Parsha Vaeira
Moshe is down and out
from the rejection of Pharaoh and the Bnei Yisrael turning against him.
6:2 And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him: 'I am the LORD; 3
and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty, but
by My name YHWH I made Me not known to them. 4 And I have also established My
covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their sojornings,
wherein they sojourned. 5 And moreover I have heard the groaning of the
children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered
My covenant. 6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the LORD, and I
will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver
you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and
with great judgments; 7 and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be
to you a God; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you
out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the
land, concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and
to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD.' 9 And Moses
spoke so unto the children of Israel; but they hearkened not unto Moses for
impatience of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
Our Rabbis teach “Don’t
depend of miracles.” So this tradition might have been in the family from
either Adam, Noach, Shem, Avraham, Yitzchak and/or Yacov. After Pharaoh’s
rejection of Moshe and more burdens, the people turned from believers to down
and out disappointed and perhaps depressed.
10 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 11 'Go in, speak unto
Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.'
12 And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying: 'Behold, the children of Israel
have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of
uncircumcised lips?'
One thing is the elders
listening to me but because of their burdens, the Bnei Yisrael are not
listening unto me. How can I convince a stubborn Pharaoh, who thinks he’s a god?
13 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a
charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring
the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
Moshe was the ‘baby’ in
the family and always turned to his big brother for help so G-D prophesized to
both of them.
4 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben
the first-born of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the
families of Reuben. 15 And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and
Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaan woman. These are the families
of Simeon. 16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their
generations: Gershon and Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi
were a hundred thirty and seven years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and
Shimei, according to their families. 18 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, and
Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were a
hundred thirty and three years. 19 And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi.
These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20 And
Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and
Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty and seven
years.
Since the giving of the
Torah, marrying an uncle is permitted but marrying an aunt is forbidden. Then
intra-marriage in the family was considered a positive thing.
21 And the sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 And the
sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 And Aaron took him
Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, to wife; and she
bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 24 And the sons of Korah: Assir,
and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. 25 And
Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she
bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites
according to their families. 26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the
LORD said: 'Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according
to their hosts.' 27 These are they that spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to
bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron. 28
And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spoke unto Moses in the land of
Egypt,
The Torah wants to teach
us the pedigree of Moshe and Aharon, but because Reuven and Shimon were born
first and second, we hear the pedigree of three brothers.
29 that the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'I am the LORD; speak
thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak unto thee.' 30 And Moses said
before the LORD: 'Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh
hearken unto me?' 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'See, I have set thee in
God's stead to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
I have sent you on a
level of a god to talk to Pharaoh the god and Aharon will translate into
eloquent Egyptian your request.
2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother
shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his
land. 3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders
in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay
My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth My hosts, My people the children of Israel,
out of the land of Egypt, by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know
that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth My hand upon Egypt, and bring out the
children of Israel from among them.' 6 And Moses and Aaron did so; as the LORD
commanded them, so did they. 7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron
fourscore and three years old, when they spoke unto Pharaoh.
Now we know that Moshe
had reached 80.He was an elder in everybody’s eyes.
8 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: 9 'When
Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying: Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt
say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a
serpent.' 10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as the
LORD had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his
servants, and it became a serpent.
Aharon shall be told by
you to preform a miracle as Pharaoh tells his magicians.
11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers; and
they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their secret arts.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron's
rod swallowed up their rods.
The snake charmer
hypnotizes the snake into a rod but is really a true snake.
13 And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto
them; as the LORD had spoken.
Although it is unusual
for their charmed snake rods to eat one
another or turn back to a staff, Pharaoh was not convinced.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Pharaoh's heart is stubborn, he
refuses to let the people go. 15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he
goes out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink to meet him;
and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand. 16 And
thou shalt say unto him: The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto
thee, saying: Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness; and,
behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened; 17 thus saith the LORD: In this thou
shalt know that I am the LORD--behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my
hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
18 And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become
foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.'
The water had a bad
taste and perhaps stench.
19 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and
stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their
streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may
become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both
in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.' 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as
the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in
the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all
the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 And the fish that
were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians could not
drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their secret arts; and
Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had
spoken. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even
this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug round about the river for water to
drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. 25 And seven days
were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Even well water or other
water was affected. Only if they purchased from a ben Yisrael was it potable.
26 And the LORD spoke unto Moses: 'Go in unto Pharaoh, and say unto
him: Thus saith the LORD: Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 27 And if
thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs. 28
And the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into thy
house, and into thy bed-chamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy
servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy
kneading-troughs. 29 And the frogs shall come up both upon thee, and upon thy
people, and upon all thy servants.'
My eldest son had a
first grade teacher named Aharon, he would teach Torah to the first graders
that the “frogs were in Pharaoh’s pajamas” they would laugh, remember and
joyfully tell the story to their parents. There is one thing a frog or two
getting into a house and another a swam of noisy croaking frogs everywhere you
turned or tried to eat something.
8:1 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto Aaron: Stretch forth
thy hand with thy rod over the rivers, over the canals, and over the pools, and
cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.' 2 And Aaron stretched out his
hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of
Egypt. 3 And the magicians did in like manner with their secret arts, and
brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
There will be those who
tell you that since the fish died in the first plague, the frogs or tadpoles were
not eaten by the fish that died from lack of oxygen or seeing the other creatures
in the first plague. When HASHEM plans something, it comes naturally if
possible. Making the first two plagues violate probability makes them into a Nes
(Miracle) all the more so when combined with the next 8 plagues.
4 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said: 'Entreat the
LORD, that He take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let
the people go, that they may sacrifice unto the LORD.'
The magicians could use
demons to make the frogs appear, but could not get rid of these pests.
