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, Sophia bas Basya.
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!
I am happy to report that both of the cancer
patients mentioned in my story last week did not give up despite their
situation(s). To tell you the truth, my struggle lose weight and to keep up in
the gym as my aches and pains and muscles go downhill, the heat and aging do
have a negative effect on me. It is a battle. This week I am not swimming and
39+C or 102+F heat in the shade has affected everybody. Keep singing to
yourself deep in your heart “We shall overcome”! During the week before
Tisha B’Av the Yetzer HaRa (evil inclination) is especially strong to hurt all
of us.
Chinese Wisdom. There is a What’s App that my
friend Albert Levy sent me. As we age, our bodies become weaker. People in the 60’s
sometimes have balance issues and fall. After 70, your legs are the first to
go. But what if three simple foods could supply you naturally with the minerals
and foundations for healthy legs, muscles and balance. Preventing cramps. Of
course one must make it his/her business to walk a bit.
The three foods are beets daily, lentils weekly
and sweet potatoes. It is a 10 minute film and I don’t have all the good
explanations of the minerals and one must have his mind rule his old legs to
move a bit.
Parsha Devarim
Moshe has been told by HASHEM that
once he has conquered Midian, he is to be gathered unto his people. Without
delay and dawdling, Moshe immediate has a small portion of the army go into
battle. Now during his last 37days, he is going to issue three Drashos before
the Nation. 200+ Mitzvos will be stated in Sefer Devarim and a whole review of
the others from Yitzias (Exodus) Mitzrayim (from Egypt) to those standing below
Har Nevo on Moshe’s final day.
1:1 These
are the words which Moses spoke unto all Israel beyond the Jordan; in the
wilderness, in the Arabah, over against Suph, between Paran and Tophel, and
Laban, and Hazeroth, and Di-zahab.
These are all places of rebellion
against Moshe/HASHEM with complaints and the last two mentioned were the
gluttony and the golden calf. I liked the AI video for children as it explained
something to me that I have over-looked for years. Moshe rebuked them like
Yacov rebuked the tribes before is death so that they would not sin again and
be embarrassed to face him daily. [Sometimes a simple and beautiful idea can be
lost to us among the myriad of thoughts and commentaries we see.]
2 It
is eleven days journey from Horeb unto Kadesh-barnea by the way of mount Seir. 3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month,
on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke unto the children of Israel,
according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
This is Rosh Chodesh Shevat 2488
and 37days before Moshe is to be gathered by HASHEM.
4
after he had smitten Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and
Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei; 5 beyond
the Jordan, in the land of Moab, took Moses upon him to expound this law,
saying: 6 The LORD our God spoke unto us in Horeb, saying: 'Ye
have dwelt long enough in this mountain; 7 turn you, and take
your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites and unto all the
places nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the Lowland,
and in the South, and by the sea-shore; the land of the Canaanites, and
Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8
Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the
LORD swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give unto
them and to their seed after them.'
This is going to be your land. From
the brook in Egypt up to the Turkish-Lebanese Border and to the Euphrates. In
short, all of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts or all of Egyptian Sinai. Those
who accept Israeli Rule and HASHEM such as the Druze, many Christians and Kurds
living in an alliance will stay in the land and others HASHEM will simply drive
them out in the future.
9 And I spoke unto you at that time, saying:
'I am not able to bear you myself alone; 10 the LORD your God
hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for
multitude.-- 11 The LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a
thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as He hath promised
you!-- 12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your
burden, and your strife? 13 Get you, from each one of your
tribes, wise men, and understanding, and full of knowledge, and I will make
them heads over you.'
Think of this in modern terms where
we have thousands of local Orthodox Rabbis. These Rabbis often consult with
others. There are the really great Rabbis like Rav Moshe Feinstein, Eliyashiv,
Kanievsky down to Rabbis like Dov Landau, Moshe Hirsch, Yitzchak Silberstein,
Shraga Steinerman, the Chief Rabbis etc. who get the burden of the nation
today. The Torah will not be abandoned and younger Rabbis such a Rav Mimran and
I are out there. (You don’t consult the best surgeon for a scrape that needs
some iodine or other germ killer and a small band aid.)
14
And ye answered me, and said: 'The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us
to do.' 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and
full of knowledge, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, and
captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens, and
officers, tribe by tribe. 16 And I charged your judges at that
time, saying: 'Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously
between a man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.
So at that time, it was accepted
that a local Torah Wise person who knew Halacha would guide 9 others, 49
others, etc. Tough decisions or Halachos were referred to the more experience
Chacham.
17
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great
alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of any man; for the judgment is
God's; and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I
will hear it.'
One is forbidden to judge somebody
close to himself. I could not judge a child, grandchild vs. a stranger.
However, if one great grandson vs. his brother whom I love equally, I might be
fair enough to say something as most parents have to mediate between their
children.
18
And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do. 19
And we journeyed from Horeb, and went through all that great and dreadful
wilderness
That great and frightening desert - where snakes were thick like beams and scorpions like bows.
which
ye saw, by the way to the hill-country of the Amorites, as the LORD our God
commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.
If you recall, a few weeks ago, I
pointed out that this Kadesh-barnea is not the place on the Egyptian Border
close to Nitzana of today but over the Yarden River in upper Yarden at the foot
of the Golan Heights. Since Moshe sent the spies out from here, it appears that
this is our modern Kadesh-barnea as it is south of Beer Sheva and Chevron.
20
And I said unto you: 'Ye are come unto the hill-country of the Amorites, which
the LORD our God gives unto us. 21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath
set the land before thee; go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of thy
fathers, hath spoken unto thee; fear not, neither be dismayed.' 22
And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said: 'Let us send men before
us, that they may search the land for us, and bring us back word of the way by
which we must go up, and the cities unto which we shall come.'
The people did not appear to want the cloud by day and the pillar
of fire by night but to go about things
by the regular order of events – reconnaissance and
Moshe did not see it as a rejection of Hashgacha but a regular
spying job.
25
And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto
us, and brought us back word, and said: 'Good is the land which the LORD our
God gives unto us.'
People got to see this and perhaps
some even got to taste this.
26
Yet ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your
God; 27 and ye murmured in your tents, and said: 'Because the
LORD hated us, He hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us
into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
They had the fear of former slaves
of war.
28
Whither are we going up? our brethren have made our heart to melt, saying: The
people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to
heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.' 29
Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. 30
The LORD your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you, according to all
that He did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
The generation had little Emunah
(faith) that G-D would help fight their battle. Rather they were cowards.
31
and in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bore
thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came
unto this place. 32 Yet in this thing ye do not believe the LORD
your God, 33 Who went before you in the way, to seek you out a
place to pitch your tents in: in fire by night, to show you by what way ye
should go, and in the cloud by day.'
You saw the guidance of the L-RD in
the cloud-pillar and yet you were frozen in fear and wanted to turn back. The
whole spy incident seemed to be an excuse to delay entrance into Eretz
Canaan (Yisrael).
34
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and swore, saying: 35 'Surely there shall not one of these men, even this evil
generation, see the good land, which I swore to give unto your fathers, 36 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, he shall see it; and to him
will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children; because he
hath wholly followed the LORD.'
While Yehoshua was given a name
change by Moshe, Calev prayed in Chevron by the graves of the
four couples buried there and therefore by that merit had the power to wholly
follow HASHEM.
37
Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying: Thou also shalt not go
in thither; 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before thee, he
shall go in thither; encourage thou him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit
it. 39 Moreover your little ones, that ye said should be a prey,
and your children, that this day have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall
go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the
wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.'
