Parsha Balak
After the exit from
Egypt (Yitzias Mitzrayim), there were a number of external threats. The main
one was from Pharaoh’s super-power of 600 chariots and thousands of soldiers
against the run-away slaves (in the eyes of Pharaoh). There was also Amalek,
Arad-Amalek, Sihon and Og but they were local powers. All of them physical. Now
comes a spiritual war of a prophet among the nations that is in contact with
HASHEM.
22:2
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
He saw that these mighty
kings lost to the Bnei Yisrael and he was sore afraid.
3 And
Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was
overcome with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab
said unto the elders of Midian: 'Now will this multitude lick up all that is
round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.'--And Balak the son
of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.--
Even though the nation
did not attack him, they were many in numbers and he watched in awe their sheer
numbers.
5 And
he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the
River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying: 'Behold,
there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the
earth, and they abide over against me.
Have they attacked? Have
they settled down? Are they just passing through? Why not enquire what they are
doing and what they want?
6 Come
now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for
me; peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive
them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou bless is blessed, and he
whom thou curse is cursed.'
The Rabbis go and bless
people with the help of HASHEM. Often people come to Rabbis for a blessing as
they have merits of learning Torah and doing lots of Mitzvos. For example going
on a vacation in the Dead Sea one might make at Beis Horon the blessings of
“who preformed miracles for our fathers in this place”. Going through Jericho
or the environment one might see a camel “who has made many different
creatures” and upon seeing the Dead Sea after 30 days “who has made the works
of creation”. All this builds up guardian angels. The Shabbos of the attack on
Mohammed Deif, Menashe and many Talmidim of his Yeshiva took upon themselves to
learn 10 hours each Shabbos for the next ten weeks. So ordinary people would
come to these people doing the work of HASHEM to get blessed. Among the Nations
were prior to the birth of Moshe: Iyob, Yisro, and Bilaam closer to the
pronunciation than Balaam.
Who thy curse is cursed
might be good for Nations of the World but the Rabbis rarely cursed anybody.
Hitler and a few others like him. There is a story of Baba ben Buta in Bava
Basra 3B. He was blinded by Herod Agripa and was asked later by Agripa in
disguise if he would curse the man who blinded him. He said no. Then Agripa
became sore afraid of what his punishment would be for what he did to the Sages
and Baba ben Buta said that he should fix up the Mikdash. Then Herod’s Temple
became a wonder of the world until its destruction.
7 And
the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination
in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the words of
Balak. 8 And he said unto them: 'Lodge here this night, and I will
bring you back word, as the LORD may speak unto me'; and the princes of Moab
abode with Balaam.
Although G-D speaks
directly to Moshe, it is most of the time G-D calling on Moshe while here
Bilaam has direct dream line to HASHEM.
9 And
God came unto Balaam, and said: 'What men are these with thee?'
HASHEM opens up similar
to the conversation with Adam like “Who told you that you were naked?”
10 And
Balaam said unto God: 'Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me
[saying]: 11 Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covers
the face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to
fight against them, and shall drive them out.'
An honest statement and
it implies that he wants to curse a people who never did anything bad to him.
Something is wrong with this ‘Tzadik’ who links himself with one side for pride
and money and not the truth or sake of heaven.
12 And
God said unto Balaam: 'Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the
people; for they are blessed.'
G-D has given him an
answer. He can repeat it to Barak and end the whole saga by advising him to sue
for peace and trade with Israel.
13 And
Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak: 'Get you
into your land; for the LORD refuses to give me leave to go with you.'
He skips the main point
of HASHEM’s answer. “They are blessed!” Had he said this perhaps Balak would
have come to the Bnei Yisrael with a delegation of peace and presents and made
a mutual treaty. But “The L-RD refuses to give me leave” somehow is saying. Not
now for cursing but implying perhaps these people can be cursed in the future
which is far from “They are blessed.”
14 And
the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said: 'Balaam refuses
to come with us.'
By putting on a front of
his own power instead of being a puppet in front of HASHEM, they leave with the
wrong impression as I mentioned in the last Pasuk.
15 And
Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than
they. 16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him: 'Thus saith Balak
the son of Zippor: Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto
me; 17 for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and whatsoever
thou say unto me I will do; come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this
people.' 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak:
'If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond
the word of the LORD my God, to do anything, small or great. 19 Now
therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the
LORD will speak unto me more.'
Not knowing that Am Yisrael
is blessed, he thinks that it is a matter of money to pay Bilaam and he has the
power to curse. The opposite is true but since Bilaam implied a half-truth the
process starts again. In fact, he is interested in cursing even more than the
money as Moshe has been born contrary to his advice top
20 And
God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him: 'If the men are come to call
thee, rise up, go with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that
shalt thou do.'
G-D saw that Bilaam, in
his heart, wanted to go with them against Yisrael as he did before in his
advice to Pharaoh to throw the male babies into the river. If this is what you
want, this is what you’ll get but remember man proposes G-D disposes.
21 And
Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes
of Moab. 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went; and the
angel of the LORD placed himself in the way for an adversary against him.--Now
he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.--
It seems that travel by
donkey in the middle east from the time of Avraham was more valuable. I also
wonder if Avraham was not Hamor (donkey) Rabbi or Hammurabi. For he should have
owned a horse with all his money from blessings and curses.
23 And
the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his sword drawn in
his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and
Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
The donkey could see
what this prophet could not see.
24 Then
the angel of the LORD stood in a hollow way between the vineyards, a fence
being on this side, and a fence on that side.
This was a stone fence.
25 And
the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and
crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and he smote her
again. 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a
narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the
left. 27 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD, and she lay down
under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his
staff.
The man who wants to
curse a nation with his mouth could not bless or curse a donkey with his mouth
but only with a stick.
28 And
the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam: 'What have I
done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?'
