Prayers for Men: Shalom Charles ben
Gracia, Daniel ben Rivka, Ephraim ben Mazel,
Zev ben Rachel, Yisrael Ben Dovid ben Drorah Rivka, Meir Melech ben Bracha,
Peter Bruce ben Golda Chaya, Chaim
ben Miriam,
Women: Karen Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya
Melecha Rachel bas Baila Alta, Miriam bas Irene Taita Malka, Drorah Rivka bas Chana, Leah bas Sara, Mine’
Dulah bas Maxine, Rachel Izel bas Sara, Miriam Esther bas Golda
Chaya, Dina bas Sara.
I also received this from Neal Z. Please continue to keep Izzy in
your thoughts and in your prayers (Yisroel Alter ben Chava Chana), as the power
of our collective prayers can hopefully continue to penetrate the heavenly
gates of mercy!
Parsha Bamidbar
Our Parsha is still within the time
of the Dedication of the Mishkan. At this time a census is being taken of the
warriors of the camp for the conquest of Eretz Yisrael. The placement of each
Tribe around the Aron HaKodesh and the Leviim are about to be established. The
census started in the second month while the dedication was the previous month,
still we have not gotten up to the first Pesach Sheni.
1:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting,
on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come
out of the land of Egypt, saying:
This is our modern Rosh Chodesh Adar.
2
'Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their
families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every
male, by their polls; 3 from twenty years old and upward, all
that are able to go forth to war in Israel: ye shall number them by their
hosts, even thou and Aaron.
Onwards is not forever but until the
age of sixty. After that they can be retired military advisors, teachers or
trainers but not entering into the fray.
4
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe, every one head of his
fathers' house. 5 And these are the names of the men that shall
stand with you: of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur. 6 Of
Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7 Of Judah, Nahshon the
son of Amminadab. 8 Of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar. 9 Of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the
children of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh,
Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 11 Of Benjamin, Abidan the son of
Gideoni. 12 Of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13
Of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran. 14 Of Gad, Eliasaph the son
of Deuel. 15 Of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.' 16
These were the elect of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their
fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.
These men are the leaders (princes
of the tribes). They will be responsible for counting.
17
And Moses and Aaron took these men that are pointed out by name. 18
And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second
month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and
upward, by their polls. 19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so did
he number them in the wilderness of Sinai.
All the pedigrees from Yacov and
the Tribes were known for they were only a few generations. Moshe was the 26th
generation since creation and if we continue in this vein, there are no more
than 28 or 29 generations and the Tribes were the 23rd generation
and their children the 24th generation. So knowing the pedigree was
not so difficult.
20 And the children of Reuben, Israel's first-born, their
generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the
number of names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward,
all that were able to go forth to war; 21 those that were numbered
of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
It is not so simple how the
population grew. Reuven was the oldest but he did not have the largest amount
of heirs.
22
Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, those that were numbered thereof, according to the number of
names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that
were able to go forth to war; 23 those that were numbered of
them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
Even though he was the second child
and married slightly later, he had more children than Reuven and Yehuda, the
fourth would have even more.
24
Of the children of Gad, their generations, by their families, by their fathers'
houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all
that were able to go forth to war; 25 those that were numbered
of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
These three tribes shall pitch
their tents in the east under the Degel (flag) of Reuven. Gad was not from Leah
like the other two but given the same footing.
26 Of the children of Judah, their generations, by their families,
by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years
old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 27 those
that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen
thousand and six hundred.
They were the front-line fighters
and it seems that because of this, they had more children.
28
Of the children of Issachar, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and
upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 29 those that
were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand
and four hundred.
Yissachar worked like a donkey
stubbornly learning Torah for hours while Zevulun worked in trade and donating
to their learning. Interesting enough is that the population of each were close
to equal.
30
Of the children of Zebulun, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and
upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 31 those that
were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand
and four hundred.
The three tribes pitched their
tents in the east under Degel Yehuda. These were the three younger tribes from
Leah.
32
Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, their
generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the
number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go
forth to war; 33 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe
of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.
Although counted as two tribes for
the double portion promised by Yacov their combined numbers were close to
Yehuda. Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben David.
34
Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and
upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 35 those that
were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand
and two hundred.
Even though Menashe was the Bechor, the blessing of Yacov placed
Ephraim at the head.
36
Of the children of Benjamin, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and
upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 37 those that
were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand
and four hundred.
These three tribes pitched their
tent in the west under Degel Ephraim. These were the tribes that came from
Rachel.
38
Of the children of Dan, their generations, by their families, by their fathers'
houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all
that were able to go forth to war; 39 those that were numbered
of them, of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven
hundred.
They were encamped in the north
towards Eretz Yisrael and a defense force at night even though until Amalek
none dare attack the Bnei Yisrael. With them were the two tribes remaining.
Their numbers combined were close to the average amount of th3 census.
40
Of the children of Asher, their generations, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward,
all that were able to go forth to war; 41 those that were
numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five
hundred. 42 Of the children of Naphtali, their generations, by
their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names,
from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 43 those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were
fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
These three tribes were in the
north under Degel Dan. Three of the tribes from the servant wives, but was
given the same footing even as the children of Rachel as they had their own
side.
44
These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the
princes of Israel, being twelve men; they were each one for his fathers' house.
45 And all those that were numbered of the children of Israel by
their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to
go forth to war in Israel; 46 even all those that were numbered
were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not
numbered among them.