HASHEM reversed your direction and
kept you in a few places for 38years while the wicked ones died out.
41
Then ye answered and said unto me: 'We have sinned against the LORD, we will go
up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us.' And ye
girded on every man his weapons of war, and deemed it a light thing to go up
into the hill-country. 42 And the LORD said unto me: 'Say unto
them: Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten
before your enemies.'
All of a sudden you got misguided
courage and thought you had the power to conquer the land without repentance.
You were rebellious against HASHEM.
43
So I spoke unto you, and ye hearkened not; but ye rebelled against the
commandment of the LORD, and were presumptuous, and went up into the
hill-country. 44 And the Amorites, that dwell in that
hill-country, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and beat you
down in Seir, even unto Hormah. 45 And ye returned and wept
before the LORD; but the LORD hearkened not to your voice, nor gave ear unto
you. 46 So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days
that ye abode there.
The enemy slaughtered the Bnei
Ephraim heading west into Israel to conquer it.
2:1
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red
Sea, as the LORD spoke unto me; and we compassed mount Seir many days.
This is the area close to Esav. In
modern geography, it is close to Aqaba.
2
And the LORD spoke unto me, saying: 3 'Ye have compassed this mountain long
enough; turn you northward.
Turn northward - i.e.,
turn toward the east side of Edom and, facing northward, travel from south to north. They thus traveled along its
eastern side, and this is the
meaning of
what it says: “and he traveled to the east of Moab.”
This would place the people deeper into Yarden closer to modern
Saudi Arabia.
4
And command thou the people, saying: Ye are to pass through the border of your
brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of
you; take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore; 5 contend not with them; for
I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot
to tread on; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. 6 Ye
shall purchase food of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy
water of them for money, that ye may drink. 7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed
thee in all the work of thy hand; He hath known thy walking through this great
wilderness; these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast
lacked nothing.' 8 So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, that
dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah, from Eilat and from Ezion-geber.
The place Etzion-Geber is either
just south or just north of the modern Eilat. Probably in the area of the Ramon
Airport of today. The Arava stretches in the plains all the way to the Dead
Sea. However, my explanation would counter the Rashi (purple color) above
unless the moved westward while journeying north. It does make sense for Arad
is close to the ruins of Zohar at the base of the Dead Sea today.
And
we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. 9 And the LORD said
unto me: 'Be not at enmity with Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for
I will not give thee of his land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto
the children of Lot for a possession.--
By provoking them… He forbade them only to provoke Moab into waging war, but they did frighten them and
appear before them with weapons. Therefore, Scripture says: “Moab became
terrified of the people of
Israel,”
for they were plundering them and taking booty. But regarding the Ammonites, it
says: וְאַל
תִּתְגָּר בָּם “and do not
provoke them” – by
means of
any form of provocation. This
consideration
was reward for their mother’s modesty, namely, the fact that she did not publicize the sin of her father, as her sister did by naming her son
Moab.
10
The Emim dwelt therein aforetime, a people great, and many, and tall, as the
Anakim;
The Emim formerly… You might think that this is the land of the Rephaim
that I gave to Abraham, since the Emim, who are also Rephaim, lived there originally. However, this is
not the case, as I drove out those Rephaim in favor of Lot’s descendants and
settled them there in their place.
11
these also are accounted Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them
Emim.
They were also considered Rephaim… Those Emim were considered Rephaim, just like giants
are called Rephaim because the hands of all who see them become weak (מִתְרַפּוֹת) out
of fear.
Emim. They were so called because they cast dread (אֵימָה) upon the people. Similarly, “the Horites formerly dwelt on Mount Seir…”. and I gave their territory to Esau’s descendants.
12 And in Seir dwelt the Horites aforetime, but the children of Esau succeeded them; and they destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.-- 13 Now rise up, and get you over the brook Zered.' And we went over the brook Zered. 14 And the days in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, were thirty and eight years; until all the generation, even the men of war, were consumed from the midst of the camp, as the LORD swore unto them.
Rashi brings down that as they
cross the Zered Brook, the 38years end. Thus in Kadesh Barnea it was Tisha B’Av
2449 and going over the brook around Tisha B’Av 2487. 15,000 would die between
Tisha B’Av and Tu B’Av. When nobody died by the full moon of Tu B’Av they would
celebrate another year of life.
15
Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them, to discomfit them from the
midst of the camp, until they were consumed. 16 So it came to pass, when all
the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,
All the men that had been between
20 to 60 maximum had died out by now. There is a Midrash that says that some survived
perhaps by repentance but that contradicts the Pshat in the text of the
Chumash. So let us take this at face value that only Yehoshua and Calev
survived.
17
that the LORD spoke unto me saying:
וַיְהִי כַאֲשֶׁר תַּמּוּ וְגוֹ'. וַיְדַבֵּר ה' אֵלַי וְגוֹ' – It was
when [all those soldiers] finished [dying out]…God spoke to me…. But from the mention of sending the spies until now the term וַיְדַבֵּר was
not used in this passage, but וַיֹּאמֶר. This
teaches you that during the entire 38 years that Israel were out of grace, God did not speak to Moses intimately and affectionately, face to face, and in
a tranquil manner. This teaches you that the Divine Presence rests upon the
prophets only on account of Israel. The
men of battle - i.e.,
those
over 20 years old, who were eligible for army service.
18
'Thou art this day to pass over the border of Moab, even Ar; 19 and when thou
come nigh over against the children of Ammon, harass them not, nor contend with
them; for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon for a
possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a
possession.--
Just as Esav was given Seir on
merit of Yitzchak, Moav on merit of Avraham’s prayers and Lot so too Ammon from
Avraham and Lot.
20
That also is accounted a land of Rephaim: Rephaim dwelt therein aforetime; but
the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a people great, and many, and tall, as
the Anakim; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them,
and dwelt in their stead; 22 as He did for the children of Esau, that dwell in
Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them,
and dwelt in their stead even unto this day; 23 and the Avim, that dwelt in
villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor,
destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.--
The Avim were the dwellers in the open cities… The Avim were of the Philistines, for they are reckoned among
them in the book of Joshua, as it says: “The five governors of the Philistines
– the Azaites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites –
and the Avim.” However, on account of the oath that Abraham swore to Avimelech, the
Jewish people were unable to take away their land from them. I therefore brought the Kaftorites
against them, and they destroyed them and lived there instead of them, so now
you are permitted to take it away from them.
24
Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of Arnon; behold, I
have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land;
begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25 This day will I begin
to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the peoples that are under
the whole heaven, who, when they hear the report of thee, shall tremble, and be
in anguish because of thee.' 26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of
Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying: 27 'Let me pass
through thy land; I will go along by the highway, I will neither turn unto the
right hand nor to the left. 28 Thou shalt sell me food for money, that I may
eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on
my feet; 29 as the children of Esau that dwell in Seir, and the Moabites that
dwell in Ar, did unto me; until I shall pass over the Jordan into the land
which the LORD our God giveth us.' 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let
us pass by him; for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart
obstinate, that He might deliver him into thy hand, as appears this day.
If Sihon was not obstinate in his
defense of Canaan, he could have kept his land. Now, HASHEM delivered his land
unto us.
31
And the LORD said unto me: 'Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his
land before thee; begin to possess his land.' 32 Then Sihon came out against
us, he and all his people, unto battle at Jahaz. 33 And the LORD our God
delivered him up before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.