Hebrew Regelim (Times)
hinting at the three Regelim – Pesach, Shavuos (Pentecost) and Sukkos.
29 And
Balaam said unto the ass: 'Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a
sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.'
He wants with his mouth
to destroy a few million people but a sole donkey he wants to kill by the
sword. Where is his brain and where is his power?
30 And
the ass said unto Balaam: 'Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all
thy lifelong unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?' And he said:
'Nay.'
The donkey served him at
times instead of having a wife.
31 Then
the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing
in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell
on his face.
Double edged sword.
32 And
the angel of the LORD said unto him: 'Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass
these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is
contrary unto me;
What about this nation
is blessed that you did not understand to come to curse them?
33 and
the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times; unless she had
turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her
alive.'
Donkeys were not given
the power of speech and were a lower creation than mankind. Upon speaking, the
donkey has done its physical and spiritual purpose and returns its soul to the
CREATOR. [Without going into various things about reincarnation sometimes a
human soul is put into a body to make up for past sins. It can be a deaf, dumb
and blind person, perhaps Down’s Syndrome or another form such as an animal or
lower level.]
34 And
Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD: 'I have sinned; for I knew not that
thou stood in the way against me; now therefore, if it displease thee, I will
get me back.'
Oh Boker Tov (Good
Morning) the money fell in the payphone and the line got through to you. Or as
the slang of my generation would say that somebody clued you into the proper
perspective.
35 And
the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam: 'Go with the men; but only the word
that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.' So Balaam went with the
princes of Balak.
You want to go then go
but you shall speak what I tell you to speak and not to the left or to the
right.
36 And
when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto Ir-moab,
which is on the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the
border.
This is where Sihon and
Og have their kingdoms after the river of Arnon that they have conquered.
37 And
Balak said unto Balaam: 'Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee?
wherefore came thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to
honor?'
Why did it take two
times.
38 And
Balaam said unto Balak: 'Lo, I am come unto thee; have I now any power at all
to speak anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I
speak.'
He can still save
himself by telling of the first dream and the guardian angel but no, he
continues with his “I am a big-shot prophet” game. So, instead of the truth
setting him free, the lie is strangling him.
39 And
Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kiriat-huzoth. 40 And
Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that
were with him. 41 And it came to pass in the morning that Balak took
Balaam, and brought him up into Bamoth-baal, and he saw from thence the utmost
part of the people.
He is looking only on
part of the millions of people.
23:1 And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Build me
here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.' 2 And
Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a
bullock and a ram. 3 And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Stand by thy
burnt-offering, and I will go; peradventure the LORD will come to meet me; and
whatsoever He shows me I will tell thee.' And he went to a bare height.
Maybe, I will catch
HASHEM at the exact moment that he is angry and will curse the nation. But just
remember whatever he puts in my mouth I will say.
4 And
God met Balaam; and he said unto Him: 'I have prepared the seven altars, and I
have offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.' 5 And the LORD
put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said: 'Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt
speak.'
Wouldn’t you or I love
to be able to build a Mizbayach or even seven have a prophecy with the L-RD? It
is not such a simple thing.
6 And
he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, he, and all the princes
of Moab. 7 And he took up his parable, and said: From Aram Balak
bringeth me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East: 'Come, curse me
Jacob, and come, execrate Israel.' 8 How shall I curse, whom God hath
not cursed? And how shall I execrate, whom the LORD hath not execrated?
Implying that I have zero power to curse those not cursed by G-D?
9 For
from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, it is
a people that shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the
nations. 10 Who hath counted the dust of Jacob, or numbered the stock
of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let mine end be like
his! 11 And Balak said unto Balaam: 'What hast thou done unto me? I
took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them
altogether.'
Oops you were supposed
to curse and have mistakenly blessed them.
12 And
he answered and said: 'Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD puts
in my mouth?' 13 And Balak said unto him: 'Come, I pray thee, with me
unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them; thou shalt see but the
utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all; and curse me them from
thence.'
Didn’t I warn you that when I prophesize against them; only the
words put into my mouth by the L-RD, I can speak.
14 And
he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven
altars, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. 15 And he
said unto Balak: 'Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting
yonder.' 16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and
said: 'Return unto Balak, and thus shalt thou speak.'
Balak should have at
this point sent Bilaam and nobles on negotiations to for a non-aggression pact
or alliance.
17 And
he came to him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, and the princes of
Moab with him. And Balak said unto him: 'What hath the LORD
spoken?' 18 And he took up his parable, and said: Arise, Balak, and
hear; give ear unto me, thou son of Zippor: 19 God is not a man, that
He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: when He hath
said, will He not do it? or when He hath spoken, will He not make it
good?
I am flesh and blood with a Yetzer HaRa and maybe you can bribe me
or lead me astray but G-D is above mankind and not subject to bribery.
20 Behold,
I am bidden to bless; and when He hath blessed, I cannot call it
back. 21 None hath beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath one seen
perverseness in Israel; the LORD his God is with him, and the shouting for the
King is among them. 22 God who brought them forth out of Egypt is for
them like the lofty horns of the wild-ox. 23 For there is no
enchantment with Jacob, neither is there any divination with Israel; now is it
said of Jacob and of Israel: 'What hath God wrought!' 24 Behold a
people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion doth he lift himself up; he
shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the
slain.
Drink the blood of the
slain. In Sept. 1970, the Jordanian PM Wasabi Tal went to Egypt to try to make amends
with the PLO. Instead he was assassinated and the murderer bent over and drank
his blood. I assume the custom of drinking the enemy’s blood comes from pre-Balak
times. But Am Yisrael does not even eat animal or egg blood.
25 And
Balak said unto Balaam: 'Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at
all.' 26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak: 'Told not I thee,
saying: All that the LORD speaks, that I must do?'
Let’s continue but in
your prophecy at least don’t bless them if you don’t have the power to curse them.