5 And Moses said unto Pharaoh: 'Have thou this glory over me;
against what time shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy
people, that the frogs be destroyed from thee and thy houses, and remain in the
river only?' 6 And he said: 'Against to-morrow.' And he said: 'Be it according
to thy word; that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our
God. 7 And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy
servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.' 8 And
Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh; and Moses cried unto the LORD concerning
the frogs, which He had brought upon Pharaoh. 9 And the LORD did according to
the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and
out of the fields.
There will be no more frogs except in the rivers and ponds
but not in people’s houses.
10 And they gathered them together in heaps; and the land stank.
If one has a frog that
dies in his yard, he would have to put it close to his nose to get a smell, but
a quantity of hundreds or thousands would produce a stench.
11 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his
heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken.
Like many leaders, they
say something but don’t mean it. It was Pharaoh under duress but he would not
let the people go. He hardened his heart as at this point until the 6th
plague he had free will from then until the tenth plague he was forced by G-D
to refuse but his people already started to believe.
12 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto Aaron: Stretch out thy
rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become (gnats – a bad
translation) lice throughout all the land of
Egypt.' 13 And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and
smote the dust of the earth, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast; all
the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 14 And the
magicians did so with their secret arts to bring forth lice, but they could
not; and there were lice upon man, and upon beast. 15 Then the magicians said
unto Pharaoh: 'This is the finger of God'; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened,
and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken.
The Magicians used what
we call in Hebrew Shadim/demons that were created between a physical and
spiritual form. These beings were interacting with the magicians and could move
water and frogs but not something tiny like lice.
16 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Rise up early in the morning, and
stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him: Thus
saith the LORD: Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 17 For if you do not send forth My people, I will
incite a mixed horde of wild beasts, snakes,
and scorpions against you, your
courtiers, your people, and your homes. The houses of the Egyptians will be
filled with the mixed horde of wild beasts, as will the ground upon which they stand be filled with snakes and scorpions.
Chabad
takes the Rashi below and translates the standing on the ground to snakes and
scorpions that can go under one’s feet.
אֶת־הֶֽעָרֹב - A mixed
horde -
i.e., all different types of wild beasts, snakes, and scorpions in a
chaos (עִרְבּוּבְיָא) in modern Hebrew this word means a mixture of all sorts
of things,
so that they wreak destruction among the Egyptians in a terrifying manner. There is a reason given in the aggadic sources for
each plague, why this one came
first
and this one next: God came against them with the war tactics of kings, in
the order followed
by a sovereign power when it
besieges a city. First it ruins the
city’s
water sources, and afterwards the
attackers
blast and make wailing sounds with shofars to intimidate and confuse the inhabitants, and similarly the frogs were croaking and making
noise, etc., as is stated in Midrash Rabbi Tanchuma. Similarly, the havoc caused by the mixed horde was an
integral component of the plague.
18 And I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which My
people dwell, that no swarms of mixed beasts
shall be there; to the end that thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the
midst of the earth.
Egypt is in Africa and
it does not take much for HASHEM to bring wild beasts from the heart of Africa
to travel along the Nile down to Egypt. What does it take for hundreds of thousands
of wilder beasts, elephants and others to reach Egypt followed by predators and
perhaps monkeys and apes to do some monkey business.
19 And I will put a division between My people and thy people--by
to-morrow shall this sign be.' 20 And the LORD did so; and there came grievous
swarms of wild animals into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants'
houses; and in all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by reason of the
swarms of wild beasts. 21 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said:
'Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.' 22 And Moses said: 'It is not meet
so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD
our God; lo, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their
eyes, will they not stone us?
They worshipped the
lamb. The slaughtering of lambs for sacrifices would have roused up the
Egyptians.
23 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and
sacrifice to the LORD our God, as He shall command us.' 24 And Pharaoh said: 'I
will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness;
only ye shall not go very far away; entreat for me.' 25 And Moses said:
'Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the LORD that the swarms of
flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people,
tomorrow; only let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the
people go to sacrifice to the LORD.'
Pharaoh and some Israeli
Politicians don’t have the reputation of keeping their word.
26 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 27 And
the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of mixed
beasts from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not
one. 28 And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the
people go.
A pattern is developing
here. During the plague the brave Pharaoh starts to grovel. After the plague is
gone, Pharaoh becomes fortified and full of Chutzpa.
9:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses: 'Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell
him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go, that they
may serve Me. 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3
behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which are in the field, upon
the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the herds, and upon the
flocks; there shall be a very grievous murrain or
plague.
This plague has an
affect on the animals only and does not spread to humans.
4 And the LORD shall make a division between the cattle of Israel
and the cattle of Egypt; and there shall nothing die of all that belongs to the
children of Israel.' 5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying: 'Tomorrow the
LORD shall do this thing in the land.' 6 And the LORD did that thing on the
morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died; but of the cattle of the children of
Israel died not one. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not so much as
one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was
stubborn, and he did not let the people go.
Not one Israeli animal
died and the difference was reported to Pharaoh but still he was stubborn.
8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron: 'Take to you
handfuls of soot of the furnace, and let Moses throw it heavenward in the sight
of Pharaoh. 9 And it shall become small dust over all the land of Egypt, and
shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast, throughout
all the land of Egypt.' 10 And they took soot of the furnace, and stood before
Pharaoh; and Moses threw it up heavenward; and it became a boil breaking forth
with blains upon man and upon beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand
before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were upon the magicians, and
upon all the Egyptians. 12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he
hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
Everybody, including the
magicians got it. They were embarrassed or forbidden in such a state to go
before Pharaoh looking as they did.