34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed every city,
the men, and the women, and the little ones; we left none remaining; 35 only
the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, with the spoil of the cities
which we had taken. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon,
and from the city that is in the valley, even unto Gilead, there was not a city
too high for us: the LORD our God delivered up all before us. 37 Only to the
land of the children of Ammon thou came not near; all the side of the river
Jabbok, and the cities of the hill-country, and wheresoever the LORD our God
forbade us.
This sounds to me the modern Yamuk
River where one side is modern Yarden and the other side Yisrael and at Hamat
Gader a three border meeting place with south Syria.
3:1 Then
we turned, and went up the way to Bashan; and Og the king of Bashan came out
against us, he and all his people, unto battle at Edrei. 2 And the LORD said
unto me: 'Fear him not; for I have delivered him, and all his people, and his
land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king
of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.'
Besides not one Israeli casualty
and the two enemy kings dead, Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe inherited the
land. They are not interested in entering the land of Canaan. Perhaps the best
argument is in Sefer Yehoshua 1:3: “Every place on which the soles
of your feet will tread I have given to you, as I have spoken to Moses.” This most likely was an Oral Law from Moshe. It is
also in the area from the River in Egypt to the Euphrates.
We are about to see the request for
brotherhood in fighting the enemy and the conditions placed of these tribes.
Also, without the men folk in the army, a bunch of women and teenagers were
left to defend.
3 So
the LORD our God delivered into our hand Og also, the king of Bashan, and all
his people; and we smote him until none was left to him remaining. 4 And we
took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we took not from
them; threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
5 All these were fortified cities, with high walls, gates, and bars; beside the
unwalled towns a great many. 6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto
Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every city, the men, and the women,
and the little ones. 7 But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took
for a prey unto ourselves.
Modern Arnon is a well-spring water
falls through the mountains on the modern Jordanian side but what near the
encampment of Yisrael close to their base as a reliable water supply.
10
all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salcah and
Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.-- 11 For only Og king of Bashan
remained of the remnant of the Rephaim; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of
iron; is it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length
thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.--
Rabat Ammon of today? The bed is
tremendous but if we take into account that most modern beds are the size that
a man can stretch his arms and legs, roll over from side to side; does make him
a giant and perhaps with a wife or two next to him. He certainly was not as
tall as the Midrash makes him. He might have been 8 or 9 feet tall and wider
than our largest wrestlers.
12
And this land we took in possession at that time; from Aroer, which is by the
valley of Arnon, and half the hill-country of Gilead, and the cities thereof,
gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites; 13 and the rest of Gilead, and
all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half-tribe of Manasseh; all the
region of Argob--all that Bashan is called the land of Rephaim. 14 Jair the son
of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, unto the border of the Geshurites and
the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name,
Havvoth-jair, unto this day.-- 15 And I gave Gilead unto Machir.
This would be the area where
Eliyahu HaNovi would come from and the daughters of Zelophad would inherit.
16
And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the
valley of Arnon, the middle of the valley for a border; even unto the river
Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17 the Arabah also, the
Jordan being the border thereof, from Kinneret even unto the sea of the Arabah,
the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.
This appears to be the Modern
Israeli Border up to the Yarden and the valley below the mountain to the Dead
Sea that is in modern Yarden.
18
And I commanded you at that time, saying: 'The LORD your God hath given you
this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the
children of Israel, all the men of valor. 19 But your wives, and your little
ones, and your cattle--I know that ye have much cattle--shall abide in your
cities which I have given you; 20 until the LORD give rest unto your brethren,
as unto you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God gives them
beyond the Jordan; then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I
have given you.
You will go to war with your
brethren (for 14years) the land is conquered. I wonder about 59 year old men
and those of the age of 19 who will retire and join the army during this
period. I also wonder if some of the men would get leave to go home as there is
no commentary about this. In the modern Israeli Army it is customary to give
soldiers leave once in a while. During the 14 years, not every minute or day
was a battle.
21
And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying: 'Thine eyes have seen all that the
LORD your God hath done unto these two kings; so shall the LORD do unto all the
kingdoms whither thou go over. 22 Ye shall not fear them; for the LORD your
God, He it is that fights for you.'
The L-RD will fight you battles to redeem you.
Erev Tisha B’Av that
falls on Shabbos or Sunday
by Rabbi Elozor Barclay and Rabbi
Yitzchok Jaeger
https://aish.com/when-tisha-bav-falls-on-shabbat-or-sunday/
Rachamim Pauli adds the following
information. I personally use a Pamphlet by Rabbi Shimon B. Eider Ztzal from
the Medrash Gevohah Lakewood who was my Kollel Rebbe in Borough Park in 1970.
He taught me the Laws of Shabbos which was his first book and then he produced
the Laws of Pesach and The Three Weeks. This year is a rare year when Shabbos
is Erev Tisha B’Av. The next time is in 2045 CE or 5805 since creation. Our
next time 2029 CE or 5789 since creation Tisha B’Av will be on Shabbos and the
fast will be more lenient for pregnant women and the less ill. PEOPLE WITH A MEDICAL CONDITION WHERE FASTING MIGHT BE
DANGEROUS SHOULD CONSULT A DOCTOR OR RABBI. Cancer, Congestive Heart Failure,
Diabetes and a whole assortment of diseases or one on antibiotics with a
serious infection should not fast.
1. What are the main changes when Tisha B'Av falls on
Shabbat or Sunday?
When Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat, the main changes are:
The fast is postponed until Sunday.
Bathing is permitted on Rosh Chodesh.
Marital relations are forbidden on Friday night.
(Though see #3 below if Friday night is the mikvah night).
Washing any part of the body with hot water is
forbidden on Shabbat.
When Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat or Sunday, the main
changes are:
There is no special Seudas Hamafseket before the fast.
Some of the laws of Tisha B'Av begin only at nightfall
on Saturday night, instead of at sunset.
Havdalah is postponed until Sunday night.
2. When Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat and is postponed
until Sunday, is the preceding week considered as “the week in which Tisha B'Av
occurs”?
There are different opinions about this. Therefore:
One should be strict about this concerning laundering
and haircuts.
One may be lenient about matters concerning cutting
nails and making clothes. As for meat and wine, Sephardim could eat without
restriction; for Ashkenazim certain leniencies apply (for example, regarding
who can eat meat at a Bris).
3. May a woman immerse in a mikveh on Friday night that
is Tisha B'Av?
Yes. In this case, marital relations are permitted. (On
a regular year, a woman does not go to the mikvah on the night of Tisha B'Av,
but waits till the next night after breaking the fast.)
4. Are there any changes to the prayers in this
situation?
Tzidkas'cha is not said at Mincha.
Perkei Avos is not said at Mincha.
5. May one hold a public kiddush on this Shabbat?
If the kiddush can be held on a different Shabbat, it
is preferable to defer it.
If the kiddush cannot be held on a different Shabbat --
e.g. for an aufruff (groom prior to his wedding), it is permitted.
6. May one eat meat and drink wine at the Shabbat
meals?
Yes. This is permitted even at Seuda Shlishit.
7. May one invite guests to the Shabbat meals?
Yes. However, one should not invite guests for Seuda
Shlishit unless he does so regularly.
8. May one sing zemiros at the Shabbat meals?
Yes. This is permitted even at Seuda Shlishit.
9. May one go for a stroll on this Shabbat?
When the ninth of Av is Sunday, one may not go for a
stroll on Shabbat after halachic noon.
When the ninth of Av is Shabbat, one may not go for a
stroll at any time of the day.
10. May one visit family or friends?
No.
11. May one learn Torah on this Shabbat?
Before halachic midday, it is permitted to learn Torah.