Again, Balak with all his whimsical gods could not imagine one G-D that is
above bribery.
27 And
Balak said unto Balaam: 'Come now, I will take thee unto another place;
peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from
thence.'
During the era of the
Vietnam War, there was a popular song called: Where have all the flowers
gone? And the punch line was “When will they ever learn?” said twice.
28 And
Balak took Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looks down upon the
desert. 29 And Balaam said unto Balak: 'Build me here seven altars,
and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.' 30 And Balak did
as Balaam had said, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar.
Again the theme of the
power of seven like the days of creation for the altars and the rams.
24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as
at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the
wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel
dwelling tribe by tribe; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3 And
he took up his parable, and said: The saying of Balaam the son of Beor, and the
saying of the man whose eye is opened; 4 The saying of him who hears
the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, fallen down, yet with
opened eyes:
It took only two times
to teach Bilaam what G-D wanted but it would take three times to teach Balak.
5 How
goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! 6 As valleys
stretched out, as gardens by the river-side; as aloes planted of the LORD, as
cedars beside the waters; 7 Water shall flow from his branches, and
his seed shall be in many waters; and his king shall be higher than Agag, and
his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God who brought him forth out of
Egypt is for him like the lofty horns of the wild-ox; he shall eat up the
nations that are his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces, and
pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a
lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that
blesses thee, and cursed be every one that curses thee.
They are so blessed that
he who curses them is the one cursed.
10 And
Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together; and
Balak said unto Balaam: 'I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou
hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee
thou to thy place; I thought to promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, the
LORD hath kept thee back from honor.' 12 And Balaam said unto Balak:
'Spoke I not also to thy messengers that thou didst send unto me, saying: 13 If
Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the
word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; what the LORD
speaks, that will I speak? 14 And now, behold, I go unto my people;
come, and I will announce to thee what this people shall do to thy people in
the end of days.' 15 And he took up his parable, and said: The saying
of Balaam the son of Beor, and the saying of the man whose eye is
opened; 16 The saying of him who heareth the words of God, and knows
the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, fallen
down, yet with opened eyes: 17 I see him, but not now; I behold him,
but not nigh; there shall step forth a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall
rise out of Israel, and shall smite through the corners of Moab, and break down
all the sons of Seth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also,
even his enemies, shall be a possession; while Israel doeth
valiantly. 19 And out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall
destroy the remnant from the city. 20 And he looked on Amalek, and
took up his parable, and said: Amalek was the first of the nations; but his end
shall come to destruction. 21 And he looked on the Kenite, and took
up his parable, and said: Though firm be thy dwelling-place, and though thy
nest be set in the rock; 22 Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted; How
long? Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23 And he took up his
parable, and said: Alas, who shall live after God hath appointed
him? 24 But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, and they shall
afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall come to
destruction.
G-D is not like we men.
25 And
Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went his
way. 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit
harlotry with the daughters of Moab.
Bilaam told Balak that
the L-RD hates idols and immoral behavior. Now in Moav and Midian (not Yisro’s
part of the people) they had a fertility cult.
2 And
they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did
eat, and bowed down to their gods. 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.'
They were fornicating
with the fertility cult women who gave them laxatives which forced them to relieve
themselves. The place was the public toilet of Baal Peor. Peor was the god of defecation.
5 And
Moses said unto the judges of Israel: 'Slay ye everyone his men that have
joined themselves unto the Baal of Peor.'
They not only defiled themselves
with these women but worshipped this idol.
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.
Zimri fell in love with Cozbi
and had not worshipped Baal Peor. But she was from Midian, the enemy.
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.
Zimri said to Moshe, you
married Tzipporah, from Midian the daughter of the priest of HASHEM. I want
also a woman from Midian. Moshe could not answer him. However, Pinchas saw what
had happened to humble Moshe and took up his cause and the cause of HASHEM. He
was a fanatic with his love of HASHEM.
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.
Zimri, the prince, had
guards outside his tent. But Pinchas feigned that he wanted a piece of the
action with Cozbi that the guards let him in. He was a Cohain but his adrenaline
was such that he picked them up on the spear from their relations thrust
through their stomach that they were still alive and dying when he brought them
out of Zimri’s tent that he did not become Tuma – Midrash.
9 And
those that died by the plague were twenty and four thousand.
These were from the
tribe of Shimon and as I once wrote a number of years ago would reincarnate as
the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who would die on a Kiddush HASHEM in the Bar
Kochba rebellion so as to make atonements for the Chillul (desecration) of the
DIVINE NAME.
Rabbi Manis Friedman
Shlita on dealing with anxiety. Watch or listen: 22 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFaZ5Ukfu-A
I used to check every
week Aish.com for a story and I have about 15 in reserve. But due to the war
and the various miracles or medical miracles, I stopped looking at Aish. Not so
Diane Bederman and she recommended this to me. Instead of copying and pasting I
will let you go to the source: https://aish.com/seven-wonders-of-jewish-history
An Italian Catholic becomes
an Observant Jew. https://aish.com/growth-through-rules
Also from Aish: https://aish.com/who-was-josephus-the-controversial-backstory-of-the-famed-historian/
Reflections on an assassination attempt.
https://www.chabad.org/blogs/blog_cdo/aid/6518709/jewish/Reflections-on-an-Assassination-Attempt.htm
America and the world are still reeling from the
attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump. No matter where we
stand on the political spectrum, we are united in our horror at the violence
and our conviction that we must stem the tide of hatred that produced such an
act.
While law enforcement seeks to uncover why and how
this particular young man was driven to act as he did, we turn our attention to
the Rebbe’s words shortly after a crazed
gunman attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan.
The following transcript was from the Rebbe’s talk on
11 Nissan, 5741 (April 15, 1981), the
Rebbe’s birthday, for which President Reagan had sent his greetings.
To all those who offered their birthday wishes and
blessings, along with those who will yet send their blessings: may each and
every one of you be blessed.
