Parsha Shemini
After seven days, Moshe retires
from offering sacrifices. The Cohanim are sanctified and continue with the
dedication of the Mishkan and Mizbayach. Seven days Aharon and his children
have been confined to the Mishkan as holiness descends into them. On this day,
they can leave the area of the Mishkan and return to their tents in the section
within the camp designated as Leviim. Note that Moshe and Aharon were in the
east near the camp of Yehuda and Kohat in the south in the area by Reuven. This
we shall see in Sefer Bamidbar (Numbers). [The commentary on the Korbanos is
smaller as both the animals, slaughtering, sprinkling or dashing on the
Mizbayach and waving was done in the past two week. Rather the emphasis this
week is more on Kashrus.]
9:1 And
it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and
the elders of Israel; 2 and he said unto Aaron: 'Take thee a bull-calf for a
sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and offer them
before the LORD.
It is now your turn to make the offerings. The Cohanim are now
holy people and on their own forever.
3
And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying: Take ye a he-goat for
a sin-offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish,
for a burnt-offering; 4 and an ox and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice
before the LORD; and a meal-offering mingled with oil; for to-day the LORD
appears unto you.' 5 And they brought that which Moses commanded before the
tent of meeting; and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.
The Cohanim went before the L-RD
and the Congregation. They prepared the Korban Shalomim.
6
And Moses said: 'This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do;
that the glory of the LORD may appear unto you.' 7 And Moses said unto Aaron:
'Draw near unto the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering,
and make atonement for thyself, and for the people; and present the offering of
the people, and make atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.' 8 So Aaron
drew near unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for
himself. 9 And the sons of Aaron presented the blood unto him; and he dipped
his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out
the blood at the base of the altar.
They prepared the Korban Chatas and
all what was necessary. The placement of the fat, inner organs, putting the
blood on the horns (corners) and pouring at the foot of the Mizbayach are all
part of the ceremony. Leaving something out or adding (heaven forbid) makes the
Korban Pasul. If one at the time of slaughter thinks something else like
instead of Chatas he thinks Asham or he thinks of eating it outside of the
physical limits where the Korban is permissible like outside of the
Mishkan/Mikdash or Yerushalayim or outside of the time limit makes the Korban
Pegol and henceforth forbidden. This is why at the time of the laying of the
hands on the Korban the Cohain will say: “In the name of Korban Chatas” so that
he and everybody else are on the same page that this is a sin offering.
10
But the fat, and the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver of the sin-offering, he
made smoke upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses. 11 And the flesh and
the skin were burnt with fire without the camp. 12 And he slew the
burnt-offering; and Aaron's sons delivered unto him the blood, and he dashed it
against the altar round about. 13 And they delivered the burnt-offering unto
him, piece by piece, and the head; and he made them smoke upon the altar. 14
And he washed the inwards and the legs, and made them smoke upon the
burnt-offering on the altar.
The Mizbayach has a fire upon it
and the fat is smoking on it.
15
And the people's offering was presented; and he took the goat of the
sin-offering which was for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as
the first.
Now the goat is placed like the
calf and was put on the Mizbayach.
16
And the burnt-offering was presented; and he offered it according to the
ordinance. 17 And the meal-offering was presented; and he filled his hand
therefrom, and made it smoke upon the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the
morning. 18 He slew also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace-offerings,
which was for the people; and Aaron's sons delivered unto him the blood, and he
dashed it against the altar roundabout, 19 and the fat of the ox, and of the
ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the inwards, and the kidneys, and the
lobe of the liver. 20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he made the
fat smoke upon the altar. 21 And the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved
for a wave-offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
Aharon continues with the ceremony.
22
And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came
down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the
peace-offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and came
out, and blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the
people.
Then came the Cohanim and the
blessing. Suddenly the light of the Shechina came down upon them.
24
And there came forth fire from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the
burnt-offering and the fat; and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and
fell on their faces.
Fire came down from the sky and
consumed the Korbanos and the fat before the nation. Fear of heaven overtook
them and they fell on their faces.
10:1
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put
fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the
LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And there came forth fire from before
the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
They were not told by Moshe to
present this Korban and it appears to have been in the Holy of Holies (Kodesh
Ha Kedoshim). They died on the spot. There is a hint that they did this after
consuming wine.
3
Then Moses said unto Aaron: 'This is it that the LORD spoke, saying: Through
them that are nigh unto Me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I
will be glorified.' And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and
Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them: 'Draw
near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.' 5 So they
drew near, and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.
HASHEM says, “I am sanctified
through them”. It was their mistake even though holy but it cost them their
lives.
6
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons: 'Let
not the hair of your heads go loose, neither rend your clothes, that ye die
not, and that He be not wroth with all the congregation; but let your brethren,
the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. 7
And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of meeting, lest ye die; for
the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.' And they did according to the word
of Moses.
Do not show signs of mourning.
8
And the LORD spoke unto Aaron, saying: 9 'Drink no wine nor strong drink, thou,
nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tent of meeting, that ye die not;
it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.
This is why I said above that it is
hinted that in some way they had the influence of alcohol.
10
And that ye may put difference between the holy and the common, and between the
unclean and the clean;
Under any influence it is hard to
differ from holy to propane from Tahor to Tumay and one most be most cautious
and completely sober for this.
11
and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD
hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.'
One of the most important actions
of the Mitzvos is to teach future Generations.
12
And Moses spoke unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that
were left: 'Take the meal-offering that remains of the offerings of the LORD
made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy.
13 And ye shall eat it in a holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons'
due, of the offerings of the LORD made by fire; for so I am commanded.
Korbanos are to eaten in a place
that is Tahor and the Cohanim have to be Tahor.
14
And the breast of waving and the thigh of heaving shall ye eat in a clean
place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee; for they are given as
thy due, and thy sons' due, out of the sacrifices of the peace-offerings of the
children of Israel.
Also the regular members of the
nation offering a Korban and eating it shall be Tahor in a place that is Tahor.
15
The thigh of heaving and the breast of waving shall they bring with the
offerings of the fat made by fire, to wave it for a wave-offering before the
LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, as a due for ever; as the
LORD hath commanded.'
The night of the start of the Yom
Kippur War, when the numbers of dead started coming in, the Defense Minister of
Israel quoted this Pasuk as the sacrifices for saving our country. Here Aharon
is continuing with the dedication of the Mishkan and Mizbayach.
16
And Moses diligently inquired for the goat of the sin-offering, and, behold, it
was burnt; and he was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron
that were left, saying:
Moshe was angry that the Cohanim
had not eaten of the goat of the Korban Chatas.
17
'Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the place of the sanctuary,
seeing it is most holy, and He hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the
congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? 18 Behold, the blood
of it was not brought into the sanctuary within; ye should certainly have eaten
it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.'
Why haven’t you eaten as required
and let the gifts to the Cohanim be burnt?
19
And Aaron spoke unto Moses: 'Behold, this day have they offered their
sin-offering and their burnt-offering before the LORD, and there have befallen
me such things as these; and if I had eaten the sin-offering to-day, would it
have been well-pleasing in the sight of the LORD?
Would I be pleasing HASHEM by
eating well and satisfied when two Gadolei Yeras Shamayim V’ Ahavas Torah
(great fear of heaven and love of Torah) have been lost from Yisrael?
20
And when Moses heard that, it was well-pleasing in his sight.
That they had no appetite and the
excuse pleased him. From here on the Torah diverts from the terrible tragedy
that occurred before the whole nation. The Torah goes into the laws of Kashrus
and Tzoras mistranslated Leprosy. It is closer to Psoriasis.
11:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them: 2 Speak unto the
children of Israel, saying: These are the living things which ye may eat among
all the beasts that are on the earth. 3 Whatsoever parts the hoof, and is
wholly cloven-footed, and chews the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.
Of all the animals in the world,
only those who have cloven hooves and cud chewers can one it.
4
Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that only chew the cud, or of them
that only part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but parts not the
hoof, he is unclean unto you. 5 And the rock-badger, because he chews the cud
but parts not the hoof, he is unclean unto you. 6 And the hare, because she
chews the cud but parts not the hoof, she is unclean unto you.
The Torah was given on Har Sinai.
With all the animals in Europe, Asia, Americas, Australia and Africa only these
three chew the cud but do not part the hooves.
7
And the swine, because he parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, but chews not
the cud, he is unclean unto you.
The swine is a real swindler. When
it lies down, you will see the cloven hooves go forward as if to say “eat me,
I’m kosher”. But the animal gulps down its food like a dog, wolf, lion, etc.
There is a possible substitute the Tapir that grows on a South Pacific Island
that chews its cud and has cloven hooves. Just we never had a tradition that it
was permissible to eat. The Tachash/Keres(Unicorn) of the Scriptures used in
Mishkan is our Giraffe with one boney horn and a kosher animal.
8 Of
their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch; they are
unclean unto you.
Also the carcasses of horses,
donkeys, mules, elephants, etc. are unclean but since eating camel, rabbits and
pig are popular among non-Yisrael peoples, the Torah reminds us of their
spiritual uncleanliness. Therefore, when the Temple will be rebuilt, playing
American Football when bringing a Korban is forbidden.
9
These may ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales
in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them may ye eat.
This is most fish. Note in Sefer
Yona, the whale that swallows him is called a fish.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in
the seas, and in the rivers, of all that swarm in the waters, and of all the
living creatures that are in the waters, they are a detestable thing unto you,
11 and they shall be a detestable thing unto you; ye shall not eat of their
flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in detestation.
The Gomorrah (Talmud) mentions
those that give live birth. This would include guppies and other tropical fish
but mainly sea mammals. Sharks, eels, crabs, shrimps, scallops, oysters,
lobsters, catfish, etc. are forbidden.
12
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that is a detestable thing
unto you.
In many countries lobsters,
shrimps, scallops, shark fin soup, octopus and other creatures are delicacies.
We are told that they are detestable to/for holy Neshama and therefore we don’t
eat them. In Israel one can obtain kosher seafood that is spiced like some of
the above mentioned items. Also smoked turkey breasts when fried with eggs
tastes like bacon and eggs.
