Parshiyos Pinchas, Matos, Massei, three stories and news

 

I want to thank all my friends that are praying for my health and the may Refuah wishes that I received.

 

 

Last week I was devastated on Friday close to 12AM Israel time when word suddenly fell wiping out copy and pasted stories and some of my data. I have decided that control S often is not enough. It is easier for me to write a general commentary on sections than Pasuk-Pasuk like Rashi and place an e-mail draft here and there to be erased later. This week will be the summation of Sefer Bamidbar and next week Erev Tisha B’Av, Shabbos will be introduction to Devarim and the beginning of the end of Moshe’s life in three Drashos that he teaches us more than 200 new Mitzvos.

 

 

Parsha Pinchas

 

 

Last week, we ended with Zimri, prince of the tribe of Shimon, yelling back at Moshe for marrying a Midian Woman and he brought his own Midian Woman into the camp. The difference of course being Yisro Priest to THE MOST HIGH and Cozbi being a prostitute to Baal Peor. That part Zimri forgot. For how does one sin? A craziness enters a man’s head. At first he realizes it is a sin perhaps thinks he can do Teshuva but does not have help from heaven because Teshuva must come from regret after the sin and not before. Example, born a 6^th general Reform Jew, I was told that pork in ancient times had Trichinosis and with modern growing of pigs in western countries that does not exist. And that is more or less true. For without Emmes a Devar (thing) cannot stand. However, that is not the spiritual reason why Pork or Bacon are forbidden to Jews. It is that fact that the pig parts the hooves and does not chew its cud! Period! No more reason is needed. However, when your Reform Rabbi was an atheist so what does one have to do with a living G-D who was, is and will be?  So doing Teshuva was to come from recognizing the fact that ELOKIM exists and is manifested by HIS GLORY filling the whole Universe. Then there comes the regret of eating Pork and Bacon. Still where does the Kashrus of cows, sheep, etc. come in. Becoming a Baal Teshuva is not easy and it takes time.

 

Zimri instead of doing Teshuva and regretting his Znus (lewdness) and idol worship by Shogeg (accident) as he did not really know that defecation before the statue of Peor was its worship. Instead, he defied Moshe and the Halacha. His day in the sun was setting. Pinchas, by acting the way he did, saved Am Yisrael from a worse plague. Thrusting them through in the middle of the act and dragging their dying impaled bodies outside set the standard for stopping the plague in incense and repentance. 

25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 

 

There were 24,000 of the tribe of Shimon and perhaps a few others of other tribes that went with these loose women.

 

3 And Israel joined himself unto the Baal of Peor; and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Take all the chiefs of the people, and hang them up unto the LORD in face of the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.' 

 

First of all hang publically the instigators.

 

5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel: 'Slay ye everyone his men that have joined themselves unto the Baal of Peor.' 6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midian woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of meeting. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the chamber, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died by the plague were twenty and four thousand. 

 

The heroic deed of Pinchas stopped the plague and as a result he was given an everlasting Kahuna. If I am correct only he and David were mentioned receiving this. Maybe there were other Tzaddikim and Prophets.

 

10 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 11 'Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was very jealous for My sake among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. 12 Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.' 14 Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midian woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the Simeon Tribe. 15 And the name of the Midian woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. 

 

So Pinchas stayed the plague and received an eternal reward. The culprits are named saying beware lest you be like Zimri or Cozbi.

 

16 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 'Harass the Midianites, and smite them; 18 for they harass you, by their wiles wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor.'

 

Now Midian was neither Balak or Bilaam and yet they did such an evil deed it was going to be more than harassment. This was one Midian Tribe and although distant relative of Yisro were far away from his portion.

 

26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying: 2 'Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel.' 3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 4 '[Take the sum of the people,] from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, that came forth out of the land of Egypt.' 5 Reuben, the first-born of Israel: the sons of Reuben: … 7 These are the families of the Reubenites; and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. 8 And the sons of Pallu: Eliab. 9 And the sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, the elect of the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD; 10 and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign. 11 Notwithstanding the sons of Korah died not. 

 

They saw what had happened in the past with rebellions and stayed neutral unopposing Moshe and Aaron.

12 The sons of Simeon …  14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred. 15 The sons of Gad after their families: 18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 

 

The southern flank fell in numbers to 103,000 plus due to all the rebellions and misbehaving.

 

19 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan; and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. … These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred. 23 The sons of Issachar after their families: threescore and four thousand and three hundred. 

 … 26 The sons of Zebulun after their families: 27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred. 

 

The troops on the front line had grown to 201,000 plus soldiers.

 

28 The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the … and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters; and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh; and they that were numbered of them were fifty and two thousand and seven hundred. 35 These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: … 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: 41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred. 

 

So the sons of Rachel were 130,000 protecting the west.

 

42 These are the sons of Dan after their families: … according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred. 44 The sons of Asher after their families: … 46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them, fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 48 The sons of Naphtali after their families: … 50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred. 

 

So the northern flank had 164,000 which was quite close to the average defense force needed.

 

51 These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand and seven hundred and thirty. 

 

The grand total was 601,730 troops. This was the total as I rounded off the other numbers. 

 

52 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 53 'Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To the more thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance; to each one according to those that were numbered of it shall its inheritance be given. … 64 But among these there was not a man of them that were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them: 'They shall surely die in the wilderness.' And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Yephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

 

For only they stood up for the promise of HASHEM out of all the 600,000.

 

27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying: 3 'Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.' 5 And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 

 

This week we have female inheritance and land ownership. In some countries today this is frowned upon and it took even into the early 1900’s for woman’s suffrage in the States.

 

6 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 7 'The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. 8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying: If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. 11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. And it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.' 

 

Moshe is so near but yet so far from entering the promised land. However, he deserves for his efforts the ability to view it from the mountain.

 

12 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, and behold the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered; 14 because ye rebelled against My commandment in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify Me at the waters before their eyes.'--These are the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 15 And Moses spoke unto the LORD, saying: 16 'Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.' 

 

Please keep me as I am a faithful leader.

