Perhaps we should say Hallel?
This week, we
witnessed a miracle! It surpasses in many ways the Six Day War. In fact it
might be the greatest miracle since the Sun and the Moon stood still in Sefer
Yoshua.
The collapse of the
Syrian Army by their own people in 11days. The abandonment of both Russia and
Iran of Syria was a miracle in itself. The ability to return to the peak of Har
Hermon, the 70-80% destruction of strategic arms, most of the chemical weapons in
500 airstrikes and the knocking out of the Syrian Fleet in one day including
weapon’s stores.
Between 70 to 90% of
the antiaircraft missiles and batteries are gone. This leaves the way to an
Iranian Strike almost open.
We have learned from
the Talmud that the salvation of HASHEM is in a blink of an eye and now we have
seen this for starters.
May we merit to see
Moshiach soon!
Parsha Vayishlach Part 1
If I were to put this
Parsha into a song I would start with: Louis Armstrong singing “Nobody knows
the Trouble I’ve Seen”. Yacov has just finished 20years in the frying pan of
Lavan and he jumps into the fire of Esav. When ended the Parsha last week with
the camp of Angels of outside of Israel changing the guard with the Angels of the
land of Israel.
32:4
And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir,
the field of Edom.
The Hebrew for messenger
and Angel is the same and Rashi says real Angels which hints to Esav that Yacov
have DIVINE Protection.
5 And
he commanded them, saying: 'Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy
servant Jacob: I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now.
Why the lord-servant
relationship? Yacov plays to Esav’s ego as he humbles himself. I sojourned
(Garti) has the name number as the 613 Mitzvos. This hinting that he kept up
being a Torah Scholar or for Esav a bit of a Nerd and no threat to his kingdom.
6 And
I have oxen, and asses and flocks, and men-servants and maid-servants; and I
have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight.' 7 And
the messengers returned to Jacob, saying: 'We came to thy brother Esau, and
moreover he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with
him.' 8 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. And he
divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the
camels, into two camps.
I have become wealthy
and do not need to take your inheritance from our father.
9 And
he said: 'If Esau come to the one camp, and smite it, then the camp which is
left shall escape.'
This would not occur in
the days of Yacov but unfortunately from Sept. 1, 1939 CE to close to May 1945 CE
the Nazis would do what Esav planned to do and they fell upon Europe and even
had plans in North Africa.
10 And
Jacob said: 'O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O LORD,
who said unto me: Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will do
thee good; 11 I am not worthy of all the mercies, and of all the
truth, which Thou hast shown unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan; and now I am become two camps. 12 Deliver me, I pray
Thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest
he come and smite me, the mother with the children.
Lavan was capable of
saving his daughters and grandchildren even if he wanted to eliminate Yacov.
But Esav has no compassion or mercy on anybody/thing from Yacov except maybe
the animals and jewels for himself.
13 And
Thou said: I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the
sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'
Physically Yacov has to
be prepared and practical for the worst case scenario. He does believe in
HASHEM but perhaps with Lavan, he used up all his Mitzvos in saving himself. So
his only discourse is to remind G-D of Bethel of his promise and that Yacov
hopes that he has enough Mitzvos left in storage to merit it.
14 And
he lodged there that night; and took of that which he had with him a present
for Esau his brother: 15 two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats,
two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
Yacov has three
strategies: 1 Divide the camp for survival. 2 Presents for Esav and 3 Confront
Esav personally. The commentators say prepare for war. Reuven is not even Bar
Mitzvah. According to my calculations he is 12 at most. Yacov according to my
thinking is going to confront Esav face to face. He stole the blessing and if
he has to pay the piper it will be him and not others.
16 thirty
milch camels and their colts, forty kine and ten bulls, twenty she-asses and
ten foals.
These gifts would be
space apart so that each time, Esav would see along the way Angels guiding
animals as presents to me. He might soften up.
17 And
he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself; and
said unto his servants: 'Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and
drove.' 18 And he commanded the foremost, saying: 'When Esau my
brother meets thee, and askes thee, saying: Whose art thou? and whither go
thou? and whose are these before thee? 19 then thou shalt say: They
are thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord, even unto Esau;
and, behold, he also is behind us.'
You will know that Yacov
is behind us on his way to meet you.
20 And
he commanded also the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves,
saying: 'In this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find
him; 21 and ye shall say: Moreover, behold, thy servant Jacob is
behind us.' For he said: 'I will appease him with the present that goes before
me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept
me.' 22 So the present passed over before him; and he himself lodged
that night in the camp. 23 And he rose up that night, and took his
two wives, and his two handmaids, and his eleven children, and passed over the
ford of the Jabbok.
The modern scholars seem
to place this near the current Chatzor HaGalil. However, it could be near the
current Hammat Geder.
24 And
he took them, and sent them over the stream, and sent over that which he
had. 25 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him
until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he prevailed
not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's
thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him.
The Midrash – Rashi place
him like a Billionaire forgetting items that are worth pennies but the Halacha
is Din Peruta like a Din of 100 Perutas. So he goes back and he physically
wrestles with the Angel of Esav who wants to kill him.
27 And
he said: 'Let me go, for the day breaks.' And he said: 'I will not let thee go,
except thou bless me.' 28 And he said unto him: 'What is thy name?'
