Parsha Kedoshim
We have been learning about the
Kedusha of the Mishkan and Cohanim. Then we learned about the Kedusha of a
Jewish Family by the laws of incest and modesty. We now continue with the
holiness of the individual Ben Yisrael.
19:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel,
and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy.
You should imitate ME and since I am holy so you too should be holy.
Speak to the entire congregation of the
children of Israel: [This] teaches us that this passage was stated in the
assembly [of the entire congregation of Israel] because most of the fundamental
teachings of the Torah are dependent on it [i.e., they are encapsulated in this
passage]. — [Toras Kohanim 19:1; Vayikra Rabbah 24:5] You shall be holy:
Separate yourselves from sexual immorality and from sin, for wherever one finds
a barrier against sexual immorality, one finds holiness, [for example:], “[They
(the kohanim) shall not take in marriage] a woman who is a prostitute or one
who was profaned…I, the Lord, Who sanctifies you [am holy]” (Lev. 21:7-8); and,
“he shall not profane his offspring…I am the Lord, Who sanctifies him” (Lev.
21:15); and, “They shall be holy…[They shall not take in marriage] a woman who
is a prostitute or one who was profaned” (Lev. 21:6-7). - [Vayikra Rabbah
24:4-6; and see also Sefer Hazikkaron]
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and ye shall
keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
Often it is from nature that a man would fear his father, but as an
adult he probably is taller and stronger than his mother. Therefore one should
foremost fear his mother and not because she is stronger and taller than him
but because the Torah tells him. In honoring, the mother fed one as a child and
changed his diapers so her honor is earned and first. In the Asera Dibros, the
observance of Shabbos comes first as one’s parents are also obligated to
observe. Here the emphasis is on Adam and his fellow so honoring Shabbos is
secondary as it is inanimate.
Every man shall fear his mother and father:
Every one of you shall fear his father and his mother. This is its simple
meaning. Its Midrashic explanation, however, [is as follows]. Since the verse
literally means, “Every man shall fear…,”] we know only [that this law applies
to] a man; how do we know [that it applies to] a woman [as well]? When
Scripture says, תִּירָאוּ [you shall fear,
using the plural form], two are included [in the verse, namely, men and women].
But if this is so, why does the verse say, “Every man…?” Because a man has the
ability to fulfill this [commandment without restriction, since he is independent
and thus obliged to fear his parents], whereas a woman is [sometimes] under the
authority of others [namely her husband. — [Kid. 30b; Toras Kohanim 19:3]
[Every man] shall fear his mother and his father: Here, Scripture mentions the
mother before the father, because He is privy to the fact that a child fears
his father more than his mother [and therefore, by mentioning the mother first,
Scripture emphasizes the duty of fearing her also. However,] in the case of
honoring [one’s parents], Scripture mentions the father before the mother,
because He is privy to the fact that a child honors his mother more than his
father, since she wins his favor by [speaking kind and loving] words.
[Therefore, by mentioning the father first in the context of honor, Scripture
emphasizes the duty of honoring him also]. — [Kid. 31a] and you shall observe
My Sabbaths: Scripture juxtaposes [the commandment of] observing the Sabbath
with [that] of fearing one’s father [and mother], in order to state [the
following principle]: “Although I have admonished you regarding the fear of
your father, nevertheless, if he tells you to desecrate the Sabbath, do not
listen to him.” And this is also the case with all the [other] commandments. —
[B.M. 32a] [This is indicated by:] I am the Lord, your God: [where “your” is in
the plural form, meaning to say,] both you and your father are obligated to
honor Me! Therefore, do not listen to him to negate My commands. — [B.M. 32a]
Now, what constitutes “fear”? One must not sit in his place, speak in his stead
[when it is his father’s turn to speak] or contradict him. And what constitutes
“honor”? One must give [the father and mother] food and drink, clothe them and
put on their shoes, and accompany them when they enter or leave. — [Toras
Kohanim 19:3; Kid. 31b]
4 Turn ye not unto the idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I
am the LORD your God.
Also the order of the Decalogue is reversed here. The honor of mankind
is placed above the honor of the L-RD but the warning is strong in I am the
L-RD your G-D!
5 And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD,
ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted.
One has to have Kavana for an
offering in its name, with a proper knife, correct time limit for eating and
place where it can be eating. For a Korban of this nature the place can be
anywhere in Yerushalayim for eating within the set time limit.
