Revised prayer list: Prayers for Men: Shalom Charles ben Gracia, Daniel ben Rivka, Ephraim ben Mazel, Zev ben Rachel, Yisrael Dovid ben Chaya Yenta, Rachamim ben Charlotte Jacqueline,
Women: Karen Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya Melecha Rachel bas Baila Alta, Rachel Shoshana bas Chana, Tsvia Simcha bas Devorah Yachad, Miriam bas Irene Taita Malka, Shulamis bas Etta, Chana Friedel bas Sara, Esther bas Alice, Denise Esther bas Leah, Drorah Rivka bas Chana, Leah bas Sara,
The following persons are recovering from long term non-threatening injuries and need Psalms. Binum Benyamin Tuvia ben Chana Friedel, Avraham HaCohain ben Yocheved, Melech David ben Sulah Pearla, Menachem Mendel Shlomo ben Chaya Rochel,
Parsha Bamidbar Part 1
There is no early or late in Torah. We now return to the days of the setting up of the Mishkan and Census. So all of Vayikra was commentary on perhaps a month and a half of Torah learning and we are now back to the setting up of the Mishkan and the movement of the camp.
1:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 'Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, by their polls; 3 from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: ye shall number them by their hosts, even thou and Aaron. 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe, every one head of his fathers' house.
The Census goes by Tribe, by family from the original sons of the 12 tribes. Note that sometimes the tribe of Yosef is counted with Levi and other times is counted as Ephraim and Menashe and Levi is not in the count.
5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur. 6 Of Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7 Of Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 8 Of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar. 9 Of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 11 Of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni. 12 Of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13 Of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran. 14 Of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 15 Of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.' 16 These were the elect of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.
When we say these are the elect of their tribes, they were not elected by personality popularity but chosen by the elders of the tribes. Each tribe had six elders that sat on the Sanhedrin but there were other elders. The elders looked at all the members of the tribe and also bred younger members for leadership. Each Tribe had a minimum population of 50,000 or more adult males. Some of the leaders of thousands were elders that sat on the Sanhedrin but one or more of the younger men were capable of running the management of the mundane things of the tribe.
17 And Moses and Aaron took these men that are pointed out by name. 18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so did he number them in the wilderness of Sinai.
The princes started bring their gifts during the 12 days of setting up the Mishkan in the second year in Chodesh Nissan. The census was declared and complete for the ages of 20 to 60 on Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's first-born, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 21 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
We see that despite the fact that Reuven was the first born and had a head start in marrying on some of the younger brothers his population was 46,500 which was next to the smallest population of the tribes.
22 Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
59,300 was more like what an early founded tribe should be like.
24 Of the children of Gad, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
45,650 completed the army’s southern flank of the army with a grand total of 151,450 that is closest to the 150,000 average of 600,000 men the guardian angel was Rafael.
26 Of the children of Judah, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 27 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 28 Of the children of Issachar, … of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 30 Of the children of Zebulun, … of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
Every day, the eastern flank of 186,400 would start marching the guardian angel was Michael.
32 Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, … were forty thousand and five hundred. 34 Of the children of Manasseh, … were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 36 Of the children of Benjamin … were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
Since the army started marching eastward or northward, the smallest of all camp was Machane Yosef with 108,100 under the guardianship of the angel Gavriel.
38 Of the children of Dan, their generations, by their families, … were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 40 Of the children of Asher, their generations, by their families, … were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 42 Of the children of Naphtali, their generations, by their families, … were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
Dan commanded the northern front towards upper Yisrael. The total troops in the Machane was 157,600 thus the main fighting force was 495,550 soldiers counting the central force of Yehuda with Dan and Reuven on the flanks and the rear being guarded by Yosef. The guardian angel of Dan was Uriel.
To get a proportion of this number back then or even today. I asked how many Israeli Soldiers in the Six Day War: The Israeli army had a total strength, including reservists, of 264,000, though this number could not be sustained during a long conflict, as the reservists were vital to civilian life.