13
And these ye shall have in detestation among the fowls; they shall not be
eaten, they are a detestable thing: the great vulture, and the bearded vulture,
and the ospray; 14 and the kite, and the falcon after its kinds; 15 every raven
after its kinds; 16 and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and
the hawk after its kinds; 17 and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the
great owl; 18 and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the carrion-vulture; 19
and the stork, and the heron after its kinds, and the hoopoe, and the bat.
All birds and animals that prey on
others are forbidden. Even though the bat is a mammal, it was classified as
flying or winged creature.
20
All winged swarming things that go upon all fours are a detestable thing unto
you. 21 Yet these may ye eat of all winged swarming things that go upon all
fours, which have jointed legs above their feet, wherewith to leap upon the
earth;
The Torah is describing the insects
that are permissible but at this point not specific. So the next Pasuk
straightens out our uncertainness.
22
even these of them ye may eat: the locust after its kinds, and the bald locust
after its kinds, and the cricket after its kinds, and the grasshopper after its
kinds.
Of the insects only those like
crickets, locusts and grasshopper species are permissible. The Yemenite Jews
have a tradition with locusts but Ashkenazim and many Sephardim were not in
contact with them for centuries.
23
But all winged swarming things, which have four feet, are a detestable thing
unto you.
The mouse is one of these
creatures. It has four feet and breeds quickly. Even though not as much as
other things that swarm.
24
And by these ye shall become unclean; whosoever touches the carcass of them
shall be unclean until even. 25 And whosoever bears aught of the carcass of
them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. 26 Every beast
which parts the hoof, but is not cloven footed, nor chews the cud, is unclean
unto you; every one that touches them shall be unclean. 27 And whatsoever goes
upon its paws, among all beasts that go on all fours, they are unclean unto
you; whoso touches their carcass shall be unclean until the even. 28 And he
that bears the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the
even; they are unclean unto you.
Touching a dead snake, lizard,
mouse, etc. requires the washing oneself and clothing.
29
And these are they which are unclean unto you among the swarming things that
swarm upon the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard after its
kinds, 30 and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the
sand-lizard, and the chameleon.
As before, the Torah gave a general
description of these animals and now is more specific. Amphibians like frogs,
toads and other creatures are not mentioned but not kosher.
31
These are they which are unclean to you among all that swarm; whosoever doth
touch them, when they are dead, shall be unclean until the even.
Only after an evening Mikvah, can
one eat of a Korban or other things in purity.
32
And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be
unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack,
whatsoever vessel it be, wherewith any work is done, it must be put into water,
and it shall be unclean until the even; then shall it be clean. 33 And every
earthen vessel where into any of them fall, whatsoever is in it shall be
unclean, and it ye shall break.
Since earthenware such as clay,
china, hardened mud or even kiln earth has to be broken as it cannot be
koshered.
34
All food therein which may be eaten, that on which water comes, shall be
unclean; and all drink in every such vessel that may be drunk shall be unclean.
There is a general principle in
impurity: Water of the spring is the best for purification when channeled into
a Mikvah area. However, a Sheretz aka swarming thing falling into or dripping
on an object raises the level of Tuma or ritual impurity. Thus if one was to
wash his hands in a puddle of rain water he would purify himself but if there
was a dead mouse or lizard in the puddle he would become as a portrayer (Av Ha
Tuma) source of Tuma himself. This fluid conductivity is similar to our
electrical conductivity but the former has an effect on spirituality.
35
And everything whereupon any part of their carcass fall shall be unclean;
whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces; they are
unclean, and shall be unclean unto you. 36 Nevertheless a fountain or a cistern
wherein is a gathering of water shall be clean; but he who touches their
carcass shall be unclean.
A fountain/spring or well is a
source of purity and therefore neutralizes the Tuma but nevertheless, the
carcass itself renders the person if wet a source of impurity and dry, the
first degree of impurity and anything he touches becomes first or second
degree.
37
And if aught of their carcass fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it
is clean. 38 But if water be put upon the seed, and aught of their carcass fall
thereon, it is unclean unto you.
The seed deteriorates in the ground
and becomes a plant anchored to the earth similar to a ground in electrical
current and neutralizes the conductivity of Tuma.
39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die, he that touches the
carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even. 40 And he that
eats of the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the
even; he also that bears the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be
unclean until the even.
If one buries his pet dog or cat
(which is more practical than a horse, calf or sheep that died of itself or
torn by beasts) one has to wash is outfit and go to the Mikvah to be ritual
pure at sundown. Without a Temple and we do not eat Maaser Sheni (second tithe
in Yerushalayim) today it does not matter so much.
41
And every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth is a detestable thing; it
shall not be eaten. 42 Whatsoever goes upon the belly, and
whatsoever goes upon all fours, or whatsoever hath many feet, even all swarming
things that swarm upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are a
detestable thing.
The repetition in the Torah is to
drill in our heads like the repetition of the laws of Shabbos and Yom Tov of
the important of keeping Kosher and being a spiritual pure and holy nation. Am
Kadosh.
43
Ye shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms,
neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled
thereby. 44 For I am the LORD your God; sanctify yourselves
therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy; neither shall ye defile yourselves
with any manner of swarming thing that moves upon the earth.
You are required to be pure and
holy and eat pure things and remain in a state of holiness.
45
For I am the LORD that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God;
ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
As with Parsha Kedoshim (Lev. 19)
You should be Holy for I, the L-RD your G-D am Holy!
46
This is the law of the beast, and of the fowl, and of every living creature
that moves in the waters, and of every creature that swarms upon the earth; 47 to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and
between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be
eaten.
Here we conclude the basis of the laws of Kashrus. More birds like
the Pelican, Vulture and others shall we see in Sefer Devarim (Deut.).
Your Personal Guide to Counting of the Omer Week One
Loving Kindness
We live in a world that has increasingly embraced the
inalienable right of every person to be free. It would seem that we are more
free than we’ve ever been, conquering time and space with the World Wide Web,
palm pilots, and digital do-it-all pens. But for all this prosperity and high
tech, are you more free of your inner demons and scars, of oppressive employers
or pressures? Are you more free in your relationships, free of jealousy, anger
or substance abuse?
The reality is we are all slaves to something –
to work, or a relationship, to fear, or food, to a lack of discipline, or too
much discipline, to love, or a lack of love. The
word Mitzrayim (‘Egypt’ in Hebrew) means limitations and boundaries
and represents all forms of constraints that inhibit our true free expression.
The Jewish people’s redemption from Egypt teaches us how to achieve inner
freedom in our lives. After leaving Egypt the people had to traverse the desert
for 49 days until they were ready to reach the purpose of their Exodus – receiving
the Torah at Mount Sinai. This 49-day process is the key to true freedom.
Enslavement is a habit that needs to be broken
and transformed over an extended period of time – a time that is refining and
healing.
With the mitzvah of counting the forty-nine days
known as Sefiras HaOmer, the Torah invites us on a journey into the human
psyche, into the soul. There are seven basic emotions that make up the spectrum
of human experience. At the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion
of these emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot is
dedicated to examining and refining one of them.
The seven emotional attributes are: 1. Chesed –
Loving kindness; 2. Gevurah – Justice and discipline; 3. Tiferet – Harmony,
compassion; 4. Netzach – Endurance; 5. Hod – Humility; 6. Yesod – Bonding; 7. Malchus
– Sovereignty, leadership. The seven weeks, which represent these emotional
attributes, further divide into seven days making up the 49 days of the
counting. Since a fully functional emotion is multidimensional, it includes
within itself a blend of all seven attributes. Thus, the counting of the first
week, which begins on the second night of Pesach, as well as consisting of the
actual counting (“Today is day one of the Omer..”) would consist of the
following structure with suggested meditations:
Day
1 – Chesed of Chesed:
Loving-Kindness in Loving-kindness
Love is the single most powerful and necessary
component in life. It is both giving and receiving. Love allows us to reach
above and beyond ourselves, to experience another person and to allow that
person to experience us. It is the tool by which we learn to experience the
highest reality – God.
Examine the love aspect of your love. Ask
yourself: What is my capacity to love another person? Do I have problems with
giving? Am I stingy or selfish? Is it difficult for me to let someone else into
my life? Am I afraid of my vulnerability, of opening up and getting hurt?
Exercise for the day: Find a new way to
express your love to a dear one
Day
2 – Gevurah of Chesed:
Discipline in Loving-kindness
Healthy love must always include an element of
discipline and discernment; a degree of distance and respect for another’s
boundaries; an assessment of another’s capacity to contain your love. Love must
be tempered and directed properly. Ask a parent who, in the name of love, has
spoiled a child; or someone who suffocates a spouse with love and doesn’t allow
them any personal space.
Exercise for the day: Help someone on their
terms not on yours. Apply yourself to their specific needs even if it takes
effort
Day
3 – Tiferet of Chesed:
Compassion, Harmony in Loving-kindness
Harmony in love is one that blends both the
chesed and Gevurah aspects of love. Harmonized love includes empathy and
compassion. Love is often given with the expectation of receiving love in
return. Compassionate love is given freely; expects nothing in return – even
when the other doesn’t deserve love. Tiferet is giving also to those who have
hurt you.
Exercise for the day: Offer a helping hand to a
stranger
Day
4 – Netzach of Chesed:
Endurance in Loving-kindness
Is my love enduring? Does it withstand
challenges and setbacks? Do I give and withhold love according to my moods or
is it constant regardless of the ups and downs of life?
Exercise for the day: Reassure a loved one of
the constancy of your love
Day
5 – Hod of Chesed:
Humility in Loving-kindness
You can often get locked in love and be unable
to forgive your beloved or to bend or compromise your position. Hod introduces
the aspect of humility in love; the ability to rise above yourself and forgive
or give in to the one you love just for the sake of love even if you’re
convinced that you’re right. Arrogant love is not love.
Exercise for the day: Swallow your pride and
reconcile with a loved one with whom you have quarreled.
Day
6 – Yesod of Chesed: Bonding in Loving-kindness
For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A
sense of togetherness which actualizes the love in a joint effort. An intimate
connection, kinship and attachment, benefiting both parties. This bonding bears
fruit; the fruit born out of a healthy union.