When you slaughter…:
This passage is stated only to teach us that the offerings must be slaughtered
with the intent that they be eaten within this time, for if [you think that
this passage comes to] fix a time limit for eating them, [this cannot be so,
for] it has already been stated, “And if his sacrifice is a vow or a voluntary
donation [it may be eaten]… .” (Lev. 7:16). - [Toras Kohanim 19:10] you shall
slaughter it for your acceptance: The very outset of your slaughtering [the
offering] must be with the intent that [it is for the purpose of causing]
contentment [to God, as it were,] for your acceptance [by Him]. For if you
think an invalidating thought regarding it, [says God,] the sacrifice will not
gain your acceptance before Me. for your acceptance: Heb., apaisement in
French, appeasement. [Note that the spelling in Mikraoth Gedolos matches the
Italian appaciamento, more closely than the French. In Old French, it is
spelled apayement according to Greenberg, or apaiemant according to Gukovitzki,
and this form appears in many editions of Rashi.] This is according to its
simple meaning. Our Rabbis, however, learned from here, that if someone was
involved in another activity (מִתְעסֵּק)
and accidentally slaughtered [e.g., if he threw a knife, and in its path, it
slaughtered an animal] designated for a holy sacrifice, it is invalid, because
[in the context of sacrifices] one must intend to slaughter. — [Chul. 13a]
6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow;
and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire.
Eaten in the proper time limit and place in Yerushalayim.
7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is a vile thing;
it shall not be accepted. 8 But every one that eats it shall bear his
iniquity, because he hath profaned the holy thing of the LORD; and that soul
shall be cut off from his people.
Eating the Korban has to be according the rules set down by the L-RD and
violating the rules aka Halacha makes it repulsive before G-D because it is
like slapping HASHEM in the face and the soul then becomes cut off from Am
Yisrael.
9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly
reap the corner of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy
harvest.
The Torah is a guide for life and rather than the poor man without food
stealing from the farmer, he is given a way to obtain food. G-D has declared
that this corner or the forgotten sheave belongs to the poor man. This is a
major social reform and helps the downtrodden not sell themselves into slavery.
The second and third chapter of Sefer Ruth describe this.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather
the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for
the stranger: I am the LORD your God. 11 Ye shall not steal; neither
shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another.
From juxiposition of 10 and 11. I learn that by not given the fallen
fruit to the poor man is like stealing from him.
12 And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, so that thou profane
the name of thy God: I am the LORD. 13 Thou shalt not oppress thy
neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee
all night until the morning. 14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor
put a stumbling-block before the blind, but thou shalt fear thy God: I am the
LORD.
It is too easy to take advantage of these hapless individuals because of
their handicaps. It once happened when I was 10 years old that my class had
sports with a lower intelligence level class. Poor R was born with a low IQ. I
thought I would have fun making him do something. He did it but then I saw that
he was a poor helpless fellow. I felt ashamed of myself. I repented and I even
helped the fellow. Being nasty did not satisfy my soul but being kind to the
fellow sure did.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not
respect the person of the poor, nor favor the person of the mighty; but in
righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
Pushing somebody into a better school for “affirmative action” only
lowers the good school. But pulling up all from the poor school by helping them
lift themselves up by the boot straps does. Nobody should be with protection
because his family is rich or powerful and in the same token when a rich person
sues a poor person for damage, one cannot favor the poor.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people;
neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the
LORD. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt
surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 Thou
shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.
Don’t think this is an easy Mitzvah for there are characters that exist
that do things to get us to go against them. Bringing up love over hate and not
taking revenge is harder to do than other Mitzvos.
19 Ye shall keep My statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender
with a diverse kind; thou shalt not sow thy field with two kinds of seed;
neither shall there come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled
together.
Prohibition of Shatnes.
20 And whosoever lies carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
designated for a man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there
shall be inquisition; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
And if she was not married and a non-Jewish Bondmaid does he have a
right to be with her? However, if a person was a Maumzer, (born of a
relationship involving being cut off the Bnei Yisrael) he would be able to
repair his status by having the children from a non-Jewish woman and they could
then convert to be Kosher Jews.
21 And he shall bring his forfeit unto the LORD, unto the door of
the tent of meeting, even a ram for a guilt-offering. 22 And the
priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering before
the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned; and he shall be forgiven for his sin
which he hath sinned. 23 And when ye shall come into the land, and
shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit
thereof as forbidden; three years shall it be as forbidden unto you; it shall
not be eaten. 24 And in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall
be holy, for giving praise unto the LORD. 25 But in the fifth year
may ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you more richly the
increase thereof: I am the LORD your God. 26 Ye shall not eat with
the blood; neither shall ye practice divination nor
soothsaying. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither
shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28 Ye shall not make any
cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor imprint any marks upon you: I am the
LORD.
This is the prohibition of making tattoos. If an enemy brands you or
puts a tattoo on you like the Nazis did, one is exempt.
29 Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot, lest the land
fall into harlotry, and the land become full of lewdness.
Modesty is the foundation of society and one should act so and train his
children to behave modestly.
30 Ye shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the
LORD.
This command to observe Shabbos is not like the Decalogue “For six days
HASHEM made heaven and earth” but rather like a commander in the military
giving out orders in the heat of battle with the Yetzer HaRa (evil
inclination). You observe Shabbos and the reason is “that’s an order” or I AM
THE L-RD.