The Israeli Army today: Israel Defense Forces
Active personnel 169,500, including 102,500 conscripts (ranked 29th)
Reserve personnel 465,000
44 These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men; they were each one for his fathers' house. 45 And all those that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 46 even all those that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
This was the total standing army.
47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
48 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 49 'Howbeit the tribe of Levi thou shalt not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the children of Israel; 50 but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongs to it; they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle sets forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up; and the common man that draws nigh shall be put to death.
The regular Jew is considered a stranger for this work even if he is an engineer who advises the Leviim, he is forbidden to touch or do the work.
52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man with his own camp, and every man with his own standard, according to their hosts. 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of the testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.' 54 Thus did the children of Israel; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
They did it down the last details as was taught by Moshe.
2:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 2 'The children of Israel shall pitch by their fathers' houses; every man with his own standard, according to the ensigns; a good way off shall they pitch round about the tent of meeting.
The 4 sections of the army were a very mighty force.
3 Now those that pitch on the east side toward the sunrising shall be they of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts; the prince of the children of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab, 4 and his host, and those that were numbered of them, threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred; 5 and those that pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar; the prince of the children of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Zuar, 6 and his host, even those that were numbered thereof, fifty and four thousand and four hundred; 7 and the tribe of Zebulun; the prince of the children of Zebulun being Eliab the son of Helon, 8 and his host, and those that were numbered thereof, fifty and seven thousand and four hundred; 9 all that were numbered of the camp of Judah being a hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, according to their hosts; they shall set forth first.
Please note this is basically a repeat of the numbers give in chapter 1 but with the summation that I made. The Chiddush here (new learning) is that Yehuda led the other tribes.
10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their hosts; the prince of the children of Reuben being Elizur the son of Shedeur, … 16 all that were numbered of the camp of Reuben being a hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, according to their hosts; and they shall set forth second.
As soon as Machane Yehuda started moving perhaps flags were moved up and down and they started marching or with shofaros.
17 Then the tent of meeting, with the camp of the Levites, shall set forward in the midst of the camps; as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place, by their standards.
Kohath was in the south as because of a bad neighbor named Korach who had bad neighbors Dathan and Aviran.
18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their hosts; the prince of the children of Ephraim being Elishama the son of Ammihud,
They went behind Machane Reuven and closed ranks with Machane Dan.
24 all that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim being a hundred thousand and eight thousand and a hundred, according to their hosts; and they shall set forth third.
The defending army needed less people to reject it’s rear flank but enough to hold out until Reuven and Dan would aid them
25 On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their hosts; the prince of the children of Dan being Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, … 31 all that were numbered of the camp of Dan being a hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred; they shall set forth hindmost by their standards.'
They were last but not least and could come more to help Yosef and/or Yehuda.
32 These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses; all that were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
We are describing a biblical army with a tremendous force. Today in numbers Israel ranks 34th but in fighting capability 17th with our modern army then Israel might have been the top.
33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 34 Thus did the children of Israel: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, each one according to its families, and according to its fathers' houses.
The census of the Leviim is about to take place. I do not know why our Sages broke up the Leviim from this Parsha to the next and made the next Parsha the longest. I profess ignorance and ble neder will check into this question. I will continue with all three sections of the Leviim next week ble neder.
A few words about the finishing of the Counting of Omer and the first round this summer of Perkei Avos. It is rare that if a person goes to Schul every night he will forget to count Omer. I am still praying in an outdoors Minyan opposite my house it is convenient for us on the block. But we daven more or less straight Mincha-Maariv together. As a result, Maariv is early and we count the Omer later. I learn with Rabbi Mimran at this time and so it is rare that I forgot to count after learning. But when one gets into certain laws, one can forget. Once I remembered before the break of dawn and once the next morning missing out on the Bracha which perhaps is the first time in many years that I missed out on the Bracha even once fortunately, I did not lose the count.
Reading with my wife a few times each summer Perkei Avos that it becomes tens of times still something pops up that I do not fully understand. For the first time understanding or the 50th time or 101st time understanding of Avos is different. One learns the Mishnayos so much that over time he/she almost knows them by heart but still we forget from time to time the wisdom or meaning or we see it from a new angle.