 

18 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is spirit, and lay thy hand upon him; 19 and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put of thy honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hearken. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD; at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.' 22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD spoke by the hand of Moses. 

 

He will lead the people into the land and conquer it. You will rest with me in the next world and return to live in Eretz Yisrael as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the Ari HaKodesh for short spans as your reward.

 

28:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them: My food which is presented unto Me for offerings made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Me, shall ye observe to offer unto Me in its due season. 

 

HASHEM then reminds Moshe of the Holidays and the Korbanos that he should reteach them to the Nation before he leaves this world.

 

3 And thou shalt say unto them: This is the offering made by fire which ye shall bring unto the LORD: he-lambs of the first year without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering. 4 The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at dusk; 5 and the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. 6 It is a continual burnt-offering, which was offered in mount Sinai, for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 7 And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb; in the holy place shalt thou pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto the LORD. 8 And the other lamb shalt thou present at dusk; as the meal-offering of the morning, and as the drink-offering thereof, thou shalt present it, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD. 

 

This is the Korban Tamid aka daily offering in the morning and evening for Am Yisrael.

 

9 And on the Sabbath day two he-lambs of the first year without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof. 10 This is the burnt-offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof. 

 

This and the daily offering pushed aside Shabbos as far as fire goes as it was an offering unto G-D as requested by G-D otherwise all cooking, backing, etc. by fire was forbidden.

 

11 And in your new moons ye shall present a burnt-offering unto the LORD: two young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; 12 and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram; 13 and a several tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 14 And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt-offering of every new moon throughout the months of the year. 15 And one he-goat for a sin-offering unto the LORD; it shall be offered beside the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof. 

 

Sometimes Shabbos like this Rosh Chodesh Av will have Rosh Chodesh and the Korban like the daily sacrifice and Shabbos sacrifice will be offered the same goes for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the three Regelim.

 

16 And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the LORD'S Passover. 17 And on the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast; seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work; … 25 And on the seventh day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work. 

 

This year the first day of Pesach was Sunday and the 7^th day was Shabbos. Next year the first day will be Shabbos whatever we have, one Yom Tov is falling on Shabbos although the majority of years there is a Chol HaMoed Shabbos. Also Shavuos can fall the second day on Shabbos and with 8 days of Sukkos one or two days must be Shabbos.

 

26 Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye bring a new meal-offering unto the LORD in your feast of weeks, ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; … 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; it is a day of blowing the horn unto you. 2 And ye shall prepare a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto the LORD: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; … 7 And on the tenth day of this seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls; ye shall do no manner of work; 8 but ye shall present a burnt-offering unto the LORD for a sweet savor: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish; 9 and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock, two tenth parts for the one ram, … 12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days; 13 and ye shall present a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD: thirteen young bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish; … 35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no manner of servile work; 36 but ye shall present a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; 37 their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the ordinance; 38 and one he-goat for a sin-offering; beside the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof. 39 These ye shall offer unto the LORD in your appointed seasons, beside your vows, and your freewill-offerings, whether they be your burnt-offerings, or your meal-offerings, or your drink-offerings, or your peace-offerings.

30:1 And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

 

The people did what was necessary for the holidays without questioning Moshe. The memory of the 10 plagues, crossing of the sea and other memories were still fresh in their minds.

 

 

Parsha Matos

 

 

30:2  And Moses spoke unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying: This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 3 When a man voweth a vow unto the LORD, or sweareth an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. 4 Also when a woman vows a vow unto the LORD, and binds herself by a bond, being in her father's house, in her youth, 5 and her father hears her vow, or her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father holds his peace at her, then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 6 But if her father disallows her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand; and the LORD will forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 

 

At first this sounds so contrary to the liberalization of the ownership of the daughters of Zelphad. Actually, it is like a Torah Scholar annulling a vow. Example one of the girl’s friends got married to a jerk so she vows I will not marry. Since this goes against part of the purpose of creation, the father has the right and perhaps duty to annul it.

 

7 And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; 8 and her husband hear it, whatsoever day it be that he hears it, and hold his peace at her; then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 9 But if her husband disallow her in the day that he hears it, then he shall make void her vow which is upon her, and the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; and the LORD will forgive her. 

 

Example she had pain during or after giving birth. She vows no more relations with her husband. If this stands and he lets it stand they must get divorced according to Halacha. However, if he disallows it, they can stay married using some sort of birth control or not.

 

10 But the vow of a widow, or of her that is divorced, even everything wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand against her. 

 

Like the daughters of Zelphad, she is a home owner and responsible for her actions.

 

11 And if a woman vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, 12 and her husband heard it, and held his peace … 13 But if her husband make them null and void in the day that he hears them, then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips, whether it were her vows, or the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD will forgive her. … 17 These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father's house. 

 

We now close the section of Vows of the Halacha and move on to a war of vengeance for the death of 24,000 from the tribes mainly Shimon.

 

31:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites; afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.' 3 And Moses spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. 4 Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.' 5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6 And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. 7 And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male. 

 

From the language it was learned that 12,000 went to war, 12,000 prayed and 12,000 were the supply change for the battling soldiers. [This week was 15years to the 2^nd Lebanese War. Soldiers were sent into Lebanon without supplies of bread and they went into stores and bought bread and other supplies that could be kosher.]

 

8 And they slew the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian; Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 

 

This wicked one wanted to die the death of Tzaddikim in Parsha Balak but was willing to advise of loose morals and idolatry to anger G-D against Israel. He had come for a reward and got his just reward from Yisrael.

 

9 And the children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey. 10 And all their cities in the places wherein they dwelt, and all their encampments, they burnt with fire. 11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of man and of beast. 12 And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and unto Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp, unto the plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho. 

 

They did according to the standard conventions of war at the time.

 

13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp. 14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war. 15 And Moses said unto them: 'Have ye saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to revolt so as to break faith with the LORD in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 

 

The men wanted Am Yisrael dead and now they would be dead. The women prostituting themselves caused the downfall of Sheves Shimon and therefore they were enemies.