After halachic midday, many opinions permit learning
Torah. If a person can limit himself to the topics that are permitted on Tisha
B'Av, it is praiseworthy.
It is permitted to read the weekly parsha and its
translation all day.
12. May one take pills on Shabbat to alleviate the
pains of fasting?
It is permitted to take them on Shabbat until sunset
only if they are mixed with a food or drink. One should preferably prepare the
mixture before Shabbat.
One may take them without water even on Saturday night,
unless they are pleasant tasting.
13. May a communal Seuda Shlishit be held in shul?
No. Everyone should eat at home.
14. Are there any changes to Seuda Shlishit?
Although any food may be served, including meat and
wine, and zemiros may be sung, the mood should be somewhat subdued.
A person should not say that he is eating in order to
have strength to fast, but he may think this.
One must stop eating and drinking before sunset, since
the fast begins at this time. People should be reminded about this, as it is
unlike a regular Shabbat.
15. Must one say Grace After Meals before sunset?
It is permitted to say the Grace after sunset, but one
should try to wash mayim acharonim (after waters) before sunset, if possible.
16. May one say Grace After Meals with a 3-man zimun?
Yes (unlike when the eve of Tisha B'Av falls on a
regular weekday, where one should not make a zimun).
17. May one eat or drink after Seuda Shlishit?
If one said Grace After Meals before sunset, one may
eat or drink until sunset. It is not necessary to have this in mind when saying
Grace After Meals.
18. Which prohibitions of Tisha B'Av commence at
sunset?
All the prohibitions except wearing shoes and sitting
on a chair commence at sunset. These two activities are permitted until
nightfall.
19. When should one change one's shoes and Shabbat clothes?
There are two customs:
Some go to shul before nightfall and begin Maariv at
the usual time of Saturday night. The chazzan should say “baruch hamavdil bein
kodesh lechol,” remove his shoes, and then say “barchu.” The congregation
should respond to “barchu” and then remove their shoes. Care must be taken not
to touch one's shoes when removing them. The Shabbat clothes are not removed
until one returns home after Maariv. This is the prevalent custom in the
Diaspora.
Some shuls delay the commencement of Maariv, allowing
people to remain at home until nightfall. At the time of nightfall, everyone
should say the phrase “baruch hamavdil bein kodesh lechol,” remove his shoes,
and change into weekday clothes before Maariv. This is the prevalent custom in
Israel.
20. According to the first custom, may one bring Tisha
B'Av footwear to shul before Maariv?
Even if there is an eruv this is forbidden, since one
may not prepare on Shabbat for after Shabbat. It is also forbidden to change
one's shoes before going to shul, since this is disgracing the Shabbat. It is
therefore advisable to leave suitable footwear in shul before Shabbat to wear
after Shabbat.
21. Is the blessing recited over the spices?
No. It is forbidden to smell spices, since a person
must refrain from such a pleasure on Tisha B'Av.
22. Is the blessing recited over a Havdalah candle?
Yes. According to one custom, it is recited in shul
before the reading of Lamentations. According to another custom, it is recited
at home before Maariv, if there is time. According to some opinions, the
blessing should be recited over two regular candles and not over a braided
Havdalah candle.
23. May one wash the Shabbat dishes on Saturday night?
No. They may not be washed until Tisha B'Av afternoon.
24. Should a person who is not fasting recite Havdalah
before eating?
Yes. However, if he only needs to drink water
throughout the fast, he should not recite Havdalah.
25. Should such a person recite Havdalah immediately
after Shabbat. or wait until he needs to eat?
He should wait until he needs to eat.
26. When needing to eat on the fast day [in this
case, Sunday the 10th of Av], which sections of Havdalah are recited?
The introductory verses and the blessing over spices
should be omitted. The blessing over a candle should be omitted if he already
recited or heard it at the termination of Shabbat, or if he is reciting
Havdalah during the day.
27. Should Havdalah be recited over wine, grape juice,
or another drink?
According to most opinions, beer is the most preferred
drink.
If this is not possible, some opinions prefer the use
of a drink that has national importance. (A rabbi should be consulted to
ascertain which drinks qualify for this purpose.) Other opinions question the
use of such drinks, and prefer the use of grape juice.
If nothing else is available, wine may be used.
28. If wine or grape juice is used, should the cup be
given to a child to drink?
If a child above the age of six is available, the cup
should be given to him.
If not, the person who recites Havdalah should drink
the cup himself.
29. How much of the cup should be drunk?
A cheekful only.
30. Are children obligated to recite Havdalah before
they eat?
According to most opinions, they do not recite Havdalah
before eating.
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS PERTAIN TO THOSE WHO FASTED ALL
DAY SUNDAY THE 10TH OF AV:
31. After the fast, may one eat or drink before
Havdalah?
With the exception of water, it is forbidden to eat or
drink anything before Havdalah.
32. Which drink should be used for Havdalah?
One should use wine or grape juice. The person who
recites Havdalah should drink the cup himself.
33. Which parts of Havdalah are recited?
Only the two blessings “borei pri hagafen” and
“hamavdil.” The introductory verses are omitted, as are the blessings over the
spices and candle.
34. When are the various restrictions lifted?
Some are permitted immediately upon completion of the
fast (e.g. bathing, laundry and haircuts), while others remain prohibited until
the following morning (meat, wine and music). This
is when the fast occurs on the 10th, but this year most Ashkenazim
wait until Halachic Noon. Washing in cold water especially without soap can be
done after the fast if the circumstances justify it. Or laundering children’s,
toddler’s or infant’s clothing we are more lenient because of their propensity
to dirty clothing and their sensitive skin.
Excerpted from "Guidelines" - over 400
commonly asked questions about the Three Weeks (Targum/Feldheim).
From Atheist to Orthodox Convert:
By Briana Damavandi https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/6969036/jewish/From-Atheist-to-Emunah-My-Path-to-Orthodox-Conversion.htm
Mark Goldstein AI Parsha Devarim for Children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtoz0AdQw9w
The Desperate Sister of the Ari by R’ Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1442-44
Rabbi Yitzchak Luria,
the "Holy Ari" of Tsfat, had a sister who did not have children
for many years. She would beg her brother to bless her but he didn't respond to
her. So, more years went by, childless. One day she decided she would go to her
brother and not let up until he would promise her a child.
She said, "Why is
it that you can help everyone else but not your own sister?" The Arizal
answered her that he tries as much as possible, but he sees that the gates of
Heaven are closed. "Perhaps you can increase to daven [pray] to
Him directly," he suggested gently. This made her feel even more bitter.
Another few years
passed by, and still no child. She went again to her brother and insisted that
she would stay in his home until he helped her.
After a time he said
to her, "You can return home, for you will be blessed with a son.
But," he continued, "One thing I warn you. Never say 'this is my
child!' 'This is the fruits of my pregnancy!' I am warning you that if you or
your husband boast about the child, I then will release myself of all
responsibility for any possible tragedy that may befall him."
He was an exceptional
child and extremely gifted. Once, the father was sitting together with other
parents and each one was boasting about the talents of their child. So the
father spoke up, "True, your child is wonderful, but not even close to the
specialness of mine."
Immediately as he
completed these words, the child became blind. His mother was devastated. She
brought the child to the Arizal and asked him to raise him.
The child was miserable.
His blindness caused him to feel that the entire world was blackened. One day,
the Arizal came to him in the middle of the night and put an amulet around his
neck, saying to him, "This is food for the journey. Go to the place where
your steps will be directed."