And he said: 'Jacob.' 29 And he said: 'Thy name shall be called no
more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast
prevailed.'
Why did the Angel want
to go? He had to like a moth drawn to fire as it is his nature to pray as the Dawn
Breaks with the other Angels praises to HASHEM.
30 And
Jacob asked him, and said: 'Tell me, I pray thee, thy name.' And he said:
'Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?' And he blessed him
there. 31 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: 'for I have
seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.'
He now knew that he had
wrestled with an Angel and survived.
32 And
the sun rose upon him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped upon his
thigh. 33 Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew of the
thigh-vein which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he
touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, even in the sinew of the thigh-vein.
The Mitzvah of Gid HaNashe
is the third and last Mitzvah in Sefer Beresheis. The first is ‘Be fruitful and
multiply’ and second is Bris Milah. The seven Mitzvos of the Bnei Noach except multiplying
is not counted here.
33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and,
behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto
Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. …
The story will continue next week but acknowledging miracles
whether hidden or out right like in Syria a few days ago is more important to teach,
praise and acknowledge.
The following three stories and two at the end are
medical miracles
Either healing properly or just being alive after
their wounds:
Asa Sofer, who was
chosen to stand before Congress
A few months ago, I brought down the story of the Ethiopian Soldier
who ran 8km to his base on 10/7. Another soldier was Asa, a tank commander, who
was knocked for a loop by an explosive device in Gaza. He threw a grenade
towards the terrorists but to his rotten luck he bounced back towards him. He
picked it up to save his fellow soldiers. In doing so, he lost a leg, hand and
eye.
He did not quit and get the pension of a wounded warrior. No he
fought for returning to his tank and with the help of a special mechanical
device and a prosthesis arm, he is able to control the tank, turret and fire. Another
brave fellow with a medical miracle.
A soldier with the family name Zucker
He was badly wounded
and in past wars would not have made it but a fast rescue and two pints of
blood was enough to keep him alive. Many operations for shrapnel and regaining
consciousness, he had to learn to walk again and do exercise. After months of
physical therapy, he is able to start walking. While he was in the hospital,
his wife got money like unemployment and was able to take care of him, but at
home now, she still has to take care of him until he is back on his feet but
now she is considered ‘able to work’ so they get no money.
Leon Spielman was touring the world on Oct. 7th
far from Israel
Even though Leon was
exempt from service, he flew home and dispatched himself to his old unit. He
was up in one of the Northern Border Settlements and spotted one of the first
drones from Lebanon. Unfortunately for him, being in uniform, he became the
target for the drone. Kaboom and he lost consciousness. He had shrapnel in both
arms and both legs.
The doctors managed to
clear up his head shrapnel and most of the pieces but everyday since the
beginning of the war (perhaps 400 days) he has pains in his arms and legs. He
is coping try to walk as best he can. Almost every step hurts and arm movements
the same.
He is spending his time
also being a social media spokesman for Israel because he knows a few languages
from his world travels.
THE ONE THING ALL
THREE SOLDIERS HAVE IN COMMON IS THEIR OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES
AND ISRAEL.
The disheartening
response of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
By Rabbi Yerachmiel
Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5785/1408-10.html
"Although the [Lubavitcher] Rebbe was known to respond
quickly, he stared silently at my wife for at least 20 seconds, paying no
attention to me. His secretary thought something was wrong and started to pull
my wife away!"
Why this week? In this week's Torah reading, Vayeitze, both Rachel
and Leah utilize surrogate mothers to provide them children to raise.
Emissaries - Rabbi Mendel Lipskar, Rabbi Shalom Ber Groner and
Rabbi Yossi Goldman - first came to Yeoville, a suburb of Johannesburg, South
Africa, where I was born and raised. I was part of the post-hippie generation
trying to find spiritual answers. This search drew us to Chabad where we found
Chasidism and rediscovered the depth and beauty of Judaism.
Although I counted myself part of the Chabad community back from
that time, I did not get to meet the Rebbe until nearly ten years later - when
I was already married, and my wife was having problems conceiving.
In 1983 I joined a special raffle being held to select a
representative of the community to travel to the Rebbe. I won, and I travelled
to New York for Passover, where we were hosted by Rabbi Goldman's parents. I
finally met the Rebbe in person during kos shel bracha, when the Rebbe would
distribute wine from his cup immediately after the holiday.
When I told him that I was from South Africa, he gave me a huge
smile, handed me a small bottle of vodka, and said, "My views about South
Africa are well known. You should go back and celebrate, and remind everyone
that I said it will all be good."
The Rebbe was referring to his previous pronouncement that the
change over from the apartheid government would be peaceful and that the Jews
of South Africa had nothing to fear.
The next day, there was a group audience for about thirty people
and we had been advised to wait until everyone had left the room, and then to
go up to the Rebbe and request a personal blessing. So we did exactly that.
My wife Maureen spoke. She introduced herself and said, "I've
written to the Rebbe a few times that I cannot have children. The prognosis
from doctors is very bad - they all say that it is hopeless. Yet I'm asking the
Rebbe for a blessing for children."