Exercise for the day: Start building something
constructive together with a loved one
Day
7 – Malchus of Chesed:
Nobility in Loving-kindness
Mature love comes with – and brings – personal
dignity. An intimate feeling of nobility and regality. Knowing your special
place and contribution in this world. Any love that is debilitating and breaks
the human spirit is no love at all. For love to be complete it must have the dimension
of personal sovereignty.
Exercise for the day: Highlight an aspect of
your love that has bolstered your spirit and enriched your life…and celebrate
Week two will examine the seven aspects of
Gevurah, week three Tiferet and so on for seven weeks. Upon conclusion of the
forty-nine days we arrive at the fiftieth day – Matan Torah. After we have
achieved all we can accomplish through our own initiative, traversing and
refining every emotional corner of our psyche, we then receive a gift (‘Matan’
in Hebrew) from above. We receive that which we could not achieve with our own
limited faculties. We receive the gift of true freedom – the ability to
transcend our human limitations and touch the divine.
After the miraculous Exodus
from Egypt, the Jewish people spent 49 days preparing for the most awesome
experience in human history – the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Just as
the Jewish peoples’ redemption from Egypt teaches us how to achieve inner
freedom in our lives; so too, this 49 day period, called ‘Sefiras Ha-Omer’ the
Counting of the Omer, is a time of intense character refinement and elevation.
During this time, the
aspect of the human psyche that most requires refinement is the area of the
emotions. The spectrum of human experience consists of seven emotional
attributes, or sefirot. This week we continue Sefiras HaOmer, utilizing the
seven dimensions of the seven emotional attributes. The first week after Pesach
was dedicated to examining the aspect of chesed, loving-kindness. The second
week corresponds to the emotional attribute of Gevurah, discipline or justice.
If love (Chesed) is the
bedrock of human expression, discipline (Gevurah) is the channel through which
we express love. It gives our life and love direction and focus. Gevurah –
discipline and measure – concentrates and directs our efforts, our love in the
proper directions.
Day 8 – Chesed of
Gevurah: Lovingkindness in Discipline
The underlying intention and motive in discipline is love. Why do we measure
our behavior, why do we establish standards and expect people to live up to
them – only because of love. Chesed of Gevurah is the love in discipline; it is
the recognition that your personal discipline and the discipline you expect of
others is only an expression of love. It is the understanding that we have no
right to judge others; we have a right only to love them and that includes
wanting them to be their best. Ask yourself: when I judge and criticize another
is it in any way tinged with any of my own contempt and irritation? Is there any
hidden satisfaction in his failure? Or is it only out of love for the other?
Exercise for the day: Before you criticize someone today, think twice: Is it
out of concern and love?
Day 9 – Gevurah of
Gevurah: Discipline in Discipline
Examine the discipline factor of discipline: Is my discipline reasonably
restrained or is it excessive? Do I have enough discipline in my life and in my
interactions? Am I organized? Is my time used efficiently? Why do I have
problems with discipline and what can I do to enhance it? Do I take time each
day for personal accounting of my schedule and accomplishments?
Exercise for the day: Make a detailed plan for spending your day and at the
end of the day see if you’ve lived up to it.
Day 10 – Tiferet of
Gevurah: Compassion in Discipline
Underlying and driving discipline must not only be love, but also compassion.
Compassion is unconditional love. It is love just for the sake of love, not
considering the others position. Tiferet is a result of total selflessness in
the eyes of G-d. You love for no reason; you love because you are a reflection
of G-d. Does my discipline have this element of compassion?
Exercise for the day: Be compassionate to someone you have reproached.
Day 11 – Netzach of
Gevurah: Endurance in Discipline
Effective discipline must be enduring and tenacious. Is my discipline
consistent or only when forced? Do I follow through with discipline? Am I
perceived as a weak disciplinarian?
Exercise for the day: Extend the plan you made on day two for a longer
period of time listing short-term and long-term goals. Review and update it
each day, and see how consistent you are and if you follow through.
Day 12 – Hod of
Gevurah: Humility in Discipline
The results of discipline and might without humility are obvious. The greatest
catastrophes have occurred as a result of people sitting in arrogant judgement
of others. Am I arrogant in the name of justice (what I consider just)? Do I
ever think that I sit on a higher pedestal and bestow judgement on my subjects
below? What about my children? Students?
Exercise for the day: Before judging anyone, insure that you are doing so
selflessly with no personal bias
Day 13 – Yesod of
Gevurah: Bonding in Discipline
For discipline to be effective it must be coupled with commitment and bonding.
Both in disciplining yourself and others there has to be a sense that the
discipline is important for developing a stronger bond. Not that I discipline
you, but that we are doing it together for our mutual benefit.
Exercise for the day: Demonstrate to your child or student how discipline is
an expression of intensifying your bond and commitment to each other.
Day 14 – Malchus of
Gevurah: Nobility of Discipline.
Discipline, like love, must enhance personal dignity. Discipline that breaks a
person will backfire. Healthy discipline should bolster self-esteem and help
elicit the best in a person; cultivating his sovereignty. Does my discipline
cripple the human spirit; does it weaken or strengthen me and others?
Exercise for the day: When disciplining your child or student, foster
his self-respect
This is an excerpt from “Counting the Omer – A Spiritual
Guide” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson. This unique book is now available at
our online store.
During the third
week of Counting the Omer, we examine the emotional attribute of Tiferet or
compassion. Tiferet blends and harmonizes the free outpouring love of Chesed
with the discipline of Gevurah. Tiferet possesses this power by introducing a
third dimension ― the dimension of truth, which is neither love nor discipline
and therefore can integrate the two.
Truth is accessed
through selflessness: rising above your ego and your predispositions, enabling
you to realize truth. Truth gives you a clear and objective picture of yours
and others' needs. This quality gives Tiferet its name, which means
beauty:
it blends the
differing colors of love and discipline, and this harmony makes it beautiful.
Day 15 ― Chesed of
Tiferet: Loving-kindness in Compassion
Examine the love
aspect of compassion. Ask yourself: Is my compassion tender and loving or does
it come across as pity? Is my sympathy condescending and patronizing? Even if
my intention is otherwise, do others perceive it as such? Does my compassion overflow
with love and warmth; is it expressed with enthusiasm, or is it static and
lifeless?
Exercise for the
day: When helping someone extend yourself in the fullest way; offer a smile or
a loving gesture.
Day 16 ― Gevurah of
Tiferet: Discipline in Compassion
For compassion to be
effective and healthy it needs to be disciplined and focused. It requires
discretion both to whom you express compassion, and in the measure of the
compassion itself. It is recognizing when compassion should be expressed and
when it should be withheld or limited. Discipline in compassion is knowing that
being truly compassionate sometimes requires withholding compassion. Because
compassion is not an expression of the bestower's needs but a response to the
recipient's needs.
Exercise for the
day: Express your compassion in a focused and constructive manner by addressing
someone's specific needs.
Day 17 ― Tiferet of
Tiferet: Compassion in Compassion
True compassion is
limitless. It is not an extension of your needs and defined by your limited
perspective. Compassion for another is achieved by having a selfless attitude,
rising above yourself and placing yourself in the other person's situation and
experience. Am I prepared and able to do that? If not, why? Do I express and
actualize the compassion and empathy in my heart? What blocks me from
expressing it? Is my compassion compassionate or self-serving? Is it compassion
that comes out of guilt rather than genuine empathy? How does that affect and
distort my compassion? Test yourself by seeing if you express compassion even
when you don't feel guilty.
Exercise for the
day: Express your compassion in a new way that goes beyond your previous
limitations: express it towards someone to whom you have been callous.
Day 18 ― Netzach of
Tiferet: Endurance in Compassion
Is my compassion
enduring and consistent? Is it reliable or whimsical? Does it prevail among
other forces in my life? Do I have the capacity to be compassionate even when
I'm busy with other activities or only when it's comfortable for me? Am I ready
to stand up and fight for another?
Exercise for the
day: In the middle of your busy day take a moment and call someone who needs a
compassionate word. Defend someone who is in need of sympathy even if it's not
a popular position.
Day 19 ― Hod of
Tiferet: Humility in Compassion
If compassion is not
to be condescending, it must include humility. Hod is recognizing that my
ability to be compassionate and giving does not make me better than the
recipient; it is the acknowledgment and appreciation that by creating one who
needs compassion God gave me the gift of being able to bestow compassion. Thus
there is no place for haughtiness in compassion.
Do I feel superior
because I am compassionate? Do I look down at those that need my compassion? Am
I humble and thankful to God for giving me the ability to have compassion for
others?
Exercise for the
day: Express compassion in an anonymous fashion, not taking any personal
credit.
Day 20 ― Yesod of
Tiferet: Bonding in Compassion
For compassion to be
fully realized, it needs bonding. It requires creating a channel between giver
and receiver; a mutuality that extends beyond the moment of need. A bond that
continues to live on. That is the most gratifying result of true compassion. Do
you bond with the one you have compassion for, or do you remain apart? Does
your interaction achieve anything beyond a single act of sympathy?
Exercise for the
day: Ensure that something eternal is built as a result of your compassion.
Day 21 ― Malchus of
Tiferet: Nobility in Compassion
Examine the dignity
of your compassion. For compassion to be complete (and enhance the other six
aspects of compassion) it must recognize and appreciate individual sovereignty.
It should boost self-esteem and cultivate human dignity. Both your own dignity
and the dignity of the one benefiting from your compassion.
Is my compassion
expressed in a dignified manner? Does it elicit dignity in others? Do I
recognize the fact that when I experience compassion as dignified it will
reflect reciprocally in the one who receives compassion?
Exercise for the
day: Rather than just giving charity, help the needy help themselves in a
fashion that strengthens their dignity.
Years ago, I noticed that chubby
people don’t make it to their 90’s. Those who lived to 100 plus were mostly
thin, slender or had lost weight. When I was younger, I bought a small grill
for camping by the Kinneret or somewhere else. With both of us with canes
and/or walkers we do a lot less hiking and camping so we decided to grill baby
grill for Pesach today. We continue to do our gym workout and Erev Pesach the
new pair of pants that I bought in mid-Nov. was tight on me almost was “Pants
on the ground” so put on my new smaller belt. Eating proteins and vegetables
with less gluten helps the fat go off.