13 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Rise up early in the morning, and
stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of the
Hebrews: Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 14 For I will this time send
all My plagues upon thy person, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people;
that thou mayest know that there is none like Me in all the earth. 15 Surely
now I had put forth My hand, and smitten thee and thy people with pestilence,
and thou have been cut off from the earth. 16 But in very deed for this cause
have I made thee to stand, to show thee My power, and that My name may be
declared throughout all the earth. 17 As yet exalt thou thyself against My
people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18 Behold, tomorrow about this time I
will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt
since the day it was founded even until now. 19 Now therefore send, hasten in
thy cattle and all that thou hast in the field; for every man and beast that
shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come
down upon them, and they shall die.' 20 He that feared the word of the LORD
among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the
houses; 21 and he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and
his cattle in the field.
It starts becoming a
question: Whom do you fear? The L-RD or the self proclaimed god, Pharaoh?
22 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Stretch forth thy hand toward
heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon
beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.' 23 And
Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and
hail, and fire ran down unto the earth; and the LORD caused to hail upon the
land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire flashing up amidst the hail, very
grievous, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a
nation.
Fiery hail. Some
scientists think that this might have been Vulcanic pieces shot out of
Stromboli.
25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was
in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field,
and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the
children of Israel were, was there no hail.
This particular destructive
hail with fire within only fell upon the Egyptians and not in Goshen.
27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto
them: 'I have sinned this time; the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are
wicked. 28 Entreat the LORD, and let there be enough of these mighty
thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.' 29
And Moses said unto him: 'As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread
forth my hands unto the LORD; the thunders shall cease, neither shall there be
any more hail; that thou mayest know that the earth is the LORD'S. 30 But as
for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.'--
Moshe finally tells
Pharaoh that he knows that Pharaoh will promise but not release the Bnei
Yisrael.
31 And the flax and the barley were smitten; for the barley was in
the ear, and the flax was in bloom. 32 But the wheat and the
spelt were not smitten; for they ripen late.--
Next week, the next
plague will give a coup de grace to the wheat and spelt.
33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread forth
his hands unto the LORD; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not
poured upon the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and
the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his
heart, he and his servants. 35 And the heart of Pharaoh was
hardened, and he did not let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken
by Moses.
Pharaoh’s heart was
hardened. It is just an accident that the blood, red clay or algae ruined the
Nile for a week and then came frogs, etc.
An Article on War Wounded and their Fight for
Normalcy.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-882816
Miracles are natural
processes in is the unusual non-standard deviation from the normal way things
happen. It can very well be that red clay or red algae occurs on the Nile once
every 6,000, 10,000 or million years it happens “naturally” but Moshe coming to
Pharaoh at that split second, moment makes it into a miracle.
My wife enables this
blogspot and as we age has so medical problems. A few months ago she called up
a number of hospitals to get to a certain clinic. The normal waiting time was
months to wait to see the Professor. She was on back-up. The next day, somebody
cancelled and she could see the Professor on such and such a day. He scheduled
her for a procedure a short time later.
She had relief from a
lot of pain to more bearable pain. Monday this week was supposed to be the
second procedure. Last week, my wife got a call, the Professor, our age,
working out of retirement has taken ill and may not return ever. Next time to
see the head of the Medical Department is in June. My wife was more than a
little upset.
Sunday Morning, my
wife got a phone call, somebody cancelled there is an opening at 11AM. We
stopped everything and off to the out-patient clinic we went. We then got an
appointment on Tuesday for the injection. Anybody who knows medical lines in
Israel can say that this is unbelievable quick.
Is Vaping Kosher?
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/7199337/jewish/Is-Vaping-Kosher.htm#:
Chabad posed this
question and it turns out that there are problems with the source of the
chemical flavoring. In addition Pesach questions of Kashrus. Finally, I hold it
is dangerous to one’s health based on studies.
Chabad: The
ideal, of course, is to avoid vaping altogether. But for those who do vape, it
is strongly preferable to use products with trusted kosher certification (and yes, they do
exist on the market).
Holy
Murderers and a Crazed Jew by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1466-17
This English rendition
is ultimately sourced in a story told by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in a public
gathering on Shabbat Beresheis 5735.
Some 250 years ago in
Russia, near the area where the first Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Shneur Zalman,
lived, there was a crazy man. He had been a normal, sensible religious Jew with
a wife and family until one day he suddenly lost his mind and began screaming
and thrashing about for no apparent reason.
His family was
shocked, his friends tried to help, his neighbors shook their heads in pity and
the Rabbis prayed, but it didn't help. So they collected money and went for
professional help.
But the doctors also
were at a loss and couldn't figure out what to do. They just scratched their
heads and shrugged their shoulders and said that perhaps it would just go away
as suddenly as it came. Or perhaps they had to be patient and gradually he would
improve. But the years passed and he didn't.
To have him committed
to an asylum was out of the question. There he would be treated like an animal
and would be thrown together with dangerous maniacs.
Then someone suggested
that they try the [founding] Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Shneur Zalman. So they
bound him, got him into a carriage, and after several hours were in the town of
Liozna entering the Rebbe's office.
In the presence of the
Rebbe the madman was fairly still, once in a while giving a grunt or some other
non-human sound and occasionally waving his hands, but surprisingly, when the
Rebbe said he wanted to tell them a story and asked them to be seated, he sat
and they untied him and he remained relatively still.
The Rebbe began.
"It says in the Talmud (Gittin 57b) that when Nebuchadnezzar conquered
Israel and his troops entered the First Temple to destroy it, they noticed
there was a pool of blood bubbling on the floor of the Temple courtyard. The
commanding general then gathered the Kohanim ('priests') and asked for an
explanation. They explained that it was the blood of a little-known Jewish
Prophet called Zechariah [not the famous one who lived years later in the
beginning of the Second Temple]."
When he saw they were
all paying attention, the Rebbe continued.
"Now, please
listen closely. The accepted story is that the Jews stoned him to death because
he stood in the Temple courtyard and told them things they didn't want to
hear--enumerating their sins and threatening them with death and exile if they
didn't repent.