As with Perkei Avos something happens when I start writing on the weekly Parsha I do not think that I can see something new. Yet after 20 some years, I find a new angle to look at the same Pasuk. There is always something new.
From Christian Missionary to Observant Jew by Bluma Gordon
www.aish.com/sp/so/From-Christian-Missionary-to-Observant-Jew.html?s=hp1
Sharon Nuszen’s mission was to convert as many Jews as possible. Her fealty to the truth sent her in an unexpected direction.
The recent story of Michael Elkcohen, the undercover Christian missionary who masqueraded as an Orthodox Jew and infiltrated an Orthodox community in Jerusalem, sent shockwaves around the world. The father admitted his missionary intentions in 2014 but managed to avoid further scrutiny by relocating to the Anglo community of French Hill. A year ago, a journalist familiar with his confession notified Shannon Nuszen, the director of Beyneynu, a new watchdog organization that exposes missionary activity in Israel, about the couple. They had been spotted using two separate Facebook profiles – one with Jewish identities and one with Christian identities.
"We started an investigation to verify the truth," Shannon said in an Aish.com interview, "and the week before we planned on releasing the information to leaders, the story exploded in the media when a child who attended the same school as the missionary's children told her parents that a classmate was telling her friends about Jesus.”
While Elkohen has deleted his social media profiles and now denies the claims,
Beyneynu believes they have enough evidence to prove his missionary affiliations – and his act of betrayal to the community that extended their hand to his family. Shannon will release the evidence to the Israeli Ministry of Interior. “It’s my hope that the government and Jewish institutions finally see the need for, at the very least, a department that filters Aliyah applications and stops fraudulent applicants from entering Israel,” says Shannon.
Regarding the Elkohens, Shannon says she hopes that the government will revoke their citizenship and send a strong message to the entire Christian world that although Israel appreciates their social, political, and financial support, they draw the line at missionary activity, fraud, and deceptive tactics against the Jewish people.
Shannon Nuszen’s life story makes her uniquely qualified to promote missionary awareness in Israel. Born and raised as an Evangelical Christian, Shannon herself was an active missionary.
Shannon followed the typical path of a spiritually-oriented girl born to parents who were devoutly religious and a father who was a minister. As a young girl, Shannon spoke to youth groups as her father preached in church. She later joined a Messianic Congregation that focused on converting Jews. “In truth, all Evangelical Christians evangelize,” says Shannon. “Evangelizing the world is central to their belief – and converting Jews takes priority.”
Following her missionary training, Shannon began frequenting Jewish centers like the JCC, Chabad, and kosher restaurants. “I was taught to befriend the Jewish people in the community and became a recognized, friendly face.” She posed as a sincere woman looking for the proper translation of Biblical verses, specifically those that refer to redemption and the messiah. She’d confront a Jewish person and then point to a verse in Isaiah, suggesting that it refers to Jesus. “The people I spoke to got confused and didn’t know what to answer,” says Shannon.
While she persuaded less-knowledgeable Jews, Shannon faced opposition when she encountered affiliated Jews. “When I pointed verses out to them, they responded that I was mistranslating things and taking the verses out of context. One person got really upset with me – but then gave me tapes from Outreach Judaism, a Jewish counter-missionary organization.”
Realizing that she would need to better equip herself to counter their arguments, Shannon set out to learn the verses in their proper context. “When I learned the surrounding verses, I just got even more confused, so I decided to at least learn how to respond to the counter missionaries’ arguments. I started listening to the classes of Rabbi Tovia Singer, the founder of Outreach Judaism.”
The experience changed her life. “I was blown away by how Rabbi Singer defended Judaism. The more I learned, the more everything I believed just fell apart,” says Shannon. Shannon also started learning about Judaism through Aish.com and Chabad classes. “I saw an article about the film The Matrix on Aish.com that really resonated with me,” says Shannon. “I felt the way Neo did when he swallowed the blue pill and saw an entirely different reality. I felt like I was being unplugged.”
Shannon’s natural quest for truth eventually drove her to convert. “I saw the beauty of Judaism; I appreciated the prioritization they place on tradition and family,” says Shannon.