Yosef received a double portion and
he was numbered thusly. Levi would be numbered separately. The religious exempt
class did not produce children so freely like enslaved tribes and thus were
small in numbers. The main reason being though is that they would be counted
for work in the Mishkan.
48
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 49 'Howbeit the tribe of
Levi thou shalt not number, neither shalt thou take the sum of them among the
children of Israel; 50 but appoint thou the Levites over the
tabernacle of the testimony, and over all the furniture thereof, and over all
that belongs to it; they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture
thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the
tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle sets forward, the Levites
shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall
set it up; and the common man that draws nigh shall be put to death.
Only the Cohanim and in some cases
the Leviim had the Kedusha to deal with the utensils of the Mishkan or Mikdash
and with the holiest of items only the Cohanim.
52
And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man with his own
camp, and every man with his own standard, according to their hosts. 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of the
testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of
Israel; and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of the
testimony.'
The three sections of Levi pitched
their tents on three of the sides and the fourth pitching was Moshe and Aharon.
54
Thus did the children of Israel; according to all that the LORD commanded
Moses, so did they.
The census was taken family by
family and household by household within the tribes.
2:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 2 'The children of Israel
shall pitch by their fathers' houses; every man with his own standard,
according to the ensigns; a good way off shall they pitch round about the tent
of meeting.
A man according to his camp and flag/ensign of each family or
subtribe.
3
Now those that pitch on the east side toward the sunrising shall be they of the
standard of the camp of Judah, according to their hosts; the prince of the
children of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab, 4 and his host, and those
that were numbered of them, threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred; 5
and those that pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar; the prince
of the children of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Zuar, 6 and his host,
even those that were numbered thereof, fifty and four thousand and four
hundred; 7 and the tribe of Zebulun; the prince of the children of Zebulun
being Eliab the son of Helon, 8 and his host, and those that were numbered
thereof, fifty and seven thousand and four hundred; 9 all that were numbered of
the camp of Judah being a hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six
thousand and four hundred, according to their hosts; they shall set forth
first.
A quarter of a force of 600,000
plus would be between 150 and 151,000 but the army proceeded forward with
Yehuda and 185,400 was much closer to 1/3 or the amount of soldiers than a
quarter. The were the first to engage in battle. Later in Devarim (Deut.) the
Bnei Gad, Reuven and half of Menashe would agree to go into battle first for
their brothers.
10
On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to
their hosts; the prince of the children of Reuben being Elizur the son of
Shedeur, 11 and his host, and those that were numbered thereof, forty and six
thousand and five hundred; 12 and those that pitch next unto him shall be the
tribe of Simeon; the prince of the children of Simeon being Shelumiel the son
of Zurishaddai, 13 and his host, and those that were numbered of them, fifty
and nine thousand and three hundred; 14 and the tribe of Gad; the prince of the
children of Gad being Eliasaph the son of Reuel, 15 and his host, even those
that were numbered of them, forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty;
16 all that were numbered of the camp of Reuben being a hundred thousand and
fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, according to their hosts;
and they shall set forth second.
The southern flank was opposite
Egypt and after the drowning by the sea was not quite able to make an offensive
so the lesser numbers did not matter strategically.
17
Then the tent of meeting, with the camp of the Levites, shall set forward in
the midst of the camps; as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in
his place, by their standards.
The Mishkan and Ohel Moed (tent of
meeting) were in the middle. This was the most guarded area by all the
soldiers.
18
On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to
their hosts; the prince of the children of Ephraim being Elishama the son of
Ammihud, 19 and his host, and those that were numbered of them, forty thousand
and five hundred; 20 and next unto him shall be the tribe of Manasseh; the
prince of the children of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, 21 and
his host, and those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and two
hundred; 22 and the tribe of Benjamin; the prince of the children of Benjamin
being Abidan the son of Gideoni, 23 and his host, and those that were numbered
of them, thirty and five thousand and four hundred; 24 all that were numbered
of the camp of Ephraim being a hundred thousand and eight thousand and a
hundred, according to their hosts; and they shall set forth third.
To the west of Eretz Yisrael and
Sinai is the Mediterranean Sea. A major attack via sea at this time was highly
improbably. To have an idea in more recent times. 175,000 participated in the
Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944. 5,300 plus ships with sailors leaving
132,000 soldiers on shore including paratroopers and tanks. 108,100 foot
soldiers defending against a sea invasion in ancient times would have been a
powerful force.
25
On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their
hosts; the prince of the children of Dan being Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai,
26 and his host, and those that were numbered of them, threescore and two
thousand and seven hundred; 27 and those that pitch next unto him shall be the
tribe of Asher; the prince of the children of Asher being Pagiel the son of
Ochran, 28 and his host, and those that were numbered of them, forty and one
thousand and five hundred; 29 and the tribe of Naphtali; the prince of the
children of Naphtali being Ahira the son of Enan, 30 and his host, and those
that were numbered of them, fifty and three thousand and four hundred; 31 all
that were numbered of the camp of Dan being a hundred thousand and fifty and
seven thousand and six hundred; they shall set forth hindmost by their
standards.'
This was 1/4th of the
army pitted against any attack from the north. In the north was Canaan.
32
These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers'
houses; all that were numbered of the camps according to their hosts were six
hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
The total sum of all the tribes
together.
33
But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD
commanded Moses. 34 Thus did the children of Israel: according to all that the
LORD commanded Moses, so they pitched by their standards, and so they set
forward, each one according to its families, and according to its fathers'
houses.
At this point each tribe has a
position and the Leviim have not yet been assigned their tasks or positions
with families.
