
Each occasion mentioned in the Torah is a
special day. We have days from the Rabbis such a Purim, Lag B’Omer, fast days
and recently Yom HaAtzmaut, Yom HaShoah and Yom Yerushalayim of which the last
three has a twinge of a religious political debate.
3 Six days shall work be done; but on
the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no
manner of work; it is a Sabbath unto the LORD in all your dwellings.
At this juncture the Torah
the Torah repeats the holiness of the Shabbos, Pessach and all the Yomim Tovim
mentioned in the Torah. This is a repetition of special holiness for the
Cohanim and since the Torah brings it down again it is for reinforcing the
holidays into the minds of the Bnei Yisrael. No words are minced in Torah and
so again and again the importance of Shabbos and Yom Tov observance is
emphasized by the Torah. Believe me if I was not bound to HASHEM, I too would
be out with a sailboat and swimming at a beach on Shabbos as a form of rest and
relaxation. Therefore, the Torah tells me it is more than that type of rest but
a rest from all forms of creative work – “Every type of Melacha one should not
do.” The Torah does this for us not for G-D – Shabbos observance is our own
reward. My private asylum from a crazy planet full of crazy people – where for
around 25 hours there is not existence of stock markets, H1N1 virus, Iranian
attempt at gaining nuclear devices, UN Security Councils, Israeli Drivers with
Road Rage, etc. OK, I have to give up sailing up and down the coast of Israel
and being free with the breeze or even like waltzing along with the breeze and
the breeze drifting over the sea. But I get in return a stronger family unit
and a chance to sit and read things other than the internet and the fast pace
of information. The amount of Frum people with stress related disorders are
much lower than the rest of the population because we have Shabbos. I am not
saying that Frum Jews don’t have stress and some do have disorders from stress
but it is relatively smaller than the rest of the population. This week it was
the Shabbos lunch with his family and a longer time at the holy Shabbos Table that
saved the soldier’s life. While one of the victims this week when to travel on
Shabbos and Pessach outside of Yisrael and away from guarding the Mitzvos. I
too was outside of Eretz Yisrael on Pessach but was with Kashrus, the holiness
of Shabbos for it is the Shabbos (Lecha Dodi) that is the source of all
blessings.
Regarding Holy Convocation read the words
of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/07/parshat-emor-three-versions-of-shabbat/?utm_content=blog1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
4 These are the appointed seasons of
the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their appointed
season. 5 In the first month, on
the fourteenth day of the month at dusk, is the LORD'S Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same
month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD; seven days ye shall eat
unleavened bread.
I found a way for my digestion this year
to get around eating so much Matzo. I found from Matzah Yehuda from
Yerushalayim “that make all things that exist” blessing on Quinoa and Tapioca
Matzos. This gets around the Ashkenazi Custom not to eat egg or wine Matzos
even if I am at and age and health condition where I could be excused. One
should go out of his way to guard the Mitzvos and Matzos according to his
customs as close as possible.
7 In the first day ye shall have a
holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work. 8 And ye shall bring an offering made
by fire unto the LORD seven days; in the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye
shall do no manner of servile work.
My Nephew, Menashe, read the splitting of
the Yam story on the evening as the seventh day came in. He read it fast in
Hebrew but with breaks for sentences. My friend, Dr. Hendel, (Rashi made Simple
– google), told him to rest on certain notes.
9 And the LORD spoke unto Moses
saying: 10 Speak unto the
children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye are come into the land which I
give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the
sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest. 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before
the LORD, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest
shall wave it.
This is the Omer of Barley brought each
day from after the first day of Pesach.
12 And in the day when ye wave the
sheaf, ye shall offer a he-lamb without blemish of the first year for a
burnt-offering unto the LORD. 13
And the meal-offering thereof shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine
flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet
savor; and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of a
hin. 14 And ye shall eat neither
bread, nor parched corn, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have
brought the offering of your God; it is a statute forever throughout your
generations in all your dwellings.
Parched corn means parched grain. Only
after the Omer of Barley offering would new crops from that year be allowed to
be harvested.
15 And ye shall count unto you from
the morrow after the day of rest, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the
waving; seven weeks shall there be complete; 16 even unto the morrow after the seventh week shall ye number
fifty days; and ye shall present a new meal-offering unto the LORD.
The Omer is brought seven complete weeks
or 49 days and on the 50th day will be the Bikurim offering. At the
time of Shavuos only the barley and wheat can be ripe enough for an offering.