Daniel S. brought down this
interesting Gematria. This explains how (in Israel) the Seudas Moshiach of
Chabad falls on the 7th day of Pesach. In Gallus it is the last day
too but not 7th. How Interesting that the Gematria of
the letters added up of the words Yam - Suf ( 10 + 40 + 60 + 6 + 80 = 196 and 1
+ 9 + 6 = 16 and 1 + 6 = 7 ) come to seven , which is the same Gematrical value
of the word Moshiach , showing us that as we were saved from our enemy Mitzrayim
Egypt at the Yam Suf , never to have that generation of Egyptians hurt us again
, so will we Jews be Saved from all our enemies , never to hurt us ever again ,
in Moshiach's time , For The True Redeemer Is HaShem , not Moshiach , so we
must all learn to long for The Closeness With HaShem Again And Look Up To
HaShem And Praise And Follow Only HaShem, not Moshiach . Though we must long
for the time of Moshiach , It Is HaShem Only That we are to Pray To Only As The
One And Only Creator And Savior - Hosea 13:4.
Drowning in the Sea by
Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5785/1427-29.html
I [Chaya-Miriam F.] grew up in Long Beach, Long Island (New
York). One day, when I was about six years old, in the early 50s, there was a
heat wave. My mother was at work and my sister, who was a teenager, took me to
the beach. There was a low tide that day. I remember seeing the barrels in the
water and we were close to them because even near the barrels the water was
shallow.
The water was very calm. I was sitting on a sandbar, building
castles. Since it was so hot, my sister decided to get us both ice creams.
There were many lifeguards at the beach and my sister asked the closest
lifeguard if he would watch me for the few minutes that she would be gone. The
lifeguard agreed and I continued to play without a care in the world, building
my droopy sand castles with a shovel and pail. I was happy. What child wouldn't
be? I was at the beach, playing in the sand, and my sister would be back in a
few minutes with an ice cream!
Suddenly, the sandbar shifted. I was pulled into the water. I
wasn't afraid, though. It seemed to me like a fun ride at the amusement park.
And then the lights went out. I saw in my mind's eye a farmer,
chasing after animals. I shouted, "No, no. I don't like that." After
all, he was harming the innocent animals and that wasn't nice! Looking back now
I realize that the lights going out was due to a lack of oxygen and I was in
danger of drowning. But at the time, I was not afraid. I was watching cartoons!
Before I knew it, the lights were on again. Above the water, I
even let out a laugh before I was pulled back down under the water once more.
This time, when the lights went out, I saw a man in a red suit with white hair
and a white beard. "No, that's not my holiday," I said. "I don't
want to watch this one."
I was pushed up to the surface again and then pulled back under
once more. The third time, I saw a vision of a holy man. He was wearing what
looked like some kind of white sheet. I had seen my grandfather wear something
like that when he was at the synagogue. I was a little afraid, because I knew
the man was a zeidy (grandpa) but he was not my zeidy.
The man spoke in English but with some Yiddish words. I knew a
few Yiddish words from my zeidy. The man said, "Give me dein
hentala now." ("Give me your hand now.") I didn't want to
give the man my hand because he was a stranger and I had been taught not to
talk to strangers.
Then the man spoke again, more insistently, "I am a Jew
like you, give me dein hentala now." I obeyed and reached out my
hand toward the man. At that moment, the lifeguard grabbed my hand which was
above the water and pulled me out.
I don't know how much time passed because I went unconscious.
But when I came to, the lifeguard was squeezing the ocean out of me.
I opened my eyes and there were a whole group of people,
including my sister and a number of lifeguards, surrounding me. The lifeguard
who had been pumping the water out of me, held up his fingers in front of my
eyes and asked me how many fingers he had. I scolded him. "You're a life
guard, you're supposed to know how many fingers you have!"
Then I saw my sister. The ice creams were dripping but I was
glad to see her and the ice cream!
Now they turned their attention to my sister. How long had she
been gone? How could she have left me all by myself?
My sister answered them angrily. "I left her with
you," and she pointed to the lifeguard who had agreed to watch out for me.
They questioned the lifeguard who admitted that he had seen me, but when he had
looked in my direction I laughed, so he turned his attention to swimmers in the
deeper area.
As memorable as the experience was at the time, I eventually
forgot about it. Time passed. I married and had a little girl of my own. I was
taking steps toward getting more involved in Jewish observance. My daughter
attended public school and went to an afternoon Hebrew school.
One day, when I went to pick her up at the Hebrew School, I saw
a flyer that said in big letters, "T.N.T." Underneath, it stated,
"Torah Never Terminates: What are you doing with your child for the
summer?"
The flyer shook me. It was advertising the Li Ohr day camp, run
by the Yahadus Center, directed by Rabbi Sholom Ber and Frida Schapiro. The
Center was established by N.C.F.J.E. under the auspices of the Lubavitcher
Rebbe. The camp was to be held at the local Young Israel synagogue. I decided
to enroll my daughter.
When I got to the synagogue, there were a number of other
pamphlets from the Yahadus Center. I picked up a brochure and saw a picture of
a rabbi praying in a tallit. I nearly fainted. The memory of what had taken
place 30 years earlier passed before my eyes. The Lubavitcher Rebbe was the
holy man, the zeidy, who had saved me when I was drowning as a child!
That day was the beginning of my involvement with the Rebbe and
Chabad. With the help of a tutor over the summer, my daughter caught up enough
in her Jewish studies to be able to attend the Hebrew Academy in the fall. We
became close with the Schapiro family and with Mrs. Schapiro's parents, Rabbi
Nissan and Necha Mindel.
There are many, many more stories to tell. But suffice it to
say, today, I am the proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of, thank
G-d, many children who observe Torah and mitzvot (commandments),
thanks to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Modified by Yerachmiel Tilles from a 2010 article on L'ChaimWeekly.org
by Chaya-Miriam F., as told to Yehudis Cohen, the chief editor of L'Chaim.
Why this
week? The festival of the Seventh Day of Passover celebrates the
Crossing of the Reed Sea by hundreds of thousands of Jews [who survived…and tens
of thousands of Egyptians who didn't.]
Passover in Safed Prison by Rabbi Y. Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5785/1428-30.html
During the years of
World War II, loads of Jewish refugees were fleeing Nazi occupied lands and
arriving on foot in the Holy Land, after having been smuggled across Israel's
northern borders with Lebanon and Syria. These were still the days of the
British Mandate, and the desperate Jewish immigrants were deemed illegal by the
British administrators, despite their endangered lives.
Many of these
refugees made it to the town of Tsfat. There, Yitzhak-Moshe Zilber, a modest
Jewish shopkeeper, made it his life's work to help them. He developed a quiet,
efficient network: find the refugees, move them safely south, hide them in
places they were unlikely to be found.
Zilber's store - a
dusty little place selling paint and tools in what is now Tzfat's 'Kikar
HaMagenim'* - was rarely open. It wasn't really much of a business anyway.
Rather, it was Zilber's 'office,' for his real job? Helping Jews in trouble.
Everyone knew what
he was up to - the smugglers, the refugees, even the British. In fact, the
British trusted him. When they caught a group of immigrants, they'd call him
in. He'd vouch for them, work out a deal, and promise to bring them to court on
the appointed date.
And he always did -
even if it meant chasing people down all over the country, paying for their
travel, calming their nerves. Sometimes he even paid them for the day they'd
miss at work just to show up.
And if the court
ruled someone must be deported? Zilber worked his quiet magic, pulling strings
with sympathetic officers to delay - or quietly cancel - the order.
But one time it was
much more complicated.
A few days before
Passover, a British military jeep screeched to a halt outside his little shop.
Out stepped a British police officer. "A large group of Jews was caught
trying to cross the border," he said crisply. "They're in custody.
Come with me."
The dozens of
refugees, including many women and children without the heads of their
families, had been caught near Metula [the town nearest the Lebanese border].
The smugglers fled, leaving the frightened families behind. The group was being
held at the Canaan police station. Not that there was any intention to send
them back to Nazi territory - but there was talk they'd be deported to some
distant camp in another land. Meanwhile, the holiday was approaching. They asked
for kosher food for Passover.
The British officers
were at a loss. Kosher food? Passover? They called Zilber.
"How can I
possibly do this alone?" he asked the officer, eyes widening at the sight
of the crowd. "I don't have the means to provide the large food supplies
required, or even large enough pots to cook for this many! However, if you
would release them into my care, I could place them with families here, or
possibly in local hotels."
The reply was swift
and final: "They're not leaving the jail."
So Zilber got to
work. He rallied food suppliers, hotel owners, kitchen volunteers. Yet,
whenever he visualized the Seder - in the police station - his enthusiasm
waned. A flicker of thought kept disturbing him: "How can I willfully
imprison myself on Passover?"
As the holiday
rapidly approached, a bright idea popped into his mind. On the day before
Passover, he requested an urgent meeting with the police chief and the military
governor.
"My honorable
sirs," he began, "as much as I long to lead a Seder for those poor
souls, I simply cannot. Passover is 'The Festival of Our Freedom," the
celebration of our emerging from imprisonment to liberty. A Jew must feel free.
I cannot, in good conscience, lock myself up to celebrate it. They might not have
a choice. But I do. Please understand: I cannot lead a Seder in a jail. I just
can't."
The British high
officials paused, unsure. They stared at each other. They had been relying on
Zilber; they knew he was irreplaceable.
Finally, they
shrugged and one of them said, "Fine. Take them. Take them all. After the
holiday we'll decide what to do."
And so a large truck
rumbled up to the jail, and the detainees - all of them - were delivered not to
a courtroom, but to Zilber's home. He quickly moved them into a freshly cleaned
and koshered school building. From the hotels 'Herzliya'** and 'Meiberg' came
giant cooking pots. White tablecloths were laid out, candles were lit. Matzah
came from the 'Lodmir' factory,*** while wine flowed generously from the Carmel
Mizrachi Winery in Zichron Yaakov above the Mediterranean Coast.