3:1
Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spoke
with Moses in mount Sinai. 2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron:
Nadab the first-born, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of
the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed, whom he consecrated to
minister in the priest's office. 4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD,
when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and
they had no children; and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office
in the presence of Aaron their father.
Although the office of Cohain Gadol
and other Cohanim had been established during the days of the Dedication of the
Mishkan in the previous month, there is a new point of the authority over the
Leviim that is about to be established.
5
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 6 'Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set
them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 7 And they shall
keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of
meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 And they shall keep all the
furniture of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the children of Israel, to
do the service of the tabernacle. 9 And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron
and to his sons; they are wholly given unto him from the children of Israel. 10
And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, that they may keep their priesthood;
and the common man that draws nigh shall be put to death.'
The Cohanim shall manage the work
of the Leviim. There are things that are so holy that only Cohanim can perform
and the ‘strangers’ meaning Yisraelim and Leviim performing these works are to
be put to death either by Beis Din or by HASHEM.
11
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 12 'And I, behold, I have taken the
Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every first-born that opens
the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be Mine; 13 for
all the first-born are Mine: on the day that I smote all the first-born in the
land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and
beast, Mine they shall be: I am the LORD.'
Since at the time of the Chet Ha
Egel (sin of the golden calf), only the Leviim did not participate but some
Bechorim (first born/s) took part.
14
And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying: 15 'Number
the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; every male
from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.'
We redeem the first born boys with 5
Shekels today at one month old aka 30days old. So the Leviim at the time of the
Mishkan could redeem a first born and the remainder would have to pay the 5
Shekels. Of course if a Bas Cohain or Bas Levi marries an ordinary Jew, then
the boy is exempt from being redeemed. Close to 50% of the population is female
and some are not the first from the womb either a misabort or caesarian. Practically
today for first born males is not so many and even then only 273 were not
redeemed by a Levi as we shall soon see.
16
And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, and
Merari.
Now Levi had three sons. So the
work in the Mishkan would be broken up to that of the three families.
18
And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and
Shimei.
Then the sons of Gershon were two more families.
19
And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
This second section of Leviim had four more sub-sections.
20
And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the
families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
Here too with Merari also we had two sub-sections.
21
Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites;
these are the families of the Gershonites. 22 Those that were numbered of them,
according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even
those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
From here we see with the babies and those under the age or over
the age of working in the Mishkan or from 30 to 50years of age were much less.
They were in the inner area in the west between Degel Ephraim and the Mishkan.
23
The families of the Gershonites were to pitch behind the tabernacle westward;
24 the prince of the fathers' house of the Gershonites being Eliasaph the son
of Lael, 25 and the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting the
tabernacle, and the Tent, the covering thereof, and the screen for the door of
the tent of meeting, 26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the
door of the court--which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar, roundabout--and
the cords of it, even whatsoever pertains to the service thereof.
The section of the children of
Gershon was working only with the physical tent of the Mishkan.
27
And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites,
and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these are
the families of the Kohathites: 28 according to the number of all the males,
from a month old and upward, eight thousand and six hundred, keepers of the
charge of the sanctuary. 29 The families of the sons of Kohath were to pitch on
the side of the tabernacle southward; 30 the prince of the fathers' house of
the families of the Kohathites being Elizaphan the son of Uzziel, 31 and their
charge the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the
vessels of the sanctuary wherewith the priests minister, and the screen, and
all that pertains to the service thereof; 32 Eleazar the son of Aaron the
priest being prince of the princes of the Levites, and having the oversight of
them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
They were in the inner area in the south between Degel Reuven and
the Mishkan. The fact that Moshe was King, Aharon Priest and Elizaphan Prince
would spark jealousy with the wealthy Korah who was the rich man of the Tribe
of Levi and felt more entitled by birth right over his cousins who had titles.
In the south he would mix with members of Reuven and Shimon and later his
jealousy would cause a Rebellion. {Try to remember this for Parsha Korach.} Still,
they were carrying on their shoulders the holiest items.
33
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites; these
are the families of Merari. 34 And those that were numbered of them, according
to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand
and two hundred; 35 the prince of the fathers' house of the families of Merari
being Zuriel the son of Abihail; they were to pitch on the side of the
tabernacle northward; 36 the appointed charge of the sons of Merari being the
boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and
the sockets thereof, and all the instruments thereof, and all that pertains to
the service thereof; 37 and the pillars of the court round about, and their
sockets, and their pins, and their cords. 38 And those that were to pitch
before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the
sunrising, were Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the
sanctuary, even the charge for the children of Israel; and the common man that
drew nigh was to be put to death. 39 All that were numbered of the Levites,
whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, by their
families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two
thousand.
They were in the east between the
Mishkan and Degel Yehuda and in charge of the boards of the Mishkan. In the
north by Degel Dan was the Cohanim and Moshe.
40
And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Number all the first-born males of the children
of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. 41
And thou shalt take the Levites for Me, even the LORD, instead of all the
first-born among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead
of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.' 42 And Moses
numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the first-born among the children of
Israel. 43 And all the first-born males according to the number of names, from
a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and
two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.
All the first born were 22, 273
people.