31 Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek
them not out, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. 32 Thou
shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and
thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Don’t get too cocky with your elders. You might know all the latest
technology but these wise old coots have been through a lot. It might just come
back to you in 50 or 60 years to haunt you.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not
do him wrong. 34 The stranger that sojourns with you shall be unto
you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35 Ye shall
do no unrighteousness in judgment, in metered, in weight, or in
measure. 36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just
hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of
Egypt.
Standard weights and measurements are the fabric of society. One wants a
kilogram or 2.2 pounds of sugar, salt, flour to be precise. Nobody wants to be
gipped.
37 And ye shall observe all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances,
and do them: I am the LORD.
Again you shall be holy, observe
Shabbos, not steal have just weights and measures for I AM THE L-RD!
20:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses,
saying: 2 Moreover, thou shalt say to the children of Israel: Whosoever he
be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that
gives of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death; the people of
the land shall stone him with stones.
This is a form of idolatry and one deserves death for this.
3 I also will set My face against that man, and will cut him off
from among his people, because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile
My sanctuary, and to profane My holy name. 4 And if the people of the land do
at all hide their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech,
and put him not to death; 5 then I will set My face against that man, and against his family,
and will cut him off, and all that go astray after him, to go astray after
Molech, from among their people. 6 And the soul that turns unto the
ghosts, and unto the familiar spirits, to go astray after them, I will even set
My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore,
and be ye holy; for I am the LORD your God.
Idolatry, spirits and other things in this Parsha are all forbidden.
8 And keep ye My statutes, and do them: I am the LORD who sanctify
you. 9 For whatsoever man there be that curses his father or his mother
shall surely be put to death; he hath cursed his father or his mother; his
blood shall be upon him. 10 And the man that commits adultery with another man's wife, even he
that commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the adulterer and the
adulteress shall surely be put to death.
G-D does not take kind to these actions. Even if it wasn’t full adultery
but involved two couples divorcing it is bad before the L-RD. I knew two men
who lived near-by me. One liked to run and jog. He was thin and married to a
pleasant slightly over-weight woman. Somewhere or somehow, he met a woman where
the grass was greener in the main Modiin area. So he went and divorced the
pleasant lady and sort of divorced his Mitzvah Observance too. A number of
years went by and I was told that he asked people to pray for him because he
had cancer.
There was an Orthopedic Doctor who did some research in Yerushalayim.
The wife of a dentist living not far away was in the same research project or
office and they would travel together to and from work. Oh-hum Oh-ho they next
thing you knew is that his lovely wife was being divorced and the Talmud
Chacham Dentist found himself without a wife. In a relatively short time,
cancer killed the man and I visited his brother and daughters sitting Shiva.
Don’t mess with G-D!
11 And the man that lies with his father's wife--he hath uncovered
his father's nakedness--both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood
shall be upon them. 12 And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall
surely be put to death; they have wrought corruption; their blood shall be upon
them. 13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them
have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood
shall be upon them.
We had these prohibitions in Chapter 18 but a male with a male
relationship is called an abomination and all of the forbidden relationships
except a man and his wife being a Niddah or Zava, deserve a death penalty.
14 And if a man take with his wife also her mother, it is wickedness:
they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness
among you. 15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death;
and ye shall slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any
beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they
shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
The WOKE crowd were working on the last but trying to eliminate the
nation of Israel and the Jews have become the style lately.
17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his
mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a
shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their
people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his
iniquity. 18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall
uncover her nakedness--he hath made naked her fountain, and she hath uncovered
the fountain of her blood--both of them shall be cut off from among their
people. 19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister,
nor of thy father's sister; for he hath made naked his near kin; they shall
bear their iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife--he hath uncovered
his uncle's nakedness--they shall bear their sin; they shall die
childless. 21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he
hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. 22 Ye shall therefore keep all My
statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them, that the land, whither I bring
you to dwell therein, vomit you not out. 23 And ye shall not walk in the
customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you; for they did all
these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said unto you: 'Ye
shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land
flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who have set you apart
from the peoples.
It is not only G-D who will deal with mischievous relationships, but the
land will vomit you out as it is not only a land that flows with milk and honey
physically but has Kedusha.
25 Ye shall therefore separate between the clean beast and the
unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean; and ye shall not make your
souls detestable by beast, or by fowl, or by anything wherewith the ground teems,
which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. 26 And ye shall be holy unto Me; for
I the LORD am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that ye should be
Mine.
You are what you eat so keep kosher and be holy.
27 A man also or a woman that divines by a ghost or a familiar
spirit, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their
blood shall be upon them.
The last couple weeks, the sound
on my computer was more disappearing than existing until finally there was no
sound and no tricks could work. My computer was under warranty so I sent it to
my salesperson to see if it was from a Win 11 update or the computer. It took a
week since I gave if for repair with a new board from Dell to return and money
for my data to be returned. I also had trouble downloading Kal Luach 3.3.2 from
Aish as it was compatible up to Win 10 but it works now.