The Rebbe looked at her for a long time. From the videos of the Rebbe
that I have seen, I know that his habit was to respond quickly, but this time
he didn't. He must have stared at Maureen for at least 20 seconds, paying no
attention to me.
The Rebbe's secretary, Rabbi Leibel Groner, seemed to sense that
something was wrong because he started to pull my wife away. He actually
grabbed onto her coat and was urging her to move. That's when the Rebbe said,
"Gam zu l'tovah" - a phrase from the Talmud which translates
to "This, too, is for the good."
With that we left but my wife, who is fluent in Hebrew, was very
upset. It took me about two hours to console her. I kept saying, "You got
a blessing from the Rebbe," but she kept saying, "When I told the
Rebbe I couldn't have children, he said to me 'this, too, is for the good'."
It was a statement that could be interpreted in two different ways
- that good would eventually come from this situation and she would become
pregnant, or that her inability to get pregnant was from G-d and therefore it
must be seen as a good thing.
Soon, the Rebbe's meaning became clear.
When we returned to South Africa - it couldn't have been more than
two or three weeks later - we were contacted by a social worker concerning an
adoption. We were told: "A Jewish mother is expecting and cannot keep the
child, so we are looking for Jewish parents. Would you be interested?"
Needless to say, the Rebbe's words suddenly became obvious, and we
immediately agreed to the adoption. A baby boy was born a few months later, our
adoption went through, and it was indeed a tremendous blessing.
A year later, we received another call from the same social worker.
Again, there was a Jewish mother and baby on the way in need of a home - would
we be interested in adopting? Of course, we agreed immediately again, and ended
up adopting another baby boy.
Another year went by, and the same thing happened for the third
time in a row. This time, we adopted a baby girl.
Over the years, as our children grew up, the Rebbe's blessing has
remained with us and, at each milestone; we could happily say Gam zu
l'tovah - this, too, is for the good, whether at a Bar Mitzvah, when
my oldest recited an entire discourse by heart in Yiddish, or at our children's
weddings. On so many happy occasions, I have told this story, which usually
brings tears to the eyes of everyone in the crowd.
* * *
There is one more story about the Rebbe that I would like to share
- this story is about his behind-the-scenes influence on South Africa, which
has been well documented.
In 1990, I was contacted by Nelson Mandela's organization, the
African National Congress (ANC), which was looking for an advertising agency to
help reposition the organization from being a liberation movement towards being
a political party. Furthermore, they then wanted to hire us as their ad agency
for the upcoming general election, the first democratic elections held in South
Africa. It was a difficult decision for me because although I was left-leaning
and had been brought up in a vehemently anti-apartheid family, it was a challenging
situation since many senior members of the ANC were still 'banned' under South
African law.
The first time I went to the ANC's Department of Publicity offices,
I literally came face-to-face with a massive poster of Yasser Arafat, which
covered the wall facing the entrance. This immediately made me question the
wisdom of what I was doing, so I decided to ask the Rebbe's advice. I was able
to do so with the help of Rabbi Levi Weinberg of the Torah Academy, whose
father, Rabbi Yosef Weinberg, lived in New York and had a close relationship
with the Rebbe. Rabbi Weinberg immediately went to inform the Rebbe that I had
been working with the ANC and stressed that their connections to the PLO were
making me question my decision.
The Rebbe didn't hesitate to give me a blessing for success and
advised that I should use my influence "to focus on the good." There
was a condition, however - that I should keep silent and say nothing about his
blessing until after the elections.
I had many opportunities to convince the ANC publicity team to
eschew all negative messaging and to focus on building a vision of hope, a
vision of a better future, for all the people of South Africa.
At the time there were members of the ANC leaders who were inclined
otherwise. I remember a specific ad they had suggested. It read, "They
stole your dignity, they stole your land; now they want to steal your
vote."
Bearing the Rebbe's advice in mind, I was able to convince the
decision-makers at the ANC that we should not be wasting our resources looking
back at past wrongs, but forward to a better future. Without much further
debate, the ad was rejected as a bad idea.
For the next four years I went into every meeting with a clear and
powerful conviction of how to approach the campaign - "to focus on the
good."
______________
Source: Slightly modified by Yerachmiel Tilles from a weekly email of
"Here's My Story," a part of JEM's superlative "My Encounter
with the Rebbe" project.
Mr. Louis Gavin is partner and Chief Creative Officer at The Open
Collaboration, a company based in Benmore, South Africa. He was interviewed in
August of 2014.
The cause and the cure by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5785/1409-11.html
It is said of the 2nd Rebbe of
Chabad, Rabbi Dovber [Shneuri] of Lubavitch, referred to as the Mitteler Rebbe,
that he lived and breathed chasidut (Chasidic teachings) in all his 248 limbs
and 365 sinews[1]. His son-in-law the Tzemach Tzedek remarked,
"If one were to cut his hand, chasidut would flow out instead of
blood."
The Mitteler Rebbe wrote and
lectured chasidut with great elaboration, and also demanded of his chasidim to
teach chasidut in every place they found themselves, and of the chasidim that
came to spend time by him in Lubavitch, to repeat in all the towns they passed
through on their way home, the chasidut they heard from him while there.