44
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 45 'Take the Levites instead of all the
first-born among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead
of their cattle; and the Levites shall be Mine, even the LORD'S. 46 And as for
the redemption of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the
first-born of the children of Israel, that are over and above the number of the
Levites, 47 thou shalt take five shekels apiece by the poll; after the shekel
of the sanctuary shalt thou take them--the shekel is twenty gerahs. 48 And thou
shalt give the money wherewith they that remain over of them are redeemed unto
Aaron and to his sons.' 49 And Moses took the redemption-money from them that
were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites; 50 from the
first-born of the children of Israel took he the money: a thousand three
hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 51
And Moses gave the redemption-money unto Aaron and to his sons, according to
the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Therefore 273 first born who did
not have a Levi had to be redeemed.
4:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 2 'Take the sum of the
sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their
fathers' houses, 3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old,
all that enter upon the service, to do work in the tent of meeting. 4 This is
the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting, about the most holy
things: 5 when the camp sets forward, Aaron shall go in, and his sons, and they
shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover the ark of the testimony with
it; 6 and shall put thereon a covering of sealskin, and shall spread over it a
cloth all of blue, and shall set the staves thereof. 7 And upon the table of
showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and
the pans, and the bowls, and the jars wherewith to pour out; and the continual
bread shall remain thereon. 8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of
scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall set the
staves thereof. 9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the
candlestick of the light, and its lamps, and its tongs, and its snuffdishes,
and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it. 10 And they
shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of sealskin, and
shall put it upon a bar. 11 And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth
of blue, and cover it with a covering of Giraffe skin
sealskin, and shall set the staves thereof. 12 And they shall take all
the vessels of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them
in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put
them on a bar. 13 And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread
a purple cloth thereon. 14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof,
wherewith they minister about it, the fire-pans, the flesh-hooks, and the
shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread
upon it a covering of sealskin, and set the staves thereof.
They would carry these holy items.
15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the holy furniture,
and all the holy vessels, as the camp is to set forward--after that, the sons
of Kohath shall come to bear them; but they shall not touch the holy things,
lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tent of
meeting. 16 And the charge of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the
oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the continual meal-offering, and
the anointing oil: he shall have the charge of all the tabernacle, and of all
that therein is, whether it be the sanctuary, or the furniture thereof.'
The holiest of items, they could
not touch directly but only via the staves lest they die.
17
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 18 'Cut ye not off the
tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; 19 but thus do
unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most
holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his
service and to his burden; 20 but they shall not go in to see the holy things
as they are being covered, lest they die.'
The
Astonishing Trade by Rabbi Y. Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1432-34
Moshe-Mendel Feiner, a
Belzer Chasid lived in Los Angeles with his wife. The following
fascinating story happened in the year 1951, right after the Lubavitcher Rebbe
accepted the leadership of the Chabad chasidic movement. Even after the Rebbe
officially became the de facto leader, becoming the seventh rebbe in the
dynasty, he continued to ascribe the leadership to his father-in-law, Rabbi
Yosef Yitzchak Shneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz, [still known as]
the 'Freidiger' ["previous"] Lubavitcher Rebbe. Because of
this, he often reacted seemingly evasively when asked for a blessing or advice.
It was in this time
when the sun of the previous Rebbe set and the sun of his son-in-law began to
shine, that Moshe's wife started feeling ill. In the beginning they thought it
was a passing weakness, but her condition continued to deteriorate. When even
more symptoms appeared, they realized that they needed to take her situation
seriously. The doctor they visited immediately sent them for extensive tests
and referred them to a specialist, who told them to see an even greater
specialist. So she went for more thorough tests by that doctor.
After all the results
came back, they were told the devastating news that she had a malignant growth.
The diagnosis turned the couple's life upside down. Their daily life became an
exhausting journey from tests to diagnosis to treatments, from hope to despair.
However, they did not only seek physical ways to conquer the illness; they also
turned to the spiritual. Their search for help in this arena led them to the
doorstep of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
In those days it was
relatively easy to get an appointment to see the Rebbe. Though the Rebbe would
avoid giving outright blessings and guidance--instead he would answer along the
lines of "who am I and what am I that I should give blessings?" In
spite of this the couple was advised by those in the know to try and receive a
blessing from the Rebbe. The quietly circulating stories of the many miracles
of the Rebbe convinced them to make the effort.
That was how one day
Moshe undertook the trip from the West Coast to New York City on the East Coast
in order to meet the new Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Moshe, although
exhausted from the trip on the public transportation of more than 70 years ago,
went directly to meet the young Rebbe [then aged 49]. Although Moshe had met in
his life a number of other Admorim (heads of Chasidic dynasties),
people of dignified bearing, he stood dumbstruck before the regal appearance he
found himself facing there in 770 Eastern Parkway. He quickly gathered himself;
the life of his wife hung in the balance! Now was not the time to be silent.
Moshe described to the
Rebbe the desperate situation of his wife. In the beginning, as on many
occasions those days, the Rebbe answered with the familiar "Who am I and
what am I that I should give blessings," but Moshe didn't give up. His
wife's difficult condition forced him to continue. He heard himself say to the
Rebbe with great reverence but firmly:
"I don't care who
you are. [!?! - YT] I need a blessing; my wife's situation is very severe and a
blessing of a Jew is effective."
With these heartfelt
words the Rebbe didn't argue. "Which chasidut do you belong to?" he
asked Moshe.
"I am a Belzer
chasid," answered Moshe.
"If so,"
said the Rebbe "since the Belzer Rebbes always behaved in a heavenly
fashion and did special miracles in the miraculous fashion of the Baal Shem
Tov1 ; I will also behave in that manner with you."
Moshe was very moved
by the unusual expression the Rebbe used in speaking to him, He again mentioned
the condition of his wife and told the Rebbe that the doctors more or less despaired
of saving her life.