The grapes and figs are later towards the early or midsummer in that order and
then the dates, pomegranates and olives towards the end of the summer or just
at Sukkos time.
17 Ye shall bring out of your
dwellings two wave-loaves of two tenth parts of an ephah; they shall be of fine
flour, they shall be baked with leaven, for first-fruits unto the LORD.
One of the few exceptions of leaven in the
Mikdash. Perhaps it is the Atzeres of Pessach that leavening comes into play
with this Korban.
18 And ye shall present with the bread
seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two
rams; they shall be a burnt-offering unto the LORD, with their meal-offering,
and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto
the LORD.
These animals plus the goat for atonement
and the Korban Tamid were brought on Chaggim.
19 And ye shall offer one he-goat for a
sin-offering, and two he-lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of
peace-offerings. 20 And the
priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering
before the LORD, with the two lambs; they shall be holy to the LORD for the
priest.
The Bikurim were above and beyond the
normal Teruma and Teruma-Maaser given the Cohain. There was no particular
quality (Shiur) that was given. It could be next to nothing to the whole field
or orchard.
21 And ye shall make proclamation on
the selfsame day; there shall be a holy convocation unto you; ye shall do no
manner of servile work; it is a statute forever in all your dwellings
throughout your generations.
Chag HaShavuos shall continue on whether
there is a Mikdash or in the Diaspora forever.
22 And when ye reap the harvest of
your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corner of thy field, neither shalt
thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest; thou shalt leave them for the poor,
and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
This is the reason for the
counting of the Omer in line 15 and the gleaming of the wheat and barley
harvest and the bringing of these crops of first fruits (meaning wheat and
barley) before the L-RD on Chag Shavuos through the other 5 Species during the
summer until Sukkos. Line 21 hints at the confession that the crop or fruit
farmer makes before the L-RD that is spelled out in Oral Torah.
23 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 24 Speak unto the
children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, in the first day of the
month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of
horns, a holy convocation.
The holidays of Tishrei and their holiness
are mentioned and Yom Kippur is likened in holiness to that of Shabbos.
… 32 It shall be unto you a Sabbath of
solemn rest, and ye shall afflict your souls; in the ninth day of the month at
even, from even unto even, shall ye keep your Sabbath. 33 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 34 Speak unto the children of Israel,
saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tabernacles
for seven days unto the LORD. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation; ye shall do no
manner of servile work. …43 that
your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in
booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 44 And Moses declared unto the
children of Israel the appointed seasons of the LORD.
This sentence is the part of the morning
Kiddush on Yom Tov.
This is the eternal light that existed in the Mikdash.
5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and
bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows,
six in a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense with each row, that it may
be to the bread for a memorial-part, even an offering made by fire unto the
LORD. 8 Every Sabbath day he
shall set it in order before the LORD continually; it is from the children of
Israel, an everlasting covenant. 9
And it shall be for Aaron and his sons; and they shall eat it in a holy place;
for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, a
perpetual due.'
The showbread was put on the racks from
Shabbos to Shabbos and taken off the next Shabbos and eaten by the Cohanim.
Miraculously it was soft, fresh and warm as if it had come out of the oven just
then and not a week later.
10 And the son of an Israeli woman,
whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the
son of the Israeli woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp. 11 And the son of the Israeli woman
blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him unto Moses. And his
mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.
This is a product of a
mixed marriage and not a proper conversion.
13 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 14 'Bring forth him that
hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon
his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying:
Whosoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16 And he that blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall surely be
put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him; as well the
stranger, as the home-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
17 And he that smites any man
mortally shall surely be put to death. 18
And he that smites a beast mortally shall make it good: life for life. 19 And if a man maim his neighbor; as
he hath done, so shall it be done to him: 20 breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he hath
maimed a man, so shall it be rendered unto him. 21 And he that kills a beast shall make it good; and he that kills
a man shall be put to death. 22
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for the
home-born; for I am the LORD your God.' 23
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and they brought forth him that had
cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. And the children of Israel
did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Aish
daily Omer counting from Rabbi Jacobson Shlita https://www.aish.com/h/o/t/48969716.html
Day 20 ― Yesod of Tiferet: Bonding
in Compassion
For compassion to be fully realized, it needs bonding.
It requires creating a channel between giver and receiver; a mutuality that
extends beyond the moment of need. A bond that continues to live on. That is
the most gratifying result of true compassion. Do you bond with the one you
have compassion for, or do you remain apart? Does your interaction achieve
anything beyond a single act of sympathy?
