Good Shabbos
Deuteronomy 32:1 – 34:12 The Conclusion of
the Torah
YOM
KIPPUR REMEMBER IF YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU NOT TO FAST = DON’T.
One is
forbidden to put somebody’s life at risk and that includes yours for Pikuach
Nefesh except for idolatry, murder or adultery takes precedence. There is an
exception of a soldier, policeman, fireman and other special tasks for public
service.
Certain
heart, cancer, diabetics other diseases, pregnant or nursing women may be
excused from fasting or eating or drinking in minimum amounts to Halachically
Fast without endangerment. The Mitzvah is to live by Torah and not die by Torah
except for the three things mentioned above.
Parsha Hazinu
Moshe is
going to teach this one final ‘song’ to the Bnei Yisrael before leaving this
world for good. As per Kabbalah inanimate objects have a vibration from HASHEM.
Thus a witness testimonial is given in our Parsha to heaven (atmosphere) and
earth.
32:1 Give
ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my
mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew;
as the small rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.
The word of
the L-RD shall penetrate our thick skulls as a drop of rain or dew nourishes a
plant.
3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD;
ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 The Rock, His work is perfect; for all His
ways are justice; a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is
He. 5 Is corruption His? No; His children's is the blemish; a generation
crooked and perverse.
This is the
generation of people still living under 20 at the time of the plagues,
splitting of the sea and witnessed the giving of the Torah on Har Sinai. All
the more so our crooked and perverse generation that has political candidates
talking about six genders and one going as far to want to ban marriage.
6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people
and unwise? is not He thy father that hath gotten thee? hath He not made thee,
and established thee?
HE is your
father and some idiot running for Senate says G-D is non-binary! Wake up
generation and learn WHO made and established you! In Israel, there are a few
political parties with agendas to destroy Yeshivos and Torah.
7 Remember the days of old, consider the years
of many generations; ask thy father, and he will declare unto thee, thine
elders, and they will tell thee.
Your elders
refer to Torah Sages and not an old person who had enough merits in this world
to live a long life but is a boor and Am Haaretz (uneducated in tradition).
8 When the Most High gave to the nations their
inheritance, when He separated the children of men, He set the borders of the
peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the portion of
the LORD is His people, Jacob the lot of His inheritance. 10 He found him in a
desert land, and in the waste, a howling wilderness; He compassed him about, He
cared for him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.
He has
separated Am Yisrael from all the Amim (nations). He has brought us into the
land that HE assigned us and has taken from the Canaanim. The Roman and British
colonizers and occupiers called the land Palestine after the Plishtim
(Abimelech, Pinacol, etc.) but it is our land Created for us. So if you ever
hear the words on the news ‘occupied land’, remember we are the natives and anybody
else is an occupier.
11 As an eagle that stirs up her nest, hovers over her young, spreads abroad her wings, taketh them, bears them on her pinions-- 12 The LORD
alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with Him. 13 He made him ride
on the high places of the earth, and he did eat the fruitage of the field; and
He made him to suck honey out of the crag, and oil out of the flinty rock;
HASHEM
hovers over us as an eagle does over its nest. Miracles occur often.
14 Curd of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of
lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and he-goats, with the kidney-fat of
wheat; and of the blood of the grape thou drank foaming wine. 15 But Jeshurun
waxed fat, and kicked--thou didst wax fat, thou didst grow thick, thou didst
become gross--and he forsook God who made him, and contemned the Rock of his
salvation.
Instead of
being humble and thanking HASHEM for the blessings, people would become haughty
because of the bounty.
16 They roused Him to jealousy with strange
gods, with abominations did they provoke Him. 17 They sacrificed unto demons,
no-gods, gods that they knew not, new gods that came up of late, which your
fathers dreaded not. 18 Of the Rock that begot thee thou were unmindful, and
didst forget God that bore thee. 19 And the LORD saw, and spurned, because of
the provoking of His sons and His daughters. 20 And He said: 'I will hide My
face from them, I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very froward
generation, children in whom is no faithfulness. 21 They have roused Me to
jealousy with a no-god; they have provoked Me with their vanities; and I will
rouse them to jealousy with a no-people; I will provoke them with a vile
nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burns unto the depths of the nether-world,
and devours the
earth with her produce, and sets ablaze the foundations of the mountains. 23 I
will heap evils upon them; I will spend Mine arrows upon them; 24 The wasting
of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the
teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the
dust. 25 Without shall the sword bereave, and in the chambers terror; slaying
both young man and virgin, the suckling with the man of gray hairs. 26 I
thought I would make an end of them, I would make their memory cease from among
men; 27 Were it not that I dreaded the enemy's provocation, lest their
adversaries should misdeem, lest they should say: Our hand is exalted, and not
the LORD hath wrought all this.' 28 For they are a nation void of counsel, and
there is no understanding in them. 29 If they were wise, they would understand
this, they would discern their latter end. 30 How should one chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had given them over and
the LORD had delivered them up?