The boy knew that it
is for his benefit, so he agreed. He felt his way through the dark city walking
blindly, not really sure of where his goal is. When he felt a lot of trees in
his path, he realized he had reached a forest and entered into it.
Suddenly he heard
voices and realized that people were approaching him. When they came close to
him they asked him if he would join them until the time will come for him to
return home.
It turned out these
people were the patriarchs and other tzadikim who had come to take him along
with them. As soon as he agreed and joined them, his sight returned! He learned
Torah from them, the revealed parts [Scripture, Mishna, Talmud] as well as the
secrets of Torah [Kabbalah]. After a period of time, he became a young Torah
genius.
He stayed with them
until his 13th birthday. Then they told him, "The time has now come for
you to go on your way. We have taught you all the Torah that we can. We will
give you one set of clothes, but we warn you not to change these for any others
until the day you see us again.
"When you will
leave us, you will go to a certain place that we will tell you and there you
will meet a man grinding wheat. You shall work for him but to all the questions
he will ask you, answer 'I don't know.' All your actions of piety should be
done is absolute secrecy so that everyone will think that you are a simpleton.
"After a while, a
man will approach you and ask if you are willing to become his son-in-law.
Agree. He will ask you if you will live on his property. Agree. But again,
beware: never change your clothing until you see us again, even if people will
beg you to do so."
* * *
He met the wheat
grinder and began working for him. The man noticed that the boy does
not daven (pray) -- just responds when asked, "I don't know
how."
Interestingly, from
when the boy arrived at the windmill, the owner was blessed with an abundance
of blessings. He, however, did not attribute it to the boy; rather, he simply
dismissed it as coincidence.
In a city, not too far
from the boy, lived a big Rav (Rabbi), who was quite famous for his greatness
in Torah knowledge. He had an only daughter for whom he had not yet been able
to find a suitable match. One night his deceased father came to him in a dream
and told him that his daughter's soulmate is in such and such village where he
works for the owner of the windmill. His wife had the same dream and his
daughter, too! But to the daughter, the old man added: "Beware. If you
won't take this man for a husband, you will die. His outer appearance might not
be appealing at first, but don't pay attention to it. This person is the
perfect match for you!"
In the morning, each
one told the dream they dreamed to each other. When the three realized that
they all had the same dream, they immediately agreed it was meant to be.
The Rav traveled to
the village with his daughter. The owner of the factory prepared a luscious
meal in their honor. The Rav was shocked when he saw the young man and tried
his best do dissuade his wife and daughter from going ahead, especially
considering his old ragged clothing. They, however, still trusted the dream, so
they refused to listen and nothing he said could change their minds.
The Rav was not
pleased at all with the circumstances, but realized there was nothing they
could do to change the situation, given that they knew their daughter's life
was at stake. They tried at various opportunities to talk to the young man
about changing his clothes, but to no avail. He insisted that these clothes
were dear to him and he will not change them. The daughter said, "If this
is what is destined for me, then so be it."
They decided on a date
for the wedding and began the preparations, hoping that at least for the
wedding he would wear other clothing. The Shabbat before the wedding the Rav
and the kallah (bride) too begged him to wear more presentable
clothing, but he remained steadfast.
During the afternoon
of the day of wedding, a shepherd walked into the home of the Rav and asked to
speak with the chatan (bridegroom). They embraced each other warmly,
which lifted the spirits of the kallah's family. May be this stranger will
be able to have some influence on him.
He agreed to speak
with the chatan, as they are old time friends. He reassured them that he
will come to the wedding with other clothing, befitting for the occasion. In
fact, right now he will change his under garments and shoes.
The day of the wedding
came and the hour, but the chatan insisted that they wait until some
more of his distinguished family members arrive. The guests waited and waited
and still no one showed up. Night fell, and no one came. One by one, the guest
got discouraged and left.
At midnight, the
sounds of a chariot were heard. The Arizal and his sister were seated in it,
along with other guests. The shepherd greeted each one - "Baruch HaBa"
("Welcome,"-lit. "blessed is the one who has come."),
Father Avraham; Welcome, Father Yitzchak; Welcome, Father Yaakov; then
continuing to welcome, Moshe, our Teacher, King David and Eliyahu ('Elijah')
the Prophet. The shepherd honored each one to dress the chatan with
new clothes, and King David to sing beautiful melodies while
the chatan and kallah were being escorted to
the chupah (wedding canopy).
At the meal,
the chatan delivered an impressive and well-received speech that
included deep insights in the revealed and hidden parts of Torah. The dancing
continued till dawn, whereupon the heavenly guests disappeared. The Arizal
stayed until after Shabbat. The mother of the chatan, the Arizal's sister,
stayed to live with the blessed couple until the end of her life. She lived to
enjoy much Nachas (pleasure) from them and their children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Revised
and adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "The Life of the Arizal: True
Stories from Tzefas's Golden Age" [translations from the Hebrew
sefer, Shivchei HaAri] by Rabbi Baruch Twersky, as posted by Zlata
Ehrenstein, long-time resident of Tsfat, on LinkedIn (July 26, 2017).
Why This Week? Tuesday night-Wednesday of this week is
Hei Av, the hilula-yahrzeit of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria.
Milestone: Tom Lehrer, 97, song writer. Had
comedy protest songs in the 1960’s.
Because of the nine days: “I’m spending Hanukah
in Santa Monica” link not here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Lehrer https://www.timesofisrael.com/tom-lehrer-satirist-who-sang-about-hanukkah-in-santa-monica-dies-at-97/
Milestone: Alon Abutbul, 60, actor both Israel
and Hollywood. https://www.timesofisrael.com/leading-israeli-actor-alon-abutbul-suddenly-dies-after-collapsing-at-beach/
Inyanay Diyoma
July 26th and 27th
Swords of Iron Day 659 and Day 660 start of
week 95
The nine days of Av starts joy decreases and
the hostage families are feeling it.
Friday morning and afternoon, we started having
mini power outages. It knocks the TV off the channel. Fortunately, the shelter
is on a very old technology and goes to radio which is good during a Houthi or
Iranian Attack if they occur. I keep going crazy adjusting my digit clock and
TVs.
Rumors have it that Trump and Rubio could
pressure Qatar to expedite Hamas Seniors for Oct. 7th as Americans
died. Also the pressure to make a complete end to the war is on.