Exercise for the day: Ensure that something eternal is
built as a result of your compassion.
Day 21 ― Malchut of Tiferet:
Nobility in Compassion
Examine the dignity of your compassion. For compassion
to be complete (and enhance the other six aspects of compassion) it must
recognize and appreciate individual sovereignty. It should boost self-esteem
and cultivate human dignity. Both your own dignity and the dignity of the one
benefiting from your compassion.
Is my compassion expressed in a dignified manner? Does
it elicit dignity in others? Do I recognize the fact that when I experience
compassion as dignified it will reflect reciprocally in the one who receives
compassion?
Exercise for the day: Rather than just giving charity,
help the needy help themselves in a fashion that strengthens their dignity.
During the fourth week of counting the Omer, we
examine and refine the emotional attribute of endurance known as Netzach.
Netzach means endurance, fortitude and ambition and is a combination of
determination and tenacity. It is a balance of patience, persistence and guts.
Endurance is also being reliable and accountable, which establishes security
and commitment.
Without endurance, any good endeavor or intention has
no chance of success. Endurance means to be alive, to be driven by what counts.
It is the readiness to fight for what you believe, to go all the way. This, of
course, requires that endurance be closely examined to ensure that it is used
in a healthy and productive manner.
Day 22 ― Chesed of Netzach:
Loving-kindness in Endurance
For anything to endure it needs to be loved. A neutral
or indifferent attitude will reflect in a marginal commitment. If you have
difficulty making commitments, examine how much you love and enjoy the object
that requires your commitment. Do I love my work? My family? My choices? For
endurance to be effective it needs to be caring and loving. Does my endurance
cause me to be, or seem to be, inflexible? Does my drive and determination
cause me to be controlling? Am I too demanding? Do others (my employees,
friends, children) cooperate with me out of the sheer force of my will and
drive, or out of love?
Exercise for the day: When fighting for something you
believe in, pause a moment to ensure that it is accomplished in a loving
manner.
Day 23 ― Gevurah of Netzach:
Discipline in Endurance
Examine the discipline of your endurance. Endurance
must be directed toward productive goals and expressed in a constructive
manner. Is my endurance and determination focused to help cultivate good habits
and break bad ones? Or is it the other way around? Does my endurance come from
strength or weakness? Does it come out of deep conviction or out of
defensiveness? Do I use my endurance against itself by being tenacious in my
lack of determination?
Exercise for the day: Break one bad habit today.
Day 24 ― Tiferet of Netzach:
Compassion in Endurance
Healthy endurance, directed to develop good qualities
and modifying bad ones, will always be compassionate. The compassion of
endurance reflects a most beautiful quality of endurance: an enduring commitment
to help another grow. Endurance without compassion is misguided and selfish.
Endurance needs to be not just loving to those who deserve love, but also
compassionate to the less fortunate. Does my determination compromise my
compassion for others? Am I able to rise above my ego and empathize with my
competitors? Am I gracious in victory?
Exercise for the day: Be patient and listen to someone
who usually makes you impatient.
Day 25- Netzach of Netzach:
Endurance in Endurance
Everyone has willpower and determination. We have the
capacity to endure much more than we can imagine, and to prevail under the most
trying of circumstances.
Ask yourself: Is my behavior erratic? Am I
inconsistent and unreliable? Since I have will and determination, why am I so
mercurial? Am I afraid of accessing my endurance and committing? Do I fear
being trapped by my commitment? If yes, why? Is it a reaction to some past
trauma? Instead of cultivating endurance in healthy areas, have I developed a
capacity for endurance of unhealthy experiences? Do I endure more pain than
pleasure? Do I underestimate my capacity to endure?
Exercise for the day: Commit yourself to developing a
new good habit.
Day 26 ― Hod of Netzach: Humility in
Endurance
Yielding ― which is a result of humility ― is an
essential element of enduring. Standing fast can sometimes be a formula for
destruction. The oak, lacking the ability to bend in the hurricane, is
uprooted. The reed, which yields to the wind, survives without a problem. Do I
know when to yield, out of strength not fear? Why am I often afraid to yield?
Endurance is fueled by inner strength. Hod of Netzach
is the humble recognition and acknowledgement that the capacity to endure and
prevail comes from the soul that God gave each person. This humility does not
compromise the drive of endurance; on the contrary, it intensifies it, because
human endurance can go only so far and endure only so much, whereas endurance
that comes from the Divine soul is limitless.