If one
becomes haughty, the L-RD will have fierce anger against the proud
non-observers and bring them into the hands of their enemies. But as for the
nations that come against us (even when we sin), there will be a price to pay
and Am Yisrael will be avenged by G-D.
31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our
enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and
of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are
bitter; 33 Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of asps.
34 'Is not this laid up in store with Me, sealed up in My treasuries? 35
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, against the time when their foot shall slip;
for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that are to come upon
them shall make haste. 36 For the LORD will judge His people, and repent
Himself for His servants; when He sees that their stay is gone, and there
is none remaining, shut up or left at large. 37 And it is said: Where are their
gods, the rock in whom they trusted; 38 Who did eat the fat of their
sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink-offering? let him rise up and
help you, let him be your protection. 39 See now that I, even I, am He, and there
is no god with Me; I kill, and I make alive; I have wounded, and I heal; and
there is none that can deliver out of My hand. 40 For I lift up My hand to
heaven, and say: As I live for ever, 41 If I whet My glittering sword, and My
hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine adversaries, and
will recompense them that hate Me. 42 I will make Mine arrows drunk with blood,
and My sword shall devour flesh; with the blood of the slain and the captives,
from the long-haired heads of the enemy.' 43 Sing aloud, O ye nations, of His
people; for He doth avenge the blood of His servants, and doth render vengeance
to His adversaries, and doth make expiation for the land of His people.
I don’t
have to go too far this week for an example (see Inyanay Diyoma below). The
United Kingdom went against Israel suddenly on that day the Scottish, Northern
Irish and Welsh want to disengaged from the UK.
44 And Moses came and spoke all the words of
this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45 And when
Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said unto
them: 'Set your heart unto all the words wherewith I testify against you this
day; that ye may charge your children therewith to observe to do all the words
of t ye shall prolong your days upon the land, whither ye go over the Jordan to
possess it.'
Now follow
HASHEM, observe the Mitzvos and possess the land.
48 And the LORD spoke unto Moses that selfsame
day, saying: 49 'Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, unto mount Nebo,
which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land
of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession; 50 and
die in the mount whither thou go up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron
thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people. 51 Because ye
trespassed against Me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of
Meribath-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified Me not in the
midst of the children of Israel. 52 For thou shalt see the land afar off; but
thou shalt not go thither into the land which I give the children of Israel.'
Moshe is
now commanded to view the promised land from Har Nevo (range).
Parsha Zos HaBracha
Moshe’s life is coming to an end. He wants
to bless the tribes similar to Yacov Avinu in Parsha Vayehi. In past years
blogspot archives, one can read also Rashi. This year I gave a brief ceremony.
33:1 And
this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of
Israel before his death. 2 And he said: The LORD came from Sinai, and rose from
Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and He came from the myriads
holy, at His right hand was a fiery law unto them. 3 Yea, He loveth the
peoples, all His holy ones--they are in Thy hand; and they sit down at Thy
feet, receiving of Thy words. 4 Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance of the
congregation of Jacob. 5 And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of
the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together. 6 Let Reuben live,
and not die in that his men become few.
Reuven
sinned by moving Yacov’s bed from Bilhah tent to the tent of Leah. It was like
sleeping with a wife of his father as the Torah mentions. Note: Shimon after
the incident with Zimri does not receive a blessing. It was enough that they
were still physically alive.
7 And this for Judah, and he said: Hear, LORD,
the voice of Judah, and bring him in unto his people; his hands shall contend
for him, and Thou shalt be a help against his adversaries.