And then there were
the local residents. Volunteers were stirring bubbling pots in the kitchen.
From every corner of the Jewish Quarter of Tsfat, pots of homemade food had
appeared - unasked.
Not only that, most
of the locals wrapped up their Seders early that night so they could go join
the celebration at the big Seder with the refugees. Zilber even invited the
British police chief, who came, nibbled on some matzah, drank wine (a lot of
wine), and left with a whole crate of it as a gift.
After the holiday,
most of the group was moved to local hotels, but none of them saw the inside of
the Canaan police station again. Nor was a single one ever brought before a
judge.
In the years after,
whenever he was asked about the episode, Zilber would say with a sly smile,
"Drinking good wine can bring very different people closer, and that's all
I shall say."
======================
* Kikar HaMaganim was the address of the art gallery I helped to open in 1979,
and then managed until 1982, in partnership with chasidic artist Yaakov
Kascemacher ?. It was directly opposite the location of Yitzhak-Moshe Zilber's
long departed store!
** Currently the site of two Chabad seminaries for young Jewish women lacking a
strong Torah education, one for Israelis and the other for fluent English
speakers, mostly Americans.
***The Yehuda Matzos Company was and still is owned by the orthodox Ludmir
family from Tsfat, who are seven generations in Israel. On its premises, matzos
have been baked since 1921. In 1949, they moved the factory to Jerusalem. [from
yehudamatzos.co.il]
Source: Heavily
revised by Yerachmiel Tilles from a "ChatGPT" translation of an
article (with the adjacent photo) in the Hebrew weekly Sichat HaShavua, based
on the book, "Sefer Meron." [If you wish to inspect what I intend by
"heavily revised," here is a link to the original Hebrew.]
Why This Week? 1) A
main theme in this week's Torah reading, Shemini, is the Kosher Dietary Laws;
2) Last week was the festival of the Seventh Day of Pesach, while next week (on
Nisan 30) is the annual celebration here, "Tsfat Liberation Day" (in
1948); 3) Next week is the Sheloshim (30 days since the departure to Heaven) of
a special member of the Tsfat Chabad community, who shares the same first name
as the hero of the above story. So this story is dedicated for the soul
elevation of YITZCHAK-MOSHE BEN YOSEF-CHAYIM Kadosh..
Milestone: David Sassoon, 92, fashion designer
for Princess Diana. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-849897
Milestone: Aliza Magen, 88, Retired Deputy
Director of the Mossad. https://www.timesofisrael.com/aliza-magen-mossads-only-female-deputy-director-dies-at-88/
Milestone: Reuma Weizman, 99 former first lady
of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/eyewitness-to-history-and-former-first-lady-reuma-weizman-dies-age-99/
Milestone: Yaakov Kirschen, 87,‘Dry Bones’
cartoonist. He brought smiles to many faces. He will be missed. May his memory
be for a blessing. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-850087
Milestone: Alan Bergstein, 92,
Defender of Israel at the Jewish Voice. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406846
Milestone: Rebbetzin Malka Waltner, 105, known as the
“Rebbetzin of Beit Vegan,” passed away Friday afternoon (13Nisan) at the age of
105, just before Shabbos HaGadol and Passover. Born in Germany in 1920, she
escaped to England after Kristallnacht and married Rabbi Zusha Waltner zt”l, a
leading educator who later headed Torah institutions in Morocco and Jerusalem.
Together, they helped build Jewish life and education in England, Morocco, and
Israel. – Thanks to Charlie B. on Facebook.
Milestone: Nechama Grossman, 110,
Israel’s oldest Shoah Survivor. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407392
Inyanay Diyoma
Day 553 end of week 79
Breaking – Golani soldier injured in Gaza. 6
more companies added to Yehuda and Shomron.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-will-need-to-get-used-to-turkeys-growing-footprint-in-syria/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-says-it-awaits-idf-probe-into-killing-of-palestinian-american-teen-in-west-bank/ This was one of the
teens rolling boulders on cars.
You only raise the price on the hostages: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406764
You will be over-thrown if you don’t make a
deal. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406765
Maccabi
Tel Aviv Soccer Fans Receive Compensation from Netherland for Amsterdam Attack
Iranian trade warnings. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406742
NY Helicopter crash. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406732
Dealing with tunnels and shafts. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406709
More talks with Turkey after the holidays. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406734
Taking to task Canadian PM. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406739
Apr. 12th and Apr. 13th
Day 554 and Day 555 start of week 80
Prayer for dew replaces prayer for rain on the
first day of Pesach. Omer counting has already started in Israel. After Gaza
will come Hamas in Naalin right near the Hashmonaim check post.
Yom Tov Afternoon 18:15 PM Houthi rocket with
fragment in Chevron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406784
Troops encircling Rafah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406778
An
IDF officer was moderately injured on Friday from terrorist fire in the
southern Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406771
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-hit-a-hamas-command-center-embedded-in-gaza-city-hospital/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2012-bulgaria-bus-bomber-buried-at-hezbollah-cemetery-in-lebanon/
Good Yom Tov Pontiff. https://www.timesofisrael.com/convalescing-pope-francis-greets-faithful-at-vatican-delivers-brief-remarks/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-marathon-runners-win-four-medals-at-european-championships/
Arab Mafia victims reach 75. https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-arab-men-shot-dead-in-separate-incidents-amid-slew-of-murders-over-recent-days/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/canadas-tory-leader-vows-to-deport-foreigners-for-antisemitic-crimes/
Hostages looking for a solution. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406777
Netanyahu’s son curses out Macron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406787
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406787
Even
during the week of Passover, the IDF continues its operational activity and
maintains full readiness across all sectors, according to a statement on Friday
from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406768
Fire broke out in a Charedi Building making it
into almost a death trap.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406762
New Hamas Video of US Hostage. https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-releases-propaganda-video-showing-us-israeli-hostage-edan-alexander/
IDF destroys
1.2km tunnel in Gaza. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-849999
Yemen Government preparing 80,000 troops to
free Houthi port. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-849945
Apr. 14th
Day 556
The
IDF on Sunday struck Hamas positions in Gaza after a rocket was launched from
the Strip toward Israeli communities near the border on Saturday night, during Passover’s Seder night and intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1ukzmyc1e#autoplay
If Nuclear Talks fail then the ball goes to the
Dept. of Defense. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1n5ady0yg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/bangladesh-renews-except-for-israel-inscription-on-passports/
IDF soldiers walked into a mine field one
severely wounded. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406789
A
wide-reaching logistics network supporting Hezbollah’s drone manufacturing
efforts has been dismantled across Europe, according to a report by the French
daily Le Figaro. The operation spanned Spain, Germany, France, and the
United Kingdom, with arrests taking place between mid-2024 and early April
2025. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406793
The Slonim Hasidic community announced on the eve of
Passover the cessation of its weekly email service that had operated for about
a decade. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406792
The
recent market fluctuations and associated angst about the global economic
fallout has overshadowed the benefits of levies against China. Goldman Sachs
predicts a contraction in China’s GDP as a result of the US imposed tariffs on
Chinese exports. But there is also another benefit to the tariffs. By striking
at the Chinese manufacturing sector, this augurs well for reducing the deaths
of American children from fentanyl – a lethal drug that is heavily dependent on
China’s industrial plants that manufacture the chemical precursor for this
pill, as well as the precursor for methamphetamine. The Chinese drug cartel and
drug traffickers have penetrated our schools, our neighborhoods, and our
nation’s family courts. This is more than a trade war. This is a spiritual war
of good versus evil. Trump understands that. And he sees the larger picture. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406796
Jews don’t miss Syria. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjc011loajl
Apr. 15
Day 557
How low can the deep State go. The head of the
Shin Bet is after all people who liked Meir Kahane. He was going after
ministers in the government and the general public at large. It is not the leak
that is the danger here. https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-official-detained-for-classified-intel-leak-coalition-fumes-over-deep-state-probe/
To
jail them with no crime. Another recording was published on Monday of A., the
head of the Jewish Department in the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), this
time making disparaging remarks about a court judge. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406826
Apr. 15th is not Perkei Avos day.
Avos says: Who is rich? A person who is happy with his lot. Last evening I had
two things on my mind. My 3month old great grandson and the IRS. I found out
that I owe my Uncle Sam money in taxes on earnings. I could be sad to pay for a
bureaucracy or happy that I am wealthy enough to be taxed and not like a friend
of mine who does not earn enough to finish the month and has to juggle to
survive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with French
President Emmanuel Macron following the latter's announcement that he intends
to recognize a Palestinian state and a meeting with Palestinian Authority
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to discuss said recognition. Reward 4 terror. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406865
A bill
to ban Israelis from entering
the Maldives has been approved by the country's Parliament. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406868
Undercover
officers from the Judea and Samaria Border Police and IDF forces from the
Samaria Regional Battalion, following the direction of the ISA, arrived on
Tuesday to arrest suspected terrorists in the Rafidiya neighborhood of Shechem
(Nablus) in Samaria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406860
ISA and IDF eliminate Gaza Commander. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406867
Op Ed Diane Bederman Tyranny of the
minority - Diane Bederman- Your Passionate Voice of Reason for mature
people only.
Jordan uncovers a Hamas rocket and drone
smuggling ring. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1nznjn0kl
50% missile failures. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-850139
Apr. 16th
Day 558
https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-president-speaks-of-plans-to-disarm-hezbollah/
Op-Ed Dr. Martin Sherman Azerbaijan Augmenting
the Avraham Accords. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406863
The Liri Albag Haggadah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406815
Yerushalayim: The collapse of
the balcony, on Shivtei Israel Street, left a man around 30 moderately injured.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406870
Another Pallywood Production: https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-autopsies-show-some-gaza-medics-killed-by-idf-in-march-were-shot-in-the-head/
An
Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday killed the latest commander of Hamas’s
Shejaiya Battalion, Muhammad al-Ajlah — the fifth leader of the battalion to be
killed by the Israel Defense Forces in the ongoing war against the terror group.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-kills-hamass-shejaiya-battalion-chief-a-week-after-eliminating-his-predecessor/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-downs-drone-smuggling-guns-from-egypt-seizes-weapons/
Harvard is definitely non-prophet will it lose
the non-profit status?