Do I attribute my success solely to my own strength
and determination? Am I convinced that I am all-powerful due to my level of
endurance? Where do I get the strength at times when everything seems so bleak?
Exercise for the day: When you awake, acknowledge God
for giving you a soul with the extraordinary power and versatility to endure
despite trying challenges. This will allow you to draw energy and strength for
the entire day.
Day 27 ― Yesod of Netzach: Bonding
in Endurance
Bonding is an essential quality of endurance. It
expresses your unwavering commitment to the person or experience you are
bonding with, a commitment so powerful that you will endure all to preserve it.
Endurance without bonding will not endure.
Exercise for the day: To ensure the endurance of your
new resolution, bond with it immediately. This can be assured by promptly
actualizing your resolution in some constructive deed or committing yourself to
another.
Day 28 ― Malchus of Netzach:
Nobility in Endurance
Sovereignty is the cornerstone of endurance. Endurance
that encompasses the previous six qualities is indeed a tribute and testimony
to the majesty of the human spirit. Is my endurance dignified? Does it bring
out the best in me? When faced with hardships do I behave like a king or queen,
walking proudly with my head up, confident in my God-given strengths, or do I
cower and shrivel up in fear? Exercise for the day: Fight for a dignified
cause.
Ble
Neder after Chag Shavuos I hope to get into Perkei Avos again.
Thanks to Denise: There was a special show on Arutz
2 aka Channel 12 for Soldier’s Memorial Day. This year the 92-year-old mother
of a fellow who died in the first Lebanese War was honored by the filming of
the Talmud Shiur in his honor. This year the TV interviewed her and the members
of the Shiur for Memorial Day. The night of Memorial Day, her soul came to
rest. https://www.timesofisrael.com/slain-soldiers-friends-met-for-torah-study-at-his-mothers-home-for-37-years/
One
story worth reading was Audrey Hepburn Teenage Spy and how she worked
with the Dutch Underground in WWII. https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Audrey-Hepburn-Teenage-Spy.html?s=hp3
Israeli
Independence Day Torch Lighters: https://www.aish.com/print/?contentID=509634091§ion=/jw/id
The
story for this week is about a soldier injured so badly that he deserved a
medical pension with honors but not him. He fought to get back into the IDF now
a full Major General. A Dr. with Cerebral Palsy. And a Holocaust Survivor who
fostered 52 children [No thanks I am dealing with one heck of job on one hi-IQ
child].
On July 24, in the Saja’iyya neighborhood, deep inside the Gaza Strip,
his life changed forever when he was assigned the mission to locate an attack
tunnel reaching the Israeli community of Nahal Oz.
“We managed to locate the tunnel,” Siman-Tov said. “I decided to go with
my smaller command team to examine the entrance shaft."
As they entered, the roof collapsed above them, with a thick concrete
beam falling on his head, leaving him with five broken vertebrae. Amid the
tense battles around them, he was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery
and a long stay in intensive care. Within days he began his fight to get back
to the army.
“The initial feeling of being in intensive care was one of waste,"
he said. "I thought about my soldiers fighting and me being here, it led
to feelings of frustration and helplessness.” Although he would be left
paralyzed by his injury, he refused to see any other outcome than returning to
his troops. “I didn’t understand the full meaning of the injury,” he admits. “I
was sure in a matter of a few weeks or a few months I’d be back in the
battalion.”
Following intensive rehabilitation, less than a year later,
wheelchair-bound, he rejoined the army in a non-combat role, given the position
of team commander at the IDF's tactical command college. In acknowledgement of
his achievement and commitment he was promoted to the rank of colonel.
“I don’t like the definition of a hero,” says Siman -Tov. “Part of being
a fighter is in recovery too. I have never really seen a choice of giving up.”
He added, “Victory for me is to return to the army, to continue serving and to
wear my uniform again."
A
Doctor with Cerebral Palsy.
Earlier this year, Hodaya Oliel, 27, made
history, becoming Israel’s first doctor with cerebral palsy.
Born three months premature, weighing less
than a kilogram, she was diagnosed with the disorder and spent many years of
her childhood in and out of hospital. It was here that she first began to dream
of becoming a doctor.
The hospital department where Hodaya was
often treated as a child was opposite a children’s neurology ward. She spent
many months seeing doctors changing children’s lives for the better.
“The entire time,” Hodaya said, “between my
own operations, I thought to myself, I want to be a doctor. I want to be a
pediatric neurologist.”