A miracle for Shimon Malka in two interviews on Arutz 12
R. Pauli
Shimon and 6 other buddies
were assigned to defend Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7th. They were in the
13th Battalion of Golani. He was in an APC with his buddies. They
were trying to stop Hamas at Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their APC had a failure due to
either an RPG or mechanical. They knew that if they stayed they would have a
grenade thrown down the RPG and if they went up and out they were most likely
going to certain death. They hid behind cement barricades but the bullets were
chipping away at the cement that all the time they thought they were hit by
bullet fragments not cement fragments. One by one they put up a brave fight
against the terrorists but were surrounded and Shimon made a super-fast run
towards better cover. 5 were dead by now and the sixth was wounded crawling
through the hail of bullets towards Shimon who kept shooting towards the firing
terrorist, but it was too late.
In the meantime, a tank
had been sent to defend the base but was hit from behind. The only exit was the
top but it was also an entrance for terrorists to jump on with a grenade.
There only hope was for
the commander to expose himself a little and shoot at the terrorists as their
motor had slowed down. It started coming up again and he notice Shimon. He
called for Shimon to make a dash for the Tank, hop inside as they scooted to
safety.
Retelling
the Yom Kippur helicopter rescue of the downed pilot and navigator.
This story
appeared many months ago perhaps over a year ago.
It is a
story by Nesli but I did not have all the details. English R. Pauli
The individuals involved in our story are two pilots Aaron
Sagi and Nadav Ephrat and the Navigator Bartov. I know the story quite well but
may be mixing up the fighter pilot and the helicopter pilot names.
The TV show started out with Nesli talking to a Charedi
Nadav with a helicopter in the background. She says that today nobody would
guess that a man who looks like a Sephardi Rabbi would have anything to do with
the large helicopter behind us.
Aaron Sagi was a fighter pilot and stationed at the Haifa
Airbase. Known as the Techni as there is a pre-army Airforce High School that
trains technicians’ future pilots and officers.
Aaron had spare time in the afternoon and at the Haifa
Airport was giving a training course for light plane pilots. There was one teen
Sephardic Boy from a poor family taking on all sorts of jobs to learn to be a
pilot. His name was Nadav Ephrat.
Aaron was giving lessons to Nadav for a few months. All of
a sudden, the IAF told Aaron that he would have to go to a different base and
he would be back to flying Phantom Jets. He bid farewell to Nadav. Nadav asked
Aaron one question: “Do you think I have it in me to become a pilot?” Aaron
replied something to the effect that with your effort and determination you can
become one.
Fast forward a few years, Nadav enlists in the IAF in the
pilot’s training course and makes the cut. He passes the first stage of 500
young men living in tents being trained. He goes on to the second stage of
learning survival of about 50 to 70 young men and the third stage of more
survival skills and learning how to fly. Nothing is mentioned why Nadav did not
become a fighter pilot or navigator but a helicopter pilot.
Fast forward to the first few days of the Yom Kippur War.
Egyptians using SAM II and SAM III (surface to air missiles) are knocking
almost all the Skyhawk Planes out of the air and many Phantom Fighters too.
Aaron and his Navigator, Bartov, are in a Phantom attacking
advancing Egyptians by the Suez Canal. They are on their way back to Israel,
still behind enemy lines, when a missile hits them from behind. Aaron tries to
take the plane to safety behind the Israeli Lines but it is too late they are
going down.
Aaron and Bartov jettison from the canopy of the plane.
They land and Aaron sets up the homing beacon for a rescue pilot to come. There
is a great danger that the Egyptians will detect the homing beacon and come and
capture or kill the two.
Bartov has been injured from either shrapnel from the
missile on the plane or during ejection and landing. After setting up the
beacon, Aaron deals with his navigator’s wounds and hopes for an immediate
rescue.
From the Israeli side, the troops have seen the plane go
down and a helicopter is sent to rescue Aaron. There is a beacon in a general
direction but suddenly it is silent. It seems that Aaron has in his haste to
bandage up Bartov, knocked over the Beacon.
The helicopter pilot sent to rescue Aaron is none other
than Nadav. He has made a few turns looking for the downed aircraft. He is in
danger of being picked up on radar or spotted from the ground and shot down.
5 or more minutes have gone by and no signal from the
beacon. Perhaps the Egyptians have captured the pilot and/or the navigator or
are to close to the two for the beacon to be used.
Nadav perhaps should have left the scene according to
Airforce Manual. But he will make one last circle with eyes on the ground. At
the same moment Aaron hears the helicopter making circles but not homing in on
the beacon. He checks the Beacon to see that all is OK. Suddenly, he notices
that it has fallen over. He stands it up right and just as Nadav is finishing
his circle and about to head off, he receives a signal from the Beacon. He
homes in and the paramedics jump out and pick up Bartov and Aaron is mobile.