Once, one of his chasidim, a man
gifted with outstanding ability to expound, complained to him that he was
afraid that the compliments and appreciation he received when teaching would
cause him to become arrogant (a repugnant character trait). The Mitteler
famously answered him "You may sprout in the ground like an onion, but you
will continue to teach chasidut in public!"
In the beginning of his
leadership, in 1812, after the passing of his father, Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of
Liadi, the founder of the Lubavitcher dynasty [referred to in Chabad as the
Alter Rebbe], there arrived in the town of Lubavitch the chasid Reb
Yitzchak Moshe of Jassy. He had been a chasid of the Alter Rebbe, and
immediately after the latter's passing he became a fervent and devoted follower
of his oldest son, the Mitteler Rebbe.
The Mitteler Rebbe highly valued
Reb Yitzchak Moshe. The chasidim also loved to speak with him, to enjoy his
intelligent and inspiring talks. Whenever he was in Lubavitch, the younger
chasidim would surround him, begging him to tell them of his memories of the
Alter Rebbe. Eventually it would be time for him to leave, and he would make
his way back to his city Jassy, in Romania. A long and exhausting trip awaited
R. Yitzchak Moshe but that didn't stop him for following the Mitteler Rebbe's
directive of giving over the chasidut he heard from him in Lubavitch.
When he arrived in his city, he
entered one of the batei midrash ('study halls') and offered
those present to hear words of chasidut. They readily agreed and he closed his
eyes in concentration and started lecturing. As mentioned before, R. Yitzchak
Moshe was an extraordinary gifted speaker. Soon a big circle of fascinated
listeners formed around him, drinking in his every word.
R. Yitzchak Moshe wasn't aware
that he was in the beit midrash of the Apter Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham
Yehoshua Heshel, who had moved to Jassy several years before, in 1808, after
serving eight years as the chief rabbi of Apta. While speaking, R. Yitzhak
Moshe didn't notice the Apta Rav, who had entered the beit midrash and was
watching what was going on.
The Apter Rebbe followed a
different path in his service of his Creator than the spreading of the
teachings of chasidut. His opinion was that the teaching of the esoteric parts
of the Torah are only for the tzadikim (pure, 'righteous'
Jews) and those others on an elevated spiritual level. So when he saw the
Chabad chasid passionately giving over deep concepts in chasidut, he became
extremely angry.
Suddenly the voice of the Apter
Rebbe rang out in the hall. "What!" he thundered. "You would
also conquer the Queen with me in the house?!!" [see Esther 7:8]
A shocked silence fell. Reb
Yitzchak Moshe stood frozen in his place and turned white as a sheet. The flow
of his words, received so enthusiastically a moment ago in the beit midrash
(study hall), was cut off as if with a knife. Tension suddenly filled the hall.
All those present looked up in shocked astonishment.
The Rebbe's face reflected his
anger and he proclaimed to Reb Yitzchak Moshe that he would not live out the
year!
Reb Yitzhak Moshe trembled in
fear upon hearing these threatening words. Without saying a word, he left the
beit midrash and immediately set off for Lubavitch. With his mind in turmoil he
hurried to the Mitteler Rebbe and told him all that had happened, emphasizing
the angry words the Apter Rebbe had said to him.
"Did you insult the
Rebbe?" asked the Mitteler.
"G-d forbid!" said R.
Yitzchak Moshe, "Not only didn't I insult him, I didn't say a single word
to him. The whole thing was an innocent mistake. I had no idea that it was the
Apter Rebbe's beit midrash. Nor did I know that he is against the spreading of
chasidut. My only intention was to follow the Rebbe's instruction to give over
the chasidut we learned here. I was happy to find a public thirsty for the word
of G-d."
The Mitteler Rebbe smiled.
"You can calm down, there is no reason to worry, you will live out the
year."
But the Rebbe's words did not
quite reassure the chasid. He wanted to hear a more concrete promise. The Rebbe
leaned his arms on the table and said "You will live longer than the Apter
Rebbe.!"
Reb Yitzhak Moshe remained uneasy
and frightened. The Apter Rebbe was close to seventy years old and he, Yitzchak
Moshe was still young. Even if he would live longer that the Apter Rebbe it
still didn't mean that he would live to old age. Feeling desperate, he gave his
Rebbe a pleading look and begged him to completely overturn the anger of the
Apter Rebbe.
Once again the Mitteler Rebbe
leaned on his arms. After a few moments passed, his face lit up. He looked at
his devoted chasid and said decisively, "You will live longer than his
children!"
And so it was. Reb Yitzhak Moshe
merited that the Mittler Rebbe's blessing was fulfilled. He lived till over a
hundred in good health. Even in his venerable old age, till his very last days,
he managed to fulfill an instruction that the Alter Rebbe had personally given
him: to learn Torah all night long every Thursday night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted, annotated and supplemented by R. Yerachmiel Tilles from the
translation by Mrs. C.R. Benami, long-time editorial assistant for
AscentOfSafed.com, from the popular Israeli weekly, Sichat HaShavua (#1663).
Why
this week? (see next note)
Biographical
notes:
Rabbi Dov Ber Shneuri was the eldest son and successor to Rabbi Shneur
Zalman, founder of the Chabad movement. The author of numerous deep, mystical
texts, he is known in Lubavitch circles as "the Mitteler (Middle) Rebbe"
[in between his father and the third rebbe, his son-in-law]. Tet [9th] Kislev
(this Wednesday) is the birthdate (in 1773) and the passing date (in 1827) of
the Mitteler Rebbe, while Yud [10th] Kislev the anniversary of his release [in
1825] from interrogation and false arrest.