Captain
Amir Saad, 22, from Yanuh-Jat, served as a technology and maintenance officer
in the Golani reconnaissance unit, Golani Brigade. Sergeant Inon Nuriel Vana,
20, from Kiriat Tivon, served as a technology and maintenance combat soldier in
the same unit. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412297
There was a Mishugina in Michigan. https://www.foxnews.com/us/law-enforcement-investigating-multiple-stabbing-incident-michigan-walmart-state-police
Defund the NYPD he says but he uses Uganda top
army troops for his personal security. This vicious antisemite in order to get
elected wants to show the married man. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nyc-democratic-mayoral-candidade-zohran-mamdani-throws-lavish-wedding-bash-military-guards-uganda
Ukraine hit by air attacks to wear down
population. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6376112514112?dicbo=v2-uOlgkzw
Israeli sources believe US and Israeli strikes in Iran last month
hampered the Islamic Republic’s development of two types of nuclear warheads
and an “electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon that could cripple Israel
electronically,” the Washington
Post
reported Saturday. BECAUSE THE US WENT WITH GE
INSTEAD OF TESSLER, THEY ARE VULNERABLE TO EMP BOMBS. https://www.timesofisrael.com/strikes-on-iran-thwarted-bomb-designed-to-cripple-israel-electronically-report/
In case you thought that the Houthis forgot
about us: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-shoots-down-houthi-missile-sirens-triggered-in-west-bank-dead-sea-area/
My Congressional District with Debbie Wasserman
Schultz is the most gerrymandered district probably in the USA. In TX: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-congressional-candidate-dragged-out-arrested-after-explosive-redistricting-hearing-it-shame
2014 https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-mk-summoned-for-questioning-by-police-over-sex-offense-charges/
Iran’s Crown Prince, Prince Reza Pahlavi, on Saturday successfully
convened the biggest and most diverse gathering ever of opposition activists
and groups to seize the opportunity for democratic change in Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412288
Flotilla stopped: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412279
Early
on Saturday, the IDF struck and eliminated the terrorist Ali Abd al-Qader
Ismail, a commander in the headquarters of the Bint Jbeil sector of the
Hezbollah terrorist organization. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412273
Miracle: A terrorist opened fire on Friday night at a group of
teenagers in the Or Nachman homestead, near Adei Ad in the Binyamin region. The
attack occurred from a distance of several dozen meters as the teens were
sitting on a porch outside one of the homes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412280
Another Miracle: In
Dnipro — often referred to as “the capital of Ukrainian Jewry” — more than 100
missiles and suicide drones were fired. One missile struck the upper floor of a
luxury residential building in the city center, home to one of the Chabad
emissary families, Rabbi Moshe and Shoshi Weber. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412289
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/25/the-far-left-and-far-right-can-agree-on-one-thing-jew-hatred/
July 28th
Swords of Iron Day 661
148 Arab victims of the Arab Mafia.
When the alleged assault occurred 11 years ago,
why start up your complaint now? https://www.timesofisrael.com/witch-hunt-likud-defends-mk-accused-of-rape-as-accuser-tells-of-alleged-assault/
Video
footage from the scene shows activists blocking an IDF jeep and engaging in a
heated verbal exchange with soldiers. Among the participants was Amir Pinski, a
prominent figure associated with the group, who was recorded shouting at female
soldiers and directing a provocative comment at a Druze IDF officer, stating,
"You're frustrated because you didn't manage to escape to Syria."
Pinski was also heard making a derogatory remark towards someone filming the
scene. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412300
An
IDF soldier suffered severe injuries Sunday after being crushed by an elevator
at the Kiriat military base in Tel Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412323
Earlier
on Sunday, an officer in the IDF's Desert Reconnaissance Battalion (585) and a
reservist tracker in the Southern Brigade, Gaza Division, were severely injured
during combat in the southern Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412315
UN fabricates stories. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412322
The
IDF on Saturday struck and eliminated Radwan Hezbollah terrorist Muhammad
Haidar Abboud in the area of Debaal in southern Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412321
In
recent days, troops from the 646th Brigade and Yahalom unit dismantled a Hamas
terror tunnel approximately 500 meters long in the Beit Hanoun area.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412314
Four
soldiers from Battalion 931 of the Nahal Brigade, who had fought in several
rounds of combat in the Gaza Strip, informed their commanders they would not
return to Gaza, citing severe emotional trauma experienced during fighting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412312
https://www.foxnews.com/world/from-talk-tactics-trump-pivots-russia-strategy-end-war
He might be the next VP Nomination: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-downplays-rumors-hes-slated-next-republican-presidential-nominee
Ten
thousand steps per day has been widely recommended as the standard benchmark
for physical
activity — but a new study suggests that just 7,000 could be enough to
boost essential health markers. https://www.foxnews.com/health/forget-10000-steps-research-reveals-real-number-you-need-better-health
Charedi misquoted – the real quote: "I apologize to the bereaved
families. Your sons are the holiest. Your pain is the pain of all of us. I weep
and mourn for every fallen soldier. Every fallen soldier is holy, no matter
their background. May God avenge their blood." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412324
US
Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized those who sought to pressure
Israel into allowing the UN to resume its role in the distribution of
humanitarian aid in Gaza following the publication of videos showing aid trucks
brought in under the UN's methods being violently looted. Huckabee wrote on X
in response to one such video: "Is the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy
now? I'm sure Hamas is. Their lies & propaganda destroyed cease-fire deal,
tried to discredit safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas & will
result in this complete balagan (terrible mess)!
Most sad for hostage families-grief prolonged." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412318
A
newly published intelligence report in the Netherlands has for the first time
classified Israel as a "direct security threat" to the country,
signaling a notable shift in bilateral relations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412342
The
military spokesperson of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Yahya Saree, announced on
Sunday night that the organization has decided to escalate its operations
against Israel, citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412340
Gaza Starvations a bold faced lie. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412339
A
passenger on an easyJet flight from Luton to Glasgow was arrested on Sunday
morning after allegedly shouting “Allahu Akbar” and claiming to have a bomb on
board, The Guardian reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412344
July 29th
Swords of Iron Day 662
Netanyahu is consulting more with President
Trump and ignoring the National Religious Members of the Cabinet. Is Iran preparing
for a surprise attack soon?
Israeli
officials believe that Qatar is leading Hamas’ propaganda campaign about a
"famine in Gaza," which is gaining widespread international traction,
according to a report on Channel 12 News this evening (Monday). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412391
There was a picture of a “staving boy from
Gaza” he has MD and is being treated in Italy for a long time. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412365
This week the www.rabbipauli.blogspot.com will have the laws of Erev Tisha B’Av that falls on Shabbos.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-disappointed-putin-says-hell-reduce-50-day-deadline
IDF
Arabic Spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee has released new footage refuting
Hamas’ claims of starvation in Gaza and illustrating the abundance found in the
terror group’s tunnels. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412375
Monday Gaza: The
documentation shows dozens of locals buying and walking through the fruit and
vegetable market, where some of the produce is visibly from Israel. Customers
are seen paying with Israeli currency, and Israeli canned goods are seen among
the stalls. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412376
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/28/israeli-defense-firm-lands-huge-deal-with-germany/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/28/beyond-borders-why-american-security-depends-on-hamas-demise/
Tensions
flared Monday morning at the Western Wall as members of the "Women of the
Wall" group clashed with security personnel after smuggling a Torah scroll
into the women's section in violation of site regulations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412369
Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a base of the IDF Intelligence Directorate
today (Monday), accompanied by the head of the Directorate, Major General
Shlomi Binder. During the visit, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the
soldiers and commanders of Military Intelligence for their contribution to
Operation "Am Kalavi" in Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412377
Safari animals keep cool with cold treats. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412368
An
almost-one-year-old baby girl has been connected to an ECMO machine and is in
critical condition after she contracted measles. The infant is vaccinated
according to schedule, but because she has not yet passed her first birthday,
she has not yet been vaccinated against the measles virus. The infant is
vaccinated according to schedule, but because she has not yet passed her first
birthday, she has not yet been vaccinated against the measles virus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412352
Hezballah on alert. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412331
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-citizens-among-jewish-community-members-arrested-in-iran-reports/
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Arab Israeli citizens’ involvement in terrorist activities in the
West Bank, particularly in the region’s north, has surged. Over the past two
years, the Shin Bet security agency has uncovered 16 cases involving Arab Israelis
linked to terror operatives in the West Bank or the transfer of weapons from
Israel to these groups. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1ol6anvex
As cyber warfare continues to play a central role in Israel’s
confrontation with Iran—particularly since the launch of Operation Rising Lion—Iranian cyber units appear to be expanding
their focus. https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/hjgpxv8ege
Jewish father and son targeted in Italy. https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/sjhar0vvee#autoplay
Israeli attendees at the Tomorrowland dance festival in Belgium
encountered disappointment when the performance of Israeli DJ Asher Swissa, known professionally as Skazi, was canceled due to pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, as the artist
himself explained. https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1zvh24dex
German Holocaust denier dead, a founder of the
Red Army Faction. https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/syd3qwhdeg
Palestinian
Authority (PA) cabinet leader Mohammad Mustafa on Monday demanded that the
Hamas terrorist organization relinquish control of the Gaza Strip and disarm. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412404
Dutch
media reported on Tuesday morning that the Netherlands will ban Finance
Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from
entering the country, claiming they "encouraged settler violence against
Palestinians." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412405
Interview with GHF Reverend in charge of GHF
(Gaza Humanitarian Food). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412407
Following
a warning by the "Or L'Achim" organization, the IDF issued an order
this week to remove publications and gifts from missionaries from IDF bases and
to prevent such occurrences in the future. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412408
Rabbi
Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a prominent figure in the haredi community, recently held
an emergency meeting at his home with leading rabbis from major yeshivot. The
urgent gathering was convened to address growing concerns over a small but
notable trend: yeshiva students from haredi backgrounds beginning to enlist in
the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412410
Iran and Nukes: Satellite
imagery reviewed by the Institute for Science and International Security has
revealed new activity at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear complex, according to its
president and founder David Albright. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412399
A
man in his mid-30s was killed this evening (Monday) at the Shamir Medical
Center (Assaf Harofeh) after a large tree collapsed on him. The incident
occurred within the hospital grounds. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412386
The
IDF 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.