There is no time to embrace as they are behind the enemy lines.
Nadav flies towards the hospital and the two officers are
rescued. Aaron’s encouragement of Nadav saved his own life. Aaron’s advice of
tenacity to Nadav helped save his life. Nesli called it one in a million that
such a thing would happen.
Inyanay Diyoma
May 4th and 5th
Days
211 and 212 start of week 31
We
were at Beis Horon for Shabbos. Also famous for the blessing where the Sun and
the Moon stood still as the battle raged in Kfar Ben Nun which is near Latrun
not far from us. Beis Horon was one of the spots where the Maccabees fought off
Antiochus and defeated the enemy. So we make the blessing “Blessed be … King of
the Olam (the world/universe) who has make miracles for our forefathers in this
place. I can see the area from my porch. There was a Bar Mitzvah for my
grandnephew. I guess we were invited as we are raising uncle Menashe. It was
nice to see the family.
My
oldest Nephew had finished up his army career as a major six months before the
war and opened up a private PTSD Clinic. He had a hard time trying to help
patients and deal with the army. He is on a diet now as everybody from Aroma
Café with sandwiches, Chabad and others on the grill were giving out food to
soldiers between the front and home. His two oldest boys are pre-army. One in
the Yeshiva about to do service in three months and the other is about to start
the Yeshiva pre-army program.
The
father of the Bar Mitzvah married to my niece, Dr. Yonatan, was a captain and
field clinic unit. He also needs a bit of a diet after army food. I believe he
told me of dealing with 150 wounded from the Gaza battles as he sorted them out
to which hospital or by helicopter. I told him the Aytan Tessler Story of the 8
pints of blood before helicopter evacuation. I mentioned in passing the stories
I had heard from Yom Kippur War paramedics.
My
other nephew-in-law did not fare too well. He is an independent tour guide and
not only did Corona kill tourism but there is not much foreign tourism now at
all. He is still stuck on his Yishuv on the way to Yericho as an emergency
guard. He was lucky to get off for the Bar Mitzvah.
While
for the first time since the war my wife’s family was together along with Dr.
Yonatan’s family too was together so it was a real happy occasion. One of his
brothers has a reddish beard and his is married to red haired woman. I saw his
children I could not help think about Kfir and Arieh Bibas.
Shabbos
was not quiet in the north and rockets rained down from Lebanon. In Gaza we
took out a Jihadi who took command of part of the Oct. 7th attack.
Bibi is being pressured by the Americans for more concessions while Hamas has
not given an answer. I agree that we should not send a delegation to Cairo without
a firm answer.
BREAKING
IAF attacks in Lebanon killing terrorist. Don’t confuse India Air Force Soldier
being killed in Kashmir yesterday for Israeli Air Force since both are IAF.
Hezballah attacks Kiriat Shemona and the vicinity.
COS
We are in a long war we have some achievements but are not finished: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389382
COS
we were surprised but not like in the Shoah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389410
General
Winter is to retire from active duty. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389416
When
I write Shachid (Arabic for Martyr) I am sarcastic sometimes I mention 72
virgin pigs but in Arabic never. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389413
At
least three synagogues and a museum in New York received bomb threats on
Saturday, but the New York Police Department said none were deemed
credible. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389411
Kirby
Saudi Defense Pact not feasible without Israeli Deal. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389412
University
MI Commencement interrupted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389409
Yehuda
Avidan, Director General of the Religious Affairs Ministry, on Saturday evening
instructed Ministry employees not to cooperate with ZAKA Tel Aviv on anything
related to the Ministry's activities regarding the identification of IDF
soldiers who fell in the war against Hamas. He was buried without his head
until it was recovered. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389400
Israeli
sources on Saturday night said that if Hamas insists on ending the war while it
remains in power, the deal with not happen. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389403
Jihadi
who was eliminated (above). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389397
Monique
sent me this post from: Kamran Shamsa, MD, FACC
Associate Clinical Professor Division of Cardiology David Geffen School of
Medicine at UCLA.
(missing some info) … I
continued to walk and got away from this protestor. As I neared Dickson Plaza,
a very large stature young man with a facemask and Keffiyeh walk directly
toward me and intentionally knocked me to the ground and walked away without
even looking back. This was directly in front of UCLA security guards stationed
in the area. It took me a few seconds to regain my balance and stand up. I
continued to walk another 100 feet and near the entrance of the counter
protest, a UCLA security guard, with both hands outstretched pushed against my
chest attempted to move me backwards, indicating that nobody is allowed to
proceed to Dickson Plaza. I pulled out my faculty badge and told the guard that
I have a right to be on campus. Two other guards de-escalated the situation and
walked me across the set-up barrier to the plaza. I was trembling for about 5
minutes from what had just happened to me, but I was able to regain my
composure and spent about 30 minutes hearing inspirational speeches by UCLA
Jewish faculty and city leaders. University, Medial Schools, Healthcare
Institutions/Departments have the responsibility to assure all members are treated
equal and fair, without fear for their personal safety or religious belief.