What the Rebbe said
next was entirely unusual. "You know that the
Nazis yimach shemam ("may their names be
erased"2 ) murdered more than six million Jews. Do you agree that I
exchange a Deitshke (German woman) for a Jewish woman?"
Moshe didn't hesitate. He realized that the Rebbe intended the exchange with a
very specific Jewish woman. He immediately agreed.
"In that
case," the Rebbe said, "you don't have anything to worry about. All
will be well."
Moshe left the Rebbe's room stunned by the explicit blessing he received from
him. He didn't tell anyone what had occurred and waited for the realization of
the miracle in the "Baal Shem Tov's style," according to the Rebbe's
own definition.
Indeed, a short time
later his wife recovered in a miraculous fashion. Afterwards, during every
check-up, the medical staff were lost for words about the recovery that had no
logical explanation whatsoever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the translation by Mrs. C.R. Benami,
long-time editorial assistant for AscentOfSafed.com, from the Hebrew
weekly, HaGeula #1075.
Why This Week? The Torah section of Bechukosai discusses at length about
the "holy exchanges" that would take place in the sanctuary and the
Holy Temples.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (11 Nissan
1902 - 3 Tammuz 1994), became the seventh Rebbe of the Chabad dynasty after his
father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, passed away in Brooklyn
on 10 Shvat 1950. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of
the second half of the 20th century. Although a dominant scholar in both the
revealed and hidden aspects of Torah and fluent in many languages and
scientific subjects, the Rebbe is best known for his extraordinary love and
concern for every Jew on the planet. His emissaries around the globe dedicated
to strengthening Judaism number in the thousands. Many hundreds of volumes of
his teachings have been printed, and hundreds of English renditions too.
Footnotes:
1.Revealer of the Chasidic movement in 1724.
2.That was literal. The full meaning is "May all traces of them be
obliterated."
Try
to live up to your potential
This is what happened to me and you
can make things work for you. 58years ago, I was completely assimilated. Less
than 59years ago, I had started really believing in G-D but outside of reading
the Bible hadn’t done much to observe Judaism (which in fact, I had never been
taught to observe). It was early in June. A war had broken out in Israel and I
spent a whole week’s allowance or $1 on charity for Israel. I met a friend from
the Astronomy Club to come with me to watch meteors at my parent’s bungalow. He
had a larger allowance and chipped in $5 for the war effort. My wages at that
time for the research foundation as a student were something like $1.25 or
$1.50 an hour.
Every night we watched the news.
Suddenly, I see Jews (who don’t worship sticks and stones) bowing down to a
wall in Jerusalem and soldiers with black boxes. One I their heads to listen, I
guess and one on their arms to talk to their commanders I guessed. He told no
they are Tephillin. Now at the beginning of the school year, I had seen what
looked like fraternity fellows with a sign “I put on Tephillin Today, Did you?”
All had similar hats and suits and I was not interested in joining their
fraternity.
Suddenly, I released that I hadn’t
the foggiest idea what Judaism was all about with my lack of learning. It would
be in September that year when a whole bunch of Orthodox Jews walk into my
evening physics class and one shouts Borachu and the others answer Baruch
something or other, then the Shema and again silently bending and bowing to the
eastern wall.
I asked a fellow named Danny Levy
if he could get me a prayer book Hebrew-English so that I could pray with them.
Previously, I had mentioned that my friend’s mother, Mrs. B. Dyckoff, had be
trying to get me to have an Orthodox Bar Mitzvah. Even though the Rabbi said
that I did not need one, I wanted one. So he helped me purchase Tephillin, The
Code of Jewish Law, a Kiddush Cup, Candle Holders and schedule a Bar Mitzvah
for my 21st birthday.
Fast forward and I was learning
that semester rudimentary Hebrew vs. Hader and Beis Yacov types so I was happy
to get a ‘C’. But I was on my way. I began associating with Frum Jews and
learned of new foods like chutney, kugel, and other things that we had never
had at home.
A few days, before my father passed
away, he brought me in Feb. 1969 to start learning in a Yeshiva. He thought it
was a teenage fad and better than being a hippie. Well the fad went from
Mishnayos, Gemara with English Translations of the Medrash and Zohar on the
Parsha to finishing the Shass and helping open up 4 Kollelim. The first was
with getting help from Rabbis was the Friday Morning Kollel for workers who had
Fridays off. One of the Kollelim was after work but only twice a week and I
helped expand it to 5 times a week.
I will never ever talk or read
Hebrew like somebody who grew up with it and most likely never write in Hebrew,
but I do what I can in English. Nobody is expected to meet or exceed the
prophecy of Moshe Rabbaynu, the learning of the Vilna Gaon or Rav Chaim
Kanjievsky. One is expected to try to meet or exceed their own potential.
The Scholar who had
doubts about G*D by R’ Y. Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1433-35
A wealthy Jew had an only daughter who was becoming of
marriageable age. While there were many promising young Torah scholars in his
own town, he desired to have an exceptional Torah scholar as a son-in-law.
After much effort in many locations, he indeed found one such young man. The
couple married, settled down and were extremely happy. The young man learned in
the yeshiva study hall and grew in his learning and Torah knowledge. Everything
was going as desired.
Some years passed, and the wealthy father-in-law began noticing
small changes in his son-in-law's conduct and observance of mitzvot
(command-ments). At first, he tried to dismiss them as insignificant changes,
and perhaps his learned son-in-law has reasons to conduct himself in this new
manner. "After all, he knows much more than I do, so who am I to question
him!"