"But, in fact,
that is not what happened. The story is quite different. The motive in killing
him was much more positive."
The Rebbe looked at
the crazy man and then at his family to make sure they were listening and continued.
"The fact is that
only a few men stoned Zechariah and they were 'tzadikim--totally righteous
Jews--perhaps the only Jews that had not sinned in those days. And they stoned
him in order to save everyone else.
"The fact is, he
did not anger anyone; he didn't even speak. As soon as he stood before the
crowd, these holy men understood what he was about to say.
"They knew that
he was about to prophesize the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the
Jews to Babylon. And they also knew that because his words were prophesy, as
soon as they would be uttered the decree would be sealed unless the Jews
repented. But they were aware that the Jews weren't ready to change their ways.
"So they decided
that they had to make the ultimate sacrifice even if it would cost them both
this world and the next! They knew that by killing him they would die as
sinners … but so great was their brotherly love that they didn't care about
themselves; only about stopping that prophesy and possibly averting the decree
of death and destruction.
"But perhaps you
will ask why didn't the prophet Zacharia himself refuse to make his prophesy?
Certainly, he had no less love for his fellow Jews than those who killed him.
Why didn't he just keep quiet?
"If you try to
explain that if he did so he would be punishable by death [which is the law
regarding a prophet that refuses to prophesize]. If so, then why didn't he give
his life as those who killed him were willing to do?
"The answer is
that a true prophet is nothing more than a conduit for G-d's messages and he
knows that G-d is good. In other words, his entire essence exists only to give
over his prophesy with no worry of its repercussions [which was the mistake of
Jonah the prophet].
"But those who
killed him did worry and they felt they had no choice but to make a desperate
attempt to save the Jewish people from tragedy and exile. So they murdered him.
And the gates of hell
also would not admit them because of their pure intentions. So they have been
waiting to be rectified.
"That is why you
came to me." The Rebbe concluded.
"These souls
entered your father's body and made him insane in the hope that someone could
find some redeeming quality in their sin and free them. And that is what I did.
"When I presented
a zechut (merit) on their deed, I made a 'Tikun' (rectification) on their souls
and now both they and your father are released."
Suddenly the insane man closed his
eyes briefly, smiled with relief and began to breathe easily. He was cured!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Modified and
supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles from the free translation of R. Tuvia Bolton
from Ma Sheseeper li HaRebbe (vol. 2 pg. 32),based on the telling by the
Lubavitcher Rebbe in Tishrei 5735 (Oct. 1976), as posted on lchaimweekly.org in
5770 (2010).
Why This Week? The 24th of the Jewish month of Tevet [2026: Tuesday, Jan.
13] is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shneur-Zalman, founder and first Rebbe of Chabad
Chasidut.
Biographic note:
Rabbi Shneur-Zalman [18 Elul 1745-24 Tevet 1812], one of the main disciples of
the Maggid of Mezritch, is the founder of the Chabad-Chassidic movement. He is
the author of Shulchan Aruch HaRav and Tanya as well as many other major works
in both Jewish law and the mystical teachings.
Milestone: Hessy Levinson Taft, 91,
the Jewish ideal Aryan baby. https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-woman-whose-baby-photo-was-chosen-by-goebbels-as-aryan-exemplar-dies-at-91/
Milestone: Adolfo Kaminsky, 97, a member of the French resistance who
inked and stamped false identity cards, baptismal certificates, ration books
and other documents for thousands of Jews during World War 2, has died.
Milestone: Gavriel Barkay, 81, https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologist-gabriel-barkay-pioneer-of-temple-mount-research-dies-at-81/
Inyanay Diyoma
Jan. 10th
Swords of Iron Day 827
start of week 119
President Trump: Hundreds of
Iranians killed in protests. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-882883
https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-internet-remains-cut-off-after-36-hours-amid-deadly-anti-regime-protests/
As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes forward with the next phase
of his Middle East peace plan, the IDF has formulated a plan for a potential
ground operation in Gaza, targeting areas under Hamas control, the Wall Street
Journal reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with the preparations. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1tycjgswg#autoplay
https://www.timesofisrael.com/day-after-pro-hamas-protest-mamdani-says-hate-chants-have-no-place-in-our-city/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/venezuela-says-in-talks-with-us-to-restore-diplomatic-ties-after-maduro-deposed/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-exiled-crown-prince-rises-as-a-figure-in-protests-decades-after-leaving-his-homeland/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-agency-says-13-killed-by-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-after-failed-missile-launch/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanon-inks-deal-with-international-firms-to-explore-gas-in-offshore-area-bordering-israel/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/powerful-storm-kills-kitesurfer-plane-reportedly-hit-by-lightening-lands-safely/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/child-seriously-hurt-after-rock-thrown-at-bus-of-jewish-third-graders-in-new-jersey/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/longtime-pro-israel-democrat-steny-hoyer-announces-retirement-from-us-house/
Arsenic and old lace: https://www.foxnews.com/us/pennsylvania-man-allegedly-found-over-100-sets-human-remains-home-storage-unit-horror-movie
https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-driver-allegedly-kills-2-more-people-bail-previous-fatal-crash
https://www.foxnews.com/us/minneapolis-police-nowhere-found-agitators-seize-control-street-after-ice-shooting
https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-police-chief-cries-admitting-dhs-right-tren-de-aragua-ties-cbp-shooting
Iran on highest alert. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420676
Rocket launchers in Lebanon hit. As part of the
strikes, the IDF targeted weapons storage facilities and a weapons production
site that were used for the rehabilitation and military buildup of the Hezbollah
terrorist organization. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420661
Thursday, Gilad Sharon claimed that "Hamas is still making
money off Bibi," and that the policy toward Gaza included "paying
tribute to terrorists and transferring billions in cash to them." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420613
Hamas rocket lands near Gaza
Hospital. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420593
Zionist Christian Evangelical leader Laurie Cardoza-Moore and