Rabbi
Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta (1755- 5 Nissan 1825), known as the Apter
Rebbe or the Apter Rav, was a main disciple of the Rebbe
Elimelech of Lizhinsk. He is also often referred to as "the Ohev
Yisrael," both after the title of the famous book of his teachings,
and also because its meaning ("Lover of Jews") fits him so aptly.
Footnote:
[1]248 + 365 = 613, the total number of commandments in the Torah. [The Zohar
teaches that each commandment is connected to a particular limb, vein or organ
in the human body.]
Noa Argamani revealed this
week that her injured leg had healed in capture miraculously so that she did
not get an infection and healed well enough that she can walk. Unlike a woman
who broke her leg and will be on crutches the rest of her life from lack of
medical treatment. https://www.timesofisrael.com/noa-argamani-recalls-horrors-of-captivity-warns-of-dire-conditions-for-hostages/
Captain Khayyam Bukra’s Story
Khayyam was leading
his men into battle. His second in command had been wounded so he had to depend
upon his Sergeants. One was wounded and Sgt. Schuster died on that fateful day
in battle.
The 401unit had just
taken a house and cleaned it out of terrorists. Cpt. Khayyam was walking back
to his tent for refreshing the battle. Unknown to him there was a tunnel shaft
out of view and the terrorists had booby-trapped his tent. As he opened his
tent, an explosion occurred. His right hand was opened and severely injured. He
was barking out orders to his men as he was the only military authority in the
area and had to be evacuated.
Suddenly, he could not
breathe. He pulled open his flak jacket and shirt. His chest was filled with
shrapnel and it was affecting his breathing. He had to be evacuated fast as he
drifted in and out of consciousness. Swift evacuation saved his life.
Friends volunteered to
sleep in a chair next to him while he recovered in Tel HaShomer hospital so his
parents could get a good night’s sleep. He is still undergoing physical
therapy. He has a long way to recovery.
Milestone: Steven Mensch, 62, the president
and general manager at Tyler Perry Studios, was killed when a single-engine
plane he was piloting crashed Friday night in Florida. https://www.aol.com/news/steve-mensch-tyler-perry-studios-182037769.html
Milestone: Rabbi Meir Fendel, 94, Rabbi Meir Fendel, the father of Rabbi David Fendel, head of the
Sderot yeshiva, and Hillel Fendel, longtime writer for Arutz Sheva, ,has passed
away. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400366
Milestone: Corinne Allal, 69,
Israeli pop singer. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-833094
Inyanay Diyoma
Dec. 7th
Day 428 start of week 61 one year
and two months of war. (Pearl Harbor Day)
The IDF announced on Friday that based on the
situational assessment that has been ongoing since Thursday in the General
Staff and Northern Command, and following developments in the internal conflict
in Syria, it has decided to reinforce aerial and ground forces in the Golan
Heights area. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400340
The Hamas terror group on Saturday published
footage of hostage Matan Zangauker, who was kidnapped to Gaza during the
October 7 massacre, together with his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400350
https://www.timesofisrael.com/south-koreas-president-avoids-an-impeachment-attempt-over-martial-law/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/famed-de-gaulle-wwii-speech-against-nazis-on-show-for-first-time/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sweden-jails-3-over-explosives-planted-at-israeli-defense-firm/
5 from Tsfat die in car crash. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400334
Female observers to be supplied
weapons. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400290
The IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet)
confirmed on Friday that they had eliminated the head of Hamas' Aerial Unit in
Gaza City, one of the organizers of the aerial infiltration into Israeli
territory on October 7, 2023. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400344
Iran intends to "significantly
increase" its production of highly enriched uranium, according to a
confidential report released Friday by the UN nuclear watchdog and seen by
the AFP news agency. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400345
Sky News Australia presenter Sharri Markson on Friday ripped Australian
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the arson attack on the Adass
Israel synagogue in Melbourne, decrying the Prime Minister’s lack of leadership
in preventing such attacks from taking place. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400346
On Thursday night, the IAF conducted strikes on
weapon-smuggling routes and terror infrastructure sites located near the Syrian
regime’s crossings at the Syrian-Lebanese border. These routes were used by
Hezbollah to smuggle weapons. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400325
During their operations, the troops located and
destroyed launchers aimed at Israeli territory, as well as a truck equipped
with a missile launcher, mortars, dozens of rockets, crates of ammunition, and
Kalashnikov (AK-47) rifles. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400335
The United States has launched an investigation
into allegations that Spain, a NATO ally, has been denying port access to cargo vessels reportedly transporting US weapons to
Israel, The Associated Press reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400348
US INTEL Hezballah is rebuilding. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400263
Poll puts Bennett as next PM. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400318
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sent a letter
to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requesting that the issue of reopening the
train route to Sderot be brought up at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400308
Dec. 8th
Day 429
Seems just knowing that Trump will be President has
resulted in changes in the ME.
