Parsha Matos Massei
This is the longest Torah reading
with the combined Parshiyos making 208 Pasukim. In years where I have plenty of
leisure time, I have gone to explain some of the meanings of each places and
the Mussar that Moshe is telling the tribes. Moshe knows that when he finishes
the war with Midian, he will join Miriam and Aharon in the True World of
Neshamos.
I can think of some modern day
politicians who would dawdle and stretch out the time for the war. Not Moshe,
his duty is to HASHEM and the Nation. He will avenge the disgrace Midian
brought upon Yisrael especially the tribe of Shimon. He then is prepared to be
gathered unto his people.
However, Yisrael has made in a
previous Parshiyos to avenge the attack by Arad and then Midian. We are now
given a Halachic Lesson in the laws of vows before fulfilling the vengeance.
Due to the longer reading, I did
have to cut the commentary short.
30:2 And
Moses spoke unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying:
This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 3 When a man vows a vow unto
the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his
word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
Our custom today is to guard our tongues. I have heard children
(who undoubtedly hear this from their parents) say “I swear to you by my
eyesight”. This nonsense should stop. A man and an adult unmarried woman are
considered the same for making vows but as we see below a young maiden or
married woman has a responsibility to their father/husband and the vow can be
annulled.
4 Also when
a woman vows a vow unto the LORD, and binds herself by a bond, being in her
father's house, in her youth, 5 and her father heareth her vow, or her bond
wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father holds his peace at her, then
all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul
shall stand.
This is up to the age of 12.5 maximum but if she had been a child
bride and divorced, then she is like any free adult woman and must keep her
vow.
6 But if her
father disallow her in the day that he heareth, none of her vows, or of her
bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand; and the LORD will forgive
her, because her father disallowed her.
This makes sense for if she vows anything, it might turn off a
potential husband. Example: Vows to be a vegetarian and she has a great
Shidduch with El Gaucho the billionaire meat grower.
7 And if she
be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of
her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; 8 and her husband hear it,
whatsoever day it be that he heareth it, and hold his peace at her; then her
vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
9 But if her husband disallow her in the day that he hears it, then he shall
make void her vow which is upon her, and the clear utterance of her lips,
wherewith she hath bound her soul; and the LORD will forgive her.
This can be a marriage deal breaker. Example: I will not take care
of your brats or I will not carry on conjugal relations with you. She does have
the right to refuse these things and get divorced without a vow. The Torah
takes into effect that a woman is more emotional than a man and more prone to
make a vow. Once I heard about a woman’s mother-in-law that “… should strike me
dead if I ever let her back here.” Not wanting to tell hubby to annul it; I
said “Lady, you don’t really mean it and it is just a fleeting anger.” Years
later after the husband passed and she remarried, she called mother-in-law
daily to check up on her health.
10 But the
vow of a widow, or of her that is divorced, even every thing wherewith she hath
bound her soul, shall stand against her.
She is an adult and fully responsible for herself. Only a Chacham
or Beis Din of three common people can annul it.
11 And if a
woman vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath,
12 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not,
then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul
shall stand. 13 But if her husband make them null and void in the day that he
heareth them, then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips, whether it were her
vows, or the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them
void; and the LORD will forgive her.
She is exempt from carrying out her vow.
14 Every
vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may let it stand,
or her husband may make it void. 15 But if her husband altogether hold his
peace at her from day to day, then he causes all her vows to stand, or all her
bonds, which are upon her; he hath let them stand, because he held his peace at
her in the day that he heard them. 16 But if he shall make them null and void
after that he hath heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.
Believe me, more than once a husband or bachelorette who married
years later came to a Chacham or Beis Din of three people to annul a vow. (See
vow nullification that we do between Erev Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – this is
better than relying upon Kol Nidre as there was a known specific vow and not an
accidental vow or that in a dream).
17 These are
the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife,
between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father's house.
31:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Avenge the children of Israel of
the Midianites; afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.' 3 And Moses
spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that
they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. 4 Of
every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to
the war.' 5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand
of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6 And Moses sent them, a
thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the
priest, to the war, with the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his
hand. 7 And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they
slew every male.
Moshe is to get ready to be gathered into the next world as soon
as this vengeance on Midian will occur. Pinchas was the Cohain Moshiach – the one
declaring before a battle if one is just married, planted a new vineyard, etc.
or a coward he should return home. It was a common rule in war that the men of
the enemy be destroyed so that they will not come and return to fight you. [This
may be repulsive to the modern western reader but see what Alexander the Great
did to Thebes or Scipio did to Carthage in history – we must not judge people
by modern standards that never applied to the Nazis, Nukhba, Stalin, Saddam,
Idi Amin, etc.]
8 And they
slew the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur,
and Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian; Balaam also the son of Beor they
slew with the sword. 9 And the children of Israel took captive the women of
Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and
all their goods, they took for a prey. 10 And all their cities in the places
wherein they dwelt, and all their encampments, they burnt with fire.
Bilaam was looking for his reward for advice on killing of the
Bnei Yisrael that HASHEM hates lewdness. So he returned to get his reward. Well
he got his just reward from the Bnei Yisrael.
11 And they took all
the spoil, and all the prey, both of man and of beast. 12 And they brought the
captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and unto Eleazar the priest,
and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp, unto the
plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho. 13 And Moses, and Eleazar
the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them
without the camp. 14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, the
captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service
of the war. 15 And Moses said unto them: 'Have ye saved all the women alive?
Because of these prostituting women,
we lost our men.
16 Behold, these caused
the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to revolt so as to break
faith with the LORD in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the
congregation of the LORD. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little
ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
Every male will be an avenger and
every woman will bring disaster upon you.
18 But all
the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for
yourselves.
Under the age of three and they can grow up and become a wife to
somebody in your family or yourself.
19 And
encamp ye without the camp seven days; whosoever hath killed any person, and
whosoever hath touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the
seventh day, ye and your captives. 20 And as to every garment, and all that is
made of skin, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood, ye
shall purify.'
These are the laws for people who have to purify garments.
21 And
Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war that went to the battle: 'This is
the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded Moses: 22 Howbeit the
gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything
that may abide the fire, ye shall make to go through the fire, and it shall be
clean; nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of sprinkling; and all
that abides not the fire ye shall make to go through the water.
This is how we purify metal items.
24 And ye
shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and
afterward ye may come into the camp.'
And with a non-Jew one does not need ritual purification only the
clothing as mentioned above.
25 And the LORD spoke
unto Moses, saying: 26 'Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man
and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers'
houses of the congregation; 27 and divide the prey into two parts: between the
men skilled in war, that went out to battle, and all the congregation;
12,000 men went into battle, 12,000
supplied them and 12,000 studied Torah and prayed for the battle.