President of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations blasted US Vice President JD
Vance for what she described as his "inability to take a moral, Christian
stance on antisemitism." Her comments come in light of an interview that
the Vice President did on Tuesday on CNN commentator Scott Jennings’
podcast. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420607
Thurs: IDF soldiers
were dispatched to Shavei Shomron Junction, following a report received of
dozens of masked Israeli suspects vandalizing property in the area.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420606
Despite they cease and Syria fires: The Syrian army
carried out new strikes in parts of Aleppo on Shabbos after issuing evacuation
orders to residents, as clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420610
Thurs: "Despite
the statements published today in Lebanon, the facts remain that extensive
Hezbollah military infrastructure still exists south of the Litani River,"
the Foreign Ministry said. "The goal of disarming Hezbollah in southern
Lebanon remains far from being achieved." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420601
Egyptian ship infiltrates forbidden
Gaza waters. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420621
Poll: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420630
A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force
the US government to carry out emergency rescues of Palestinian Arab Americans
and their relatives trapped in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420643
Op-Ed Melanie Philips How
International Law is weaponized against Israel.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420645
https://www.wnd.com/2026/01/chinese-illegal-alien-arrested-filming-stealth-bombers-near/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-says-he-seeks-to-end-us-military-aid-to-israel-within-a-decade/
Jan. 11th
Swords of Iron Day 828
I am losing count if it is 16 or more
dead Arabs in Mafia disputes. This time a 16 year old and last week an 18 year
old medical student and a father and young son installing security cameras.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-military-launches-airstrikes-against-isis-targets-syria-officials-say
Over the weekend, several security situation assessments were held
in the IDF, led by the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, amid the latest
developments in Iran.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420726
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf,
threatened that the Islamic Republic would launch attacks on Israel if the US
intervenes militarily in the widespread protests against the Ayatollahs'
regime. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420715
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-planning-new-gaza-city-op-in-march-but-will-need-okay-from-trump-officials/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/protester-replaces-islamic-republic-flag-with-shah-era-banner-at-irans-london-embassy/
President
Trump it is time: According to the news website, even the most conservative
estimates indicate that at least 2,000 people have been killed in the past 48
hours.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420699
Netanyahu
called Rubio over the Iranian crackdown. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry5ns9esze#autoplay
President
Donald Trump has in recent days been briefed on new military strike options
against Iran, as he weighs whether to follow through on his threat to respond
to the regime’s violent crackdown on protesters. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420701
A 34-year-old Winnipeg man is accused of carrying out a spray‑painting
spree that targeted a synagogue, a mosque, and
a dozen other locations with what police described as “hate‑related"
graffiti, though no hate‑crime charges have yet been laid.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420702
Musician Bob Weir dies at 78. https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-882911
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/09/irans-leadership-draws-up-contingency-escape-plans-widespread-anti-government-protests-reports/
https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/minneapolis-ice-shooting-1-10-2026
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-flips-kill-switch-hide-alleged-crimes-death-toll-rises-amid-protests
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-flips-kill-switch-hide-alleged-crimes-death-toll-rises-amid-protests
Bangladesh wants to join Gaza Force.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420705
Former Haaretz commentator Alon Pinkas received payments
totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels over more than a year from a company
controlled by lobbyist Jay Footlik, according to a report published in Haaretz.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420697
An officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel was found lifeless
Saturday in his home in central Israel. Lt. Col. Avishai Harer is the officer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420720
On Saturday, IDF troops operating in the southern Gaza Strip
identified three terrorists who crossed the Yellow Line and approached the
troops, posing an immediate threat to them. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420679
The last Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters left
the Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday,
state-run Ekhbariya TV said, following a ceasefire deal that allowed
evacuations after days of deadly clashes. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-882909
Will
circumcision be outlawed in Britain? The Crown Prosecution Service is preparing
a new draft guidance that will soon be circulated to local prosecutors,
according to which circumcision would constitute "a potential form of
child abuse" and could lead to penalties set out in law. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420683
Arab affairs commentator Zvi Yehezkeli published on Sunday a new
video in which he explained the processes unfolding in Iran, the danger facing
the regime, and the real possibility of a revolution. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420718
During a proactive operation in the Rotem District, police forces
thwarted an attempted drug smuggling operation using a drone. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420722
An unusual incident occurred on an Air Canada Rouge flight from
Toronto Pearson International Airport to Moncton when the aircraft was forced
to return to the gate after passengers reported hearing screams and banging
from the cargo hold. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420724
Widow of Terrorists continues
w/terrorism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420721
Israeli
authorities last week arrested a Palestinian man from Ramallah in his 50s
suspected of defrauding more than 100 Israelis out of nearly NIS 3 million
($950,000) through online marketplace scams, the police announced on Sunday.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-882965
Jan. 12th
Swords of Iron Day 829
Iran dominates the news in Israel.