Sadly Jew hatred is growing everywhere else. Diane Weber
Bederman
From 1970 to 2024 the Assad family ruled
Syria. Israel destroyed their rockets, chemical weapons and other strategic
items in the last few days. IDF Engineering is building anti-tank trenches on
the Golan Border. https://www.timesofisrael.com/rebels-declare-damascus-captured-in-stunning-end-to-assad-family-rule-in-syria/
Syrian PM leaves home to transfer
power to rebels. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400390
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-us-should-stay-out-of-syria-civil-war-let-it-play-out/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/synagogue-blaze-should-be-treated-as-terror-australian-leader-says/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-foreign-minister-meets-with-hamas-leaders-in-doha/
Two
senior Syrian military officers told Reuters that Assad fled the country
via a plane to an unknown destination. Conversely, Israeli sources stated today
(Sunday) that "there is no certainty that Assad left Syria." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400389
Attorney General undermines Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400391
Syrian Border Region closed.
Northern Golan Children learn by zoom. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400396
Religious Zionist lead in average
reserve duty. Ramot Magshimim
with 53.94 average reserve days per resident, Beit Hagai with 51.33, Rehelim
with 51.16, Susya with 50.11, Shima with 46.2, Otniel with 42.12, Nov with
41.89, Yakir with 41.83, Elon Moreh with 41.23, and Hosheya with 40.51. Efrat
in first place with 23.75 average reserve days per resident, Shoham with 16.57,
Modiin with 15.03, Ariel with 14.57, Gadera with 13.37, Givat Shmuel with
13.28, Kiriat Shemona with 12.89, Yokneam Illit with 11.67, Givatayim with
11.49, and Nes Ziona with 11.16 average reserve days per resident. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400393
FAILURE: The Israeli
intelligence agencies, including the Mossad and IDF Intelligence Department
failed to predict the rapid advances of Syrian rebels and the subsequent
collapse of the Assad regime.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400383
An
intensive search is underway for Boris Shuster, a 68-year-old resident of
Ofakim, who was last seen on Thursday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m., when he
set out for a walk in the direction of the Afikai Nahal construction project in
the city. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400370
Dec. 9th
Day 430
Behind the scenes in Syria and
Negotiations in Egypt. The IDF took back the top of the Hermon conquered during
the Yom Kippur War. Known as “the eyes of Israel” for it is about 300 meters or
more higher than out Mt. Hermon. That 1000 feet gives us a view of Lebanon and
Damascus. Hamas has finally gone about collecting the names and places of the
hostages. The talk is of 60 day ceasefire as a starting point.
Yesterday the sky was filled with
planes as they carried out sorties against chemical, rockets, missiles and
other strategic weapons. Ground occupation near the border and destruction of
storage facilities. https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-assad-falls-israeli-jets-destroy-his-deadly-arsenals-before-they-fall-to-rebels/
Hamas
terror group has sent Israel a list of the hostages to be freed in a proposed
ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, as well as their medical conditions. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400443
US
Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that its forces conducted dozens
of precision air strikes targeting known Islamic State (ISIS) camps and
terrorists in central Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400431
Drone from Yemen hits Yavne. Cabinet
is thinking after the two missiles the other day to hit the Houthis very-very
hard. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-832623
Turks are going after the Kurds. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-832615
While in the US, Israeli Actress,
Noa Cohen, 22, plays Mary in a new film. Pallywood puts out: A nativity scene featuring baby Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh
was unveiled at Pope Francis’ Nativity
Scene and Christmas Tree inauguration on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-832590
Roy
Loewenberg, 46, a father of two, began cycling when he was
12. A year later, he received a road bike as a bar mitzvah gift. "It was
love at first ride," he says. After a grueling six-month battle with leukemia, he’s set to
represent Israel in the 2025 Tour de France as part of the
Cure Leukemia team. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hyzrsbmekl
Syrian soccer team changes logo. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400439
Shas
chairman Aryeh Deri on Sunday joined the demand of leaders of parties in the
coalition and appealed to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, requesting a
postponement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his corruption
trial, which is scheduled to begin this week. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400433
The
court rejected the request submitted by the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana,
to coordinate the hours and days of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
testimony in court. The court did accept Netanyahu's request to postpone the
starting time of testimony on Wednesday, which will begin only at 14:30 and end
at 20:00. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400412
Israel considering advancing further into Syria.
The
IDF confirmed in the afternoon that it had taken the Syrian side of Mount
Hermon and stated that the operations in Syria were intended to improve defense
positions on the border out of concern that Jihadist elements may reach Israeli
communities in the Golan Heights. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400422
Dec. 10th
Day 431
The last few days, Israel has been
busy destroying Syrian Chemical Weapons, their Navy, Airforce and Bases. Other
munitions and ordinance depots. 350 bombs dropped and shelling from the sea. I
assume that the tanks and artillery will be next. Israel has moved back to the
1974 true lines from the Yom Kippur War about 20 miles from Damascus with a few
towns under our control. The population is happy to have free health care with
better doctors. For already the ISIS in the rebels was yelling unto Al-Kootz
aka Yerushalayim. The US Central Command bombed northeastern Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400509
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400490
Yesterday it was cleared for
publication that four paratroopers died in Lebanon from our own booby trap.