28 and levy
a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war that went out to battle: one soul of
five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of
the flocks; 29 take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, as a
portion set apart for the LORD. 30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou
shalt take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the
asses, and of the flocks, even of all the cattle, and give them unto the
Levites, that keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.' 31 And Moses and
Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses. 32 Now the prey, over and
above the booty which the men of war took, was six hundred thousand and seventy
thousand and five thousand sheep, 33 and threescore and twelve thousand beeves,
34 and threescore and one thousand asses,
These animals had not been used for bestiality as opposed to those
killed above.
35 and
thirty and two thousand persons in all, of the women that had not known man by
lying with him.
The warriors were 12,000 so there were 16,000 females to be given
to them unless we also include the 12,000 who carried supplies or the 12,000
who learned Torah and prayed during the battle.
36 And the
half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three
hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep.
37 And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and
fifteen. 38 And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S
tribute was threescore and twelve. 39 And the asses were thirty thousand and
five hundred, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and one. 40 And the
persons were sixteen thousand, of whom the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two
persons.
They could be servants/slaves to Cohanim or married in the future
to a Levi.
41 And Moses gave the
tribute, which was set apart for the LORD, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD
commanded Moses. 42 And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided
off from the men that warred-- 43 now the congregation's half was three hundred
thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep, 44 and
thirty and six thousand beeves, 45 and thirty thousand and five hundred asses,
46 and sixteen thousand persons-- 47 even of the children of Israel's half,
Moses took one drawn out of every fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave
them unto the Levites, that kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as
the LORD commanded Moses.
These would be divided between the
warriors, tribes and Kahune.
48 And the
officers that were over the thousands of the host, the captains of thousands,
and the captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses; 49 and they said unto
Moses: 'Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war that are under our
charge, and there lacks not one man of us. 50 And we have brought the LORD'S
offering, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, armlets, and
bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and girdles, to make atonement for our
souls before the LORD.' 51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of
them, even all wrought jewels. 52 And all the gold of the gift that they set
apart for the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of
hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.-- 53 For the
men of war had taken booty, every man for himself.-- 54 And Moses and Eleazar
the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and
brought it into the tent of meeting, for a memorial for the children of Israel
before the LORD. 32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a
very great multitude of cattle; and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the
land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle, 2 the children
of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke unto Moses, and to Eleazar the
priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying: 3 'Ataroth, and
Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo,
and Beon, 4 the land which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is
a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle.' 5 And they said: 'If we have
found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a
possession; bring us not over the Jordan.' 6 And Moses said unto the children
of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to the war, and
shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore will ye turn away the heart of the children
of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from
Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up unto the valley of
Eshcol, and saw the land, they turned away the heart of the children of Israel,
that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. 10 And the
LORD'S anger was kindled in that day, and He swore, saying: 11 Surely none of
the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see
the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they
have not wholly followed Me; 12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite,
and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed the LORD. 13 And
the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and He made them wander to and fro
in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in
the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your
fathers' stead, a brood of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the
LORD toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again
leave them in the wilderness; and so ye will destroy all this people.'
16 And they
came near unto him, and said: 'We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle,
and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go
before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place; and
our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants
of the land. 18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of
Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit
with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward, because our inheritance
is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.'
We shall not do as the past generation, but go to war first on the
front lines with our brothers. Then after conquering the land, we shall return
to our wives, little ones, animals and land.
20 And Moses
said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go
before the LORD to the war, 21 and every armed man of you will pass over the
Jordan before the LORD, until He hath driven out His enemies from before Him,
22 and the land be subdued before the LORD, and ye return afterward; then ye
shall be clear before the LORD, and before Israel, and this land shall be unto
you for a possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye
have sinned against the LORD; and know ye your sin which will find you.
If you carry out your promises, all will be well with you.
However, if you are just talk and no action, your sin will catch up with you.
24 Build you
cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath
proceeded out of your mouth.' 25 And the children of Gad and the children of
Reuben spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as my lord commands. 26
Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in
the cities of Gilead; 27 but thy servants will pass over, every man that is
armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.'
Essentially,
you shall go to war. HASHEM will guard your wives and family during this time.
28 So Moses
gave charge concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of
Nun, and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of
Israel. 29 And Moses said unto them: 'If the children of Gad and the children
of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man that is armed to
battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you, then ye
shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; 30 but if they will not
pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of
Canaan.' 31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered,
saying: 'As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. 32 We will
pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, and the possession of
our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.' 33 And Moses gave unto
them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto the
half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the
Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, according to the
cities thereof with their borders, even the cities of the land round about. 34
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer; 35 and
Atroth-shophan, and Jazer, and Jogbehah; 36 and Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran;
fortified cities, and folds for sheep. 37 And the children of Reuben built
Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kiriathaim; 38 and Nebo, and Baal-meon--their names
being changed--and Sibmah; and gave their names unto the cities which they built.
39 And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it,
and dispossessed the Amorites that were therein. 40 And Moses gave Gilead unto
Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41 And Jair the son of
Manasseh went and took the villages thereof, and called them Havvoth-jair. 42
And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah,
after his own name.
These are cities, towns and villages that the two and a half
tribes set up over the Yarden and in the southern part of the Golan Heights.
33:1 These
are the stages of the children of Israel, by which they went forth out of the
land of Egypt by their hosts under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 And Moses
wrote their goings forth, stage by stage, by the commandment of the LORD; and
these are their stages at their goings forth. 3 And they journeyed from Rameses
in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow
after the passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the
sight of all the Egyptians, 4 while the Egyptians were burying them that the
LORD had smitten among them, even all their first-born; upon their gods also
the LORD executed judgments. 5 And the children of Israel journeyed from
Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. 6 And they journeyed from Succoth, and pitched
in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7 And they journeyed from
Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baal-zephon; and they
pitched before Migdol. 8 And they journeyed from Penehahiroth, and passed
through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days'
journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Here Moshe reminds them of the good HASHEM did by splitting the
sea.
9 And they
journeyed from Marah, and came unto Elim; and in Elim were twelve springs of
water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they pitched there. 10 And they
journeyed from Elim, and pitched by the Red Sea.
This was a miracle having enough water for them.
11 And they
journeyed from the Red Sea, and pitched in the wilderness of Sin. 12 And they
journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, and pitched in Dophkah. 13 And they
journeyed from Dophkah, and pitched in Alush. 14 And they journeyed from Alush,
and pitched in Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. 15 And
they journeyed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 16 And
they journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai, and pitched in Kibroth-hattaavah.
Part of the Mussar where people died of gluttony by eating
uncooked meat.