Every hour Israel is updated on possible missile deployment. So far the IDF
says “Business as usual.” Right now Israel is preparing for more 100 kph winds
and rain over the next day.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/activists-say-over-500-killed-in-crackdown-on-iran-protests-as-trump-weighs-steps/
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday night that the US is
watching Iran closely and weighing possible responses as unrest in the country
grows.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420750
US President Donald Trump has been warned by military commanders that
additional time is needed to prepare for any potential strikes against Iran, as
nationwide protests against the regime continue to intensify, The Telegraph
reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420732
Israel came close to striking Iran twice in
recent weeks due to mutual miscalculations and fears of a surprise Israeli
operation, former Military Intelligence Directorate chief Tamir Hayman said in
an interview with 103FM on Monday. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-883070
The Saudi channel Al-Sharq reported on Monday morning that
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), 90, was admitted to
a hospital in Ramallah. No further details about his condition were provided. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420771
IDF: A tribute was held today in Jerusalem for soldiers of the
Golani brigade to honor them for two consecutive years of fighting in various
regions. But women sang and the religious walked out. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420745
Iranians freedom is near says crown
prince. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420748
The ruling coalition announced Monday it will introduce a
controversial bill to eliminate the criminal offense of “fraud and breach of
trust,” a move with major implications for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
who is currently on trial and charged with that offense in all his ongoing
corruption cases. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r16yurfb11e
In the early 2000’s, I visited
Londonstan. Since then, it has gotten worse and the UK is like Germany in the
1930’s. https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/sjclbezh11x
Soon the complete Islamification of
Belgistan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420769
Ministers and Knesset members from Israel’s national camp convened
Monday for a special conference at the Knesset focused on shaping a strategic
political plan for Gaza on the “day after" the war. The event is led by
Knesset Constitution Committee Chair MK Simcha Rothman and Tkuma movement head
Berale Crombie. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420775
Iran’s
clerical regime launched state-organized rallies across the country on Monday
in an effort to counter more than two weeks of nationwide protests against its
rule. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bknpn7grbe#autoplay
Op-Ed As the world
speculates about the fate of Iran’s regime, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman (MBS) is already executing his next move. Riyadh sees a regional vacuum
emerging and aims to capitalize on Tehran’s internal unrest to cement its
hegemonic position in the Middle East. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/hju2111mhbe
The IDF and ISA on Monday morning announced the arrest of a
terrorist suspected of shooting and
injuring an IDF soldier on Sunday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420773
New sonic weapon. I read about this
technology in the late 70’s was used by Israel Police to some extent. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-used-sonic-weapon-venezuelan-troops-report-shared-leavitt-claims
https://www.foxnews.com/us/u-haul-truck-drives-through-iran-protest-crowd-los-angeles-one-person-struck-driver-detained
https://www.timesofisrael.com/masses-gather-in-london-paris-istanbul-to-support-irans-anti-regime-protests/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-should-consider-forming-combined-military-force-blocs-defense-chief-says/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-court-orders-state-to-disclose-ultra-orthodox-school-curriculum-and-oversight/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/banned-elsewhere-in-the-west-israel-permitting-farmers-to-use-feces-as-cattle-feed/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-ministry-confirms-samoa-will-open-embassy-in-jerusalem-this-year/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-said-to-slash-scholarships-to-study-in-uk-citing-fear-of-muslim-brotherhood/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/mississippis-largest-synagogue-severely-damaged-in-suspected-arson-attack/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/yair-netanyahu-said-to-become-a-member-of-the-powerful-likud-central-committee/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/fleeing-settler-violence-palestinians-leave-one-of-few-remaining-jordan-valley-hamlets/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-iran-protests-grow-israel-watches-closely-but-prefers-to-remain-on-sidelines/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-says-it-told-its-gaza-agencies-to-prepare-to-cede-power-as-part-of-truce-plan/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/judicial-overhaul-redux-new-laws-aim-to-weaken-legal-checks-on-government-action/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pms-chief-of-staff-banned-from-leaving-the-country-following-police-interrogation/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hits-hezbollah-sites-in-two-waves-of-major-strikes-across-southern-lebanon/
Jan. 13th
Swords of Iron Day 830
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-its-on-alert-for-surprise-scenarios-as-us-mulls-military-strikes-on-iran/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-set-hang-protester-what-would-mark-first-execution-tied-anti-regime-demonstrations
Iran International reported on Tuesday that it has concluded, following what it
described as an extensive verification process, that at least 12,000 people
were killed so far during the ongoing protests in Iran, mainly over two
consecutive nights. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420828 It is a matter of time before Hegseth and Caine say
that all the “I’s” are dotted and the “T’s” are crossed.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on a broad set of
military and covert capabilities that could be used against Iran, extending far
beyond conventional airstrikes, according to two Defense Department officials
who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity on Monday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420813
https://www.foxnews.com/world/cubas-president-defiant-says-no-negotiations-scheduled-trump-moves-choke-oil-lifeline
https://www.foxnews.com/us/secret-service-aware-umass-lowell-funded-radio-djs-directive-kill-jd-vance
When it comes to Torah Learning and
Ultra-Orthodox, boy are the courts strict and if not for Nukhba, they would
fill the jails will Yeshiva Students. BUT, are lenient with vehicular potential
homicide: Detectives
from the Traffic Division of the Jerusalem Police arrested a 28-year-old
resident of Maale Adumim today (Monday) after he was caught driving without a
driver's license - this being his sixth offense.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420797
Survivors of Hamas captivity, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen, were
guests on a Galgalatz radio broadcast on Monday and told the presenter, Hadar
Marks, about the moment they understood that Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya
Sinwar, was eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420798
The family of teenager Binyamin Achimeir, who was murdered two
years ago in a shooting attack, has reached out to the court and Defense
Minister Israel Katz, requesting the death penalty for the terrorist who
murdered him.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420825
Security forces were dispatched on Tuesday to the Ad-Dhahiriya area
following a report regarding armed suspects impersonating IDF soldiers and
robbing shops in the area. The IDF emphasized that the robbers were not IDF soldiers.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420833
Talik
Gvili, the mother of Ran, a police officer killed in combat during the October
7 massacre whose body is so held by Hamas in Gaza, says she fears the ongoing
reality could become normalized, leaving her son behind. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420834
Jan. 13, 1910: The Radio
Telephone Company transmits live performances of Enrico Caruso performing opera arias at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House.