Over the past six months UCLA has failed to protect Jewish students and
faculty, creating a hostile environment not conducive to education,
collaboration, and delivery of care by all members. Lecturers and speakers
should be vetted thoroughly so that one-sided propaganda is never allowed to
infiltrate our ultimate mission of education. The unlawful encampment was
allowed to remain in the name of free speech, even though it incited severe
antisemitism and unsafe campus not only for the Jewish community, but everyone
on campus. It was a failure of leadership to allow hate speech, antisemitic
rhetoric, and vile and hateful signs and posters to intimidate the Jewish
community. Police presence was non-existent, which allowed lawlessness
unchecked. UCLA as an institution has failed me. I no longer feel welcomed or
safe in conferences, meetings, the hospital, or the campus as a Jewish faculty.
The silence of UCLA against antisemitism is deafening. In the late 1930’s
Germany and Austria the Universities were the first place where antisemitic
rhetoric went unchecked that led to the genocide of 6 million Jews. We must
assure that history does not repeat itself."
Rockets
in the north and in the south. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389437
We
have no official answer but Egypt says that Hamas agrees to deal. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389396
Intifada
Kingpin might be released in deal. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389391
5
terrorists killed, 1 surrenders and special force man in grave condition. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389402
Families
of the hostages wrote to Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday evening regarding
the emerging reports of a ceasefire agreement. The families demanded that
Netanyahu launch a military operation in Rafah that would put heavy pressure on
Hamas and assist in the release of all the kidnapped, not just a limited
number. According to the families, not entering Rafah means giving up on war
goals. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389395
Tonight
Starts Israeli Holocaust Day.
Israeli
Cabinet closes Al Jazeera.
Houthis
threatening Mediterranean Shipping. https://www.timesofisrael.com/houthis-threaten-to-target-israel-bound-ships-in-the-mediterranean/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/03/hamas-tried-steal-gaza-aid-shipment-jordan-us-says/
World
Wide Antisemitism spikes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389420
Stabbing
attack foiled. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389424
Half
the Drones downed are ours. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-799885
Metro
2 line approved. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/real-estate/article-799572
Ancient
Roman piece found. https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-799740
Inflation: https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-799617
May 6th
Day 213
The Biden Administration (‘best friend of
Israel’) is playing dirty with the ICC against Bibi and others. They could stop
it immediately. They turned around a munitions ship about to dock at one of our
ports and delayed another. They are trying to cut off our supplies so that we
cannot go into Rafah.
We got a reply on Rafah from the
“humanitarian zone”. Mortars killing two soldiers from Givati and two from the
Nachal guarding tanks and APC’s. 2 seriously injured and 9 with light to
moderate wounds. My friend and neighbor lost his grandson in such an attack
between Pillar Cloud to Protective Edge in an alert while guarding his tank.
Pamphlets describing evacuation routes
have been dropped on Rafah and the operation will soon be underway. Austin
notified. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389480
I updated the above as a 4th name
was released in late morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389487
Two critically wounded in drone attack on
Metula. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389496
Austin sends condolences. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389464
The Biden Administration (‘best friend of
Israel’): https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-democrats-urge-biden-to-push-israel-on-war-conduct-mull-halting-arms-sales/
Sunday we received 100 rockets from
Lebanon not counting those that fell short. 60 on Kiriat Shemona and the
vicinity in one batch. https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-slightly-hurt-damage-caused-in-barrage-of-over-60-hezbollah-rockets-at-north/
Noga Weiss, released hostage, enlists in
the IDF as a social worker. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389497
Negotiations not over. If Hamas will
release prisoners, evacuation of Rafah will stop. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389498
Humanitarian areas expanded for Rafah
residents. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389474
Albania Proud of saving WWII Jews. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-799945
Perth – 16year old terrorist killed after
stabbing man. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-799835
Main Columbia Univ. Protester a
millionaire with a rap sheet. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-799826
Canadian Opposition on Shoah “Never
Again”. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389462
Before Metula attack, drone shot
down. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389470
Antisemite back on X. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389472
Hitler’s Book from Gaza on display. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389465
Yad Vashem from Auschwitz and Berlin to
Beeri and Columbia Univ. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389447
March of the living at Auschwitz. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389500
May 7th
Day 213
The Biden Administration (‘best friend of
Israel’) is playing dirty with the ICC against Bibi and others. They could stop
it immediately. They turned around a munitions ship about to dock at one of our
ports and delayed another. They are trying to cut off our supplies so that we
cannot go into Rafah.