In addition, we "Pray for the welfare of the
State" where, by Divine Providence, we reside – its government and the
individual elected to lead it. He represents the entire nation.
How much more so, then, in addition to the thank you
extended to everyone it is appropriate to reciprocate the blessings extended by
the President of the United States. Especially considering his medical injury
at this time.
The very fact that the recent assassination attempt
could actually take place is incomprehensible. The opposite should have been
the case. But, in fact, this negative event took place, and by the mercies of
Heaven the injury is being treated, and the present recovery will be not only
speedy, but also a complete recovery.
Yet though he is still recovering, he sent his
blessings, even committing them to writing and signing them. So it is most
certainly appropriate, to express gratitude and reciprocate blessings.
Since he is a person "upon whom the public
relies" and since, "the hearts of kings and princes are in the hands
of G‑d," and through Whom G‑d's will is
fulfilled for the good of the public, including the Jewish citizens living in
this country and those of the other peoples who live here, he fully deserves,
as is stated in the Torah of Truth,
the Torah of
Life, a special and specific blessing.
In truth, his blessing was intended for the entire
movement that was brought here by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, known as Lubavitch, or Chabad.
But practically, it was extended to an individual who represents the movement.
As such, it is incumbent to publicly and
full-heartedly wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
At the same time, a reminder of his vital duty and
responsibility to utilize the possibilities and capabilities and powers that
are granted to a person who was chosen by the public, especially in a country
made up of many nationalities, who together make their choice according to the
majority's will. And the minority, too, then accepts him as their President and
representative, authorizing him to administer on their behalf all of their
country's affairs, both foreign and domestic.
May the President utilize this power for the public
and private good. Torah demands that a true leader advocate for both the
community's interest and the individual's interest, and Torah clearly does not
demand the impossible. It is thus certain that these two goals can be attained
without contradiction between the public interest and the interests of the
individual, but such that the two tracks actually complement each other.
A head of state who leads by this principle can be
privileged to fulfill the Will of the Creator – Who conducts the world in every
particular detail, King of all kings, Almighty G‑d, blessed be He – to fulfill
His Will entirely with joy and happiness. When he makes such a decision firmly,
G‑d assists him, ensuring that the goals are fulfilled even more completely
than could have been envisioned. This approach must be based on the principle
that the role and authority of a head of state are endowed by G‑d, Who
continues to grant the strength to fulfill them.
This message must be clear to all those whom he
influences, the knowledge that his leadership is permeated with a faith in One
G‑d, the G‑d of Truth, Who conducts every detail in this world, and certainly
"the hearts of kings and princes," and most especially a country
which has a central role in the entire world. When his work is based on the
simple faith, a complete faith, in the Creator Who conducts the world – a faith
that publicly proclaims, "In G‑d We Trust." Not an ordinary faith,
but a trust through which one dedicates himself entirely to G‑d, so that it is
G‑d Who directs everything, while the mortal is the agent who carries out His
Will here below.
Such a faith will surely fortify his spiritual
health, and as a consequence, his physical health as well. This will also
benefit all his decisions and all his affairs, especially those affecting the
entire country, making them doubly good, "good for Heaven and good for
mankind."
As mentioned several times, There are those who
mistakenly think that these are two separate ideals. In truth, every action for
the good of mankind must be permeated by a faith in what is good for Heaven,
and whenever one acts for the sake of Heaven, he affects and evokes blessings
not only for himself, but also for all mankind.
How could it happen, that a person should take such
an incomprehensible action, that contradicts all reason and sensibility?
Historically it has been argued that the root of all
crime is poverty, which embitters the human spirit, and, in turn, leads to
feelings of revenge…
First of all, this contradicts the Talmud's teaching, which is the opposite: "Be
vigilant with the children of the poor, for from them Torah scholarship will
spring forth" – precisely because of their poverty.
And this carries over into the world in general: When
the children of the poor receive a proper education, the fact that they are
financially disadvantaged, on a lower level of the economic ladder relative to
their peers, this motivates them to exert themselves even more, with greater
determination, to be upright, kind and virtuous, outshining those who are not
financially challenged, who are from a middle class or affluent background.
We see in the present case, the person who attempted
the assassination was not at all impoverished – to the contrary, he was raised
amidst wealth. "His father never scolded him," and apparently he was
denied nothing.
So lest it be argued that poverty is the root of
crime, this incident makes it clear that to find the root-cause of such
deplorable actions we cannot look to the person's economic background, but
somewhere else.
Where can the root-cause be found?
The present case points us in its direction:
Education.
First of all, "his father never scolded
him" – the claim in the name of "liberalism" that one must not
interfere in a child's life, and he must be allowed to act freely. As to the
verse, "man is born a wild donkey" – "well," the argument
goes, "if G‑d created him that way, it's no business of his father and
mother to guide him"; they allow him to "pasture" and behave
however he sees fit.
It is true that by law schooling is obligatory, but
what is the philosophy of the public education system? What is expected of the
public schools?
Only to transmit secular knowledge. Not to shape,
cultivate or structure the child's inner-self – that he develop good character
traits and that he recognize that with all the facts he learns at school, the
most important thing to learn is how to do good around himself, and that this
is the greatest benefit to himself, as well. This is completely overlooked in
the school's curriculum, in its program. And whatever is included, is taught as
fear of punishment – that if he is fool enough to be caught by the law, he will
be punished.
And this only compounds the attitude that he was
taught, that he can roam freely, and his self-interests override all else, so
certainly he can devise a scheme to avoid punishment.
And indeed, how can he demonstrate his superiority?
By causing pain or damage, proving that he has no fear of those around him.