17 And they
journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and pitched in Hazeroth. 18 And they
journeyed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah. 19 And they journeyed from
Rithmah, and pitched in Rimmon-perez. 20 And they journeyed from Rimmon-perez,
and pitched in Libnah. 21 And they journeyed from Libnah, and pitched in
Rissah. 22 And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelah. 23 And they
journeyed from Kehelah, and pitched in mount Shepher. 24 And they journeyed
from mount Shepher, and pitched in Haradah. 25 And they journeyed from Haradah,
and pitched in Makheloth. 26 And they journeyed from Makheloth, and pitched in
Tahath. 27 And they journeyed from Tahath, and pitched in Terah. 28 And they
journeyed from Terah, and pitched in Mithkah. 29 And they journeyed from
Mithkah, and pitched in Hashmonah. 30 And they journeyed from Hashmonah, and
pitched in Moseroth. 31 And they journeyed from Moseroth, and pitched in
Bene-jaakan. 32 And they journeyed from Bene-jaakan, and pitched in
Hor-haggidgad. 33 And they journeyed from Hor-haggidgad, and pitched in Jotbah.
34 And they journeyed from Jotbah, and pitched in Abronah. 35 And they
journeyed from Abronah, and pitched in Ezion-geber. 36 And they journeyed from
Ezion-geber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin--the same is Kadesh. 37 And
they journeyed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land
of Edom.-- 38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of
the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel
were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the
month. 39 And Aaron was a hundred and twenty and three years old when he died
in mount Hor.
In a few lines, Moshe has reminded them what they did as a nation
for 39years. Not everything was making them happy.
40 And the
Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan,
heard of the coming of the children of Israel.—
This was their first battle in over 38years since Amalek. As I
wrote the King of Arad was also Amalek.
41 And they
journeyed from mount Hor, and pitched in Zalmonah. 42 And they journeyed from
Zalmonah, and pitched in Punon. 43 And they journeyed from Punon, and pitched
in Oboth. 44 And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched in Ije-abarim, in the
border of Moab. 45 And they journeyed from Ijim, and pitched in Dibon-gad. 46
And they journeyed from Dibon-gad, and pitched in Almon-diblathaim. 47 And they
journeyed from Almon-diblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, in
front of Nebo. 48 And they journeyed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched
in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 49 And they pitched by the
Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab.
They are now in Moav opposite Yericho ready to go up to take the
land and put the plastered stones in Schem area.
50 And the
LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:
51 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the
Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants
of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy
all their molten images, and demolish all their high places. 53 And ye shall
drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I
given the land to possess it. 54 And ye shall inherit the land by lot according
to your families--to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the
fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance; wheresoever the lot falleth to any
man, that shall be his; according to the tribes of your fathers shall ye
inherit.
You shall drive out all the inhabitants and divide up the land.
55 But if ye
will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall
those that ye let remain of them be as thorns in your eyes, and as pricks in
your sides, and they shall harass you in the land wherein ye dwell. 56 And it
shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.
You did not drive out the “Palestinian People” in 1967 aka 5727 because
pork eating and womanizing Moshe Dayan put up road blocks. So these ‘workers’
for the Kibbutzim shall be thorns in your side.
34:1 And the
LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Command the children of Israel, and say unto
them: When ye come into the land of Canaan, this shall be the land that shall
fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the
borders thereof. 3 Thus your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin
close by the side of Edom, and your south border shall begin at the end of the
Salt Sea eastward; 4 and your border shall turnabout southward of the ascent of
Akrabbim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out thereof shall be southward
of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to
Azmon; 5 and the border shall turnabout from Azmon unto the Brook of Egypt, and
the goings out thereof shall be at the Sea.
Most people view this as El Arish.
6 And for
the western border, ye shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be
your west border. 7 And this shall be your north border: from the Great Sea ye
shall mark out your line unto mount Hor; 8 from mount Hor ye shall mark out a
line unto the entrance to Hamath; and the goings out of the border shall be at
Zedad;
This is northern Syria today.
9 and the
border shall go forth to Ziphron, and the goings out thereof shall be at
Hazar-enan; this shall be your north border. 10 And ye shall mark out your line
for the east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham; 11 and the border shall go down
from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down,
and shall strike upon the slope of the sea of Chinnereth eastward; 12 and the
border shall go down to the Jordan, and the goings out thereof shall be at the
Salt Sea; this shall be your land according to the borders thereof round
about.' 13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: 'This is the
land wherein ye shall receive inheritance by lot, which the LORD hath commanded
to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe; 14 for the tribe of the
children of Reuben according to their fathers' houses, and the tribe of the
children of Gad according to their fathers' houses, have received, and the
half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance; 15 the two tribes and
the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho
eastward, toward the sun-rising.'
This is also including parts of the modern Jordanian Kingdom near
Hamat Gader and the border with the Golan Heights and parts of Syria on the
Golan Heights probably through the Druze area of today.
16 And the LORD spoke
unto Moses, saying: 17 'These are the names of the men that shall take
possession of the land for you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to take possession of the land.
19 And these are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of
Jephunneh. 20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of
Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 And of the
tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 Of the
children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel
the son of Ephod; 24 and of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince,
Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 And of the tribe of the children of Zebulun a
prince, Eli-zaphan the son of Parnach. 26 And of the tribe of the children of
Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 And of the tribe of the
children of Asher a prince, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 And of the tribe of
the children of Naphtali a prince, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 29 These are
they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of
Israel in the land of Canaan.'
These are the leaders of the tribes
that shall conquer the land.
35:1 And the LORD spoke
unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 2 'Command
the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of
their possession cities to dwell in; and open land round about the cities shall
ye give unto the Levites. 3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and
their open land shall be for their cattle, and for their substance, and for all
their beasts. 4 And the open land about the cities, which ye shall give unto
the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits
round about. 5 And ye shall measure without the city for the east side two
thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west
side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city
being in the midst. This shall be to them the open land about the cities.
From here we derive the boundary of
Shabbos as 2000Amos or 900meters = 4500feet from the outermost part of the buildings/fence/Eruv
in each direction for walking on Shabbos. This takes into account
non-rectangular areas that we add on to in order to make a rectangular for the boundary.
6 And the cities which
ye shall give unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which
ye shall give for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give
forty and two cities.
Throughout the land for teaching
Torah.
7 All the cities which
ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye
give with the open land about them. 8 And concerning the cities which ye shall
give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many ye shall take
many, and from the few ye shall take few; each tribe according to its
inheritance which it inherits shall give of its cities unto the Levites.'
They will depend on Maaser but will
teach others.
9 And the LORD spoke
unto Moses, saying: 10 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them:
When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then ye shall appoint
you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that kills any
person through error may flee thither. 12 And the cities shall be unto you for
refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the
congregation for judgment. 13 And as to the cities which ye shall give, there
shall be for you six cities of refuge. 14 Ye shall give three cities beyond the
Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan; they shall be
cities of refuge. 15 For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the
settler among them, shall these six cities be for refuge, that every one that
kills any person through error may flee thither.