We got a reply on Rafah from the
“humanitarian zone”. Mortars killing two soldiers from Givati and two from the
Nachal guarding tanks and APC’s. 2 seriously injured and 9 with light to
moderate wounds. My friend and neighbor lost his grandson in such an attack
between Pillar Cloud to Protective Edge in an alert while guarding his tank.
Pamphlets describing evacuation routes
have been dropped on Rafah and the operation will soon be underway. Austin
notified. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389480
I updated the above as a 4th name
was released in late morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389487
Two critically wounded in drone attack on
Metula. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389496
Austin sends condolences. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389464
The Biden Administration (‘best friend of
Israel’): https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-democrats-urge-biden-to-push-israel-on-war-conduct-mull-halting-arms-sales/
Sunday we received 100 rockets from
Lebanon not counting those that fell short. 60 on Kiriat Shemona and the
vicinity in one batch. https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-slightly-hurt-damage-caused-in-barrage-of-over-60-hezbollah-rockets-at-north/
Noga Weiss, released hostage, enlists in
the IDF as a social worker. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389497
Negotiations not over. If Hamas will
release prisoners, evacuation of Rafah will stop. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389498
Humanitarian areas expanded for Rafah
residents. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389474
Albania Proud of saving WWII Jews. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-799945
Perth – 16year old terrorist killed after
stabbing man. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-799835
Main Columbia Univ. Protester a
millionaire with a rap sheet. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-799826
Canadian Opposition on Shoah “Never
Again”. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389462
Before Metula attack, drone shot
down. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389470
Antisemite back on X. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389472
Hitler’s Book from Gaza on display. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389465
Yad Vashem from Auschwitz and Berlin to
Beeri and Columbia Univ. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389447
March of the living at Auschwitz. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389500
May 8th
Day 215
There is an Op-Ed on the front page
of Yediot today from Nahum Barnea. It states how Bibi appears to be
doing something in Rafah for the home base where it is essential taking over
the roadway known as Philadelphia Route and the entrance from Egypt without
really entering Rafah. Like the taking out of 3 pieces of equipment in Iran
also know in English as a Nothing Burger. The press and Hamas made it like they
were so far apart from the Israeli position but the fact is they are closer
than you and I think. Both Sinwar and Netanyahu want to keep their jobs and
bolster their base. In Magic it is the hand is quicker than the eye. In
politics Abraham Lincoln put it best: “You can fool some of the people some of
the time.” As an ordained Rabbi, I follow the Torah and the Torah is Emmes
(Truth). In fact absolute DIVINE Truth. So even if I have opinions, I always
strive for truth. After 120years, the lies one tells testify before him in the
Beit Din that matters. I’ll do my best to pass on telling lies to my readers. I
have opinions but always tell them like I see it. And even if Nahum Barnea is
way left of me, he appears to be stating the truth.
I want to quote Talmud Sotah Daf 49B:
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH
INSOLENCE WILL INCREASE AND HONOR DWINDLE; THE VINE WILL YIELD ITS FRUIT
[ABUNDANTLY] BUT WINE WILL BE DEAR; THE GOVERNMENT WILL TURN TO HERESY AND
THERE WILL BE NONE [TO OFFER THEM] REPROOF; THE MEETING-PLACE [OF SCHOLARS]
WILL BE USED FOR IMMORALITY; GALILEE WILL BE DESTROYED, GABLAN DESOLATED, AND
THE DWELLERS ON THE FRONTIER WILL GO ABOUT [BEGGING] FROM PLACE TO PLACE
WITHOUT ANYONE TO TAKE PITY ON THEM; I am
very-very distraught about what is happening with the border areas of Israel
especially in the northern Galilee. I have known this prophecy from the Talmud
for many years but seeing it before me. Since this is a Mishnah the prophecy
was oral tradition written down http://www.come-and-hear.com/sotah/sotah_49.html#PARTb it was codified about 1820
or more years ago. Perhaps Rabbi Akiva would be happy as salvation is soon.
Border Policeman injured in Tulkarm
dies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389621
Farmers working in the Gaza border area were
instructed Wednesday morning not to go out and work the agricultural fields
near the Gaza-Israel border. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389608
Terrorist who set IED to flag
arrested. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389626
Over 20 Hezballah targets hit within
minutes. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389624
Where the Reform Movement Education
failed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389580
Op-Ed Ron Ben Yishai. Be tough with
Sinwar. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjd00a9dg0
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/06/more-universities-cave-pro-hamas-agitators/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/07/adl-blasts-emerson-college-bailing-out-pro-hamas-protesters/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-businessman-shot-dead-in-egypt-in-suspected-terror-attack/
May 9th
Day 216
What happens when some senior who is
not running the show thinks he is?
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389648
Netanyahu – If need be, Israel will
go it alone! https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389683
In response to the US’s steps to limit shipments of
ammunition to Israel that "the US’s step is extremely problematic, not
only for Israel's security, but exposes the tension between Israel and its main
ally, and weakens the bargaining position vis-à-vis Hamas regarding the
hostages. In addition, it sends a problematic message to the entire
region."