The concept that above him is "an Eye that sees
and an Ear that hears," he has never heard it spoken in a heartfelt
manner. And if it ever was mentioned, it was only superficial lip-service. Not
only that, but from the first day he went to school, it was made clear to him
that it is not the school's role to get involved in his character and ethical
growth; rather, he is told that he is an independent person and the school
merely offers the opportunity to accumulate knowledge, which he can later use
to whatever end he sees fit. Any discussion of ethics is, at best, based upon
fear of punishment, and this undermines the student's focus and belief –
intentionally or unintentionally – that there is "an Eye that sees and an
Ear that hears" all his actions.
If this had been properly instilled in him, then just
like if the security man was standing right next to him watching him pull out
the gun, he would have been deterred from committing a crime.
But what if he is standing behind the
security man? To think about G‑d in Heaven, Who has "an Eye that sees and
an Ear that hears"… – no one ever taught him to think about G‑d. So he
takes advantage of the wealth and the freedom granted by this country – not to
serve G‑d and be peaceful, not to serve the Creator of the world, for he was
never taught such things. All he ever heard in this regard was lip service,
which immediately turned back to discussions of materialism.
A critically-ill patient can be healed by one of two
approaches. One is to wait until he is in grave danger, and then begin to seek
a remedy, or he can be sent to a hospital where he will be confined, due to his
unstable condition.
But then there is the correct approach: to ensure
from the start that "it not befall you all the illnesses that I visited
upon Egypt." The disease of crime is a reality, but recognizing that it is
real should bring about real change – the immediate reprogramming of the
education system, to stop this disease before it manifests.
To summarize:
Firstly, the recent incident is a wakeup call for
action: True, the process must begin with a resolution, but during the time it
takes to be reviewed by committees and to await a vote and for a nationwide
referendum to be organized… – who knows what tragedies may occur, G‑d forbid,
in the meantime.
The truth is, we are not introducing a
"new" resolution; it is based upon the Bible whose values are accepted
by all nations, and certainly in this country:
The education of the nation's youth must be
predicated upon "I am the L‑rd your G‑d" – that there exists a
Creator Who brought into being everything the child has in life, Who is the
Source of the child's strength and Who grants the child life in all places and
at all times.
Then, when you go on to instruct him: "Do not
steal, do not murder…" since the child has already internalized his faith
in G‑d, he will actually be deterred. Then there will be no need to deal with
this "illness," because it will cease to exist; the state of the
nation's youth will no longer deteriorate; certainly not to the point of
damaging the lives of others – which of course damages the life of the
perpetrator, as well.
This is the other point that the President stresses
in his birthday greetings: he holds in high esteem the earnest and intense
efforts made by the Movement for the cause of education. Indeed, this has been
the fundamental issue that has been emphasized here in recent years – the
critical need for upright education. And in recent years, the Presidents have
signed proclamations declaring a specific day of the year as "Education
Day, USA," a day dedicated to constructive reflection toward upright
education – an education that will set the child on the straight path; and even
if at first the child won't see it as "his own" straight path, it is
only because he is at the early stages of understanding it. There will then be
no need to emphasize fear of the law, because he will be educated from his
earliest youth – from the very beginning, at home; and this will continue at
school, whichever school it may be.
At that point the school's main responsibility
begins: to wean each student from the wildness of youth, and develop him into
an upstanding human being. This is by focusing on the child's character, making
this foremost in the child's mind. And only afterwards explaining to him that
to help him become a more productive human being he needs to study the subjects
taught at school.
Every child and all children, in this country and in
all countries, should begin their school day with a heartfelt reminder from
their teacher who is himself a role model and believes this – and this must
affect their action – that "the L-rd your G‑d" has "an Eye that
sees and an Ear that hears."
Then peace and tranquility will reign in the country
– peace between man and man, peace between city and city, and peace throughout
the land, spreading to the other countries with which it has dealings. It will
be a true peace, because it stems from "He Who grants peace,"
"Whose name is Peace," making it enduring and all-pervasive.
Spiritual Children,
Spiritual Love by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
1 my spiritual children
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1388-4
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Posner[1] relates:
It was Sukkot 5701 (1940) and my first yechidus (private
audience) [with the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn,
the Rebbe Rayatz]. As my brother and I were escorted by Rabbi
Simpson into the Friediker ('previous') Rebbe's room, Rabbi
Sholom-Mendel Simpson [the Rebbe's attendant] introduced us, saying we were
[Rabbi] Sholom Posner's children, and the Rebbe blessed us.
It was during that year that the Rebbe Rayatz had decided to open a
Lubavitcher yeshiva for lower grades. My brother and I, however, were learning
elsewhere, at "Torah Vadaas" - an excellent but non-Lubavitcher
school. Nevertheless, every so often we'd hop over to 770 [Eastern Parkway in
the Crown Heights district of Brooklyn].
We were supposed to go home to Chicago for Passover, but since I
was going to celebrate my bar mitzvah on 11 Nissan [4 days before Passover]
that year, I had asked for yechidus with my brother before we left.
In those days, yechidus took place three times a week: Sunday,
Tuesday, and Thursday nights. Since our bus was leaving Sunday afternoon, our
appointment was set for Thursday night. Rabbi Simpson phoned us at ten p.m.
"It's late," he said, "and the Rebbe is tired. I can
get you in at the next earliest opportunity."
"But we have to leave Sunday afternoon," I protested.
"We won't be able to have yechidus on Sunday night."
Rabbi Simpson sighed. "Well, in that case, you can have
yechidus Saturday night."
It was Motzei Shabbos (the night immediately
following Shabbat's end at nightfall). My brother and I waited at 770, but
Rabbi Simpson, who lived in Boro Park - another Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn
- had not yet arrived. Finally, we phoned him and said that since he had
promised us a yechidus, what were we supposed to do?
His reply: "Go to Rabbi Shmuel Levitin [a leading senior
chasid]."
Rabbi Levitin in turn directed us to Chaim Lieberman, the Rebbe's
secretary. We knocked at his office door and explained the situation.