More on this in Sefer Devarim and they
are only mentioned here.
16 But if he smote him
with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer
shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he smote him with a stone in the hand,
whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely
be put to death. 18 Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand,
whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely
be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to
death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 And if he thrust him of
hatred, or hurled at him anything, lying in wait, so that he died; 21 or in
enmity smote him with his hand, that he died; he that smote him shall surely be
put to death: he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to
death when he meets him. 22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or
hurled upon him anything without lying in wait, 23 or with any stone, whereby a
man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was
not his enemy, neither sought his harm; 24 then the congregation shall judge
between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances; 25
and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger
of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither
he was fled; and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who
was anointed with the holy oil. 26 But if the manslayer shall at any time go
beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he flees; 27 and the avenger
of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of
blood slay the manslayer; there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him; 28 because
he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but
after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return into the land of
his possession.
He essential has a jail at home in any
one of these cities.
29 And these
things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations
in all your dwellings. 30 Whoso kills any person, the murderer shall be slain
at the mouth of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against any person
that he die. 31 Moreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer,
that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death. 32 And ye shall
take no ransom for him that is fled to his city of refuge, that he should come
again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. 33 So ye shall not
pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it pollutes the land; and no
expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed therein, but by
the blood of him that shed it. 34 And thou shalt not defile the land which ye
inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of
the children of Israel.' 36:1 And the heads of the fathers' houses of the
family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of
the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses, and
before the princes, the heads of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel;
2 and they said: 'The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance
by lot to the children of Israel; and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give
the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters. 3 And if they be
married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then
will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and
will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so
will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. 4 And when the jubilee
of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be added unto
the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so will their
inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.' 5
And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD,
saying: 'The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks right. 6 This is the thing
which the LORD hath commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying:
Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe
of their father shall they be married. 7 So shall no inheritance of the
children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall
cleave everyone to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 And every
daughter, that possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel,
shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the
children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers. 9 So
shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of
the children of Israel shall cleave each one to its own inheritance.' 10 Even
as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad. 11 For Mahlah,
Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were
married unto their father's brothers' sons. 12 They were married into the
families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance
remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the
commandments and the ordinances, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses
unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Chazak – Chazak v’ nit
Chazak
There’ll be love birds over the White Cliffs of Dover -
thanks to Leah K.
I’m 44, born and raised in Golders
Green to a very traditional family. At 19, I was already engaged — to someone
from a wealthy, well-known family. The wedding was planned. Apartment paid for.
Furniture, car, band, invitations all done.
Until one day, during a disagreement
about the music for the wedding, he slapped me. Just like that.
It wasn’t just the slap. It was the
statement that came with it: “In my family, my father makes the final decision.
You should get used to that.”
My mother ended the wedding on the
spot.
Not because of pride, but because
she refused to let me live with a man who could raise his hand.
It was the right decision but one
that came with a long shadow.
From that moment on, I was “the girl
who called off her engagement.” Not “the girl who escaped an abuser.”
I moved to Israel, studied in the Old
City, joined countless Jewish singles programs, and was constantly set up with
“nice frum American boys” — none of which went past a few dates.
I was told I’m attractive,
accomplished (I have a degree in architecture), emotionally aware (I even went
to therapy just to work on myself). But after hundreds of dates, I started to
believe: Maybe it’s just not going to happen.
I flew to New York, Melbourne, L.A.,
met with matchmakers, rabbis, friends of friends. Still nothing.
And then one Shabbat, sitting alone
in Regent’s Park, I got a call from my best friend… gushing about the kiddush
for her granddaughter.
That was it.
It didn’t feel like heartbreak
anymore.
It felt like God was taunting me.
Spontaneously, I drove to one of my
favorite places — the White Cliffs of Dover. I always go there to clear my
mind. I parked by a wooden cabin, stared into the sea, prayed, cried, yelled
(quietly)… and headed back.
On the way, I saw three guys
thumbing for a ride. Normally I wouldn’t stop but honestly, safety felt like
the last thing I cared about at that point.
I picked them up. We spoke in
English. Then I overheard them speaking Hebrew. They didn’t know I understood.
One of them said, “Wow, what a nice
girl. If only she were a kosher Jew, I’d totally date her.”
His friend laughed: “That’s about as
likely as chardalnikim showing up and dancing Kiddush Levana here on this
road.”
I smiled… and kept driving. When
they told me they were staying in Golders Green, I said I could drop them
there. Their eyes went wide.
They started connecting the dots:
She’s driving to Golders Green? She’s probably Jewish. If she’s Jewish… uh oh.
As they were about to leave the car,
I turned to the guy and said, in perfect Hebrew: “If you’d like, I’d be happy
to go out to dinner with you.”
He turned purple. Mumbled. Panicked.
So I added, “Unless, of course,
you’re not interested.”
He was.
A few dates later, we were at my
friend’s granddaughter’s kiddush together.
A month after that, we got engaged.
Two months later, we got married. In
Israel. Yes, with Yemenite dancing. My British father nearly fainted.
He wasn’t anything I thought I was
looking for:
A rough-around-the-edges Israeli,
ex-669, sandals and cows, no cufflinks in sight.
But he was everything I actually
needed: sensitive, hilarious, emotionally grounded and all mine.
I am a 44-year-old chutznikit who
found her bashert on a cliff in Dover — after hundreds of rejections, thousands
of prayers, and just one moment of courage.
Rivky Goldgold’s story
(not my story, but had to share
hers)
Never Quit life is too
precious by R’ Rachamim Pauli
The Chafetz Chaim once walked past
a Cobbler’s Shop very late at night. He saw that the man was still repairing
shoes. He asked the Cobbler why? The reply was “As long as the candle burns,
one can make repairs.” The great Rabbi learned a wonder Mussar from this. As
long as the candle (Neshama=soul) has G-Dliness within us, we can repair our
deeds in this world.
I normally write of the Mitzvah to
fast before Tisha B’Av unless a doctor or illness itself prevents us. For we
should treasure life. This week, two cancer patients indicated to me that they
were ready to give up. Now I cannot be a judge here. My Mechutan (father of my
son-in-law was in extreme pain and coughing up blood) and wanted to Holy One to
gather him home many years ago.
One of the patients has a stuff up
intestine. The hospital said, let us fix it. No, “I would rather die at home”.
Another my PET Scan was not good. I guess I should stop. I might not be the
smartest person on earth, but I can learn from great Rabbis. Rabbi Chaim
Kanjievsky had at one point a stroke, bad heart, etc. He was 94 and kept
learning Torah until his heart stopped. Rav Gershon Edelstein was 100, very ill
with heart disease. He lay in his hospital bed writing his Talmud Shiur for
that day until his heart stopped.