Then it was cleared that three Givati soldiers waiting for a ride out of Gaza
were hit by an RPG and died. All in all 7 more soldiers gone. Netanyahu, is
going on trial today but he acted as if he did not delay the trial through
tricks and said, “I am waiting to testify eight years.” Nobody buys his lies
and yet he says them over and over thinking outside of himself, somebody will
believe them. https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-idf-soldiers-killed-in-north-gaza-as-hamas-fires-on-troops-prepping-to-leave-strip/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/four-troops-killed-in-southern-lebanon-by-accidental-blast-inside-hezbollah-tunnel/
New details about the incident in which three Givati soldiers fell in
the northern Gaza Strip: the soldiers
were traveling in the area despite an IDF Southern Command guideline that
prohibits the transportation of soldiers on the battlefield during daylight
hours, Kan Reshet Bet reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400511
Sunday Morning the song by Dinah
Washington “What a difference a day makes”.
The
Israel Dog Unit, a nonprofit specializing in working dogs, discovered the body
of Boris Shuster on Monday after he had been missing for four days. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400513
Columbia Univ. continues to be a hot bed of
antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400499
US sanctions Assad’s father-in-law. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400500
ISIS may exploit the Syrian Situation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400498
14 minutes in English Yishai
Fleisher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1YotXBKmXs
US
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) said yesterday (Monday) that she
received a bomb threat at her home by someone claiming to be acting "for
Palestine." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400528
A
Palestinian-Iranian ran over an Israeli man with a vehicle in Laguna Beach,
California, Hebrew News reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400527
The greatest significance of the fall of Assad is that
it constitutes another domino that has fallen in the ongoing collapse of the
Iranian empire. With Hamas nearly destroyed, Hezbollah decapitated and at a
third of its previous strength, and its own military weakness exposed following
its two attacks on Israel and Israel’s retaliation, Iran desperately needed
Assad to remain in power. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400533
UAVs
are infiltrating the IAF base in Nevatim in southern Israel, photographing
strategic points in the area. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400488
Dec. 11th
Day 432
Contrary to an earlier report
mentioning that the IDF Intelligence failed to see the fall of Assad, in truth
they played dumb but that Friday Night when Netanyahu called the Cabinet, the
plans for the next paragraph were struck.
The
IDF announced on Tuesday evening that it has struck 320 “strategic targets” in
Syria since the fall of the Assad regime over the weekend. The operation is
meant to destroy much of Syria's arsenal to prevent it from falling into the
hands of Islamist and terrorist forces. Over 350 fighter jets took part in the
operation, which has been given the name "Bashan Arrow." As much as
70 to 80 percent of the Assad regime's military capabilities have been
destroyed. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-has-stuck-over-320-targets-in-syria-taking-out-70-of-army-capabilities/
US-based
charity, the World Central Kitchen, fired dozens of Palestinians working for
the charity in the Gaza Strip, three workers told Reuters after Israel said at
least 62 staff were linked to terror groups. https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-central-kitchen-fires-62-gazan-workers-accused-by-israel-of-terror-ties/
Israel’s
Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, on Tuesday gave an interview to MSNBC’s
Andrea Mitchell, in the wake of the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400560
US
Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that its forces defeated attacks
by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on US Navy and US-flagged ships in the Gulf of Aden. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400555
Germany arrests extreme Muslims. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400562
Russia
has transported former Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad securely to its
territory following his removal from power, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Sergei Ryabkov told NBC News. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400559
A
Jewish trustee of the University of Michigan awoke on Monday to find his window
broken and pro-Palestinian graffiti on his wife’s car, the third time he has
been the victim of vandalism related to the Israel-Hamas war. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400566
These idiots ran an IDF roadblock to enter
Joseph’s Tomb and but their lives in danger. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400567
Iranian
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday morning claimed that the fall
of the Assad regime in Syria was orchestrated by Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400573
The
US charged two high-ranking officials from the regime of former Syrian leader
Bashar al-Assad with war crimes for allegedly torturing prisoners, including
American citizens. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400550
Dec. 12th
Day 433
I
started out the week for the rabbipauli.blogspot dot com (broken up link as
Facebook works with the Sidra Acher [dark side] with 3 medical miracles and two
Chabad stories now 2 more medical miracles today.
This morning, there were two drones sent from
Yemen towards Eilat. At about 9 AM a third drone set off sirens. This drone was
ours filming the Gaza Area.
The
soldiers suffered injuries to their faces, as well as shrapnel injuries. Their
injuries are considered light, and they are being treated in the hospital's
emergency room. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400570
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-four-rockets-launched-at-israel-from-gaza-causing-no-damage/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/cia-analyst-accused-of-leaking-israeli-plan-to-attack-iran-ordered-held-pending-trial/
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO BET THAT HE GETS LESS THAN