 

18 But all the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. 19 And encamp ye without the camp seven days; whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, ye and your captives. 20 And as to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood, ye shall purify.' 

 

A female under the age of three was not considered marrying age. In Gaza today it is more like six years of age. So instead of playing Aba – Ema in the Kindergarten or first grade, these girls play house for real with real beatings from their husbands and doing what they have been told to do.

 

21 And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war that went to the battle: 'This is the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded Moses: 22 Howbeit the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything that may abide the fire, ye shall make to go through the fire, and it shall be clean; nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of sprinkling; and all that abides not the fire ye shall make to go through the water. 24 And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye may come into the camp.' 

 

This is the way we kosher items. Funny a number of years ago frying pans were rolled at 2000 degrees C in lard and the Arabs and some crazy Jews wanted to ban them. So a different rolling lubricant was chosen but semi-molten iron one need not worry as it was koshered by fire.

 

25 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 26 'Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the congregation; 27 and divide the prey into two parts: between the men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation; 28 and levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war that went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the flocks; 29 take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, as a portion set apart for the LORD. 30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, even of all the cattle, and give them unto the Levites, that keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.' 31 And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 32 Now the prey, over and above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, 33 and threescore and twelve thousand beeves, 34 and threescore and one thousand asses, 35 and thirty and two thousand persons in all, of the women that had not known man by lying with him. 36 And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep. 37 And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen. 38 And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve. 39 And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and one. 40 And the persons were sixteen thousand, of whom the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons. 41 And Moses gave the tribute, which was set apart for the LORD, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses. 42 And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided off from the men that warred-- 43 now the congregation's half was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep, 44 and thirty and six thousand beeves, 45 and thirty thousand and five hundred asses, 46 and sixteen thousand persons-- 47 even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, that kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 48 And the officers that were over the thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses; 49 and they said unto Moses: 'Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war that are under our charge, and there lacks not one man of us. 50 And we have brought the LORD'S offering, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, armlets, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and girdles, to make atonement for our souls before the LORD.' 51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels. 52 And all the gold of the gift that they set apart for the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.-- 53 For the men of war had taken booty, every man for himself.-- 54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tent of meeting, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD. 

 

So the tribes and the Cohanim divided the bounty.

 

32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle; and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying: 3 'Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle.' 5 And they said: 'If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.' 

 

They wanted to live on the Golan Heights, by the eastern side of the Kinneret, and part of the other side of the Yarden towards the Yericho area. It is lush, plenty of water and fertile grass for cattle.H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore will ye turn away the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? 8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they turned away the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. 10 And the LORD'S anger was kindled in that day, and He swore, saying: 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me; 12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed the LORD. 13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and He made them wander to and fro in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, a brood of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and so ye will destroy all this people.' 

 

38years ago, I went through arguments like this with the 10 spies and you want all to die in the desert in the next generation.

 

16 And they came near unto him, and said: 'We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.' 

 

We will go into battle first for the tribes. Just please give us a portion here.

 

20 And Moses said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war, 21 and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the LORD, until He hath driven out His enemies from before Him, 22 and the land be subdued before the LORD, and ye return afterward; then ye shall be clear before the LORD, and before Israel, and this land shall be unto you for a possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD; and know ye your sin which will find you. 24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.' 

 

Since your motives are good, go ahead and build. Be prepared for the war of conquest of the land.

 

25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead; 27 but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord says.' 28 So Moses gave charge concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel. 29 And Moses said unto them: 'If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man that is armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you, then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; 30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.' 31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying: 'As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. 32 We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.' 33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, according to the cities thereof with their borders, even the cities of the land round about. 34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer; 35 and Atroth-shophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah; 36 and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran; fortified cities, and folds for sheep. 37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim; 38 and Nebo, and Baal-meon--their names being changed--and Sibmah; and gave their names unto the cities which they builded. 39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites that were therein. 40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the villages thereof, and called them Havvoth-jair. 42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name. 

 

They received a portion and would fight for their brothers.

 

 

Parsha Massei

 

 

33:1 These are the stages of the children of Israel, by which they went forth out of the land of Egypt by their hosts under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

 

Actually after the first stage they were out of Egypt. However, we say that this did not stop Pharaoh from riding after them into the wilderness.

 

2 And Moses wrote their goings forth, stage by stage, by the commandment of the LORD; and these are their stages at their goings forth. 3 And they journeyed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4 while the Egyptians were burying them that the LORD had smitten among them, even all their first-born; upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. 5 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. 6 And they journeyed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7 And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon; and they pitched before Migdol. 

 

These journeys were short but on the 6^th day they ended up here by the Red Sea.

 

8 And they journeyed from Penehahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. 9 And they journeyed from Marah, and came unto Elim; and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they pitched there. 10 And they journeyed from Elim, and pitched by the Red Sea. 11 And they journeyed from the Red Sea, and pitched in the wilderness of Sin. 12 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, and pitched in Dophkah. 13 And they journeyed from Dophkah, and pitched in Alush. 14 And they journeyed from Alush, and pitched in Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. 15 And they journeyed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 

 

The places in the Sinai Desert that we call by these names may be on the other side of the Red Sea in the Saudi Kingdom.

 

16 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai, and pitched in Kibroth-hattaavah. 17 And they journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and pitched in Hazeroth. 18 And they journeyed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah. 19 And they journeyed from Rithmah, and pitched in Rimmon-perez. 20 And they journeyed from Rimmon-perez, and pitched in Libnah. 21 And they journeyed from Libnah, and pitched in Rissah. 22 And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelah. 23 And they journeyed from Kehelah, and pitched in mount Shepher. 24 And they journeyed from mount Shepher, and pitched in Haradah. 25 And they journeyed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth. 26 And they journeyed from Makheloth, and pitched in Tahath. 27 And they journeyed from Tahath, and pitched in Terah. 28 And they journeyed from Terah, and pitched in Mithkah. 29 And they journeyed from Mithkah, and pitched in Hashmonah. 30 And they journeyed from Hashmonah, and pitched in Moseroth. 31 And they journeyed from Moseroth, and pitched in Bene-jaakan. 32 And they journeyed from Bene-jaakan, and pitched in Hor-haggidgad. 33 And they journeyed from Hor-haggidgad, and pitched in Jotbah. 34 And they journeyed from Jotbah, and pitched in Abronah. 35 And they journeyed from Abronah, and pitched in Ezion-geber. 36 And they journeyed from Ezion-geber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin--the same is Kadesh. 37 And they journeyed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.-- 38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 

 

Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av and this year is on Shabbos. The 5^th of Av is the Yahrzeit of the Ari HaKodesh.