He said, "Go down and go in."
We stared at him in shock, but he said, "Nu, nu; go in."
Before entering the Rebbe's office, I told my brother to knock at
the door. He did, and opened the door a bit.
The Rebbe was seated at his desk. As we timidly entered, I noticed
that when he saw us, he smiled, and our fear dissipated. We stopped before his
desk.
"Are you returning by bus?" was the Rebbe's first
question.
We stared at him, in confusion. Perhaps we hadn't heard him
correctly - since by then the Rebbe, who was not well, spoke unclearly, making
comprehension difficult. The Rebbe repeated his question and we answered
affirmatively.
He then asked, "Will you daven (pray) on the
bus in the morning?"
Once again, we answered in the affirmative.
"With tefillin too?" he asked.
When we said yes, he said, "Good."
Then the Rebbe explained, "Everything must be according to the
place and time, and according to the place and time, I am satisfied with you.
"But with your father, who was in Lubavitch, it is completely
different. Still, from you, more is demanded than of "kinder (children)
from the street."
"You are my children," the Rebbe continued. "To your
parents, you are fleishigdike kinder - children of the flesh -
but to me, you are spiritual children."
Then we spoke about the upcoming bar mitzvah, and the Rebbe wished
us a good trip.
2) "A Far Greater Love"
Rabbi Yisroel Gordon [2]relates:
A Chabad chasid and his family lived in Russia, in a small town where there was
no fire department, running water, or doctor. When his expectant wife became
dangerously ill, the Chassid, concerned over the lack of medical service, took
her to the city Vilna, where the doctor ordered her to go to the hospital and
terminate the pregnancy.
The chasid, who of course refused to do anything without consulting
the Rebbe, wrote the latter for advice. The Rebbe Rayatz replied: "The
woman should remain at home, without an abortion. The child will be fine."
And that is what happened - the child was born healthy. And this
isn't just 'one of those stories'; I am that child!
Since there was no telephone or telegraph in that town, my father
had no way of informing the Rebbe of my birth. So instead, he took money as a
redemptive donation and placed inside a Tanya (the
foundational book of Chabad chasidut) a written request: that the
healthy boy his wife gave birth to would merit to become a genuine chasid.
From this story we learn that chasidim always knew about the great
love the Rebbe had for them, and they reciprocated with great love towards him.
In his discourses, the Rebbe Rayatz stressed that the Rebbe's love for a chasid
is far greater than the love parents have for their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted and annotated by Yerachmiel Tilles from an emailing of
the Avner Institute (Rebbebook@gmail.com).
Why this week? 12-13 of Tammuz (Wednesday night until Shabbat) is the 97th
anniversary of the Rebbe Rayatz's liberation from Soviet imprisonment, torture
and death threats.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn [of blessed memory: 12 Tammuz 5640
- 10 Shvat 5710 (Jan. 1880-June 1950)], known as the Rebbe
Rayatz, was the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, from 1920 to 1950. He established
a network of Jewish educational institutions and Chassidim that was the single
most significant factor for the preservation of Judaism during the dread reign
of the communist Soviets. In 1940 he moved to the USA, established Chabad
world-wide headquarters in Brooklyn and launched the global campaign to renew
and spread Judaism in all languages and in every corner of the world, the
campaign continued and expanded so remarkably successfully by his son-in-law
and successor, Rabbi Menachem-Mendel Schneerson.
Footnotes
[1]An important chasid of the sixth and seventh Lubavitcher Rebbes.
[2]An important chasid of the sixth and seventh Lubavitcher Rebbes.
Milestone: Dr. Ruth Westheimer, 96,
sexologist. https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-famous-jewish-sex-therapist-dr-ruth-westheimer-dies-at-96/
Milestone: Mordechai Rosenstein, 90,
calligrapher. https://www.timesofisrael.com/mordechai-rosenstein-illuminating-jewish-calligrapher-dies-at-90-in-pennsylvania/
,
Milestone: Richard Simmons, 76,
comical weight loss. https://www.timesofisrael.com/fitness-and-weight-loss-icon-richard-simmons-dies-at-76/
Inyanay Diyoma
July 13th
Day 281 start of week 41
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392966 The IDF on Saturday afternoon
confirmed that Israeli security forces attempted to eliminate Mohammed Deif,
head of Hamas' military wing and considered one of the terror group's leaders,
and the commander of Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade.