Journalist
Trey Yingst has reported that the Hamas group holding US citizen Edan Alexander
lost contact with the terror group's central commanders. "Hamas spokesman
Abu Obaida says that contact with the group holding American citizen Edan
Alexander was lost following an Israeli airstrike," Yingst tweeted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406877
A different Shin Bet Link almost left 3 in
captivity. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406885
Yamam
special forces officers on Wednesday morning eliminated terrorist Mohammad
Zakarana in Qabatiya. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406907
Authorities responded to a shooting incident at Wilmer-Hutchins High
School in southeast Dallas on Tuesday afternoon, where a teenage male student
sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, officials confirmed, according to WFAA
TV. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406888
Hanky-Panky in the IDF. An IDF
spokesperson stated in response: "The IDF views any case of weapon and
ammunition theft seriously. Following the incident, an investigation by the
Military Police was opened, which has concluded and its findings will soon be
transferred to the Military Prosecutor's Office." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406903
United Kingdom’s Supreme Court has ruled that the legal definition
of “woman” under equality laws refers strictly to biological sex, excluding
transgender women from that category in this context. The landmark decision is
expected to have significant implications for how equality legislation is
interpreted and applied nationwide. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406910
51 Christians slaughtered in Nigeria by the
Jihad. – Barry Shaw
There was a plan for humanitarian aid before
the hostages would be freed but then … https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406906
Just a stone’s throw away from the highway. The soldiers
noticed one of the suspects while throwing stones, and began pursuing the
terrorist on foot. Following the pursuit, the soldiers arrested the terrorist
red-handed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406902
Billy freed from Gaza. Rescued by an IDF
soldier. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406892
A
suspicious envelope arrived at the home of MK Yinon Azoulay (Shass) on Tuesday
morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406878
Former head of the Labor Party and Minister
gives birth to third child. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406904
Nova Security Guard saved people but captured
now in new video. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406922
The
IDF and ISA eliminated the senior aide of the Hamas Gaza Brigade Commander, a
Nukhba terrorist involved in the 2014 terror attack during Operation
"Protective Edge" in 2014, in which five IDF soldiers were killed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406898
Apr. 17th
Day 559
The following was on the TV news but did not
make the papers. A group of very nice Jews brought Pita Bread and wrote a
protest in front of Idit Stillman’s house because she brought down the last
government over Bread being allowed in Hospitals.
Op-Ed David Horowitz: Trump must wise up to
ruthless Iran. https://www.timesofisrael.com/know-your-enemy-trump-must-wise-up-fast-to-inhumane-hamas-and-ruthless-iran/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-calls-for-joke-harvard-to-be-stripped-of-us-federal-funding/
In Parsha Re’eh the Torah tells us Deut. 11:26 “See,
I am setting before you today the formula of the
blessing and curse”. … Choose Life. Robotics team
forfeits in order to observe Pesach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406928
https://www.timesofisrael.com/activists-file-arrest-warrant-for-saar-during-his-london-visit/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-president-speaks-of-plans-to-disarm-hezbollah/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-kills-last-surviving-terrorist-behind-deadly-west-bank-shooting/
A
boat containing two adults and two children sank in the Sea of Galilee on
Wednesday, and the four were rescued by the police. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406939
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a recommendation by the National
Security Council (NSC) and ordered the security forces to adopt a policy under
which terrorists who injure Israelis will have their homes demolished. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406958
Backlash
Grows in UK as Hamas Mounts Legal Challenge Against Terrorist Designation -
Algemeiner.com
US
Condemns UN for Extending Mandate of Anti-Israel Official Francesca Albanese -
Algemeiner.com
Northwestern
University Community Denounces Passover Vandalism - Algemeiner.com
How
Canadian Universities Are Allowing Jewish Students to Be Doxxed and Harassed -
Algemeiner.com
Plans to attack Iran Nixed by Trump. Attack in
Lebanon. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/2025-04-17/live-updates-850416
Noa Argamani was named in Time Magazine's
annual list of the 100 most influential people of the year on Wednesday. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-850323
Deaf Defying Miraculous Survival https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-849750
A MUST READ on the late Sgt. Major
Yona Brief who came back for more.
Op-Ed Ben Dror Yemeni From Slavery to Freedom:
On facts, agendas and the genocide lies. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/symsu2qrjg
Israel fear a Nuclear Saudi without relations. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r10ngns0ke
The
Egyptian team holding negotiations with Hamas has received a directive from the
US to clarify the condition of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406957
Preliminary Alert Plan for more time to get to
the shelter. The IDF Home Front Command is upgrading its missile warning system,
and starting today (Thursday), a preliminary guideline will be issued prior to
the activation of an official alert in the event of missile fire from Yemen
toward Israeli territory. This is part of the Home Front Command’s preparedness
measures. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406984
Severe shortage of Kosher for Passover food for
Soldiers. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406976
IDF
soldiers from the Golani Brigade continue to conduct operational activity in
the Morag Corridor in the Rafah sector, the IDF Spokesperson reported on
Thursday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406979
Candle
Lighting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
The
IDF and ISA confirmed on Thursday that earlier in the week, they struck and
eliminated in the area of Khan Yunis the terrorist Yahya Fathi Abd al-Qader Abu
Shaar, the head of Hamas' weapons smuggling network. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406977
Hamas Lebanon in Jordanian Plot. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjcadb0ckx#autoplay
April 18th
Day 560 end of week 80
Last night, I went to sleep a bit tense. I
figured out that the Houthis had not attacked in a few days and the time was
ripe. I got up, showered and dressed all but my shoes this morning. 06:32 Home
front sent everybody a notice that was so silent that none of my neighbors
heard or saw it. It was as useful as utters on a bull. 06:35 the siren went off
and some in Israel were running to the shelter and injured. Conclusion, walk
and don’t panic. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-850573
The United States announced a fresh wave of
sanctions on Wednesday aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports, intensifying
pressure on the Islamic Republic as the Trump administration renews its
“maximum pressure” policy. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406952
The Ottawa City Council has voted unanimously in
favor of supporting a federal initiative aimed at outlawing symbols associated
with the Nazi regime throughout Canada, CTV News reported on Wednesday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406951
https://www.timesofisrael.com/kenya-says-it-busted-plot-to-smuggle-giant-ants-for-exotic-animal-market/ Termites and
Fire-ants ARE IN iSRAEL.
Ashley St. Clair reveals that Musk asked her not to
give their son a circumcision, a venerable ritual in the Jewish tradition. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406954
3 Israeli civilians crossed the border from Israeli territory into
the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406943
US Ambassador places Trump note in the Kotel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407018
All hostages for Israeli withdrawal and no
fighting.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407017
No improvement for: Rabbi Rafael Meir
Nissim ben Kamsana. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407020
A Maryland mother of 5 was murdered then raped
by an illegal but her family heard nothing from this man. Another MD had the
same done to her by an illegal but crickets. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-senator-meets-shakes-hands-abrego-garcia-el-salvador-says-inmate-remain-custody
US
Government Contractor, Virginia Resident Pleads Guilty to Iranian Spying Scheme
- Algemeiner.com
Five
Students Arrested After Unruly Anti-Israel Protest at Berlin University -
Algemeiner.com
Georgetown
University Identifies Suspected Perpetrator of Antisemitic Graffiti -
Algemeiner.com
Western media outlets in their coverage of Asaad
al-Nasasra, a paramedic from Gaza. Readers too easily fall into the trap set by
biased journalists at The Guardian and other outlets who, as usual,
haven’t done their due diligence.
Because just a cursory check of Asaad
al-Nasasra’s public Facebook account reveals
someone far from the peaceful medic he’s portrayed as. His posts are filled
with incitement to terrorism and praise for Gaza’s “martyrs.” Here are just a
few examples. What
Western Media Won’t Tell You About Palestinian Paramedics in Gaza -
Algemeiner.com
Families from the Tikva Forum for relatives of hostages and the
fallen have finally met Minister Ron Dermer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407000
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fsu-shooter-identified-used-sheriff-deputy-moms-weapon-killing-police
The
team concluded that the use of digital technology correlates with a 58% lower
risk of cognitive
impairment, even after adjusting for gender, age and education level. https://www.foxnews.com/health/smartphone-use-could-reduce-dementia-risk-older-adults-study-finds
Survivor
of Hamas captivity, Keith Siegel, recounted in a Thursday interview with Channel
12, new details from his time in captivity with abducted soldier Matan
Angrest and revealed that among other things, the terrorists tried to convince
the hostages to convert to Islam. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406997
A., who was arrested on suspicion of leaking
classified documents to a minister and journalists, received a hero's welcome
from his neighbors as he returned home after being released to house arrest. Me
thinks that people don’t like the head of the Shin Bet pulling deep State on
elected officials. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406941
A
boat containing two adults and two children sank in the Sea of Galilee on
Wednesday, and the four were rescued by the police. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406939
Prince Harry’s charity cuts ties with
antisemites. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-850412
Mentioned yesterday about need to normalize
with Saudis. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r10ngns0ke
Assad smuggled his money out of Syria. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjowsgcajl
Hamas near bankruptcy. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rydnyzc01x
Apr. 19th Apr,.20th
Day 561 Day 562 start of week 81.
I spoke with Col.
Avi on Shabbos. He told me that everywhere they are shooting at our troops.
Troops traveling behind lines – a unit
command, female paramedic, scout, two female officers are in a non-protected
jeep. Suddenly, they are engaged by an RPG or anti-tank rocket. Scout was
killed outright (see below) all three females injured. One moderately and two
in the ICU in induced coma in serious condition. The commander was unscathed.
Rabbi
Mazuz passes away on Shabbos-Seventh of Pesach.
A
fellow on Facebook named Avi reminded the world that in 1959, the US sent a
chimp into space and brought it back. It was novel at that time and proved
survival. Last week, Bezos did the same with six women but it was less novel
today and no scientific knowledge was advanced.