The conclusion is that one must
continue no matter how hard to do his/her best to serve HASHEM and never ever
give up or in until your time comes. *
P.S. in Israel it is best to have a
lawyer set up a procedure for a trusted love one or love ones to take care of
you if you are mentally or physically incapacitated rather than go through the
public ‘apitropus’ aka court appointed individual. Usually it is husband – wife
and a child(ren) or even older grandchildren who have the legal document with
the court to handle one’s account or sell one’s car etc. It is called something
like continuing power of attorney (in case).
*One last point, I am not in the place of these people
with the disease and don’t want to be in their place, but I am just giving
examples of Torah Sages and thoughts.
URL’s for Halacha of
the 9 Days
https://aish.com/ask-the-rabbi/holidays-shabbat/tisha-bav-three-weeks/nine-days-9-days/
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144574/jewish/The-Nine-Days.htm
https://www.ou.org/holidays/laws_and_traditions_of_the_nine_days/
This
Year Shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av
With Rosh Chodesh Av, the more intense period of mourning for
the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, known as The Nine Days, begins.
“As Av enters, we diminish our joy”. This statement of the
Mishna is manifest in many laws & customs observed during the first nine
days of the month of Av (Actually it is for nine and a half to ten days).
There is a dispute among authorities as to whether this means
that one ceases all joy during this period, or whether one is only required to
diminish joy.
One way or the other, some of the manifestations of this concept
are the reduction of business, the prohibition of pleasurable building, and
other similar things.
One should not play musical instruments during the Nine Days.
Some say that applies to singing as well. There are appropriate songs to sing
during the Nine Days.
Halachically, tiyulim (pleasure trips) are forbidden only on
Erev Tisha B’Av and Tisha B’Av itself. However, one should refrain from
pleasurable tiyulim from Rosh Chodesh. Trips abroad should specifically be
avoided. Trips to Israel, on the other hand, are allowed because of the mitzva
aspect involved.
Concerning the conduct of business, it is generally agreed that
in today’s economy, the factors of financial loss – rent, salaries, utilities,
etc. – would permit business as usual during the Nine Days. Depending upon the
type of business and the possible effects of “closing shop” for more than a
week, the applications of the halacha may vary. A Rav should be consulted.
Giving of gifts should be avoided, if possible, during the Nine
Days. If unavoidable, the gift should preferably not be used until after Tisha B’Av.
One should not buy new clothes during the Nine Days, even if
She’he’che’yanu is not involved, and even if one will not wear the clothes
until after Tisha B’Av. Simple sneakers for Tisha B’Av is an exception to this
rule. Simple sneakers!
Purchases necessary for one’s livelihood are permitted; if a
She’he’che’yanu is involved, it should be postponed until after Tish’a b’Av.
“Purchases of Mitzva” are allowed, but should be made in
consultation with a Posek.
Another interesting exception to the ban on purchases is the
case of bargains and availability. One may buy things – even “items of joy” –
during the Nine Days, if they will be difficult to find after Tish’a b’Av, or
even it they will be more expensive then. The mourning during the Nine Days is
not intended to cost us money; it is meant to diminish our joy.
Opinions differ concerning the extent to which some of the
following rules apply. Exceptions to any of the following rules should be made
only in consultation with one’s Rav.
Hair cutting and shaving are prohibited. Even those who shave
during the Three Weeks should avoid shaving during the Nine Days.
One may cut fingernails during the Nine Days.
Weddings and other festive gatherings are prohibited.
One should not play or listen to music.
Pleasurable bathing is prohibited. Many apply this prohibition
to regular bathing as well. One who showers during the Nine Days for hygienic
purposes, should use cooler water than usual, bathe less frequently, take less
time, and avoid washing the whole body at one time. Most authorities permit
bathing as usual on the Fridays of the Nine Days.
Meat and wine are prohibited during the Nine Days, except on
Shabbat. Meat and wine are associated both with joy AND with Temple service.
Both reasons combine to explain this prohibition.
Even though Havdala is officially after Shabbat, one is
permitted to drink wine. It is preferable to give the wine to a child who is
old enough to understand brachot but not yet old enough to understand the
concept of “mourning for Jerusalem”. Alternately, some authorities recommend
the use of a substitute beverage for havdala such as fruit juice, beer, etc.
Other authorities insist on wine as usual.
It is the practice not to wear freshly laundered clothing during
the Nine Days. Undergarments, for health reasons, are generally not included in
this ruling. One can “prepare” several changes of clothing before Rosh Chodesh
by wearing them briefly. One may dress for Shabbat without the above
restriction.
Speaking of She’he’che’yanu…
There is an interesting dispute concerning this joyful bracha
during the Three Weeks. The Shulchan Aruch and the ARI z”l prohibit the saying
of the bracha. What follows is a ban on new fruit and other purchases which
require the bracha.
The Vilna Gaon allows the bracha throughout the Three Weeks
(including the Nine Days), even during the week.
The Mishna Berurah allows the bracha on Shabbat, but not during
the week.
The Aruch HaShulchan allows it during the week as well, but only
until Rosh Chodesh Av. In other words, only on Shabbat during the Nine Days.
If withholding a new fruit because of the bracha issue will
cause a reduction of Oneg Shabbat, then even the Shulchan Aruch would permit
She’he’che’yanu during the Three Weeks.
The purchase of Sefarim should be avoided during the Nine Days,
if joy in their purchase produces joy.
This has not been an exhaustive list of the rules for the Nine
Days nor have all variant opinions been expressed. It is best to consult one’s
LOR for more complete information.
Most importantly, we must ponder the causes of the destruction
of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash and work towards “repairing the damage”
caused by past (and present) generations so that we may be privileged to
rejoice in the Geula, speedily in our time.
The laws and customs of mourning the Churban (ruins) are not
meant to overburden us nor are they picayune. They are meant to keep our
thoughts and feelings focused on the Churban and its causes, and the
resolutions towards improvement that should follow those thoughts and emotions.
Use them well.
Our Thanks to Phil Chernofsky of the OU/NCSY Israel Center for
Including This Material in His Remarkable Torah Tidbits
Stop that Bus by Rabbi
Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1441-43
If you've ever had the opportunity to ride the Israeli bus
system, you've probably discovered the unique "Sabra" flavor that
sets it apart from the transport systems in practically any other country.
At peak times, there can be many times more passengers than bus
seats waiting at the bus stop. Everyone's hoping to get on and everyone's
hoping for a seat. When the bus does arrive, you need to scramble and assert
yourself if you'd like the privilege of riding this bus, let alone find a place
to sit. There's usually plenty of good-natured noise until everyone is settled
and the bus can drive. (If the driver even waits for everyone to be seated or
braced for it to move, that is!)
"Nahag, nahag (Driver, driver)!" riders call,
frantically prompting the driver to open the back door or make a stop. With
passengers who essentially behave like backseat drivers, throwing orders and
requests, it's no wonder said "nahagim" often lose their cool.