Raids on Hezballah commanders no
confirmation. https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-hurt-in-kiryat-shmona-as-north-peppered-with-rockets-and-drones-from-lebanon/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/major-rallies-expected-saturday-evening-demanding-gaza-hostage-deal/
July 14th
Day 282
https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-was-thomas-matthew-crooks-donald-trumps-attempted-assassin
G-D must
have been watching. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6357918169112
Biden condemns shooting: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392984
I love you dad. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392994
Ramming attack 2 in life threatening
state. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393005
Only Teddy Roosevelt was this tough.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392992
Netanyahu also in danger. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393003
Chevron stabbing attack foiled. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393006
IDF raids UNWRA. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392949
After 8 tons of bombs. A senior Hamas official claimed that Mohammed Deif, the Hamas
leader who was targeted in an Israeli airstrike over the weekend, is
"fine" after Israeli officials said that Deif may have been
killed, AFP reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392999
Israel still thinks that Deif is
dead. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392966
Hamas Brigade Commander dead. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392990
A different Hamas Commander died. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392953
4 female soldiers injured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392967
From Iraq towards Eilat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392970
House to investigate July 13th.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392986
Argentina - Hamas a terrorist Organization. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392995
Israel strikes targets in Syria: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392982
Le Chaim, Tovim U’ Shalom: https://www.aol.com/news/federal-judge-rules-156-old-092616542.html
The Israeli negotiating team is holding
discussions with Egyptian mediators regarding an electronic surveillance system
to prevent the Hamas terror group from smuggling across the Egypt-Gaza
border, Reuters reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392938
IDF returns to three year service. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392942
Arabs destroy Yoshua’s Mizbayach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392940
July 15th
Day 283
Nahal Brigade Commander Colonel Yair Zuckerman: "Hamas
has turned the entire city [of Rafah] into one giant battlefield, booby-trapped
and dangerous, and gone down into the underground, from which they operate. The
houses are booby-trapped and contain small reverse cameras, by means of which
they follow the forces and try to harm them. We found such cameras in the
buttons on sofas, on doorframes, in mosques, in clinics, and in schools," https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393051
How Deif was targeted but did we get
him? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393037
Hamas is trying to hide Deif’s
status: https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-810310
The Iranian regime has executed at least 266
prisoners across the country in the first half of 2024, the Hengaw Organization
for Human Rights reported this week.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393054
After Donald Trump turned
his head at the split second the bullet gazed him, he realized the miracle. He
is changing his Republican Convention Speech from attacking the policies to US
Unity. https://nypost.com/2024/07/15/us-news/trump-changing-gop-republican-national-convention-speech-to-stress-importance-of-unity-after-pennsylvania-rally-shooting/
Former
US president Donald Trump said he was "supposed to
be dead" in an exclusive interview with the New York
Post on Monday morning, referring to the attempted assassination at his
campaign rally on Saturday. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-810350
Another Miracle: RPG
assassin killed seconds before shooting us. https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-810352
According
to the ADL, Jon Minadeo, founder of the Goyim Defense League, hosted a session
on X, formerly Twitter, titled “Jews try to assassinate Trump!” https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-810332
Vandals
set fire to Russian Synagogue: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/392908
Trump
arrives in Milwaukee. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393039
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed
the group had targeted the MSC UNIFIC, which he claimed is an Israeli ship, in
the Gulf of Aden with ballistic missiles and drones in addition to attacking
military targets in Eilat with drones. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393044
Terrorist planting
explosive device dies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393053
I received the following letter. I reversed the
paragraphs to make things easier to understand for all of us. I leave the
author anonymous it started with rhetoric.
For years now, the government has been
bombarding the citizenry with propaganda campaigns and psychological operations
aimed at keeping us compliant, easily controlled and supportive of the
government’s various efforts abroad and domestically.
The government is so confident in its
Orwellian powers of manipulation that it’s taken to bragging about them. For
example, in 2022, the U.S. Army’s 4th Psychological Operations Group, the
branch of the military responsible for psychological
warfare, released a recruiting video that touts its efforts to pull the
strings, turn everything they touch into a weapon, be everywhere, deceive,
persuade, change, influence, and inspire.
“Have you
ever wondered who’s pulling the strings?” the psyops video posits. “Anything we touch is a weapon. We can
deceive, persuade, change, influence, inspire. We come in many forms. We are
everywhere.”
This is the danger that lurks in plain
sight.
Of the many weapons in the government’s
vast arsenal, psychological warfare may be the most devastating in terms of the
long-term consequences.
As the military journal Task and Purpose explains, “Psychological warfare is all about
influencing governments, people of power, and everyday behavior.
The rhetoric in politics around the world has changed
from a debate about issues to character assassination, which eventual leads to
actual assassination. During Biden's last speech, he had nothing to say
about what his plans would be if re-elected. Instead, over and over he
screamed that Trump was a danger to democracy, freedom, and wanted to be a
dictator. He said that must not be allowed to win the presidency.
In a likewise fashion, politicians in Israel call Netanyahu a dictator, a
danger to democracy, and Hitler. Without civil discourse there is no
democracy, just the rule of the mob and mass delusions. Propaganda from
the deep state in America and Israel angers the population and ferments rioting
and criminal behavior. Once a leader is elected he or she must be
respected. When we do not respect our leaders, our enemies and foreign
countries do no respect or fear us, leading to endless wars. I want to
hear what prospective leaders have to say, not slander and lies against them by
propaganda machines of the press. Perhaps, Trump and Biden could go
golfing to show that even political opposites can still get together for a day
of fun and lunch. Unless this attitude of separation, and lack of unity
changes, both America and Israel as we know them will cease to exist. The
bullet grazing Trump was a sign from Hashem that things must change, and
people again be able to live and speak together In a civil manner.
Haifa preparing for war with
Hezballah: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393064
July 16th
Day 284
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393098 Three Israelis injured at
check-post.
Three other Israelis injured by
terror. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393109
We will drive here. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393112
War in Gaza will continue to US
elections. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393118
Israel rejects visit from Norway. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393119
IDF Soldiers, under the direction of the Shin
Bet, operated on Tuesday tonight in the city of Al-Bira, in the Binyamin
regional division, to counter terrorism.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393116
Breakthrough in Charedi Draft Law. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393111
The chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, MK
Avigdor Liberman, revealed at his party meeting this afternoon (Monday) that he
is negotiating a joint run in the next elections with former Prime Minister
Naftali Bennett. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393073
Disguised as IDF Soldier a resident of Eilat
burglarized Kiriat Shemona homes. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-810506
Not found in the news org. The road to Eilat
was closed today, Tuesday, due to suspected terrorist infiltration. Between
Nili and the Chashmonayim check post shots were fired last night, Monday.
James
Donald Vance: Vance has repeatedly emphasized the cultural and strategic
importance of Israel to the United States. In a 2022 interview with The
Jerusalem Post, he expressed his dedication to being a strong advocate for the
US-Israel relationship, stating, “I will be as strong an advocate for the
US-Israel relationship as anyone.” He highlighted the deep cultural ties and
shared values between the two nations, describing the relationship as “an
expression of deeper things, of cultural affinity and shared heritage and
values."