Radio receivers on ships in New York harbor, in hotels, and elsewhere
throughout New York allow the public to hear the world's first
public wireless broadcast.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, President
Donald Trump stated that antisemites are not welcome in the Republican Party or
the MAGA movement.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420827
The Weather: Gale Force Winds. Snow on the Hermon. A 50-year-old
woman was killed on Tuesday after she was struck by a heavy object in a home
that flooded in Jerusalem. She was brought to the Shuafat Checkpoint in
critical condition and evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where she was
pronounced dead. Near Modiin, two individuals were rescued from the roof of a
vehicle after the Anabe Stream overflowed. Firefighters rushed to the scene and
rescued them using ropes to prevent them from being taken adrift. https://modiinapp.com/en/page/1406/nachal-anava-wadi-anabe
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420823
Following a recent wave of break-ins in Bnei Brak, residents say
law enforcement authorities are not doing enough to curb the phenomenon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420829
American Volunteer who served 700
days found dead. His friends, who fought alongside him in the Carmeli Brigade, have
begun a public fight demanding that he be recognized as a fallen soldier and
allowed to be buried in a military funeral. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420783
The
police arrested three Palestinian Arabs this afternoon (Monday) who are
suspected of attacking a shepherd in the area of "Mikneh Avraham"
Hill in Gush Etzion. The shepherd was lightly injured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420794
https://www.timesofisrael.com/timothee-chalamet-seth-rogen-big-jewish-winners-at-golden-globes/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-reportedly-held-for-nine-days-in-dubai-due-to-mistaken-identity/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-sentenced-for-oct-8-looting-of-belongings-of-nova-festival-victims/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/australian-writers-festival-canceled-after-booting-anti-israel-palestinian-author/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/freed-hostage-david-cunio-says-he-mulled-suicide-during-captivity-by-overdosing/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-advances-bill-to-repeal-criminal-charge-that-netanyahu-faces-in-his-trial/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-advances-bill-subordinating-police-internal-affairs-unit-to-justice-minister/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-government-violating-court-order-on-haredi-draft-in-real-danger-to-democracy/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/zamir-unveils-multi-year-plan-for-reinvigorating-idf-after-two-years-of-war/
I got this in my mailbox today but
have not heard anything about this. I am seeing reports from Arab entities, 1
Ukrainian media that the Russian Embassy on Jan 6 per Putin's order evacuated
staff from their embassy in Israel. Neither Russia nor Israel has made public
comment. It took 3 flights In 24 h period. Another report indicated that the
Russian Minister of Defense verified and said it was for security purposes and
temporary. Do you know if the Russian Embassy evacuated? I know nothing about this and with Arabs could be fake.
Jan. 14th
Swords of Iron Day 831
A number of years ago, a small child
was with her parents in Modiin Illit and swept into Nahal Modiin. The drainage
area was fixed up and a fence put up but that did not stop teens. One managed
to escape the raging river and as I write one is still missing but if he did
not succumb to the river, hyperthermia would be his main adversary. 106 mm rain
in Yerushalayim or 4 inches is too much for most rivers and drainage systems
and even the Ayalon in Tel Aviv was rising very high despite fortifications
since the floods of years ago. Near-by the Modiin area Neve Tzuf received 180%
of the annual rainfall. However, the Kinneret is 4.3 meters below the maximum
and still in red-line territory and water is being pumped in to avoid the black
line where fish and plants die. https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-woman-dies-as-winter-storm-lashes-israel-with-wind-and-rain/
Global Islamic Terror funded by MN
welfare. https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-launches-wave-strikes-somalia-targeting-isis-al-shabab-terror-threats
https://www.foxnews.com/world/secret-room-built-chinese-embassy-near-cable-lines-sparking-widespread-espionage-fears
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/12/megyn-kelly-gushes-nick-fuentes-there-is-value-be-derived-that-guys-messaging/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/12/belgium-halts-consular-services-citizens-israeli-settlements-sparking-outrage-jewish-groups/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/12/israeli-backed-palestinian-group-kills-senior-hamas-police-officer-gaza-threatens-more-attacks/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/12/from-kanye-to-nick-fuentes-and-megyn-kelly-why-j-d-vances-silence-matters-now/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-regime-opened-fire-live-ammunition-protesters-doctor-says-shoot-to-kill
https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-wanted-for-melbourne-synagogue-firebombing-arrested-in-iraq-australian-police/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/neo-nazi-convicted-of-planning-to-fire-explosives-at-cops-during-san-diego-anti-trump-rally/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/clintons-refuse-to-testify-at-congress-epstein-probe-as-gop-mulls-contempt-charges/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/help-is-on-its-way-trump-urges-iranians-to-keep-protesting-seize-institutions/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/fierce-government-attacks-on-supreme-court-part-of-campaign-of-delegitimization/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-argentinian-imprisoned-in-venezuela-for-over-a-year-released-returns-home/
In my opinion he was set-up tortured
hill-top youth and confessed. After his ‘confession’ the family was attacked
twice by other Arabs. Maybe Zini can clean up this Shin Bet. https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-terrorist-who-killed-palestinian-family-said-to-receive-conjugal-visits/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/13/dismantling-the-iranian-zombie-state-washingtons-strategic-imperative/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/13/trumps-iran-tariff-threat-risks-reopening-china-rift/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/13/anti-israel-activists-drop-lawsuit-cancel-antisemitism-prevention-course-northwestern-university/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/13/syrias-kurds-protest-aleppo-violence-fears-wider-conflict-grow/
At least 25 people were killed and 64 others injured after a crane
collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand, authorities
said Wednesday. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1zqc6nbbg#autoplay
The Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court ordered a man to divorce his wife and
pay her NIS 72,000 ($22,800), the full amount of the ketubah, after ruling that
his continued refusal to have additional children justified both divorce and
financial liability. https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/lifestyle/article/s10h6hvbwl
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/01/13/anti-israel-activists-drop-lawsuit-cancel-antisemitism-prevention-course-northwestern-university/
US President Donald Trump yelled at a
Ford factory worker to “F*** off” and flipped his middle finger after the
worker called the president a “pedophile protector,” referencing the Epstein affair, on
Tuesday. https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-883297
https://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-ministry-severs-jerusalems-ties-with-7-un-agencies-citing-anti-israel-bias/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-labels-three-muslim-brotherhood-branches-as-terror-organizations/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-governor-pushes-for-buffer-zone-to-protect-synagogues-from-protests/
New Medical Discovery could prevent
diseases.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-study-shows-that-female-sex-hormones-can-impact-the-bodys-inner-clocks/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-technocrats-invited-to-join-transitional-gaza-governing-committee-sources/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-authorities-say-some-2000-people-killed-in-protests-as-news-trickles-out/
US President
Trump is
expected to announce a move to Phase II of the ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday,
including the establishment of a peace council and the formation of a
Palestinian technocratic government, two sources familiar with the details told
The Jerusalem Post.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-883298
Jan. 15th
Swords of Iron Day 832
Today started with an earth shaking
event or 4.2 by the Dead Sea setting off Home Command Alarms in Arad, Dimona
and the Dead Sea resorts. https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-883444
5 years after husband was gunned
down, the Arab Mafia makes the widow the 18th victim.