Former
PM Bennett hospitalized for heart catherization. https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-hospitalized-overnight-after-feeling-unwell-undergoes-cardiac-catheterization/
Something is not Glatt Kosher here and it most
likely is not the suspect. https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-public-spat-lawyers-for-qatargate-suspect-accuse-netanyahu-spokesman-of-hysteria/
Born
in Tunisia in 1945, Mazuz immigrated to Israel in 1971 after his father, one of
the leaders of the Tunisian Jewish community, was assassinated. That same year,
he and his brothers founded the Kisse Rachamim yeshiva. He was a supporter of
former Shas leader Eli Yishai and his failed Yachad party. In recent years, he
supported the United Torah Judaism party, Shas under its current leader Aryeh
Deri and far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit
party. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407087
Youtube
of Funeral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8nrtq5Kp7M
DANGER TO DEMOCRACY IN ISRAEL. Journalist Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the
Jerusalem Post newspaper, expressed sharp criticism this morning (Sunday) of
the police's conduct in the "Qatar Gate" affair. "They took a
journalist in for questioning - whatever. They gave a warning - dangerous! But
whatever. Sent to unjustified house arrest - at least that's been canceled -
whatever. Materials were leaked from my phone - invalid! - Whatever. Claimed
that I'm not a journalist but a reporter - a lie, whatever. But in what
democratic country would they take a journalist's, a newspaper editor's, cell
phone that includes source confidentiality, without a judge's order, and not
return it?!" https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407077
Now what is this supposed to prove? Robots perhaps are to save
labor but as a man with a Gym Membership and personal trainer thinks this absurd. More than twenty humanoid robots competed in a
half marathon in China, but the robots reached the finish line considerably
later than the humans. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407082
Can you imagine if they were kosher!
Masses of people have attacked the branches of
the KFC chain "due to the U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza." The
demonstrators claimed that "the KFC chain is a symbol of the U.S. and its
ally Israel." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407063
At
the home of the Zaken family in Mevaseret Zion, Ben Gvir said, "We are
celebrating the Mimouna, a holiday of unity, of love, of brotherhood."
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407065
A fire broke out Friday night in a Tiberias hotel, due to a blaze
sparked on a floor of the building which is not currently in use due to
renovations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407060
Givati
Brigade troops, in cooperation with Yahalom Unit soldiers and under the command
of the 143rd Division, dismantled a booby-trapped underground tunnel route
stretching hundreds of meters in the Shabura area in Rafah. Additionally,
numerous weapons were located and dismantled in the area, along with a tunnel
shaft containing a cache of explosives. 188th tanks elsewhere. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407054
IDF eliminates Hezballah terrorists. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407043
Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to permit Jordanian helicopters to fly
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on a direct flight from Ramallah
to Damascus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407039
This
is the third video of Bohbot that Hamas has published; all have been published
within the span of one month.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407051
A
Tunisian court has handed down jail sentences of up to 66 years to multiple
defendants, including prominent opposition figures, in a mass trial criticized
by rights groups. https://www.timesofisrael.com/tunisia-opposition-figures-get-jail-terms-in-mass-trial-defense-pans-masquerade/
Apr. 21st
Day 563
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-ousts-officer-over-killing-of-15-rescue-workers-in-gazas-rafah/
Breaking: Diver appears to have been killed by
shark. Previously: https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/hyzkncr0kg#autoplay
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-defense-secretary-shared-war-plans-with-family-in-2nd-signal-chat-report/ Loose lips sink
ships. If he wants to be a reporter then go back to Fox News. If I was the Sec.
of Defense either I would hire somebody else to put out this blogspot – news
report or stop on the spot. I think after the first exposed leak by Walsh, it
was corrected.
The
soldier Yuval Hakshur, who was severely injured by a truck at the Anatot
barrier two weeks ago, passed away on Sunday from her injuries.
Years ago I lost a
friend to truck ramming. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407118
https://www.timesofisrael.com/104-year-old-warsaw-ghetto-survivor-in-australia-gives-vivid-testimony-of-uprising/ Something does not Jive in this
article. If he was 14 in 1939, he would be 100 or perhaps he was 18 (typo) when
the war broke out to be 104.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-says-it-wont-develop-weapons-dig-tunnels-during-long-term-truce-with-israel/ THIS IS A FIRM GUARANTEE BY THE TOOTH FAIRY
AND THE EGGS LAID BY THE EASTER BUNNY.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/employees-assaulted-by-teens-at-jerusalems-central-bus-station/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/mayor-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexually-assaulting-a-number-of-women/
GOP to push permanent Tax Cuts. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6371701817112
Tunnels are a grave danger to exposed soldiers.
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hyvhwlxkgl#autoplay
Shin Bet head makes a court deposition against
Netanyahu. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-850899
Firebombing: The Jewish
community in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, has recently experienced a
disturbing wave of antisemitic incidents. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407148
The goal intercontinental atomic weapons: Iran is reportedly building a major spaceport as part of an effort
to maintain its regional status following major blows to its proxies across the
Middle East. https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-blows-to-proxies-iran-advances-space-program-with-russian-assistance/
Pressure on Hamas: Israel is
weighing re-arresting terrorists released to Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem
under previous prisoner swap deals. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407127
The
head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MÄ°T), Ä°brahim Kalın,
convened with senior Hamas members on Saturday to discuss aid routes into Gaza.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407122
Major
Nurit, who was severely injured in Gaza, has lost a leg. Another combat
soldier, Linor, who was wounded alongside her, has also lost a leg, as reported
by Yossi Yehoshua. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407134
Mika
Lerner Haim, 24 years old from Kibbutz Kfar Glikson, has been named as the
woman dead in a traffic accident. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407126
Op-ed: What Hamas Really Hoped to Achieve By:
Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor /
Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio
“There
is no discussion of Barghouti being released,” - An undisclosed Israeli
senior official's response to media reports regarding Marwan Barghouti being
part of the Israel/ Hamas hostage exchange deal.
Islamic State Cell that planned to take out an
entire French Village. From the internet but the author is well known but I
don’t know his sources. Islamic
State Affiliate, Religious Muslims, Planned to Murder an Entire Town in France
- Dr. Rich Swier
A large demonstration took place on Sunday near the
Tangier Med port in northern Morocco, as approximately 1,500 people voiced
their opposition to the anticipated arrival of a vessel reportedly carrying
aircraft components destined for Israel, AFP reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407121
A
campaign calling for the end of the war has been removed from Israeli buses and
billboards following a complaint by the Betsalmo organization. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407150
Israel's
National Security Council on Monday warned Israelis abroad of potential
antisemitic violence due to the global "Day of Rage" events. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407149
Oops there goes another Billion from Harvard. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407151
Corporal
Hadar Miriam Cohen, a lookout at the Nahal Oz IDF post, fell on October 7th in
the fierce battle, at the age of 18. At the request of her parents, Hadar was
buried in the regional cemetery of Sdot Dan, near where her family lives, as
there is no military plot there. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407145
Despite the challenging economic climate and
wider geopolitical uncertainty, innovation remains at the forefront of Israel’s leading
med-tech startups, as the industry registered another successful year of
funding, and witnessed investors making more strategic investments. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407088
Israel is slowly annexing Yehuda and Shomron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407112
The IDF has killed Hussein Ali Nasr, who served as deputy head of
Hezbollah’s Unit 4400 and smuggled weapons and funds to Hezbollah.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407099
Defense Minister will not extend Hesder
Service. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407116
Eli Sharabi and Emily to light torches. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407111
The
US had 800 cases of measles nationwide as of Friday, and two more states
identified outbreaks over the past week. https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-measles-outbreak-grows-us-has-800-cases-and-outbreaks-in-several-states/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/banners-with-swastikas-hung-over-swedish-highway/
Apr. 22nd
Day 564
I got a very pessimistic e-mail from Dr. Harry
in it he wrote me. He liked my news updates but believes that Iran will have 6
atomic bombs soon with missile delivery systems. He told me his opinion and
said that soon there will be no need for your news updates and blogspot on the
Torah, stories and sometimes miracles.
I know that when I was in high school, ATT had
back-up phone system for an EMP Electromagnetic Pulse of an atomic war. Florida
Power and Light has moved on to more and more solar power. It will not be
enough but good for a lot of essential services. He will not be reading this
but the safest place in the world during the war of Gog and Magog according to
the Prophet Ovadia is Har Tzion in Yerushalayim. Modiin is not so far behind.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-projects-fewer-than-100000-living-holocaust-survivors-by-2032/
The
Protocols of the Elders of Zion Thrive on Palestinian Authority TV -
Algemeiner.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/schumers-apprentice-praise-trump-goes-viral-going-go-places
https://www.timesofisrael.com/case-of-measles-found-in-tel-aviv-area-as-virus-resurges-globally/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/employees-assaulted-by-teens-at-jerusalems-central-bus-station/
Sky
News Arabia reported that “for the first time...two Palestinian leaders
arrested in Damascus.” The reports emerged on April 21 as rumors that Damascus
had detained members of Palestinian Islamic
Jihad. PIJ is backed by Iran and was involved in the October 7
attack. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-851059
The IDF killed Hussein Izzat Mohammad Atwi, a senior
terrorist in the Jama'a Islamiya terror group affiliated with Hamas, during a
strike in Lebanon, the military said on Tuesday. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851014
Police
in the Tel Aviv District’s National Fraud Squad arrested the owner of a human
resources company and three additional suspects on suspicion of referring illegal Palestinian
workers to businesses in central Israel by forging ID cards and other
documents, police said in a Tuesday statement. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851016
Indictment for those responsible. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-851026
Poisonous Fish invades Israel’s shores: https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-850931
A Norwegian man is
suspected of breaking into and vandalizing the Chabad House of Kathmandu on
Saturday, Chabad of Nepal
co-director Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz said on Monday. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-850972
An indictment has been filed against a resident of Shechem
(Nablus), the brother of the terrorist who planted the explosive devices
that destroyed three buses in Bat Yam, for attempted murder, Kan News
reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407220
Former
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is implying that a photograph of a tunnel that
was found under the Philadelphi Corridor during the war was presented to the
public in a dishonest and that the tunnel did not constitute a real threat,
according to an investigation that will be broadcast tonight (Tuesday) on the
"Zman Emet" (Time for Truth) program on Kan 11. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407218
Endangered Lemur found in criminal’s apt. Police forces
who searched the apartment of a suspected criminal in Netanya on Monday
discovered several wild animals, an airsoft pistol, and substances suspected of
being drugs. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407198
IDF Spokesman: "We are here in the Morag Corridor,
the corridor located between Khan Yunis and Rafah, as you saw earlier. I want
to clarify the goal of the operation: to increase pressure on Hamas in order to
bring the hostages home and to dismantle both the Hamas government and the
Hamas military wing," Defrin explained. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407168
Remains or Shark Victim Recovered. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851051
Apr. 23rd
Day 565
Tonight is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Based on
the day of the uprising of the Warsaw Ghetto. International Holocaust Day is
Jan. 27th when Auschwitz was liberated. https://www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/holocaust-remembrance/govil-landing-page
The
IDF, in cooperation with the ISA, carried out a targeted strike overnight on
approximately 40 engineering vehicles used for terror purposes, including
during the October 7th massacre. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407223
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-after-call-with-netanyahu-were-on-the-same-side-of-every-issue/
Perfidy. The Abandoning of Jews and Judaism by
the Reform Movement. Treason does never prosper and what is the reason for it
to prosper none dare call it treason.-John Harington's Epigrams of the early 17th century.