… As part of the activity, the troops dismantled an underground terror tunnel,
approximately 400 meters long, that was located near the compound. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412381
Brazil
has announced its withdrawal from the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance, where it held observer status, citing legal limitations and concerns
linked to the war in Gaza. https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/hyqs1k8pxe
July 30th
Swords of Iron Day 663
In case you were worried that the Houthis
forgot Israel, then rest assured they sent a rocket last night that was shot
down far away. The NYT finally issued a correction about the starving children.
Some the mother was well fed. I had written based on the original Hebrew MD as
they said “genetic disease” but it turned out the picture of the child sent to
Italy was with CP which usually comes from lack of oxygen during birth.
The main headline in Israel and around the
world today is: https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-8-magnitude-quake-causes-tsunami-in-russia-japan-warnings-issued-across-pacific/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-intercepts-ballistic-missile-fired-by-yemens-houthis-no-injuries/
In
the Khan Yunis area, IDF troops eliminated several terrorists who posed a
threat, while the IAF targeted terrorist infrastructure and multiple weapons
storage facilities over the past day. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412419
6 outposts in Shomron dismantled. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412424
Op-Ed the blood libel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412467
NYT finally checked facts. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412458
Harvard
University is reportedly in advanced talks with the Trump administration to
resolve federal civil rights investigations related to the treatment of Jewish
and Israeli students on campus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412464
UCLA discrimination lawsuit. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412470
Israel
is not responsible to provide aid to Gaza, US Senator Tom Cotton has clarified. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412473
Fire in Sardinia causes evacuation by boat as
roads blocked.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jewish-communal-leader-among-victims-in-manhattan-mass-shooting/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-journalists-step-up-push-for-access-to-gaza-express-fear-for-hungry-colleagues/ Of course the
journalists are Hamas propagandists and well feed.
Israeli
authorities seized 140 exotic reptiles and arthropods at Ben-Gurion Airport in
a foiled attempt to smuggle them into the country this Tuesday, with many of
the animals being crammed into a single suitcase arriving from Thailand.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-862642
New
York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on
Monday a joint economic cooperation between NYC and Israel, headed on Israel's
part by Economy Minister and former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat. https://www.jpost.com/conferences/article-854637
Golani
Brigade combat team forces, operating under the command of Division 36, have
been active in recent days in the Khan Yunis area of the Gaza Strip. During the
operation, conducted in coordination with Yamam fighters, a tunnel was
discovered measuring one kilometer in length and approximately 15 meters deep. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412446
Op-Ed Ben Dror Yemeni: Netanyahu’s Media
Missteps. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/rkroxw8wle
Op-Ed: Samar Perry: Turkey a new rising threat
to Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/rj8k3hqdex
The
IDF published footage on Tuesday showing Hamas terrorists looting humanitarian
aid in Gaza amid debunked claims of a deliberate starvation campaign in Gaza.
In the footage filmed on July 25, 2025, armed Hamas terrorists are seen
violently looting humanitarian aid that had been transferred into the Gaza
Strip, preventing it from reaching the civilian population of Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412414
Jerusalem
Magistrate’s Court Judge Chavi Toker ordered the release this afternoon
(Tuesday) of Yinon Levi, who was attacked last
night by
Arab rioters in Mount Hebron and fired his weapon in self-defense, resulting in
the death of a Palestinian Arab. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412441
Over
the past month, IDF and Shin Bet forces have carried out dozens of operational
and undercover activities across Judea and Samaria as part of efforts to thwart
terrorism and protect the security of Israeli citizens. … Just in the past
week, Duvdevan fighters, guided by the Shin Bet, arrested two terrorists from
Ramallah who were planning an attack, as well as another terrorist from
Beitunia who was preparing to strike imminently. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412434
July 31st
Swords of Iron Day 664
A Houthi Drone was shot down over Sinai last
night.
Checking up on supplies to Gaza. US Special
Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on
Thursday, a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-862744
While
I wrote a few days ago about a rape case dismissed but reinstated from 2014 and
that was ridiculous. However, holding a kidnapped body since 2014 does not give
any closure. https://www.timesofisrael.com/mother-of-lone-remaining-hostage-held-since-before-oct-7-marks-11-years-of-hope-and-grief/
During
the Global Parliamentary Summit today (Wednesday), hosted at the United Nations
headquarters in Geneva by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Speaker of the
Knesset Amir Ohana addressed dozens of parliamentary leaders from around the
world. The Iranian, Yemeni, and Palestinian Authority stormed out of the summit
when Ohana got up to speak. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412490
During
a Wednesday operation to evacuate the Tzur Harel outpost in the Binyamin
region, a 15-year-old Jewish teen was wounded by gunfire from a Border Police
officer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412484
During
an Air Force practice bombing run, a fighter jet dropped fuel tanks into the
sea off the coast of Ashkelon due to a mid-flight technical malfunction. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412489
Public
diplomacy activist Yoseph Haddad was detained for questioning after discharging
a bullet from his handgun during a roadside altercation with another individual
in southern Tel Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412488
Self-hating Jews. https://www.timesofisrael.com/mamdani-holds-wide-edge-among-jewish-voters-in-new-nyc-mayoral-race-poll/
Bernie Sanders the socialist vs. Yisrael. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412523
A
haredi resident of Ashdod was allegedly physically and verbally assaulted at
2:15 a.m. on Wednesday by three local youths. During the attack, which occurred
when the man went to immerse new dishes in a ritual bath, as is required by
Jewish law, the assailants beat the man, cursed, and insulted the victim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412503
The
police released Israel advocacy activist Yoseph Haddad to house arrest on
Wednesday evening, hours after he was detained for shooting in
the air during a confrontation between him and another driver in Jaffa. The
police confiscated his firearm. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412510
A
Jewish group is outraged by Lithuania’s plans to convert a sports complex into
a convention center at the site of a historic Jewish cemetery, reversing
decades of advocacy to commemorate the memorial site. The Snipiskes Jewish
Cemetery, currently buried beneath the Soviet-era Vilnius Sports Palace. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412530
A source in the murderous terrorist organization Hamas told the Saudi
channel Al-Hadath that the organization informed mediators of a freeze
in negotiations for a ceasefire agreement, due to the worsening hunger
situation in the Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412529
President
Donald Trump will not support recognition of a Palestinian state, viewing such
a move as a reward for the Hamas terror group, a White House official said on
Wednesday, according to Reuters. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412518
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/30/kill-all-jews-fbi-investigates-attack-new-york-kosher-restaurant-possible-hate-crime/ I LIKE THE WORD POSSIBLE. THE SS
IN WWII POSSIBLE TOO.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/30/harvard-launches-new-academic-partnerships-israel/
10 minute video on why Al Jazeera wants to
destroy the west especially Israel and the USA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxykIRtiYf0
Aug. 1st
Swords of Iron Day 665 end of week 95
Today, Israeli temperatures are seasonal but
the high humidity is not so. I should be with the saving of the equivalent of
207 trees from electrical production over 18.3 MW from the start of the year. However,
clouds are slowing down my electric production a bit. Still uncertain if
electricity from the sun pays back the expense quick enough that had I kept in
stocks would have paid better. But it is sort of planet patriotic. I estimate
it takes 8.67 years to break even and then in the 10th year have to
replace the batteries. I am also taking into account the increase in the price
of electricity. So like I say it is more patriotic and maybe will get a prize
in the next world.