I've ridden many a bus - both local and intercity - which makes
me think I've witnessed pretty much any scenario that could crop up. Until last
week [mid-December 2020]. The experience I was part of left me blown away.
I was on a bus headed for Jerusalem. It had been a bit delayed
and we would be arriving later than expected. Sitting on the seat directly
behind the driver, I couldn't help but overhear an exchange that left me
amazed.
A man in his mid-sixties with a distinguished appearance approached
the driver. "Nahag," he politely began, "Would it be possible
for you to stop at the first bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem?"
"No!" the driver briskly responded. "It's not on
my route."
"I understand it isn't on the route," the man said.
"I'm asking if you could do me the favor. You see, I am a maggid
shiur (teacher of [Torah] lessons) and I need to be in the classroom at 3
p.m. My yeshiva is close to that stop. If I wait for the first usual
stop, I'll need to take another bus or a taxi to go back in the direction that
we came from - and that will cause me to be late for class."
"I'm not interested in long explanations!" the driver
replied forcefully. "It's not on my route and I will not stop!"
The maggid shiur politely thanked the driver and returned to his
seat. He stroked his beard, lost in thought. Moments later, I noticed he had
opened a Sefer ([Judaism] book) and was immersed.
The exchange got me thinking. On the one hand, I understood the
driver. A route is a route. And a rule is a rule. Bus drivers are not personal
chauffeurs. They are not meant to make extra stops at every passenger's whim.
At the same time, however, the rider clearly asked for the sake
of Torah - and he was so polite about it. What would have been so terrible had
the driver agreed to an extra two-second stop, at an official bus stop, no
less?! I pictured what the driver's reaction would have been had the questioner
been a government official looking to get to work on time. Perhaps his response
would have been different.
The bus continued on the highway. There was traffic as we
reached the city. "Uh oh!" I thought to myself. Never mind my getting
home on time, I glanced in the direction of the maggid shiur with pity. He's
surely going to miss his class!
The man, however, looked surprisingly calm, continuing to learn
without looking up. Yet there we were, sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic,
waiting for the roads to unclog.
Just as we entered Jerusalem, there was a loud bang. There was
shouting and confusion. No one knew what had happened. The driver opened the
doors and all the passengers scrambled off.
I noticed the maggid shiur striding purposefully away from the
bus. I myself stayed; I was curious. I had to know what had happened.
I watched the driver approach the rear of the bus to inspect the
damage of the impact. The collision had been caused by the bus behind us. With
the stop-and-go of the bumper-to-bumper line up, that driver had accidentally
bumped into us from behind. The bus seemed more or less okay with little
damage. But most passengers were already gone.
That was when I noticed. We were standing exactly at that very
bus stop where the maggid shiur had requested to be let off! He had long since
gone and I pictured him standing at the front of his classroom, on time after
all!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Modified by Yerachmiel Tilles from an article
on JewishPress.com (12-20-20), as edited and testified to be a true
story by Naomi Mauer.
Why this Week? In
this week's Torah reading, the last two sections of the Book
of Bamidbar ("Numbers" lit.: 'In the Desert') are combined. The whole
first third of the latter section, Masai, delineates the 42 stops of our
journey from Egypt to Israel.
This story reminds me of an oldie but goodie story from the Yom
Kippur War. There was a Chabadnik in a tank. [During the Yom Kippur war it
was be Emmanuel Winston gave General Tal (Talik) the solution to the RPG’s of
that time and most of them to this day.] The Chabad said to his fellow
soldiers. I am scared watching tanks get shot out in our battalion. I would
feel more secure if you fellows would put on Tephillin. Of the other three
soldiers in the tank, one put on Tephillin immediately. The next need a lot of
coaxing and one out right refused.
As the battle ensued, the tank was
hit. The Chabadnik escaped unscathed and also the fellow who put on Tephillin
immediately. The soldier who had to be coaxed suffered recoverable injuries. The
one who refused to put on Tephillin HY”D died as a Kiddush HASHEM as his
atonement.
Milestone: Donald Soffer, 92, developed from
swamp to Aventura, FL. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Soffer
Milestone: Giora Even Epstein, 87, rejected
twice from pilots course became the most decorated Ace in Israel’s History with
13 planes shot down. https://www.timesofisrael.com/giora-even-epstein-israels-most-decorated-fighter-pilot-dies-aged-87/
Milestone: Alan
Bergman, 99, lyricist. https://www.timesofisrael.com/alan-bergman-oscar-winning-lyricist-and-father-figure-to-barbra-streisand-dies-at-99/
Milestone: Rabbi Neil Danzig, 74, https://www.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-neil-danzig-scholar-who-unlocked-mysteries-of-the-talmud-dies-at-74/
Inyanay Diyoma
July 20th and July 21st
Swords of Iron Day 652 and Day 653
140 deaths from the Arab Mafia so far this
year. Christian Broadcasting Network and Druze internet feed cover the murders
and rapes in Syria. You can google CBN Druze for more information.
Two Hezballah Terrorists eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411919
Hamas
captivity survivor Doron Steinbrecher, a resident of the Dor Tze’ir
neighborhood in Kfar Aza, recounted the terrifying moments of her abduction on
October 7th in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411834
In a
highly consequential ruling, the High Court of Justice ruled on Friday that if
the government decides to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the
decision will not take effect immediately in order to allow the court to hear
legal challenges to her ouster. https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-court-if-government-fires-ag-decision-will-be-frozen-pending-judicial-review/ The AG - if the government says morning she says evening.
If the government says right, she says left. It might be that the government is
not the most righteous law abiding group but it can’t be ALL THE TIME ON EVERY
ISSUE.
Friday evening, sleeping in my bed: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-downs-houthi-missile-that-triggered-sirens-in-central-israel-jerusalem-area/
Disgusting liar: After more than
a year of discussions, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli
Edelstein has decided not to submit the draft enlistment law to the Knesset
plenum, effectively shelving it, according to a report by Kan News. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411932
The
IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that the troops of the 401st Brigade, under
the command of the 162nd Division, are operating in the Jabaliya area in the
northern Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411939
In
recent months, jihadist Islamist militias have clashed with Russian soldiers
stationed in western Syria, according to Western sources familiar with the
details, who spoke to Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411934
A
combat engineering officer from the 710th Battalion of the 179th Brigade, and a
reservist from the 749th Battalion of the 828 Bislamach Brigade, were severely
injured earlier Saturday, during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411911
Druze: On Friday night, IDF and Israel Border Police
forces operated to disperse a violent gathering consisting of dozens of Israeli
civilians across the border with Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411912
A car on Saturday ran into a crowd of people waiting to enter a
nightclub on a busy street in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including seven
critically, the LA Times said. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411914
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s cut to Israel
rejected. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411868
Was it the settler attack or PLO ethnic
cleansing? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411922
July 21st
Swords of Iron Day 654
The Paratrooper in last week’s suicide attempt
succeeded unfortunately and all because social workers and psychologists are
overworked.