 

39 And Aaron was a hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. 

 

With his death, the clouds of glory departed from above the Ohel Moed.

 

40 And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

 

We discussed this that he was Amalek but had citizenship and allegiance to Canaan. Upon seeing the clouds of glory missing, he thought that HASHEM had heaven forbid abandoned Am Yisrael and that he could attack. He was wrong, dead wrong.

 

41 And they journeyed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah. 42 And they journeyed from Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon. 43 And they journeyed from Punon, and pitched in Oboth. 44 And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched in Ije-abarim, in the border of Moab. 45 And they journeyed from Ijim, and pitched in Dibon-gad. 46 And they journeyed from Dibon-gad, and pitched in Almon-diblathaim. 47 And they journeyed from Almon-diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, in front of Nebo. 

 

Nebo like the Hermon is a mountain range as we say before the Alps, Rockies, Grand Tetons and not one mountain like Har Moriah or Har Seir.

 

48 And they journeyed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 49 And they pitched by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab. 

 

One time, I broke up the 40years of journeys and approximately 15 were in the first year and 18 places in the last year. The other 38 years they barely moved only when the grass for their cattle and sheep ran out.

 

50 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 51 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. 53 And ye shall drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I given the land to possess it. 54 And ye shall inherit the land by lot according to your families--to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance; wheresoever the lot falls to any man, that shall be his; according to the tribes of your fathers shall ye inherit. 

 

You shall inherit the land by driving the Canaan Inhabitants out.

 

55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as thorns in your eyes, and as pricks in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land wherein ye dwell. 56 And it shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.

 

If you leave them, they shall be thorns in your side and extract terror upon you.

 

34:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Command the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land of Canaan, this shall be the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders thereof. 3 Thus your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin close by the side of Edom, and your south border shall begin at the end of the Salt Sea eastward; 

 

This is approximately the southern border of Israel today except we are missing the southern Gaza and Gaza area may be slightly south to Kadesh Barnea and then over to Eilat.

 

4 and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out thereof shall be southward of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon; 

 

Maaleh Akravim (ascent of the scorpions) is many kilometers north of Eilat.

 

5 and the border shall turn about from Azmon unto the Brook of Egypt, and the goings out thereof shall be at the Sea. 

 

This may be El Arish in the Sinai desert far south of Kadesh Barnea.

 

6 And for the western border, ye shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be your west border. 7 And this shall be your north border: from the Great Sea ye shall mark out your line unto mount Hor; 8 from mount Hor ye shall mark out a line unto the entrance to Hamath; and the goings out of the border shall be at Zedad; 9 and the border shall go forth to Ziphron, and the goings out thereof shall be at Hazar-enan; this shall be your north border. 

 

Hamat is northern Syria today and Har Hor is in Lebanon or by Turkey in northern Lebanon of today. Taken from the Wikipedia: Mount Hor is the Taurus Emmanuas, north of Antioch (Antakya) on the Turkish Syrian border. This is the opinion of the ancient Targumim (Translations), Rashi and other Rishonim.

 

10 And ye shall mark out your line for the east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham; 11 and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall strike upon the slope of the sea of Chinnereth eastward; 12 and the border shall go down to the Jordan, and the goings out thereof shall be at the Salt Sea; this shall be your land according to the borders thereof round about.' 

 

With the exception of the land conquered on the other side of the Yarden by the two and a half tribes, the border seems close to what we own today at the base of the Golan straight to Hamat south of Aleppo and not quite to the promised Euphrates and other lands that should have been given to Avraham.

 

13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: 'This is the land wherein ye shall receive inheritance by lot, which the LORD hath commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe; 14 for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers' houses, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers' houses, have received, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance; 15 the two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sun-rising.' 16 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 'These are the names of the men that shall take possession of the land for you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to take possession of the land. 

 

Now Moshe awaits the names of the princes of each Tribe as those of 40 years ago are long gone.

 

19 And these are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 And of the tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 Of the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel the son of Ephod; 24 and of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 And of the tribe of the children of Zebulun a prince, Eli-zaphan the son of Parnach. 26 And of the tribe of the children of Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 And of the tribe of the children of Asher a prince, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 And of the tribe of the children of Naphtali a prince, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.' 

 

These men were not the runaway slaves from Egypt but trained generals and commanders in the art of war.

 

35:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 2 'Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and open land round about the cities shall ye give unto the Levites. 3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and their open land shall be for their cattle, and for their substance, and for all their beasts. 4 And the open land about the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. 5 And ye shall measure without the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the open land about the cities. 6 And the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give forty and two cities. 7 All the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with the open land about them. 8 And concerning the cities which ye shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take many, and from the few ye shall take few; each tribe according to its inheritance which it inheritance shall give of its cities unto the Levites.' 

 

These are the cities and fields of the Leviim 2 cities for each Tribe and they became the educators of the children of the Tribes.

 

9 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 10 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that kills any person through error may flee thither. 12 And the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment. 13 And as to the cities which ye shall give, there shall be for you six cities of refuge. 14 Ye shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan; they shall be cities of refuge. 15 For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the settler among them, shall these six cities be for refuge, that every one that kills any person through error may flee thither. 

 

Three were set aside in the area already conquered on the other side of the Yarden. Three cities were set apart and Yerushalayim was added later in the times of the Mikdash.