Here is the low-down on Iran as
former commander of the Israeli Navy said. There is an aircraft carrier on its
way to the Persian Gulf it will take a number of days to get into place. Until
all is ready by a large cumbersome force, the Americans will not move. What is
happening now is the calm before the storm. On Sunday or Monday, the conditions
may be met.
What scares some of us is the Muslim
Brotherhood State in Turkey that is friendly with Trump. Since they are not a
rogue State except to Cyprus, Greece and Israel they could be a large threat
than Iran.
Iran temporarily
closed its airspace early on Thursday morning, issuing a NOTAM (Notice to
Airmen) to all flights except international ones to and from Iran with official
permission, as Western military officials say US military action in the country
is "imminent." https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-883422
https://www.foxnews.com/us/ice-agent-shoots-venezuelan-national-minneapolis-shovel-attack-ambush-dhs
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-federal-minnesota-prosecutors-officially-terminated-after-dispute-over-ice-shooting-probe
https://www.foxnews.com/world/kurdish-fighters-try-exploit-iran-chaos-regional-threat-grows-amid-nationwide-protests
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-exposes-background-nyc-city-council-employee-after-mamdani-fumed-over-arrest
https://www.foxnews.com/us/university-researcher-accused-calling-assassination-conservative-voices-social-media-post
Driver who rammed and killed boy
walks free. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420944
Two weeks after reporting on a
"dramatic development" in the investigation of one of the most
high-profile cases exposed in Israel approximately 30 years ago, it is now
clear that the progress has not yielded any substantial results, and the case
remains unresolved. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420948
I drove past the local fire
department and noticed large forces in an area cordoned off.
They are searching for the boy who
thought the river was a good Mikveh and went in despite the fence. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420950
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached an agreement
with the Hasidic-haredi Agudat Yisrael faction, under which MK Yisrael Eichler
will be appointed as Deputy Communications Minister and will resign from his
position as a member of the Knesset. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420942
Thai police this week arrested four Israelis on suspicion they
operated a drug trafficking network that sold illegal substances to tourists at
parties on Koh Pha Ngan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420938
An IDF reserve soldier from the Jerusalem Brigade (16) was severely
injured on Wednesday as a result of an accidental discharge in the northern
Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said on Thursday morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420928
The IDF has released footage of an incident where six armed
terrorists were identified in the western Rafah area, and after conducting
searches in the area, they were eliminated. Various weapons were found on the
eliminated militants.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420904
https://www.timesofisrael.com/reports-suggest-us-may-strike-iran-in-coming-days-as-trump-says-killing-is-stopping/
Shabbos Times: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-regime-still-looks-likely-to-survive-protests-but-has-no-answers-for-public-anger/
Jan. 16th
Swords of Iron Day 3 end of
week 120
I was at a Bas Mitzvah of a
grandniece last night. It was in Zichron Yacov. At 1 hour and 45 minute drive
there at the tail end of rush hour. It only took an 1 hour and 25 minutes back
even with the one lane tarring of route 446. I popped into bed after midnight
planning for a good sleep with the telephone on. Netanyahu asked Trump to delay
the strike until the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group will only arrive in between
10 to 14 days. I believe that the Carl Vincent Carrier Group is in place and
Perhaps the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Group is on its way too.
Then at 02:12 Home Front
Command Alarm went off without sirens outside. I grabbed a drink and my wife
woke up my Nephew who was with us at the Bas Mitzvah as we all headed to the
shelter. It seems a group of buglers hopped the fence between the Arab Area and
our area. The army was called in and the immediate home civil defense. After
almost an hour up we decided t o go back to sleep as msgs coming to us
indicated a failed burglary penetration of the security perimeter. It was a
good thing too as the incident only ended at 5:41:58. So if we were not jittery
over Iran, we got this.
Baruch Dayan Emmes x 2. The missing
Chassidic Teen who went into what he thought was a Mikveh perished and his body
has been found near the Adam Army Training Center. To top it off my daughter’s
brother-in-law thought he could repair a solar hot water heater on a roof and
fell to his death. He was a learned Sephardic Fellow with family in the USA.
A disabled helicopter being towed by cable fell from the sky. Blackhawk
down but no one was on board.
You receive no news today, at least you
will know why.
May we have Moshiach
soon! A healthy, happy, peaceful and wonderful Shabbos to all. Rosh Chodesh
Shevat will be Sunday night and Monday.
Rachamim Pauli