But as the weeks and months passed, he began noticing that he
was taking off much more time from his learning and was seen in the company of
others who were known to be completely non-observant. This was a situation that
he was no longer able to ignore and pretend all is well.
So one day, he sat down with his son-in-law and asked him,
"What caused this drastic change. Are you perhaps unhappy about something
or is something or someone bothering you?"
The son-in-law replied, "I am extremely happy and fortunate.
Your daughter is an excellent and kind hearted person. She is the perfect wife,
and you are very gracious to us. A man couldn't ask for more.
"But you want to know if everything is perfect, what caused
these changes? I began having some questions about G-d's ability to do certain
things that our sages stated had happened. I noticed that some of the great
commentators also wrote that these things are exaggerations. So I no longer
knew what is real and what is being said as a way of a parable or metaphor.
"Whoever I asked replied either that those are dangerous
questions that one is not allowed to ask, or gave me such weak responses and
explanations that they themselves admitted weren't complete or satisfactory
answers. So now I have my doubts about many things, such as does G-d really
care about such minute details, for example, when you wash your hands for
bread, does it have to go until the wrist and a drop off makes it invalid or it
isn't so important. And therefore I decided not to do it at all."
The father-in-law was torn with grief. This is the son-in-law
that he had hand-picked for his wonderful daughter, who is so proper in her
observance of every commandment. Is everything lost G-d forbid? "No! It
can't be," he told himself. "I must find a way to correct this."
Turning to his son-in-law he said, "My dear son-in-law, you
are much more learned than I, and if the great Torah scholars of the town
couldn't answer your questions satisfactorily, I for sure don't have the
ability. However, I am asking you one thing. Please come with me to a great
sage and allow him to answer and clarify everything."
Wanting to please his father-in-law, especially as he always has
the ability to say that the answer this sage gave was not a convincing or even
a good answer, he agreed.
The father-in-law didn't waste any time, but immediately set out
with his son-in-law to see the Baal Shem Tov. They arrived in Mezibuzh on a
bright sunny day and the father-in-law poured out his troubled heart to the
Baal Shem Tov and pleaded with him that he does whatever is in his ability to
bring the son-in-law back to the ways of G-d.
The Baal Shem Tov asked them to join him on a small journey.
With the father-in-law sitting on his right and the son-in-law sitting on his
left, they left Mezibuzh. Once they were out of the city and on the road in
midst of an open field, the Baal Shem Tov turned to the son-in-law and said,
"Young man, can it rain now?"
Looking at the clear blue sky, the young man replied, "No,
there isn't a cloud in sight."
The Baal Shem Tov said, "And I say it can rain!"
Looking up once again, the young man peered in all directions to
make sure that he saw correctly and indeed there wasn't a cloud in sight. So he
smugly retorted and said, "It is impossible! No way in the world can it
rain here at this very moment."
The Baal Shem Tov smiled and said, "And I say it will rain
momentarily!"
A few seconds later the heavens opened and a deluge of rain came
pouring down. The young man was bewildered. Not only is the rain pouring from a
cloudless sky, but the Baal Shem Tov's wagon is remaining completely dry! This
was truly miraculous and beyond human comprehension.
Being an extremely intelligent person, he realized why the Baal
Shem Tov showed him this and didn't try to answer his questions verbally. Far
be it that the Baal Shem Tov was merely showing off to him his miraculous
powers. It was much more than that; he had clearly demonstrated, that stories
of our sages that are beyond human comprehension, doesn't mean that they never
occurred or are not real. There are many happenings that human intellect says
one way, but in actuality they happened the opposite way - the way he thought
was impossible.
Once this question was answered, he realized that all of his
other questions and doubts were based on this premise. And therefore if this
was resolved, they all have nothing to stand on.
Full of remorse he turned to the Baal Shem Tov and begged him to
guide him back to the way of G-d.
Once, during the first year after the passing of the Bal Shem
Tov on the second day of the festival of Shavuot, his close followers gathered
and sat together, and many of them related a miraculous story of the Baal Shem
Tov that they personally were privy to. That night the Baal Shem Tov came to
one of his students in a dream and said,
"My greatness is not my ability to do miracles, it is my
awe of heaven for even the smallest detail of a mitzva."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Enhanced by Yerachmiel Tilles from the
version on "LChaimWeekly" (Bamidbar 5775 June 27, 2015), a website of
the Lubavitch Youth Organization, based on a report by Rabbi Shalom-Dovber
Avtzon.
Why This Week? [The
first day of] Shavuot is also the anniversary of the passing of the Baal Shem
Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer [of blessed memory: 18 Elul 5458- 6 Sivan 5520 (Aug.
1698 - May 1760)], the Baal Shem Tov ["Master of the Good Name"-often
referred to as "the Besht" for short], a unique and seminal figure in
Jewish history, revealed his identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his
36th birthday, 18 Elul 5494 (1734), and made the until-then underground
Chasidic movement public. He wrote no books, although many works claim to
contain his teachings. One available in English is the excellent annotated
translation of Tzava'at Harivash, published by Kehos.
Milestone: Helena Weinstock Weinrauch, one week
shy of 101, survivor -dancer. https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-survivor-star-of-documentary-who-took-up-dancing-at-88-dies-at-100/
Inyanay Diyoma
May 23rd
Day 595 this was added to some by 14:00hours in
Israel but after the blog was published.