Her parents resisted calls to place her in
a special school system for disabled children and opted to leave her within a
mainstream school. “We didn’t look at her as disabled and we didn’t want her
too, either,” her mother said.
Despite going through five operations
before even starting high school, and not being able to walk unaided, she clung
to her dreams and got into medical school.
“Every day there were challenges in getting
around, in moving from classes, upstairs and downstairs,” she said. “I tried
only to think about each day, one at a time and not be fazed.” She also chose
to live independently in an apartment forcing herself to overcome challenges.
In January this year Hodaya graduated from
Technion’s medical school in Haifa, one of Israel’s best universities. “I
dreamt about this all my life,” she said.
Professor Ido Fefferkorn of Haifa’s Carmel
Hospital said patients were impressed by what he described as “The small
medical student with the big heart.” Professor Ofer Levy, the head of the
premature ward where Hodaya spent some of her training, praised her skills as a
young doctor, “Hodaya, you have a strength that nobody else has.”
Holocaust
Survivor who fostered 52 children.
Mari Nahmias was born in Tunis, a former French colony occupied by the
Nazis in World War Two. The Jews of her town were forced to wear a yellow star
and subjected to anti-Semitic laws. Thousands sent to forced labor camps.
As a teenager, Mari Nahmias was smuggled out of her home and taken
pre-state Israel to the northern town of Afula, where she married and began
rebuilding her life. Along with her husband Avraham, who would spend many years
as the senior X-ray technician at town’s Ha'emek Hospital, the couple had eight
children of their own with Marie always busy cooking, cleaning, sewing and
creating.
When most of her own children had grown up, feeling she had more love to
give, Mari and Abraham opened their home to foster children. Many came from
broken homes, some with special needs and disabilities. Mari also care for children
who had terminal illnesses until they passed away. Now aged 92, still full of
energy for life, she has fostered 52 children.
The Mayor of Afula, Avi Elkabetz, congratulated Mari Nahmias on being
chosen to light a torch on Independence Day. He said, "Mari has for years
been our local pride. Now she is also a source of the nation’s pride, with her
story being heard all over Israel. She is an example to us all."
May Israel’s spirit to overcome and rebuild be an inspiration to us all.
Bill
to request answers to public inquires. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262647
ADL
offers reward for Shabbos attacker in Brooklyn. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/06/adl-offers-reward-following-latest-antisemitic-assault-in-brooklyn/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Israeli
Cannabis Companies have potential. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3761670,00.html
Yerushalayim
has a stray cat problem. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262856
Bezos
unveils Blue Moon. https://www.cnet.com/news/jeff-bezos-unveils-blue-moon-lunar-lander-plans-for-huge-space-colonies/?ftag=CAD-03-10aaj8j
Inyanay Diyoma
Over
300 rockets on Shabbos schools within 40 km of Gaza closed for tomorrow. 25% of
the people living near Gaza evacuate on their own aka flee. As I wrote this
many more rockets were fired based on notices. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5503459,00.html
Number
of rockets pass 350 as Ashkelon, Ashdod and near Beer Sheva and Beer Sheva
attacked.
US
continues wavers for Nuclear Workers in Iran. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262660
Russia
Hoax started as a mountain and became a mouse -Putin. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262659
Holocaust
and rescue commemorated at former Mir Yeshiva. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262652
First
casualty as IDF prepares for several days of fighting number of rockets
approach 500 fired in 24 hours. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262688
Cabinet
with Bennett and Shaked to meet. This time terrorist stations that are
populated were targeted. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262689
But
there is no plan to retake Gaza. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262687
IDF
targets terrorist homes watch their weapon caches explode. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262690
Time
to renew targeted killing. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262684
You
too can follow a few times a day News from Israel in English or your language. https://www.kan.org.il/radio/program.aspx/?progid=1158
Rocket
count passes 660 total so far 3 Israelis dead 131 injured in Ashkelon (Beer
Sheva?) and 18 terrorist Shachidim. Also opposite Hezballah called up.