Last Tuesday, ten U.S. Jewish organizations — many affiliated or
aligned with the Reform Judaism movement — issued a joint statement condemning
President Donald Trump’s administration’s recent efforts to investigate
antisemitism on American college campuses.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407247
The particular kind of Jew who, throughout history,
seeks to gain moral or social standing by denouncing other Jews — like in the
1930s, when some German Jews insisted they were profoundly different from the
Ostjuden (the religious, Yiddish-speaking Jews from Poland and Ukraine). They
thought they were safe because they had German manners and spoke Goethe’s
language. – My Grandpa donated his life savings to the Nazi
Party in order to escape plus his house.
Sirens in Haifa and Acco from the Houthis. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407240
https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/jones-road-wildfire-new-jersey-shore-smoke-evacuations
US
President Donald Trump made clear on Tuesday that the United States would not
allow Hamas to play a role in governing the Gaza Strip after the war. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407238
Houthis claimed to have fired on US Ships. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407245
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/noem-dhs-outline-next-step-speed-up-deportation-process
9,354 cases: https://www.timesofisrael.com/adl-says-2024-antisemitic-incidents-in-us-shattered-records-for-fourth-year-in-a-row/
Leftist Jury perhaps not the fairest of trials.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/jury-rules-new-york-times-did-not-libel-sarah-palin-defamation-case
https://www.timesofisrael.com/yad-vashem-condemns-latvias-exoneration-of-the-butcher-of-riga/
Apr. 24th
Swords of Iron Day 566 Yom HaShoah in Israel
Yesterday in the afternoon, there were three
major blazes. In the end two were controlled but north of Beit Shemesh near
highway 1 they endangered at least three Yishuvim. https://www.timesofisrael.com/firefighters-battle-beit-shemesh-area-blazes-into-night-as-evacuees-allowed-to-return/
The
IDF continues its campaign to prevent the reestablishment of Hezbollah,
including conducting strikes against targets involved in efforts to rebuild the
terrorist organization, as well as terrorists violating the understandings and
engaging in terrorist activities that pose a threat to the citizens of the
State of Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407285
Abu Mazen calls the “Sons of dogs to release
the hostages.” https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-851192
Iran fortifies weapons and Nuke Production. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-851203
Iran
Fortifying Buried Nuclear Sites as Talks With US Continue, Report Says -
Algemeiner.com
The US and Iran – Rubio says they can have a
civilian program if.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407305
Oh where oh where have the
parents gone? Oh where or where can they be? https://www.timesofisrael.com/soldier-3-minors-said-arrested-in-suspected-gang-rape-of-14-year-old-in-eilat/
This seems to be related to the US
Reform abandonment of Jewish Values. https://www.timesofisrael.com/major-uk-jewish-group-suspends-officer-for-letter-condemning-gaza-war-israeli-government/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/california-school-board-members-accused-of-raw-antisemitism/
Op-Ed by Diane Bederman It is a wake-up call for Dhimmis – RP
Tyranny of Islam - Diane
Bederman- Your Passionate Voice of Reason
Islamic Terrorism by any other name. https://www.timesofisrael.com/india-blames-pakistan-for-kashmir-terror-attack-suspends-a-key-water-treaty/
Iraqi elections. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851164
Not proper behavior towards Druze. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851159
Netanyahu may visit Azerbaijan. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-851188
In a woman’s clothing store in Chevron more
than 60 guns, swords and knives. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851173
Antisemitism and love of Nazis is alive and
well in the Ukraine. A Cossack = A Nazi.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407306
"During my time as commander of Sachsenhausen, from 1942 to
1945, the camp prisoners were exterminated in groups and individually by
hanging on a mobile gallows, shooting in a room specially equipped for
executions, killing with gas in a gas chamber, as well as by mixing poisons
into food and injecting them into the human body with syringes." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407316
101year old survivor prays for the souls of
6,000,000 plus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407291
In
1942, Rabbi Azriel David Fastag, a cantor composer from the Modzitz Hasidic
sect, was squashed onto a train together with thousands of his Jewish brethren,
on their way to the Treblinka death camp. In the suffocating crush, he began
humming a quiet tune to the words of the twelfth Principle of Faith, "I
believe with full faith in the coming of Moshiach (the messiah)." The tune
spread throughout the train car, becoming a tune of hope in the darkness. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407308
THE SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6f0SvbOehI
Shark victim: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407262
Shabbos Times: Shabbat candle-lighting times
| Israel National News
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
Apr. 25th
Day 567 the end of week 81
There is a problem with memorial sirens in
Israel. My daughter told her Kindergarten pupils that there was going to be a
memorial siren at 10AM and not to worry. Her Gan is attached to the Schul that
has the Siren on top of it. Guess what happened? The sweet children panicked
and lined up for the shelter. She had to calm them down while a full volume
siren was blasting above their heads.
Over 100 firefighting vehicles took part in
saving what they could from the fire this week. 20,000 dunam burned or about
5,000 acres. The New Jersey Fire was much worse, larger and harder to contain.
One firetruck was lost. https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-20-hour-battle-massive-brush-fire-near-jerusalem-brought-under-control/
It is warm outside and there is a power outage
in Israel in my area. My battery is at 100% with almost 12 hours of use at the
rate I am using it as the sun is shining. I am not producing anything to a
world outside with no power to receive my production. We finished a load of
wash and baked something with my hot water for Shabbos still going strong. This
was one of my considerations of have solar power. However, financially I don’t
know when I will get my investment back or live that long. Sure a 15hour
generator and a few back-up batteries would have been cheaper.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-soldier-killed-three-wounded-during-fighting-in-northern-gaza/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/316-soldiers-79-civilians-killed-since-last-memorial-day/
Houthis shoot themselves. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407380
Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka Rabbi Dov Landau sets
the tone: During
Wednesday’s meeting, members of the party’s Degel HaTorah faction, which
represents the so-called “Lithuanian” stream of ultra-Orthodoxy, railed against
lawmakers from the Religious Zionism and Likud parties who “are taking part in
incitement against the Haredi public” on the enlistment issue, Channel 14
reported. EITHER NETANYAHU SHAPES UP OR SHIPS OUT. https://www.timesofisrael.com/stymied-on-conscription-haredi-party-declares-itself-free-from-coalition-discipline/
Putin may be underestimating Trump. https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-in-rare-rebuke-urges-putin-to-stop-after-deadly-russian-attack-on-kyiv/
36,000
flee Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407390
From Basya. Shiloh
Musings: Hamas/Gaza War Musings #46: Deja Vu, Labor vs Revisionists
Somebody did fix stupid: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/navy-torpedoes-biden-era-climate-agenda-focus-lethality
Defense Officials expressed
concern over the across-the-board cuts in area defense units in Judea and
Samaria over the past few days. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407382
Barak Nixon, who today dons sidecurls and a beard,
shared a chilling account of the moments that led him to make the decision that
changed his life. "The moment I saw Jews being shot to death around me and
that no one came to help, I understood that if I don't turn to G-d, no one else
will help me," he recounted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407386
An investigative report, which will air on Sunday on
the Israeli show “Hamakor” which is broadcast on Channel 13, features members of the Biden administration who
acknowledge that the White House was mulling an initiative to remove Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office at the start of the war in Gaza.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407366
"A
horrific failure is happening right under the nose of the State of Israel and
no one is listening to us," Shani said. "I and over 400 other female
instructors are recruited under 'Order 8' to guard Nukhba terrorists. So if you
want another rape or murder to happen to any of us, then come and enlist
us." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407283
Antisemitic
Incidents in the Netherlands Surge to Record Levels, New Report Finds -
Algemeiner.com
French
Far-Left Party Calls for Ban on Israeli Pop Star Eyal Golan’s Paris Concert -
Algemeiner.com
Trump
Signs Seismic Executive Order on Foreign Funding in Higher Education -
Algemeiner.com
North Africa celebration of VE. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407310
Israel
sold the main dairy company to the Chinese they help raise prices. Following
the Agriculture Ministry's announcement that prices for price-controlled dairy
products will rise 1.41%, dairy giant Tnuva announced that it would raise
prices for additional products as well. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407259
Police
officers from the Netivot police station on Wednesday morning located a
suspicious bag in an open area near the entrance to the city. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407253
Cornell
University has decided to remove R&B artist Kehlani from its 2025 Slope Day
concert following intense criticism from students, alumni, and parents over the
singer’s history of inflammatory anti-Israel and antisemitic statements.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407303
Officers from Unit 33 of Lahav 433, together with IDF troops from
the Efraim Regional Brigade and guided by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency)
intelligence, arrested an armed Islamic Jihad terrorist from Qalqilya who was
planning a terror attack together with Hamas terrorists. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407379
A day after an army organized visit to the tomb
of Yehoshua Bin Nun occurred 20 Chassidim entered. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407333
Rosh Chodesh Iyar will be on
Monday and Tuesday. Israel Independence Day will be on Thursday due to Shabbos
next week.
Have a healthy, peaceful, restful
and wonderful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