 

16 But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him anything, lying in wait, so that he died; 21 or in enmity smote him with his hand, that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death: he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. 22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait, 23 or with any stone, whereby a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm; 24 then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances; 25 and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled; and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. 26 But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he flees; 27 and the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him; 28 because he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return into the land of his possession.

 

So the Torah considered between murder and manslaughter. He had to be exiled for the Cohain Gadol did not pray hard enough that no accidental deaths should occur. However, if the man was going down a ladder looking downwards and an object slipped out of his hand and killed somebody below it is negligence and not murder or the manslaughter mentioned in this section and he could not flee the avenger of blood and could be in modern terms sued.

 

 … 32 And ye shall take no ransom for him that is fled to his city of refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. 33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it pollutes the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. 34 And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.' 

…36:3 And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. 4 And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be added unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.' 

 

Moshe repeats the Halacha for inheritance of a daughter.

 

5 And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: 'The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks right. 6 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying: Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they be married. 7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall cleave everyone to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 And every daughter, that possess an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers. 

 

One received his tribal inheritance from his father and except for being a city dweller, could not move from tribe to tribe.

 

9 So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall cleave each one to its own inheritance.' 10 Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad. 11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons. 12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 

 

The women married men from their own tribe and kept the inheritance within the Tribe.

 

13 These are the commandments and the ordinances, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

 

And the people followed the commandments that Moshe gave on the other side of the Yarden.

 

Chazak – Chazak v’ nit Chazak

 

 

About a year ago, I read this fantastic book called “Mountain Family” about a family of 12 that converted to Judaism. It is an Art Scroll Book a nice read. If you have no time or money to buy it read this article with the pictures. https://www.aish.com/sp/so/From-Mountain-Mama-to-Yiddishe-Mama.html?s=hp1

 

 

How Fleishman’s Yeast built the Catskills

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309398

 

 

Two Hungarian brothers brought compressed yeast to the US - and propelled their company to the forefront of the industry.

 

Many home cooks this past year, in an Instagram-inspired spirit, upped their challah-baking game with new braiding patterns, interesting flavors and vibrant colors. Yet it was a more standard ingredient that unwittingly connected many to their roots.

 

If you used Fleischmann’s yeast for your challah, you leavened your dough with the essence of American Jewry.

 

The Fleischmann family’s story echoes the experience of many other immigrant Jews: They built on their experience from Europe, using it to fully integrate into American society. Without routines to hinder them, innovative business practices brought them success. Finally, they used their power to benefit their community.

 

Hungarian brothers Charles and Max Fleischmann were part of the mid-19th-century wave of Central European Jews arriving in America. They settled in Cincinnati, where they became yeast manufacturers in 1868. Charles had learned the process in Prague and Vienna, eventually overseeing production on a noble’s estate. The origin tale of Charles bringing a single vial of pure yeast to America is likely fabrication, but he probably did see America’s poor-quality baked goods as a business opportunity.

 

Soon, the Fleischmann’s were mass producing pressed cakes of yeast. Many claim theirs was the first commercially produced version of this product. But while Charles did hold some production patents in America, the main steps were invented decades earlier in Vienna. His genius lay not in inventing a new product, but in its clever distribution and marketing techniques.

 

The compressed yeast could only survive a few days, so reaching customers quickly became essential.

 

Cincinnati was a hub of transportation routes, and Fleischmann’s also built a network of production and distribution centers in order to reach most of the country. Delivery improved in the 1880s with the invention of refrigerated railcars.

 

With supply taken care of, however, demand for the unfamiliar product lagged. Fleischmann’s had to familiarize America with compressed yeast. Unfettered by preconceptions on “proper” business practices, Fleischmann’s Yeast found out of the box solutions.

 

Their first major marketing coup was at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, where they featured a Vienna Model Bakery to demonstrate their product. The fair attracted 10 million visitors, many of whom stopped to sample the delicious bread. Soon compressed yeast became the preeminent solution for home bakers.

 

Another early marketing effort featured a promotional cookbook giveaway. Fleischmann’s followed others in using this fairly new medium, continuing well into the 20th century. The company also offered wrapper premiums — customers could trade in yeast package labels for free kitchen utensils.

 

But Fleischmann’s most significant contribution to consumer marketing was in what we now call branding. From the start, Charles Fleischmann guarded the company’s name and image, zealously warning his customers against cheap imitators. Fleischmann’s branding was so successful that by the late 1920s they controlled over 93% of their market.

 

Fleischmann’s also paralleled other Jewish immigrants via their expanding product line. In the 2012 book “Jews and Booze,” Marni Davis highlights the disproportional representation of immigrant Jews within American alcohol businesses in the late 19th century. Within just a few years of starting the company, Fleischmann’s added distilled spirits to their offerings, using the grain alcohol that was a major byproduct of yeast production. Adding juniper berries and other botanicals, they produced America’s first distilled gin, with other hard liquors soon to follow.

 

While this all ties the family into the American Jewish experience, their greatest related legacy is also their least recognized. The late 1800s saw prominent anti-Semitic discrimination aimed at wealthy American Jews. More than once, the Fleischmann’s were denied entry at fancy hotels and resorts.

 

Charles Fleischmann used his amassed fortune to beat the anti-Semites at their own game. Purchasing 60 acres in Griffin’s Corner, New York, he created a resort village specifically for Jews. Eventually incorporated as Fleischmann’s, New York, the town grew to include mansions, summer homes and hotels (many with kosher food to accommodate Orthodox customers).

 

Fleischmann’s was no budget-level bungalow colony, either. The luxurious features included heated swimming pools, a golf course, a deer park, a stocked trout pond and an artificial lake from which they could harvest ice in the winter. This famous resort town launched a classic 20th-century Jewish phenomenon: vacationing in the Catskill

 

Mountains, the so-called Borscht Belt that is indelibly linked with American Jewish popular culture.

 

Without Charles Fleischmann’s pre-immigration experiences in Europe, he might not have started his company, and with deeper roots in the country, he might never have broken new ground to reach success. His family story prominently reflects that of broader American Jewry.