May 24th and May 25th
Day 596 and Day 597 start of week 86
Iranians doubt that a nuclear agreement can be
reached. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-855201
The
Israeli defense establishment is preparing to begin the intensive stage of
Operation Gideon's Chariots, which will include thousands of additional troops
entering the Gaza Strip to seize territories and remain in them, together with
a widespread evacuation of the population to the southern Gaza Strip, Kan News
reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408823
Edan Alexander: In debriefings
and conversations with family members, Edan described the blasts as feeling
like an “earthquake.” He recalled the moment of the explosion: “Suddenly, I
felt like someone had detonated C-4 explosives near one of the pressure doors.”
A second explosion caused the ceiling to cave in, and falling debris injured
his shoulder — an injury from which he is still recovering.
Trapped in the collapsed tunnel, Edan began
digging with his bare hands to escape. "The wounds on his hands," Adi
noted, "came from clawing his way out. He told us, ‘We dug ourselves out
before everything fell in on us.’” https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408856
A precision Israeli airstrike earlier this
month in Gaza, in which de facto Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated,
targeted a clandestine meeting of Hamas's highest-ranking terrorists and
resulted in the deaths of several pivotal members of the group, The Wall
Street Journal reported Thursday, citing Hamas and Arab officials.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408833
Why
Zini? Prime Minister’s Office, Zini was asked in March 2023, six months before
the invasion - by the commander of the Gaza Division to assess the division’s
readiness, with a specific focus on surprise raids. During his review, Zini
identified critical operational vulnerabilities and recommended improvements. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408845
Senior Modern Orthodox Rabbis against visits to
the Temple Mount. In a strongly worded public letter released Friday, senior rabbis
from the Religious Zionist community have called for a halt to ascents to the
Temple Mount and the accompanying activities such as tours, photography, and
attempts to establish a presence at the site. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408854
Over the past
week, Border Police forces in Judea and Samaria, in coordination with the IDF's
Central Command and other security agencies, conducted extensive operations aimed
at thwarting terrorist activities in the region. These efforts resulted in the
arrest of 20 suspects and the seizure of numerous illegal weapons.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408853
A
fifth round of high-stakes negotiations between Iranian and US
delegations concluded in Oman on Friday, with the mediating nation reporting
"some but not conclusive progress" in efforts to resolve a
decades-long dispute surrounding Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Reuters reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408876
At least 17 people were injured in a knife attack in the central
railway station in the German city of Hamburg on Friday evening, local media
reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408873
Harvard gets a Leftist Judge to temporary
restrain Trump. BUT … https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408874
Less PLO Terror in Lebanon. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjgoq8cwgg#autoplay
Ye temporarily swears off antisemitism after
murders. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408877
As
nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran face growing
uncertainty, Israel is intensifying its military readiness for a potential
multi-front war, the IDF said Friday. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjdglrr11ll
The
family of Baruch Grossman, an IDF soldier killed during the War of Attrition,
was shocked to find his grave destroyed during a memorial visit to the military
cemetery in Eilat. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry4vldcwlx
The
new Syrian transitional government has been harassing Palestinian factions in Syria,
causing them to pack their bags and leave. Numerous Palestinian terrorist
groups, as well as other groups, have operated from Damascus for decades. These
have included Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation
of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), and others. Members of Hamas were also
once hosted by Damascus. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-855211
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/05/23/george-washington-university-sued-new-antisemitism-lawsuit/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/billy-joel-cancels-tour-after-being-diagnosed-with-brain-disorder/
On
Saturday afternoon, around ten individuals from the unauthorized outpost of
Mughayyir al-Deir, located near the Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Dani,
reportedly confronted Israelis in the area. A local farm owner who arrived at
the scene was struck on the head with a club, lost consciousness, and was later
transported to a hospital for treatment. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408891
2
Dead. A horrific tragedy occurred on Friday in Lakewood, New Jersey, when a
vehicle carrying five yeshiva students crashed violently off the road and burst
into flames. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408894
The
IDF has deployed all regular infantry and armored brigades into Gaza as part of
a dramatic expansion of the fighting, according to a report by Kan News.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408881
Shin Bet changing of the guard to be orderly. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408916
An
IDF soldier from the 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade was severely injured
on Saturday night in northern Gaza, reportedly due to an altercation with
another soldier. The injured soldier was evacuated to a hospital for medical
treatment, and his family has been notified. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408912
Talk is cheap: The United
States has requested that Israel postpone the commencement of its full-scale
ground maneuver in Gaza by several days to allow for the continuation of
negotiations with Hamas. According to a report by i24NEWS, the Trump
administration aims to provide an opportunity for a potential agreement to be
reached through ongoing talks in Doha, Qatar. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408920
Terrorist wounds tank commander is made a
Shachid in 4 minutes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408913
The propaganda office of Hamas's government in the Gaza Strip
announced today (Sunday) that with the renewal of the IDF's ground operations,
Israeli forces currently control approximately 77% of the Strip's territory. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408929
First
Sergeant Yaakov Vaknin, who was wounded in the battle at the Kissufim base on
October 7, on Sunday criticized the IDF’s recently published investigation
into the battle, claiming it is full of contradictions. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408923
May 26th
Day 598
We shall over-come the DEEP STATE someday for
DEEP IN MY STATE … https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-officials-said-threatening-to-quit-if-messianic-zini-confirmed-as-agency-chief/
Netanyahu's
statement follows a report by Reuters that Hamas has agreed to release
10 hostages in two groups in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409008
Contrary to what Hamas said, the IDF controls
only 45% of Gaza but the aim higher. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-aims-to-capture-75-of-gaza-strip-in-2-months-in-new-offensive-against-hamas/
The
Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah’s arsenal of missiles and rockets has grown
to 150,000, Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) revealed Sunday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/253558
A
video circulating on social media shows French First Lady Brigitte Macron
making a gesture that resembles a slap to the face of her husband, President
Emmanuel Macron, as the couple disembarks from a plane at Hanoi Airport in
Vietnam. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408982
Today I wrote a piece in a few
paragraphs of what Yom Yerushalayim did to me 58years ago until today. This
will be story two in the rabbipauli.blogspot this week.