During
his visit to Israel in 2022, Vance toured the City of David, including the
Pilgrims Path, and underscored the significance of Israeli control over
Jerusalem. He noted, “Jerusalem is the most important cultural heritage site in
the world. If Israel didn’t control this land, I would never understand this
experience." https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-810454 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393093
The
two officers, IDF Training Command Commander Maj.-Gen. David Zini, and Division
Head of Human Resources Planning and Administration Division, Brig.-Gen. Shai
Taib were attacked in Bnei Brak after a meeting with Rabbi David Leibel, who
was working to establish the ultra-Orthodox division
in the IDF. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-810500
Over the past day, the troops eliminated
terrorists in cooperation with the IAF, dismantled tunnel shafts in the area,
and struck Hamas terror infrastructure sites that posed a threat to the troops.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393114
"During the war, many tanks were damaged,
they are currently out of service and are not used for combat or training, and
new tanks are not expected to be introduced into the corps in the near
future." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393088
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today paid a
condolence call on bereaved Druze families from the Swords of Iron war, at the
home of Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the Druze community house in Julis. The Prime
Minister expressed his condolences and solidarity with the families' pain over
the magnitude of their loss.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393091
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Monday
with Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister of
Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393103
A barrage of 20 rockets was fired
on Monday evening by Hezbollah from Lebanon towards Kiriat Shemona and the
surrounding area. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393097
Germany arrests Lebanese procuring
drones for Hezballah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393107
RNC Prayer for the release of
hostages. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393100
Houthis target Israeli owned ship. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393102
Trump with bandage on ear. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393106
July 17th
Day 285
Nasrallah threatens more Israeli
cities. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393192
Slope roof hoax as the snipers were
on a slanted roof. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6358223935112
Where the donors are someone waits
for me. https://www.timesofisrael.com/bucking-far-left-flank-democrats-advance-platform-touting-support-for-israel/
Non compass Mentos as negotiations
continue over Charedi Draft, Gallant orders call-up: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-will-begin-drafting-ultra-orthodox-from-sunday-protesters-block-road/
Ultra Charedi antizionists spy for
Iran. https://www.timesofisrael.com/3-israelis-arrested-for-allegedly-carrying-out-tasks-for-iranian-intelligence-agents/ Traitors deserve to get
punished heavily. One thing is blocking roads in protest and willing to go to
jail over draft and another is helping the enemy in time of war. Remember my
view is not learning go into the army like myself. Learning we need you as you
are.
A
Jewish voter who left the Democratic Party in the aftermath of Hamas' October 7
attack on Israel said Wednesday that her feeling of abandonment has been
exacerbated by Vice President
Kamala Harris voicing solidarity with anti-Israel protesters. https://www.foxnews.com/media/jewish-voter-ditched-democratic-party-oct-7-slams-vp-harris-defending-anti-israel-protesters
Interview with J. D. Vance. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6358113662112
Mark Twain: “It can be proved by
statistics that the biggest bunch of thieves in this country is Congress.” https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-senator-bob-menendez-convicted-on-all-corruption-charges-including-bribery/
90 to 100 Rockets. https://www.timesofisrael.com/80-rockets-target-northern-israel-as-idf-strikes-in-lebanon-said-to-kill-5-syrians/
George Tripper, one of the elders of the Jewish
community in Namibia and who served as the Hungarian ambassador in Namibia,
passed away yesterday at the age of 80. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393194
Students for Justice of Palestine
vs. Trump. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393198
COS and CENTCOM Commander meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393188
More terrorists released for
nothing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393199
MK Monsour incitement. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393196
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/07/16/us-lawmaker-blasts-un-agency-teaching-children-hate-jews/
Noa Argamani to join PM in USA. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393173
Kibbutz Nir Oz report delayed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393174
Teen finds ancient ring. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393176
Free market needed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393179
Rocket launchers attacked. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393184
Trump shares Netanyahu Video. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393163
Establishing Children’s hospital in
Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393148
14 minutes of penetration of Israeli
town. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393180
Film of female captives from Oct. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393147
July 18th
Day 286
Chanting “Bring them home now!” https://www.timesofisrael.com/father-of-hamas-captive-at-rnc-trump-told-me-he-stands-with-the-american-hostages/
Sgt. From Tank Corp. dies.
2 enemies eliminated by drones one
hour after the other. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-drone-strike-in-lebanon-killed-hamas-commander-behind-attacks-on-israel/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/07/17/britains-new-government-commits-building-holocaust-memorial/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-threatening-to-murder-netanyahu/
Charedi Draft that no one will
answer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393259
No Children’s Hospital in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393256
In an interview with 103FM Radio,
Yechezkeli said, "We have the hostages, and we don't see Hamas being
flexible right now. In my opinion, Hamas is not really into the negotiations at
this point. It takes place when Hamas leadership abroad receive some offer from
the ground, pass it to the negotiators, and this takes place about once every
two months." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393245
IDF Soldier protecting humanitarian aid
injured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393243
Explosive device in the Shomron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393261
July 19th
Day 287 end of week 41
Near the US Consul. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393282
Human era led to no shootdown. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393298
https://www.timesofisrael.com/suez-canal-revenues-drop-as-shippers-stay-away-amid-houthi-attacks/
Op-Ed Bederman B”H Israel treats
veterans better but can improve.
https://dianebederman.com/the-shameful-treatment-of-veterans-in-canada-and-america/
Photo of Sgt. Who died of his
wounds. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393263
Spokeswoman for Trump: He was basically saved by G-d. I certainly believe that. It
was a very close call and I don't think anyone has ever prepared for something
like that. I certainly was not prepared to witness that and I'm still kind of
very shaken up, but I think he's doing well. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393278
Cyberattack? Glitch? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393299
No to PLO State: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393222
Crack in windshield of IAF No.1. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393254
Op-Ed Jonatan Tobin the importance
of J.D. Vance. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393272
Have a healthy, restful
and peaceful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