 

Although Fleischmann’s is no longer a family owned company, there may be no more appropriate ingredient to put in your challah than Fleischmann’s yeast. And for an extra dose of Jewish pride, have a Fleischmann’s gin and tonic after kneading the dough.

 

 

The Soul in Charge by Rabbi Y. Tilles

http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1230-42

 

 

The rumor was extraordinary: for the first time there was a real threat to the rights of the Moscovitz family to be in charge of the centralization of the alcoholic beverages business in Hungary.

Once every three years the government put the rights up for bidding. The rich family Moscovitz had always been the only contestant, and submitted a reasonable price, that enabled them to enjoy a handsome profit. Now a group of gentiles decided to take the rights away from the Jews and to submit a higher bid.

The family was very concerned. Their rivals were determined to expropriate the rights from them, at whatever price would be necessary.

Distressed, the family decided to turn to the tzadik Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna, even though they were not Chasidim and were not in the habit of visiting the tzadikim. Because of this they preferred to send a messenger to the tzadik with their request for a blessing.

They choose the chasid Reb Avremeleh Birnbaum as their messenger. He was an innkeeper whom the Moscovitz family supplied with the alcohol he sold. Over the years he accumulated a debt to the family, but they were kind to him and didn't pressure him. He was glad to now have an opportunity to do them a favor and to represent the family to the Rebbe.

Rebbe Mordechai scrutinized the kvitel (note with a request for a blessing) for a long moment and asked: "Where does the family Moscovitz live?"

"In the city of Potik", replied Reb Avremeleh.

"Potik?" The Rebbe frowned. "Where is Potik?"

Reb Avremeleh was surprised. He knew that the Rebbe used to travel every year through the country and he certainly must know the towns and villages in the surroundings.

"Maybe you can tell me the name of the city close to Potik?" the Rebbe asked.

"Serentz," replied the chasid.

"Mordechai doesn't know where Serentz is", said Rebbe Mordechai. "Maybe Karstir is close by?" he asked.

"Indeed", Avremeleh said, pleased.

The face of the tzadik lit up. "That's why I didn't know," he said joyfully. "What I need to know, I know" As explanation he described the house of Avremeleh in all its details even though he had never been there. "But I do not know the city of Potik because it falls under the 'ownership' of the tzadik Rebbe Yeshaya of Karstir."

The Rebbe took his watch out of his pocket, looked at it and said: "Go, you will still be in time to reach Rebbe Shayaleh and receive his blessing before the auction begins."

When Reb Avremeleh left the Rebbe he was quite upset. He knew Rebbe Shayaleh very well. They had both been the attendants of Rebbe Hirshele of Liska. Not only that, but Reb Avremeleh was the main attendant and Rebbe Shayaleh was his assistant… Now he felt embarrassed, how would he present himself to Rebbe Shayaleh as a chasid coming to his Rebbe?

Rebbe Shayaleh sensed his visitor's discomfort. He served him coffee and wished him success with the rest of his trip. Reb Avremeleh didn't know what to do, he had to carry out his mission but he was incapable of doing so.

With a heavy heart he climbed into the carriage to continue his journey. A moment before he could do so the tzaddik told him: "Go in peace and health, everything will be well with the Moscovitz Family!"

Avremeleh was tremendously relieved. The tzadik with his divine inspiration had understood the reason for his visit and with great sensitivity had given his blessing without embarrassing Reb Avremeleh.

The day of the auction arrived. Mr. Moscovitz considered which tactic to adopt. He knew that his rivals would offer higher prices than his. He saw no chance of his winning the bid in a natural way. "If the blessing of the tzaddik will help, I will win even with a low price," he thought.

The Jew presented himself before the governor and suggested a sum lower than the sum of previous years. The governor was stunned. He decided not to call out the sum loudly out of fear that the rival group would also lower the sum they were going to offer.

It was the turn of the spokesman of that group to offer an amount. He walked over brimming with self-confidence, cleared his throat and then… strange sounds started coming out of his mouth. The bewildered man tried again and again to speak but was only able to make incomprehensible sounds.

Questions posed him by the governor were met with grunts and croaks. The governor became furious. He regarded this behavior as extremely disrespectful. He immediately announced that the Moscovitz family had won the bid.

The group's spokesman returned to his allies pale and confused. "I don't know what happened to me", he mumbled. "A slender Jew with a white beard appeared before me, caught me by the throat and every time I tried to speak he choked me! I couldn't get even one word out!"

This story was told by Rebbe Yeshaya from Krastir himself to the chasid Reb Shlomo Engel and concluded: "I was obligated to help the Moscovitz family. They were the ones who bought me my first pair of boots when I was a child and they paid the tuition money for my melamed (teacher of small children.)
~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Translated by C.R. Benami, long-time editorial assistant for AscentOfSafed.com, from the rendition in the popular Hebrew weekly, Sichat HaShavua, which is based on "Reshumim Beshimcha" by Rabbi Yitzchak Shlomo Unger.

Connection - This week's double reading: Both portions deal with Moses having to 'arbitrate' requests concerning the division of The Land among the tribes.

Biographical notes:
Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna [?-15 Tishrei 1895], the great grandson of Rabbi Meir "The Great" of Premishlan, was orphaned early and raised by his uncle, the famous Rebbe, Meirl of Premishlan (see below). Chassidim from all over Rumania and Hungary streamed in to receive his blessings. An extraordinarily large number of his descendants became Chassidic leaders and Rebbes, including dozens in the world today. His teachings are collected in Gedulas Mordechai.

Rabbi Yeshaya "Shayaleh" of Karstir (Iyar 3, 1851-1925) was the founder of the Kerestirer dynasty. He was a disciple of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz after whose passing he became a disciple of Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna. The latter suggested that he move to the town of Kerestir (Karstir). In Kerestir he became a famous Rebbe known as a miracle worker.