But abandoning her faith wasn’t an easy decision. “It was devastating,” admits Shannon. “My whole life was built upon the Christian belief system – suddenly the core of life was stripped from me.”
Shannon’s father soon followed in her footsteps and became a Noahide, a gentile who keeps the seven biblical laws that gentiles are required to keep, but the rest of her friends and family weren’t supportive. “When you reject Christianity, you lose your friends and family – you’re ousted from the community,” says Shannon.
But Shannon, who always had her heart set on Israel, has found tremendous meaning in her new life in the Jewish state. “Jewish life is full of purpose,” says Shannon. “Just the fact that I live in Judea serves a purpose, and every mitzvah is another opportunity to say thank you to God.”
Shannon has also been involved in working for counter-missionary organizations for years and her unique experience as an insider prompted her to found Beyneynu. “My incessant search for truth and disgust with even the smallest of lies drove me,” says Shannon. “I had to seek out the truth for myself and I believe that it’s my mission to expose the truth in everything I do.”
Shannon explains that Israelis are largely unaware of the missionary threats in Israel, and their naiveté makes them especially vulnerable. Successful missionaries don’t proselytize overtly: While some actually dress in kippot and tzitzit, others approach less knowledgeable Jews as genuine friends. “They claim that they have no agenda but it’s not true – many of them have a clear agenda to missionize,” says Shannon. Shannon continues to activate on behalf of the Jewish people, investigating and exposing missionary threats in order to protect the vulnerable Jewish populace.
Milestone Rabbi Avraham Hamra, 78 Rav of Syrian and Lebanese Jews. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305770
Inyanay Diyoma
No Shachidim. They were killed by a woman! https://www.debka.com/palestinian-multi-casualty-terror-thwarted-by-quick-witted-girl-officer/ When killed by a woman no virgins.
Police officer injured in Temple Mount Clashes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305765
Bennett willing to pay personal price. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305763
Are American Jews still safe? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305760
Saudis and UAE condemn Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1lAWEEdO
Trying to form a government. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BkXLDDW00u
Female Nerds helping the IDF. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rkH2Yb00D00
Chabad vs. Baltimore. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305709
Empty earth bunker bombed after rocket attack. Fire balloons galore. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rkH2Yb00D00
Arab riots police injured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305789
Dozens of Arabs attack Jewish Families. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305784
Biden to meet Putin face to face. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305772
Shooting in Aventura Mall, FL. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305792
Times Sq. shooting. https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-year-old-girl-2-women-hurt-in-shooting-in-new-yorks-times-square/
Chinese Rocket could hit Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-among-11-states-in-possible-trajectory-of-china-rocket-hurtling-to-earth/ It landed near the Maldives.
US Navy seizes illegal arms. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2600834/uss-monterey-seizes-illicit-weapons-in-the-north-arabian-sea/
Cyber attack on major US Pipeline. https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2021-05-08/us-pipeline-company-halts-some-operations-after-cyberattack
40 years since the Aliyah where 4,000 Ethiopian Jews lost their lives walking to Yerushalayim. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/jerusalem-day-ethiopian-israelis-remember-the-4000-sudan-victims-667238
Vaccine protests get out of hand. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/05/07/german-antisemitism-commissioner-calls-for-nationwide-ban-on-display-of-nazi-era-jewish-stars-at-coronavirus-protests/
Soccer Star’s family targeted in robbery. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305851
After close to a half dozen rockets last night, this morning another 3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/3-rockets-fired-from-gaza-in-early-morning-attack-at-least-1-intercepted/
Islamist ready to join Israeli government. https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamist-raam-said-ready-to-give-crucial-support-for-a-lapid-bennett-government/
A total of 7 extra battalions on west bank. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-sends-3-more-battalions-to-west-bank-in-bid-to-curb-violence/
Israel shared phone number with the CIA. https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-israel-shared-soleimanis-phone-numbers-with-us-hours-before-his-slaying/
Temple Mount closed to Jews due to riot. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305875
Health Ministry as important as Defense Ministry. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJqaDrZ00O
Israel’s next astronaut. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3907223,00.html
Israel to Biden don’t interfere in our capitol. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305873
7 dead in CO at birthday party shooting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305860
Clueless Joe turns ME into powder keg. https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/05/07/a-powder-keg-courtesy-of-washington/
Doctors strike to save 600 MD jobs. https://www.timesofisrael.com/doctors-set-to-strike-say-government-neglecting-health-now-that-covid-is-beaten/
2nd half of lamp in Budapest. https://www.timesofisrael.com/matching-half-of-2000-year-old-lamp-found-in-jerusalem-said-located-in-budapest/
Flag Dance Cancelled as Hamas sends 7 rockets toward Yerushalayim. One knocked down. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305919
Hezballah trouble maker targeted in Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305909
Iowa Jewish Student in Middle School gets antisemitic goose stepping Tiktok. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305904
Attempted lynch in Yerushalayim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/305879
Israel at war.