I was also exhausted from trying to
return to being a good swimmer. 2.5years ago as a former long distance swimmer
I got dizzy swimming 200 meters or so it turned out I needed a pacemaker. Now
it is time to start relearning. But I needed a nap today after my swim of
yesterday.
Also Day 600 I may not put out the
news on time.
During
a performance in Mexico, singer Yaakov Shwekey presented Hamas captivity
survivor Eli Sharabi with a tallit worn during the filming of the music video
of Shwekey’s song “Kaddish”, embroidered with the names of the victims of the
war. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408960
Moving from Rafah to Khan Unis: Over the past
week, troops from the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, and the Kfir
Brigade have been operating with the goal of dismantling terrorist
infrastructure both above and below ground, in cooperation with Yahalom troops,
and eliminating terrorists from the various terrorist organizations in the
Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409009
A
New York City school bus driver has been suspended following a disturbing rant
that included offensive remarks about Jewish people and Jesus while driving
children to school, the New York Post reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409014
Survivor
of Hamas captivity, Liri Albag, was detained for questioning last Thursday at
JFK Airport in New York City, Channel 12 reported on Sunday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408952
https://www.timesofisrael.com/couple-found-dead-in-northern-israel-in-suspected-murder-suicide/
May 27th
Day 599
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-downs-missile-fired-from-yemen-after-4th-houthi-attack-in-5-days/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/elderly-man-killed-in-apparent-tel-aviv-mugging/
Minister
of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has formally appealed to Defense Minister
Israel Katz, requesting that the body of Muhammad Abu Ahmad not be returned.
Abu Ahmad carried out a stabbing attack at the Tunnels Checkpoint in Jerusalem.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409039
A
weekly prayer service led by bereaved families at the entrance to Shechem near
IDF Training Base 3 was interrupted by soldiers last Friday when tear gas
grenades were fired at the worshippers. This incident marks a rare and violent
disruption of a prayer that has been held every week for the past three months
without any prior conflict.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409037
Two
people were killed Monday night and at least eight others were injured in a
shooting in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, local reports said. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409031
May 28th
Day 600
A
reserve officer in the 924th Engineering Corps Battalion, 10th Brigade, was
severely wounded earlier today (Tuesday) by sniper fire during combat in the
northern Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409073
Brigadier
General Barak Hiram, the Commander of the IDF's Gaza Division, stated that
Hamas is nearing collapse, with its operational mechanisms failing and its grip
on Gaza weakening. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409071
7,000,000NIS seized in the Shomron that was
funding terror. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409067
May 29th
Day 601
David Lischinsky was a member of a Messianic
Cult: The
Lischinsky family belongs to the Hebrew-speaking congregation Melech
Hamelachim, which is part of the King of Kings network. It meets on Friday
afternoons, in the same building that Holland’s group convenes in. https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-messianic-jews-in-jerusalem-yaron-lischinskys-murder-was-a-personal-loss/
The
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.
Eyal Zamir has decided to end the training of female soldiers for infantry
roles within transportation units. The decision followed a recommendation from
Ground Forces Commander Nadav Lotan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409179
May 30th
Day 602 end of week 86.
Saudis warn Iran to accept deal or face Israel.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-856066
SHABBOS TIMES PARSHA BAMIDBAR. (Note
Miami is sundown not candle lighting so check these.) https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
A Yonkers man, Ahmed al
Jabali, 34, received a six-year prison sentence and three years of
supervised release on Thursday for attacking a Jewish barber. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409224
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-downs-missile-fired-from-yemen-after-6th-houthi-attack-in-a-week/
This time the message gave me time to visit the
facilities and light the stair well to the shelter before the siren. The soccer
championship and large concert were going on. The former was stopped for ten
minutes but the music was so loud that no one heard the siren.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-to-undergo-routine-medical-exam-levin-fills-in-as-acting-pm/
Residents of the Gaza border area on Friday morning reported heavy
airstrikes carried out overnight throughout the Gaza after they were told to
move westward. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409227
Civilian Contractor killed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409229
A
soldier in the 74th Armored Corps Battalion, 188th Brigade, was severely
injured on Thursday during combat in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF
Spokesperson's Unit announced on Friday morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409222
Czech Republic will move embassy soon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409221
Sana Daqqa, the widow of terrorist Walid Daqqa, was
arrested early Friday morning by the Israel Police near Damascus Gate in
Jerusalem on suspicion of incitement offenses. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409218
The IDF on Thursday struck several military sites
throughout Lebanon belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF
Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409212
Police stop bomb material. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409194
In addition to dismantling “Palestinian Arms”,
the Lebanese Army is destroying Hezballah interstructure in south Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409161
A
federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administration's
revocation of Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, NBC News reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409219
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/05/29/jewish-blood-is-spilled-and-the-obamas-stay-silent/
Public Opinion Poll: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-856031
Have a healthy, peaceful and Torah
filled Shabbos and Chag Shavuos.
Rachamim Pauli