Another soldier’s family, says he fell in
battle not suicide. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412001
Op-Ed Diane Bederman: Yes the Jews never
accepted Mohammed as a prophet.
https://dianebederman.com/jews-in-the-koran/
Putin will not stop in the Ukraine until made
to do so. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6375894866112
This video includes the destruction of a church
perhaps by settlers. However: Back in 2008, a British vicar banned the Christmas carol "O
Little Town of Bethlehem" from his services following his pilgrimage to
the 'West Bank' city. … Christians have long been afraid to complain in public
about the campaign of "intimidation" for fear of retaliation by their
Muslim neighbors and being branded "collaborators" with Israel. But
following an increase in attacks on Christian-owned property in the city over
the past few months, some Christians are no longer afraid to talk about the
ultra-sensitive issue. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411922
Discrimination against Charedi Rabbis in the
army. (Melech Shlomo Ecclesiastes 1:9 There is nothing new under the sun.) https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412004
Minister
for National Missions Orit Strock said Monday in an interview with Kol
Berama Radio that the IDF must extend its military campaign to areas in
Gaza where hostages are believed to be held, despite the risk to their lives. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411999
A
small bus overturned Monday near Nabi Musa, close to the town of Mitzpe
Yericho. MDA teams, assisted by IDF medical personnel, treated and evacuated 10
injured individuals. … Earlier, on Route 581 near the Magal Junction in the
Sharon region, a 77-year-old man was killed in a collision between a private
car and a bus. The bus driver sustained light injuries. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412011
Hamas
Beit Hanoun Battalion commander, one of the senior terrorists responsible for
launching rockets and mortars at southern Israeli communities and orchestrating
attacks on IDF forces, was eliminated in a targeted strike, journalist Almog
Boker reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411992
A
serious incident occurred on Sunday in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of
Jerusalem, when a foreign individual entered a residential apartment through an
unlocked door. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412007
Belgistan: Two IDF
soldiers were arrested and interrogated by Belgian authorities following a
complaint filed by the Hind Rajab
Foundation (HRF), an anti-Israel legal organization focused on pursuing legal
action against IDF soldiers, the Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday, following
HRF's statement. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-861739
Good for world-wide terror and missiles but not
infrastructure. Iran is currently
experiencing a major water crisis. The Iranian government has declared an
emergency public holiday in Tehran Province as the nation grapples with a
severe water shortage and energy crisis, compounded by soaring temperatures
that have pushed the country’s aging infrastructure to its breaking point.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-861724
It
is known that if there are elections many Likud MK’s will not be reelected. Likud
faction chair MK Ofir Katz informed party members of upcoming internal
elections for the position of Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
chairman.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412009
NYC the nation is watching: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6375898263112
July 22nd
Day 655
Have no doubt this is the path to
Nuke the East and West Coast of the USA. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-tests-satellite-launch-rocket-it-says-give-it-new-space-capabilities/
Iran still on the IDF agenda. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412063
Iran
experienced more than 20,000 cyberattacks during its recent 12-day conflict
with Israel, the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications
Technology announced on Tuesday, according to Iran International. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412061
I get up before 06:00AM in fact slept late
today. As I was sitting up on my bed at 05:46AM a warning. We went down to the
shelter with a water bottle only to find out that we were just over the edge of
the alert. I started leaving the shelter already and the all clear was then at
06:00AM watched the news. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-downed-houthi-missile-that-set-off-sirens-across-central-israel/
Note: Since the Iran crises, our passports and
other documents in the shelter and are staying there for the time being.
The
IDF on Monday morning struck and dismantled military infrastructure belonging
to the Houthi terrorist regime at the Hudaydah port. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412002
The IDF Spokesperson's
Unit cleared for publication on Tuesday that Sergeant Major (res.) Vladimir
Loza, aged 36, from Ashkelon, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412062
Either Golani or nothing: Staff Sergeant
Amit Cohen, a 19-year-old Golani soldier from Holon, fell in an operational
accident when IDF munitions exploded in the building he was in in Khan Yunis.
Amit's grandfather, Gabi Hazai, told Kan Reshet Bet on Tuesday about his brave
grandson. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412065
An officer is in serious condition.
The
Yeshiva Council on Tuesday released a letter addressed to all haredi yeshivas
across Israel, warning students not to seek independent solutions regarding
their military status. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412057
The
Israeli passport has risen in the global rankings, even as the American
passport continues its gradual decline in power. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412064
Belgistan a temporary end to the saga. https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-israelis-briefly-held-in-belgium-after-activists-urge-their-arrest-for-war-crimes/
The Great Rabbinical Court, led by the Chief Rabbi and Court
President, Rabbi David Yosef, finalized a bill of divorce (get) on Monday,
bringing an end to a prolonged case of an agunah (a woman chained to a
marriage) that lasted six years. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412058
Shomron Church fire: “Investigation
reveals no damage to ancient church in Taybeh and investigation of origin of
fire continues. I have NOT attributed the cause of fire to any person or group
as we don't know for sure. The press has. I have said that regardless, it was
crime and deserves consequences,” said Huckabee in a post on X. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412048
July 23rd
Swords of Iron Day 656
US is either blind or their diplomat is. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-envoy-denies-syrian-regime-forces-were-involved-in-atrocities-against-druze/
Three
people were murdered in separate incidents Tuesday night. According to Channel 12 the number of murders in the Arab Mafia
Wars is 143. It appears that this article does not take into account wives or
other non-criminals who die. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412109
Pallywood the world’s largest producer or B.S. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-denies-gaza-famine-claims-says-aid-is-entering-strip-but-not-being-distributed/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-again-to-pull-us-out-of-woke-unesco-citing-anti-israel-bias/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/21/israel-studies-under-attack-us-universities-new-report-finds/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/21/jewish-groups-applaud-major-teachers-unions-rejection-adl-ban/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/21/harvard-sued-another-antisemitism-lawsuit/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/21/new-book-details-irans-path-to-a-nuclear-bomb/
Iran
has escalated its efforts to isolate Israel on the international sports stage,
with the chairman of the Iranian Soccer Association, Mehdi Taj, calling on FIFA
to expel Israel from world soccer, Ynet reported on Tuesday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412101
The
family of Rom Broslowski, who was abducted during the terrorist attack on the
Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, is seeking answers from the government
following the announcement by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization Islamic
Jihad that "contact" with him and his captors had been lost. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412091
The
IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced that the troops of the 210th Division, in
cooperation with Unit 504, completed an overnight activity in which weapons
dealers operating in southern Syria were apprehended and questioned. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412079
A
Platoon Commander and a Combat Engineering soldier in the Southern Brigade were
severely injured on Tuesday by an explosive device in the southern Gaza Strip.