With the lack of leadership over the years by PM Netanyahu, the military wing of Hamas warned that by 6PM last night if the area of the flag dance by the Kotel is not cleared, there will be a rocket attack. At 6:01 on the TV screens one could see the area of Yerushalayim and vicinity under attack of 7 rockets. By 6:05 the boys and girls were back dancing with the flags. The IDF began attacking the ones preparing the rockets in real time and 21 Shachidim and their rockets in short time. 6 Hamasniks were in a tunnel trying to penetrate Israel. Israel sent a deep penetration bomb over their heads 6 assumed Shachidim unless the pilot was female. As of 6 in the morning approximately 280 rockets sent. A building in Ashkelon received a direct hit a family was blasted by glass from a window 2 out of 4 from one family needed hospitalization and 4 others from the building lightly injured. A private house was hit with a left over from an Israeli missile on the roof. PEOPLE LISTEN AND GO TO THE SHELTER.
Arabs in the north, the Arab triangle, Lod also started minor protests but the majority are behaving themselves.
Israel at war day two
I mentioned in passing yesterday about the Arab riots in Lod. Today we were supposed to get cooking gas. They did not come so my wife called up. “Lod Distribution Center is closed because of the danger.” Stephen wrote: The Arab rampage in the central Israel town of Lod was the worst outbreak of inter-community violence to sweep Israel’s mixed cities on Monday night. Masked Arabs burned down the Lod synagogue, firebombed the school, attacked hospital staff and city hall, overturned rubbish bins and pelted Jewish passersby with rocks. In the course of an Arab mob clash with Jewish neighbors, an Arab man was shot dead. The mob had hoisted Palestinian and Hamas flags. Police detained a suspect when they finally arrived on the scene of wreckage after ignoring repeated appeals by citizens for help.
There were a few attempts to lynch Jews. One Arab was shot dead Monday night and an elderly Chabadnik escaped with the help of riot police with his life. Tuesday night saw stores burned, cars burned and the Arab Shuk is closed today. Military rules are in place in Lod giving the police the power of curfew if necessary. “State of Emergency” rules. Monday saw in the Negev Bedouin throwing stones at cars and attempted lynching of Jews. Haifa, the Triangle, and Yerushalayim, Ramla but Beer Sheva was a bit better.
The first 24 hours of the war saw at least 450 rockets that was twice operation protective Edge. Then came barrages of hundreds towards Tel Aviv and Central Israel. My alarm that has Modiin went off a few times around nine but also had central plains that I erased then.
Until about 1PM, Ashdod had been spared even through it was in the 40km distance then all at once a massive barrage towards Ashdod with what they claim was 137 rockets but we counted 40 something. One private house of a fireman caught fire in Ashdod and other damage in Ashdod – Ashkelon. An oil storage tank caught fire and was still burning as of this writing.
During the course of the 1PM attack, an elderly lady could not get to the shelter and died from a direct hit. In another home, the elderly lady was injured and her caretaker from India who was so faithful died from a closed building as she sat in the corner in a chair.
My mother-in-law’s caretaker goes to the center of the house under the main beam and hides under the massive table there. Too many elderly and poorer people live in older housing without shelters. When a 50 year old woman died from her injuries her friend in shock aged 67 got a massive coronary at the hospital and died on the spot.