J. POLLARD?
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-war-struck-majdal-shams-assads-fall-sparks-hope-for-israels-druze/
B”Hhttps://www.timesofisrael.com/fbi-director-wray-says-he-will-resign-before-trump-takes-office/
Gallant: "If we take advantage of the opportunity that has arisen to
bring back our hostages, we can also reach a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia,
which would change the face of the Middle East and will be added to the list of
substantial achievements that we achieved on all fronts of the war." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400601
For
the first time, Hamas has indicated that it would agree to a deal in which
Israeli troops would remain stationed in Gaza, including in the Philadelphi
Corridor near the southern border. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400625
Britain,
France and Germany have signaled their preparedness to reinstate comprehensive
international sanctions against Iran to prevent nuclear weapons development,
communicating their stance to the United Nations Security Council. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400623
House approves aid bill for Israel
281 to 140. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400619
The
new Syrian state will be a state of laws, it will reexamine the Constitution,
make changes to it, and work for reconciliation between the various sects in
the country. He also stressed that there is no justice without punishment, and
this process will be conducted in accordance with the law. IN THE MEANTIME NO
CONFLICT WITH THE IDF. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400608
Public Opinion Poll. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400614
Arabs
from the Palestinian Arab village of Burqa infiltrated the Oz Tzion outpost in
the Binyamin region on Wednesday evening, burned three vehicles and a large
Israeli flag, and fled the scene. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400612
Gown and Turban for the new Sephardi Chief
Rabbi. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400595
Dec. 13th
Day 434 the end of week 61
https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-young-women-killed-in-overnight-collision-near-yavne/
We will remain on Mt. Hermon this
winter. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400683
The
IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that over the past week, with the direction
of IDF and ISA intelligence, the IAF precisely struck and eliminated a
Department Head in Hamas' Manufacturing Headquarters and a Company Commander in
the Zeitoun Battalion. These terrorists were operating within a command and
control center that previously served as the "Al-Hurriya" School in
Gaza City. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400658
Latest Poll: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400681
The
New York City Police Department (NYPD) has launched an investigation into an attack on a Jewish
Columbia University student, treating it as a potential hate crime. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400677
Arab rioters destroyed
an observatory set up near the town of Adoraim in Mount Hebron in memory of
fallen IDF soldier Reuven
Chicheportiche. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400682
Metro incident in Paris sentenced to 6months probation., https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400678
8 arrested at NYU. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400675
Gideon Saar on Netanyahu: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400676
Israeli defense
officials said on Thursday that thanks to the achievements in the war, among
other things the elimination of 85% of the anti-aircraft systems in Syria which
threatened Israeli jets, there is an opportunity to tend to Iran's nuclear program.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400657
Commander
in Chief of the Israeli Navy VADM David Saar Salama addressed the sailors of
Flotilla 3 following the successful strikes on the Syrian fleet following as
part of Operation Bashan Arrow earlier this week. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400650
The
Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), Maj. Gen. (Res.)
Eyal Zamir, approved a procurement agreement for several new missile ships
today (Thursday) at the IMOD's headquarters in Tel Aviv. Under this contract,
the IMOD will acquire five advanced "Reshef" missile ships from
Israel Shipyards, with a total value of approximately $780M (NIS 2.8B).
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-rings-opening-bell-new-york-stock-exchange
Man of the year: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400648
IDF Veterans who want to visit
Australia have to fill out 13 pages of forms. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400644
Mines and tanks captured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400603
https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-group-looks-kidnapped-americans-syria-after-fall-assad-regime-wont-leave-stone-unturned
US CITIZEN FOUND ALIVE AFTER 7 MONTHS. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400622
Another Oct. 7th
terrorist eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400586
Shass did not sign letter against
AG. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400622
Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
was operating its website with the help of German and Canadian servers until
mid-October 2023, German
public broadcaster BR24 revealed following an investigation. An IT expert
confirmed the findings. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-833194
Chaim Weitzman Bust beheaders arrested. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-833194
Relying
on meticulous documentation, the book argues that Polish institutions were more
than willing to assist the Nazis in their extermination campaign, and often led
the way through their own initiatives. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-832894
The Ayatollah also
addressed accusations that the Assad regime fell due to a failure by Iran to
protect it: "It’s neither logical nor acceptable to the public opinion for
an Iranian army to go and fight in place of the Syrian army. No, it’s the duty
of the army of that country itself to fight. What our forces could do and did
was to provide advisory support." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400666
Who rules the people self-appointed
Judges or the duly elected government? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400661
Netanyahu addresses the Iranian
People. "As we see
history unfold before our very eyes, I can only imagine what you're feeling
right now. Your oppressors spent over 30 billion dollars supporting Assad in
Syria. Today, after only 11 days of fighting, his regime collapsed into the
dust," Netanyahu opened. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400663
Op-Ed Dr. Martin Sherman: Macron is
on the wrong side of history. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400679
Candle lighting times Parsha Vayishlach:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/12/12/us-house-passes-defense-bill-over-600-million-israel-aid/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/12/12/actor-richard-gere-visits-families-hostages-held-hamas-gaza/
Torturer:
https://www.aol.com/former-syrian-official-arrested-california-021106084.html
https://www.foxnews.com/us/drones-spotted-connecticut-sky-latest-phenomenon
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/12/11/university-wisconsin-launches-investigation-pro-hamas-group/
Women fall for killer! https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/12/10/united-healthcare-ceo-murder-luigi-mangione-disturbing-reactions/76864224007/
Dr. Drew Pinsky named the women’s
illness psychosis for loving Luigi.
Op-Ed Bederman: https://dianebederman.com/the-dilemma-over-human-behavior/
Wishing all my readers a
healthy, happy and peaceful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