Another soldier was moderately injured in the incident. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412093
The
Wolfson Yeshiva, a highly esteemed haredi yeshiva in Jerusalem, was struck by
turmoil over the past day. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412070
The Knesset plenum will vote tomorrow (Wednesday),
just before the summer recess, on a proposal to support the application of
Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/662771
What ties Netanyahu to Trump. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412055
A terrorist cell planting explosives in the ground, intended to
attack IDF troops, was killed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412083
Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412094
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the request from bereaved
families from the Hagvura to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza and cut off the
enclave's electricity and water. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412082
This is what we should have done a
long time ago.
It does not matter what we do or how kind we
are to Gaza in the UK antisemitism prevails. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412096
Data
released by Kan, of the 451 IDF soldiers killed since the start of
Operation Swords of Iron, at least 77 (approximately 17%) died in such
operational accidents. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412107
Five months after being freed from Hamas captivity, where he was
held for more than a decade, Avraham Mengistu was discharged on Tuesday from
Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412089
The truth why illegal immigrants are needed –
the Census. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/immigrants-needed-redistricting-purposes-house-dem-admits-viral-clip-quiet-part-out-loud
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/22/what-mamdani-gets-wrong-about-arab-citizens-of-israel/
July 24th
Swords of Iron Day 657
One thing that I have not mentioned is the
extreme heat in Israel now. Gaza gets a sea breeze but triple digit heat on
soldiers in flack gear and helmets is no picnic. As the reservists age late
thirties, forties, fifties and my friend Col. Avraham is 67 it is hard on all.
Even I trying to work out in a cooled gym can feel the humidity. In the winter
it might not be a “piece of cake” but not a super challenge. But in the summer,
I feel it and so do others younger than I.
Hamas thinks Israel is a lemon and easy to
squeeze. PM recalls delegation to Qatar. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/2025-07-24/live-updates-862053 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412201
Ramming attack in Israel 8 soldiers injured
despite calls for years for barrier, Israel roads authority did nothing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412173 The man who helped drive the
terrorist arrested.
Barry Shaw: The IDF caused 120 to 150 missiles
to explode on their launch pads killing their operators.
The
Hamburg State Opera has announced plans for a new opera house, backed by a
donation from a German billionaire whose family grew its fortune by
collaborating with the Nazi regime. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412170
Shabbos Times: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
IDF Soldier injured by Charedim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412191
I have a left over from a sticker
on my car. It said “Am Ehud Lev Ehud” (one nation one heart). I guess they had
worse hearts than mine with a pacemaker and fibrillations as they pulled off
the sticker leave the white remnants.
The
US State Department has launched an investigation into Harvard University’s
eligibility to sponsor the Exchange Visitor Program, Secretary of State Marco
Rubio announced Wednesday, citing concerns over national security and program
compliance. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412162
Ganz loses another MK. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-862099
Intl shipping still under attack. https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-862109
The
Military Advocate General's Office has announced the establishment of a unique
legal framework to provide close legal support to soldiers who are interrogated
or detained abroad, as well as assistance to their families. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412129
A
historic conference in Washington, DC brought together 30 U.S. Senators and
Congress members who publicly declared their support for applying Israeli
sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The event, the largest of its kind ever
held for Judea and Samaria, was attended by Samaria Regional Chairman Head
Yossi Dagan, who emphasized the joint mission of securing sovereignty in these
areas. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412138
Defence ministers from the United Kingdom and Turkey signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday at the International Defence
Industry Fair in Istanbul, marking a significant step towards the export of
UK-manufactured Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412137
Israeli
Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon stated that Israel would take action in
response to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs' (OCHA) false accusations against Israel and its breach of neutrality
in favor of the Hamas terrorist organization to ensure that this situation does
not continue. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412140
An Oregon man who admitted to making bomb threats against Jewish
medical facilities in New York has been sentenced to five years in prison, the
US Department of Justice announced Wednesday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412164
The
Knesset plenum voted on Wednesday afternoon to approve a resolution affirming
the State of Israel’s natural, historical, and legal right to all parts of the
Land of Israel, with specific emphasis on Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan
Valley.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412132
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-refusing-to-surrender-weapons-to-lebanese-government-report/
July 25th
Swords of Iron Day 658 end of week 94
Ron Dermer met in Paris with the Syrian Foreign
Minister but no fanfare. https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-netanyahu-adviser-expected-to-meet-syrian-foreign-minister-in-paris/
Hamas wants all Nukhba released and most of the
life-sentence terrorists. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412226
The
Jerusalem Juvenile Magistrate's Court has ordered an Arab minor to pay NIS
100,000 in compensation to a Hasidic Jewish man he assaulted in Jerusalem's Old
City. The ruling comes following a civil lawsuit filed by the victim, in which
the defendant did not present a defense. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412194
Members
of the Belfast-based Irish-language rap group Kneecap have been denied entry to
Hungary and banned for three years ahead of their planned performance at the
Sziget Festival on August 11. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412202
Hulk Hogan dies at 71 of cardiac arrest. https://www.foxnews.com/video/5614615980001
Israel’s
Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, issued a clarification on Thursday in
response to an
interview given by Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu on Radio Kol Barama,
in which he said that "we aren't supposed to deal with hunger in
Gaza." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412222
Oh little town of Bethlehem you have two less
firebombing terrorists. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412158
9 soldiers injured yesterday in an accident. A soldier in
the 71st Armored Corps Battalion, 188th Brigade, was severely injured Wednesday
by a mortar fragment during combat in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF reported
Thursday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412195
US
Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded to French President Emmanuel
Macron's declaration that he will recognize a
Palestinian state, suggesting that France create such a state itself. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412238
US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Thursday criticized French President
Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France would officially recognize “the State of Palestine”,
warning the move would embolden Hamas. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412228
Medical Miracle a former comatose
soldier back on his feet goes to thank HASHEM. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412208
Speaking of Miracles, for those who
only get the news; this week’s story in the www.rabbipauli.blogspot.com contains stories of G-D’s providence and another
miracle of the Yom Kippur War. Also Halacha on how to behave during the 9 days
of Av.
Gaza “Famine” Israeli
director and restaurateur Shahar Segal, who briefly served as spokesperson for
the American aid foundation Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), accused Hamas
and the UN of exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the area. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412233
“Famine” blame the UN as 1000 or more
truckloads wait. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-blames-un-for-gaza-aid-shortage-says-hamas-exploiting-famine-claims-at-talks/
The IDF struck and eliminated the Hamas terrorist Muhammad al-‘Amour
earlier today (Thursday) in the area of Khan Yunis. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412206
https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-uk-labour-chief-jeremy-corbyn-launches-new-anti-israel-party/
Good Shabbos, Good Chodesh only
health, rest and peacefulness,
Rachamim Pauli