Action occurs during the evening news time and between 8:45 and 8:50 had a barrage hit a bus in Holon and an apt. in Givatayim and one in Bnei Brak. During the day yesterday 6 people were injured in Ashkelon beside the usual shakes and upset feelings of people in shock.
People at weddings, restaurants etc. fled to shelter. Sari F. describes her evening: So I thought I’d go to a Zumba class on a Tel Aviv beach this evening. Afterwards I sat on the edge of the walkway, tired ...but it had been another great class with the music I love: hip hop, west African, Brazilian. My feet were in the sand. My thoughts were on a blog I wanted to write about how frustrating it is to hear unbalanced reporting about pretty much any Middle Eastern conflict in the English and American news media. (This isn’t that blog.)
I paused to look at the surf and the beach filled with dozens of volleyball nets and so many players. I admired it all and then went back to work.
A moment later I heard sirens but there’re a lot of different sirens in Israel, so at first I didn’t realize this particular sound wasn’t from a police car or ambulance, wasn’t the siren calling for 2 minutes of Yom HaShoah silence or the Muslim call to prayer which comes 5 times a day.
I kept on writing. This wasn’t the first time I’ve continued writing, ignoring the siren warning of imminent death.
I live in the Tel Aviv district so I have, they explain to us, 90 seconds to find shelter before the bombs on the rockets explode. Some parts of Israel have 15 seconds to find protected space. Many, like me, can’t afford a safe room (called a “mamad”) in our home. And there aren’t a ton of public shelters. People who haven’t been under rocket attack do not realize. Most people —in both Israel and, I imagine, in Gaza (where I’m not allowed by Gazans to go) and probably in other places too, people are under rocket attack all over the world—stand in stairways or under building ledges. Best you can do with only a few seconds of warning. Experiences like this make clear humans are not made of steel.
Also FYI there aren’t always warning sirens. Defense systems aren’t perfect (what is?) You can’t assume they’ll work. Without warning, rockets have exploded near me in central Israel — happened earlier this year when Gazans shot rockets during a thunder storm, seeming to have been timed to strike during flashes of lightning (which led to the rocket launches being undetected).
In case you’re wondering, I live in an area in Israel which was previously unused sand — I checked. No one had lived on, or used, this barren non-oasis area, an uninhabited unused location which had been searched for and selected on purpose and then legally purchased before WWII at the market rate before construction began. (I live far from the beach.) Unlike when I lived in in NYC, Pennsylvania etc. which had been claimed as the home of 500 tribes of indigenous peoples before 1620 when Europeans arrived.
So Zumba had finished and there I was, writing—until I realized the beach had near-emptied except for a few people running past me. Now I understood. I jumped up. Cursed. Grabbed my things. Turned to run. Dropped my phone which hit the concrete hard and skittered away. I ran to pick it up. Then I ran for my life.
I headed toward the beachfront shops and found a place with a lessor amount of glass. I shrank down, my back to the wall, a short ledge above, an ice cream freezer hummed at my side.
An avalanche of explosions, so many, so loud. As bombs exploded nearby massive shock waves pressed close seeming to suck the breath from my lungs and the air seemed to shudder. Many, many, many more explosions happened sounding like thunder and lightning — this time an entirely manmade storm of hate.
These were powerful long range rockets. Huge impacts and huge opposing forces as Iron Dome mostly shot them outa the sky. How long would Iron Dome last? Supplies were complicated, expensive and many in Israel and Gaza don’t even have money for food. Some explosions were so sudden and so loud I cried out. I didn’t want to cry out, but there’d be another monstrous detonation and I’d cry out again. Otherwise I was silent.
My hands shook, which I only realized after I found my phone and left a message of love, just in case.
The barrage went on a long time. When things got less frenetic I looked for better shelter in a cafe. I sat on the floor behind a barricade made of a turned-over table. The barrage ended. Then we were asked to leave by a hijab-wearing woman who then locked the cafe door.