 

 

Last week under Milestone I had an article on Rabbi Pinchas Korf here is his story: https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/5174819/jewish/Rabbi-Pinchas-Korf-86-Beloved-Chassidic-Mentor-and-Role-Model.htm#utm_medium=email&utm_source=1_chabad.org_magazine_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=content

 

I have my own political views that don’t always match my readers I have good friends in Israel who vote Mapam and my wife and I almost always vote differently. Tolerance is the name of the game in general. I might not care less about the LGBTQ Community but the Torah ruling is this behavior goes against creation so while I can like an individual person I cannot sanction these actions. Last year, without any trouble anybody who wanted to view a Trump Rally could. Suddenly, it is relegated to boycotts and back page news. I finally after a long search found last week’s rally on RSBNetwork https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoWc4gwv35c It upsets me to no end about drugs and sex trafficking in illegal immigration but I understand where the people are coming from and the better life they want for themselves. 

 

Milestone, Richard Donner, 91 director. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/richard-donner-jewish-director-behind-superman-the-goonies-and-lethal-weapon-dies-at-age-91/

 

 

Inyanay Diyoma

 

 

Philippine Military Transport over shoots runway. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-military-plane-carrying-85-people-crashes-afp-2021-07-04/

 

Israel replies with Gaza attack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309177

 

Iran’s Nuclear Plant up and running. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1QmCh62d

 

Israeli emergency firefighting aid. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryPgvARhd

 

Milestone Donald Rumsfeld, 89. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309127

 

More building permits. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309189

 

Once owned by Israeli attacked at sea. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-owned-vessel-bound-for-uae-said-struck-in-indian-ocean/

 

Storm Elsa forcing closure of search and rescue/recovery. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/rescuers-in-surfside-pause-efforts-as-storm-nears-death-toll-rises-to-24-saturday

 

Cop’s life saved by a rock to the head. https://www.timesofisrael.com/cops-life-saved-by-a-rock-to-the-head-and-the-tumor-it-revealed/

 

Palestinians demonstrate against Abbas. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkimZT02O

 

People with immune-diseases may need 3^rd vaccine. https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-officials-to-examine-3rd-vaccine-dose-for-immunocompromised-people-tv/

 

Iranian bad luck at Nuke Rocket site. https://www.debka.com/another-mysterious-fire-at-suspected-nuclear-site-near-tehran/

 

Bennett – Lapid Government will succeed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309155

 

After the Col died an officer’s candidate passed away. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309149

 

Police stupidity almost got them lynched. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309197

 

Republican Rep stands up for Jews. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309158

 

Randi Zuckerberg Media Co. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309156

 

Paragliding accident near Modiin. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309133

 

Israel & S. Korea swap Pfizer Doses. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/Sk3iiP11600

 

Coalition fails to pass law. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/H1RlXvWT00

 

Daughter of Survivor becomes ambassador to Germany. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309309

 

Yemeni Israel-UAE counters Iran. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HkfI53Y2O

 

Israel’s failure to deal with Arab violence. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJfuolinu

 

Shin Bet demands upgrade of security on PM’s residence. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309327

 

Rabid antisemite. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/04/jewish-former-roommate-took-out-restraining-order-after-being-attacked-by-very-antisemitic-man-who-stabbed-boston-rabbi/

 

Burning forests seen through smoke. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/04/as-israeli-forests-burned-again-and-again-by-incendiary-balloons-algorithm-helps-satellites-see-through-smoke/

 

Polish antisemitism is alive. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/04/after-latest-legislation-on-stolen-jewish-property-its-time-to-cut-ties-with-polands-government/

 

Ed-Op J. Tobin Who is lying on Critical Race Theory. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/04/whos-lying-about-critical-race-theory/

 

FL death toll rises with a Condo Collapse with bodies of Chabad Couple. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309325

 

Covid cases pass 500 in Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/monday-infections-surge-to-501-in-highest-daily-tally-since-march/

 

Bennett mulls new Covid restrictions. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309311

 

Antisemitic dictator. https://www.timesofisrael.com/belarus-leader-jews-caused-the-world-to-kneel-before-them/

 

Yeshiva Students that are vaccinated can come. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309289

 

Nasrallah gets note and stops broadcast. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309297

 

From Rachel on Global Warming or lack thereof: https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/israel-sea-level-rose-2-m-in-hellenistic-period-could-explain-decline-671173

 

Class Action lawsuits against CEO’s of Social Media. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309446

 

Milestone Terrorist Ahmed Jibril may his name be erased, 83. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309446

 

Too many non-vaccinated people. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309429

 

Lambda Variant found in Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309420

 

New cases of Covid stable over the last day. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309430

 

So many Frum People died at Surfside it shook up a lot of people’s faith. Faith after Surfside: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/5174198/jewish/Faith-After-Surfside.htm#utm_medium=email&utm_source=1_chabad.org_magazine_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=content

 

Islamic hackers tried to attack Israel. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/05/malaysian-groups-waged-cyber-campaign-to-spam-block-israeli-accounts-during-gaza-conflict-report/

 

Antisemitic gang brought to trial. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/05/antisemitic-gang-who-assaulted-and-robbed-jewish-family-in-paris-sentenced-by-french-court/

 

NYPD says 69% increase in hate crimes. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/05/nypd-says-hate-crimes-skyrocket-in-new-york-city-including-69-rise-in-attacks-on-jews/

 

Jewish athlete from down under. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/top-ranked-jewish-australian-canoe-athlete-takes-mom-as-her-coach-to-tokyo-olympics/

 

FM goes to Morocco. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/after-mixed-signals-from-morocco-over-normalization-israeli-foreign-ministry-chief-heads-to-rabat-for-talks/

 

UK fears for Kashrus of N. Ireland https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/uk-jews-fear-new-brexit-related-trading-protocol-will-cut-supply-of-kosher-meat-to-community-in-northern-ireland/

 

New Iranian enrichment speed a worry. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/new-iran-plans-to-escalate-uranium-enrichment-draw-grave-concern-from-france-germany-uk-foreign-ministers/

 

Milestone, Richard Donner, 91 director. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/richard-donner-jewish-director-behind-superman-the-goonies-and-lethal-weapon-dies-at-age-91/