Iran
is “directly engaging criminal networks abroad to carry out attacks against
Jewish targets and make Jews in Europe unsafe,” according to the July Iran report
by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-862836
The IDF confirmed on Thursday that it struck
infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons in the
Beqaa area and in southern Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412565
The IDF on Thursday bombed the
largest Hezbollah precision missile facility in Lebanon to prevent the Lebanese
terror group from rebuilding it, Defense
Minister Israel Katz confirmed. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-862900
The United States has
announced the imposition of visa restrictions on members of the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA),
citing violations of longstanding US legislation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412551
Golani
13th Battalion drones detected a squad of armed terrorists on Wednesday
positioned on a mound of dirt near the IDF's logistical route, mounting a
well-planned ambush. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412553
Troops
from the Kfir Brigade, under the command of the 36th Division, are operating in
southern Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. … During the activity, the troops
located a weapons storage facility where large amounts of fragmentation
grenades, explosive devices, mortar shells, and sniper rifles were hidden.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412558
At
least 23 people were injured, some seriously, when a thrill ride snapped in
half mid-cycle at an amusement park in Saudi Arabia. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412555
US
President Donald Trump uploaded a post on Truth Social in which he called out
Hamas and called on the terror organization to release the hostages
immediately. "The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is
for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!" the President wrote. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412550
The
FBI has launched a hate crime investigation into an alleged antisemitic assault
on multiple Jewish diners at a kosher restaurant in Queens, New York, the Algemeiner
reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412552
Virginia
city councilman doused in gasoline and lit on fire in attack at his office
The
court on Thursday cleared for publication that Tamar Gershoni, a Tel Aviv
resident and left-wing activist, is the woman
indicted for plotting the
assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She has terminal
cancer and didn’t care if she got the death penalty. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412544
A
toddler, approximately three years old, was found Thursday morning inside a
locked vehicle in Rehovot, after apparently being left there alone overnight.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412540
Shira
Gross, a senior student at the Amit Givat Shmuel Ulpana, won a silver medal at
the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), held this year in the Philippines.
Her achievement earned not only international recognition but also admiration
for her steadfast commitment to modesty and faith throughout the competition.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412549
A
bronze coin minted by Jews in Jerusalem during the final year before the
destruction of the Second Temple was discovered during archaeological
excavations in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden - Davidson Center.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412539
Israeli
President Isaac Herzog will depart Sunday evening, for a series of official
visits to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, at the invitation of the presidents
of the three countries. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412547
Arab
Israel advocate Yoseph Haddad was summoned for further questioning on Thursday
morning, a day after an altercation in Jaffa during which he claims he was
physically assaulted by an Arab man who recognized him while riding a scooter.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412543
Chief
Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Sir Ephraim
Mirvis, on Wednesday condemned the British government’s stated intention
to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that such a move would undermine
efforts to achieve peace and embolden Hamas.
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-862789
2 Druze charged with smuggling AK-47 from
Syria. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkjv1advlg#autoplay
A
new interpretation of 3,000-year-old inscriptions from an ancient Egyptian turquoise mine in southern Sinai could provide the first evidence
of the biblical figure of Moses, according to independent researcher Michael Bar-Ron. https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/hytqwevwxg
Opium story: A social media
account affiliated with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency published a pointed critique Friday of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accusing him
of being unfit to govern due to alleged substance abuse and detachment from
public needs. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1s1oi7pge
Shabbat
Candle lighting times. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
Israel will pay 15% tariffs instead of 17%
while PLO loving Canada another story. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-escalates-canada-tariffs-35-while-setting-new-tariff-rates-dozens-other-countries
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-imposes-15-tariff-on-goods-from-israel-as-part-of-sweeping-new-trade-policy/
It is time to recognize PTSD suicides. https://www.timesofisrael.com/reservist-medic-dies-by-suicide-prompting-idf-to-reassess-casualty-recognition/
President
Donald Trump addressed the situation in Gaza during an interview with NBC News,
which aired on Thursday night. … "We want to make sure people get
fed," he said. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412594
Counterproductive:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed the recent moves by the governments of
Canada, France, and the United Kingdom to recognize a Palestinian state,
stating that those who seek to recognize such a state “can’t even tell you
where this Palestinian state is" or who would rule it. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412605
Attorney
General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel stated that recently exposed
intelligence documents prove Hillary Clinton personally authorized a secret
plan to discredit then-presidential candidate Donald Trump before the 2016
election. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412606
Troops
of the Givati Brigade, under the command of the 162nd Division, are operating
in the Beit Hanoun area in the northern Gaza Strip as part of Operation
“Gideon’s Chariots.” As part of the operation, the troops, in cooperation with
Yahalom unit soldiers, eliminated a terrorist cell that was inside a tunnel in
Beit Hanoun, approximately five kilometers from the Ashkelon-Sderot railway
line.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412567
The
Hamas terrorist organization issued a statement on Wednesday addressing the
growing international momentum toward Palestinian statehood and mounting calls
for the group to disarm and relinquish control over the Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412582
Rep.
Marjorie Taylor Greene came right out this week and slandered Israel by saying the
Jewish nation was committing genocide in Gaza, Greene strongly insinuated it
ten days earlier when attempting to undermine America’s strongest ally to
defend itself. Thankfully, a special wisdom was displayed in the House of
Representatives on July 17, 2025, when the members voted against Marjorie
Taylor Greene’s amendment to reduce funding for Israel in the Department of
Defense appropriations package for 2026. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412603
The
pilot taught the 9/11 hijackers how to fly. https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/07/31/france-spain-locked-diplomatic-dispute-removal-french-jewish-teenagers-flight/
Op-Ed Yossi Yoshua Israel Weighs next move in
Gaza. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/h111p11xqwel#autoplay
Chinese winning electronic vehicle market. Electric
vehicles from Western, Korean and European manufacturers, once top sellers in
Israel just two years ago, are largely unavailable from importers, Ynet's
sister Calcalist recently reported. https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/b1ri2dvpel
Have a wonderful, healthy, peaceful
Shabbos and a Productive Fast,
Rachamim Pauli