You’re supposed to continue sheltering in place for 10 minutes after a rocket attack. I watched some guy zip past, not waiting, on his e-bike. People were calling their moms. I read on my phone that a bus had been hit. And the building across the street from my home had been bombed—my windows might have been blown out etc. I don’t know what awaits me at my home. Buildings shook as far away as Holon. There were rumors every part of Israel was under attack.
I’m still at the beach, which is, by now, as I finish writing this, empty. In a minute I’ll start my walk home.
Menashe was learning in the Yeshiva before the Maariv Prayer Time that ends his Shuir. Suddenly, the siren went off. A panicked Rosh Yeshiva with the responsibility for the safety of close to 90 boys and Rabbis waited for the booms and sent the boys home. The police ushered Menashe out of the dorm and he had no time to take his clothing of house keys. He was in panic with a friend from Moshav Yesodot. They were in complete panic without a plan – should we go to Yesodot? She we go to Moshav Nechalim (under attack with Petach Tikva) Should we both go separately to our homes? After wasting about an hour of time, they decided on the third option. Menashe was not that happy as he would travel close to the airport that had been under attack. He arrived home at 11:30 and went straight to bed exhausted.
Both Menashe and my wife sleep deeply but drop a pin and this ole soldier wakes up. At 3:05 AM I hear like a loud speaker and a funny siren. I yell get to shelter and grabbed my pants with my cell phone and heard boom or pop in the distance toward the south ran quickly down the stairs behind the others. As now the phone app siren was going off about a minute late and after the two booms. Shut us in the shelter. After a couple minutes and no sign of more attacks on the Modiin area, my wife and then I went to facilities near our shelter. A man in Yahud was saved when his wife dragged him in from outside the house during the Alarm.
In Lod, the rocket did not distinguish if you supported the Arab rioters or were Jewish. Awad 52, and his daughter 16, were killed. A few people were in serious conditions. Iron Dome - Like Star Wars or Star Trek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d_h5uqnYOI
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306015
Ambush:
The army supposedly closed off a road near Gaza as an anti-tank missile was used against a civilian car a few days ago. But somebody did not tell a jeep driver and one dead and three wounded soldiers were critically wounded and then two rescuers seriously wounded as a mortar attack followed with hundreds of mortars shot over the area. https://www.timesofisrael.com/1-killed-3-injured-as-hamas-fires-anti-tank-missile-at-israeli-jeep/
Over 200 rockets and mortars fell short in Gaza and some exploded killing their Shachidim. See this Summary from Debka as of last night. https://www.debka.com/hamas-expands-rocket-fire-to-tel-aviv-region/ Arutz 7 summary. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306003
Singer has a concert in Shelter. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306048
Demanding freedom for 3 Jews who shot in self-defense Lod rioters. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306046
Avoid danger in the old city of Yerushalayim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306059
Massive Border Police Force to Lod. https://www.timesofisrael.com/massive-forces-sent-to-lod-as-netanyahu-vows-to-restore-order-with-iron-fist/
63% Pure Uranium in Iran. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-now-enriching-uranium-to-63-purity-un-watchdog/
Conviction that the police fumbled. https://www.timesofisrael.com/supreme-court-orders-retrial-of-convicted-killer-of-13-year-old-tair-rada/
Sargent dies in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306083
Police arrest 55 rioters south Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306061
Israel at War day three/part of four:
Last night there was a glitch in the warning system and the microphones blasted some incoherent Color Red alert but no siren. My wife and I ran to the shelter most of central Israel and the plains were under attack but places around Modiin and a Kibbutz in North Central Israel got warnings. After a few minutes I heard a distant siren and decided for safety since I was a awake to have everybody run to the shelter this time we heard a reasonably loud boom.
Earlier in the evening a 5th floor room took a direct hit and the ricochet hit a neighbor’s safe-room’s glass three floors below killing a 5year old and injuring others in the safe-room. The rocket was a larger 250km type and the ricochet penetrated the steel cover and the hurricane reinforced glass windows. https://www.timesofisrael.com/6-year-old-critically-hurt-dozens-others-injured-as-gaza-rockets-pound-israel/ https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306096
We watched in Bat Yam Jewish carrying out a pogrom on an Arab Ice Cream Store and they would later semi-lynch an Arab Taxi driver. In Acco, Arabs sent a young Jew is on life support and may not make it. In Lod despite the curfew a Jew was stabbed. In Haifa some trouble. In Ramla looting of Jewish stores or neighbor and burning of both Jewish and Arab vehicles. A 32week pregnant woman was badly attacked by Arabs and the doctors delivered a healthy baby thank G-D.