 

NYT news not fit to print similar to WWII. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/06/stabbing-of-chabad-rabbi-in-boston-is-not-fit-to-print-in-new-york-times/

 

I got a letter from my Condo-Management dated June 25^th after the collapse of the building with the wealthy condos. Ours is not even worth 20% of the value of the towers. In 2016 our members voted out the previous very corrupt and inefficient management. The new management and board of directors called for engineering and building inspection for our 40year certification process. The foundation in garage area was re- cemented and fortified. By taking care of elevators, the roof, carpeting etc. the value of the building went up at minimum special assessments that were not cheap. Here is what happened structurally in Miami. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309427

 

Eric Adams former NYPD will compete against Grimes the Republican Civilian Crime Fighter Patrol. There will be law & order. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309381

 

Chicago U. Jews one died in Surfside other died from a Chicago stray bullet. https://www.timesofisrael.com/u-of-chicago-jewish-student-missing-in-surfside-another-killed-by-stray-bullet/

 

Lieberman cancels daycare subsidies for Yeshiva Students. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgeeb7t00

 

With 2/3rds of the country vaccinated or had the virus are health people over concerned? https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/ryleyzq6o

 

Pres. Rivlin leaving office today. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/b1y0090ztu

 

Lockdown would destroy businesses. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/sy2joyqt00

 

New UN ruling using Israeli standards. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgje6zad

 

President of Haiti assassinated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309423

 

Leading Chilean Pres. Candidate antisemite. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309430

 

Internal Political Battle of the right. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309362

 

Woman tries to extinguish Olympic Flame. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309413

 

Lebanon in Chaos aid offered. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309412

 

Iraqi airport hit by drones. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309380

 

Rock Throwing terrorist sentenced. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309382

 

Women to soon lead front line divisions. https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-heading-co-ed-battalion-an-idf-officer-sees-women-soon-leading-the-charge/

 

Israel and Hamas on the path to more violence. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hamas-on-path-to-more-violence-warns-official-familiar-with-cairo-talks/

 

Rudy loses law license in DC.  https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309471

 

Israel says this but Russia says that. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309401

 

Hong Kong terrorists or freedom? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309415

 

Trump views Netanyahu’s Congrats to Biden as betrayal. https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-reportedly-saw-netanyahus-congratulations-to-biden-as-ultimate-betrayal/ says make believe Michael Wolf.

 

New Covid restrictions. https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-covid-comeback-ministers-decide-not-to-impose-major-new-restrictions/

 

Covid deaths top 4,000,000. https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-covid-comeback-ministers-decide-not-to-impose-major-new-restrictions/

 

Dubai port explosion. https://www.timesofisrael.com/fire-erupts-on-ship-at-dubai-port-causing-large-explosion/

 

Prehistoric shark teeth found in the city of Yerushalayim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309457

 

UK promises N. Ireland will get Kosher. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309457

 

Explosion in the port of Dubai. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309432

 

Statin Island man arrested hate crime. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309475

 

Shas to petition supreme court. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309450

 

Israeli arrested for treason denied lawyer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309452

 

Bennett to update Iran Policy. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309458

 

Israel weighing opening up anti-Covid production plant. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-to-consider-establishment-of-covid-19-vaccine-production-plant-673353

 

Pfizer asking approval for 3^rd dose. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309537

 

Sefarim Kodesh found at Surfside. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309548

 

Toll at Surfside rises to 64: https://www.timesofisrael.com/surfside-recovery-workers-vow-not-to-let-up-search-for-victims-death-toll-at-64/

 

Zionist Yeshivas condemn Lieberman’s defunding of day schools for Charedim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309556

 

Pentagon upset about Iraq and Syria attacks. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309556

 

Bederman Ed-Op: https://dianebederman.com/why-are-esteemed-jewish-elders-bending-the-knee-to-cancel-culture-and-the-islamophobiaindustry/

 

N. Dakota sues Feds over loses in Revenue. https://www.aol.com/news/north-dakota-sues-feds-over-155947439-203410852.html

 

Quake upgraded to 6.2: https://www.jpost.com/international/magnitude-59-earthquake-strikes-northern-california-673336

 

US State Dept. defends terror condemns demolition of his house. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309538

 

Williamsburg man hit with plank. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309520

 

Churches being burned in Canada. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309519

 

MLK Statue defaced with Swastikas. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/309499

 

French Memorial defaced with blow torch. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/08/antisemitic-vandals-use-blowtorch-to-deface-holocaust-memorial-in-french-city-with-swastikas/

 

Dutch skip antisemitic Durban IV. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/08/jewish-groups-applaud-the-netherlands-for-skipping-durban-iv-event-tarnished-by-antisemitism/

 

Technion ranked number 1 in Europe in AI. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/08/technion-ranked-no-1-in-europe-in-artificial-intelligence/

 

Ed-Op Yemeni Netanyahu cuts off the country’s nose to spite the coalition’s face. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJBWPq11pO

 

Bennett secretly met with Jordan’s King. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bytd3ontu

 

Yemen’s holding Jews captive a crime against humanity. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/07/08/senior-rabbi-in-united-arab-emirates-denounces-continuing-imprisonment-of-yemeni-jew-as-crime-against-humanity/

 

Israel targeting Hamas’s crypto-currency accounts. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hksnrcvtu

 

Milestone Sadat’s widow dies at 87. https://www.timesofisrael.com/widow-of-former-egyptian-leader-anwar-sadat-dies-at-87/

 

Fox rescued after getting head stuck in garbage. https://www.timesofisrael.com/fox-rescued-after-getting-head-stuck-in-mayo-container/

 

Israel enters Equestrian event at Olympics. https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-feathers-flying-ny-native-guides-israel-to-its-olympic-equestrian-debut/

 

Less new Covid cases. https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-virus-cases-dip-slightly-as-officials-warn-serious-infections-could-surge/

 

Have a good Shabbos and make the month of Av Productive Torahwise,

Rachamim Pauli