1
dead: There were no shelters in the company that makes portable shelters: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5504165,00.html
1
dead from anti-tank missile. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262702
IDF
returns to targeted killings Iranian liaison funder killed. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262703
Israel
going for a war of attrition. https://www.debka.com/israel-opts-for-military-war-of-attrition-against-hamas-jihad-rocket-aggression/
Disabled
people are cannon fodder. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/05/disabled-israeli-man-who-cant-reach-bomb-shelter-in-time-says-he-feels-like-cannon-fodder/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Hamas
cyber-attack thwarted. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/05/israeli-security-agencies-say-foiled-major-hamas-cyber-attack-on-vital-infrastructure-this-weekend/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Picture
of pregnant woman on top of daughter during a rocket attack. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/05/photo-of-pregnant-israeli-mother-shielding-two-year-old-daughter-during-rocket-attack-with-her-own-body-goes-viral/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
We
cease they fire for $40,000,000 a month deal for no rockets in time for
Ramadan. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262734
PLO
no deal of the century. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262745
737
crashes into the St. John’s River in FL. Floats. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262712
IDF
sits and waits https://www.debka.com/israel-opts-for-military-war-of-attrition-against-hamas-jihad-rocket-aggression/
Correction
in the cement factory there was one dead a Bedouin the doctors managed to
revive the other man in serious condition.
4th
victim a Charedi man in Ashdod. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5504433,00.html
The
driver of the car who was killed, Moshe Feld was married to a widow of the
helicopter pilot who crashed on the way to Lebanon. She is now a victim for the
second time. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5505052,00.html
Ed-Op
Alex Fishman on Gaza. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5504113,00.html
Iranian
threat credible as US beefs up forces. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262794
New
and more murderous Iranian Rockets being manufactured in Gaza. https://www.debka.com/irans-badr-3-missile-in-maiden-show-against-israel-in-palestinian-rocket-offensive/
Ed-Op
Ben Yishai written before the cease-fire shows the frustration in the IDF and
other places as Netanyahu and his Eurovision Song Contest desire. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5504193,00.html
Israel
capitulated due to Eurovision Song Contest. When
Euro-songs matter more than Jewish Lives according to our Prime Minister
Netanyahu. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262785
Netanyahu
slammed by Gideon Saar and the Blue and White Party. He is weak the question is
will he be tried for his criminal behavior or continue as PM to dodge
responsibility. https://www.debka.com/netanyahu-slammed-for-continuing-to-duck-a-decisive-campaign-against-gaza-terrorists/
The
Tamar Yonah Show that the war in the south has not ended. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262798
Prof. Yoram Yuval: Netanyahu and the Right are
weak. No impressive baritone,
nor magnificent mushroom clouds rising from bombarded buildings in Gaza, nor
the raucous pronouncements of right-wing spokesmen can disguise the truth from
us and the entire world: Our very own Benjamin Netanyahu is weak. No one in
Gaza is afraid of him. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5505217,00.html
Next
round with Gaza. The terrorists are convinced that they can over-come Iron Dome
with large barrages. Between Ramadan and Elul expect more. https://www.debka.com/palestinians-believe-they-can-beat-iron-dome-israel-refutes-this-dangerous-illusion/
Two
Israelis arrested in Dark Internet Probe. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5505847,00.html
Ed-Op
Levy - Gaza fighting made the Jihad a major player. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5505643,00.html
Saudi
intellectuals and Journalists blame Iran for Gaza: https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/07/prominent-saudi-intellectuals-and-journalists-support-israel-slam-hamas-blame-iran-for-latest-gaza-violence/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Group
of UN Ambassadors see the damage in Ashkelon. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/07/group-of-un-ambassadors-visit-rocket-battered-southern-israeli-city-of-ashkelon/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Antisemitism
in modern Germany. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/07/antisemitism-is-alive-and-thriving-in-modern-day-germany/?utm_content=blog1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
French
Jews furious a Paris Prosecutor. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/05/07/french-jews-furious-as-notorious-antisemite-dodges-jail-time-for-holocaust-denial/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Diane
Bederman on an important book about Israel. https://dianebederman.com/if-i-could-choose-only-one-book-about-israel/
Expect
a military “hot” summer. Starting with Gaza, Iran, N. Korea. Iran: https://www.debka.com/behind-apparent-military-escalation-us-and-iran-buy-2-3-months-grace-for-reassessment/
US
ceases N. Korean Ship. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262963
One
might like the 2nd Amendment but it was not for maintaining 1000
guns outside of a museum or gun store with permits. https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/05/09/huge-cache-of-1000-guns-seized-from-los-angeles-mansion-in-raid/23723551/
Soldier
convicted of killing active terrorist to save his own life pardoned. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262961
Israeli-Swede
Astronaut scheduled for flight. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262961
An
attempt to reform Arab Prisoners they were given a day at the beach 4 dead. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262964
Ed-Op
Haggai Segal from the Hebrew Press. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23842
Have
a wonderful Shabbos folks,
Rachamim
Pauli