In Lod it was incitement from the Mosque. 10 more border police regiments are being called up to deal with the situation as citizens do not need martial law but police to enforce the law. This is where the worshipper was stabbed going to Schul. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306143
See also: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJpDrS9du
Police Commander Rammed in Wadi Ara. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306066
Gaza’s top engineers hold a pow-wow how to improve missile attacks are hit by bunker busters. In return more attacks on Beer Sheva and Eilot near Eilat. https://www.timesofisrael.com/heavy-barrage-hits-tel-aviv-beersheba-hamas-calls-it-revenge-for-slain-leaders/
Incoming flights to go to Ramon near Eilat. Ben Gurion still has out going flights. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-shuts-ben-gurion-airport-to-incoming-flights-amid-rocket-fire-from-gaza/
Hamas starts drone attacks. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-13-2021/
After taking out the 4 senior Hamas Commanders yesterday, today the head of the anti-tank force of Jihad removed. https://www.debka.com/on-the-run-from-flying-idf-hunters-hamas-leaders-send-more-rockets-deep-inside-israel/ See also article. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306053
After giving more money to the PLO, listening to the 4 antisemitic congresswomen, adding antisemites to his cabinet, Biden frustrated by Hamas. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SkK1llt00d
Hamas makes demands for too much control of Yerushalayim. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryHhosK00u
FB bans Jew over anti-Hitler article. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306078
My generation of Reform Jews were brought up with different morals. Love and marriage goes together like a horse and carriage. Jewish girls were to be virgins until married. There were people who were normal and some exceptions un-normal but most of us were innocent to a certain age. https://www.breitbart.com/education/2021/05/11/superintendent-defends-reading-transgender-book-to-1st-graders-diverse-books-consistent-with-our-values/
Alternative government almost ready it depends on Arabs. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306142
Not far from Menashe’s Yeshiva: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306119
Shooting attack in Samaria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306115
AZ Democrat calls out Party. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/306097
End of Day four start of day five of the War.
Last night, in light of the Israeli Arab Riots, Bennett pulls out of the agreement to make him Prime Minister stating that he cannot form a government with Arabs when 874 rioters have been arrested. Two Jews were shot in Lod, one a paramedic in the leg. A 5th Synagogue was burned. In Ramla a policeman was shot. Acco shots fired but calming down. Even with all the border police and reserves the riots continue. In Ramla Cadis and Rabbis walk around from place to place to place to calm tempers. Road 31 near the Bedouins in the south is almost impassible due to vandalism and Haifa saw trouble. Beer Sheva was relatively calm.
Attack on Gaza continued. Last night the foreign press got confused as the IDF spokesman mentioned tanks, artillery and ground troops shooting at Gaza but we did not open up a ground front. Naval forces took out coast launching rocket pads. Also the Gaza Naval Commando base was attacked.
The Gaza Metro was bombed from 160 aircraft with 450 bunker buster bombs. Hopefully, command and control posts were destroyed with their soldiers and also underground launching sites were hit. Nobody knows how much damage we did to their commanders, rockets, launch pads and leaders. Gazans leaving areas where rockets are stored and moving into UN or Gaza Schools.
BTW when the artillery corp. uses the 155 and 175mm guns the ground shakes for miles and the noise is fearsome even if it is our guys. I know from my days on border patrol.
Have a peaceful, healthy and restful Shabbos, Israelis keep a light on in the shelter and it is permissible Erev Shabbos to light a radio or TV before Shabbos and not turn if off for real time info if you are under attack just keep a low volume so that it does not disturb the Shabbos atmosphere with your apartment. It has a psychological calming effect and we do not need PTSD in Eretz Yisrael.
Rachamim Pauli