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389688
IED in Benyamin Region. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389678
Soldier in the north killed by
Hezballah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389655
IDF soldier wounded in south by
Rocket. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389644
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/08/israel-hezbollah-trade-heavy-fire-violence-escalates/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sinister-hamas-deal-would-let-it-keep-most-hostages-win-the-war-inflame-the-west-bank/
Israel Memorial Day is Sunday night.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389686
9.9 million Israelis. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389679
Because of security risk, terrorist not
sentenced. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389662
As a Jew from the right, I am glad
this antisemite lost. A former Republican congressman in Indiana who is a longtime
critic of Israel failed in his bid to return to the House of Representatives
after the Republican Jewish Coalition and AIPAC mounted an effort to support
his opponent. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389666
Hamas retaking positions in central
and northern Gaza. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/b1ugc115fr#autoplay
Violent leftist protesters in Tel
Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389649
Canada blocking IRGC. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389657
Amsterdam Pro-Pally Demonstrations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389658
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House
of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday sent a letter to President
Joe Biden urging that congressionally appropriated security assistance to
Israel should be expedited immediately. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389650
Illegal Bedouin Settlement evacuated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389610
Hungarian Univ. invites former Iranian
Extremist Leader. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389653
Palestinian Arab laborers who were traveling to
work at the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing on Wednesday morning were
shot at by IDF soldiers.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389635
Shabbos all over the world: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
May 10th
Day 217
I remember the Yom Kippur War. When
Golda Meir spoke in English she used G-D but in Hebrew with the atheistic
Kibbutz Base, she never referred to G-D. It was only after the Likud got in
that politicians began using ‘Baruch HASHEM’ aka ‘Bless HIS/THE NAME.’ In an
interview with Dr. Phil, Netanyahu admitted governmental failure including
himself as “The primary function of government is to protect its citizens and
on Oct. 7th we failed.” When questioned “Including yourself?” and
the reply was “Including myself.” In Hebrew it was mentioned once, months ago,
and since brushed over. View full 52-minute interview the link is in an article
below.
One thing for sure is that the two
main TV Stations Arutz 12 and 13 are anti-Netanyahu in their reporting. Arutz
11 is less watched and Arutz 14 is a right-wing view. The public opinion poll
questions produce very different results from 12 and 13 vs the poll of 14. I
learned that the wording of the question can influence a poll.
Haim Saban called up President Biden
yesterday regarding arms to Israel. He is one of the largest donors to the
Democratic Party. He told him about the bad-bad decision that weakens Israel’s
negotiating stand and emboldens our enemies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389697
Trump criticizes Biden. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-800602
Full 52minute Dr. Phil interview
with Netanyahu: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-800685
Extreme Right and Extreme Left hate
the Jews. https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/sk7hjldma
Almost a PLO State. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj9viqszc
US State Dept. Israel using weapons
per Intl Law. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-10-2024/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-dark-year-760-soldiers-834-civilians-killed-since-last-memorial-day/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-ban-ministry-raids-al-jazeeras-nazareth-branch-seizes-equipment/
After Biden’s arms embargo, Hamas
lowers number of live hostages to be released from 40 to 33 to 18 and later on.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389732
Explosive device at Yoshua’s Altar
(Joshua 8:33, 22:26-28). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389733
A 16-year-old boy who was allegedly one of the
anti-Israel protestors who vandalized a World War One memorial in New York City's Central Park on
Monday was turned in by his father, the New York Post reported,
citing NYPD sources. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389724
General Miley there was plenty of damage by the
US. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389714
Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major
American Jewish Organizations on Thursday issued a statement in which they
criticized US President Joe Biden. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389719
According to the report, the aggressive American
position against Israel in the context of Rafah and the delay in arms shipments to Israel is also partly related to Cairo's
protest, said an Egyptian source with knowledge of the details. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389711
Sen. Graham vs. Sec. Austin. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/389693
Not smart to Travel to Gaza: Security Alert: U.S. Embassy
Jerusalem (May 10, 2024)
Location: Gaza
As of May 7, the Israel Defense
Forces control the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing. Since that day,
the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza has remained closed.
As soon as the U.S. Embassy in
Jerusalem receives information regarding new exit procedures from Gaza to
Egypt, including when crossings resume, we will communicate this to the public
immediately.
This remains a complex
situation with serious implications for the safety and security of U.S.
citizens. U.S. citizens in Gaza in need of assistance should
contact JerusalemACS@state.gov. U.S. citizens in Gaza
are reminded that the U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency
consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are
prohibited from traveling there. … warn against any travel to Gaza.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/09/pro-hamas-encampment-university-pennsylvania-grows-larger/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/05/09/cornell-university-president-resigns-pro-hamas-demonstrations/
Have a healthy, peaceful
and restful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