Bring him
into to people refers to Reuven saying to Yacov: “If I do not bring back Benyamin,
I have sinned for all days.” Yehuda was still not with Am Yisrael in the next
world, until Moshe blessed him as even a hit of a curse from a Tzadik can come
true. Now the bones of Yehuda would be in their sockets for eternity and he can
rest in peace among his brethren.
8 And of Levi he said: Thy Thummim and Thy Urim
be with Thy holy one, whom Thou didst prove at Massah, with whom Thou didst
strive at the waters of Meribah; 9 Who said of his father, and of his mother:
'I have not seen him'; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew he his
own children; for they have observed Thy word, and keep Thy covenant. 10 They
shall teach Jacob Thine ordinances, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense
before Thee, and whole burnt-offering upon Thine altar. 11 Bless, LORD, his
substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them
that rise up against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
The Cohanim
and Leviim shall have special spiritual powers.
12 Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the LORD
shall dwell in safety by Him; He covers him all the
day, and He dwelleth between his shoulders.
The
shoulders refer to the Temple Mount where HE dwells as the head, being higher
is more in the Ramallah Area.
13 And of Joseph he said: Blessed of the LORD
be his land; for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep
that couches
beneath, 14 And for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, and for the
precious things of the yield of the moons, 15 And for the tops of the ancient
mountains, and for the precious things of the everlasting hills, 16 And for the
precious things of the earth and the fulness thereof, and the good will of Him
that dwelt in the bush; let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon
the crown of the head of him that is prince among his brethren. 17 His
firstling bullock, majesty is his; and his horns are the horns of the wild-ox;
with them he shall gore the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth;
and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
Yosef is
blessed with two tribes. They shall be powerful fighter and Eliyahu HaNovi will
come from Gilead in the future..
18 And of Zebulun he said: Rejoice, Zebulun, in
thy going out, and, Issachar, in thy tents. 19 They shall call peoples unto the
mountain; there shall they offer sacrifices of righteousness; for they shall
suck the abundance of the seas, and the hidden treasures of the sand.
They had a
partnership Zevulun would earn and Yissachar would learn and this partnership
was a great combination. If there is flour there is Torah and if there isn’t
Torah there isn’t flour. By paying for Torah learning, they built up their
income with a blessing. This is the time for my annual appeal before Yom Kippur.
Please donate to our Shulchan Aruch Kollel: Ezrat Achim V’Kollel Beit Shlomo Israel Tax Donation Number: 508779395 c/o
Rabbi Mimran Ohr HaChaim 5 Modiin Illit ISRAEL
20 And of Gad he said: Blessed be He that
enlarges
Gad; he dwelleth as a lioness, and tears the arm, yea, the crown of the
head. 21 And he chose a first part for himself, for there a portion of a ruler
was reserved; and there came the heads of the people, he executed the
righteousness of the LORD, and His ordinances with Israel.
The head or
the Golan Heights.
22 And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's whelp,
that leaps
forth from Bashan.
Dan was at
the foot of Har Hermon in the north.
23 And of Naphtali he said: O Naphtali,
satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the
sea and the south.
The sea of
Galilee.
24 And of Asher he said: Blessed be Asher above
sons; let him be the favoured of his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
25 Iron and brass shall be thy bars; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
The land of
Asher would be abundant with olives.
26 There is none like unto God, O Jeshurun, who
rides
upon the heaven as thy help, and in His excellency on the skies. 27 The eternal
God is a dwelling-place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He thrust
out the enemy from before thee, and said: 'Destroy.' 28 And Israel dwelleth in
safety, the fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of corn and wine; yea, his
heavens drop down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel, who is like unto thee? a
people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and that is the sword of thy
excellency! And thine enemies shall dwindle away before thee; and thou shalt
tread upon their high places.
Yisrael is a special and with a special
people and when Mitzvos are observed and the two interact, they are unbeatable.
34:1 And
Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah,
that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, even Gilead
as far as Dan; 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and
all the land of Judah as far as the hinder sea; 3 and the South, and the Plain,
even the valley of Jericho the city of palm-trees, as far as Zoar. 4 And the
LORD said unto him: 'This is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac,
and unto Jacob, saying: I will give it unto thy seed; I have caused thee to see
it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.'
Now after
this the first Rabbi, Moshe can retire and rest. Unfortunately for us, Rabbis only
fully retire and rest eternally. There is a debate if Moshe actually wrote
these lines of Torah or Yoshua wrote them.
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there
in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he was buried in
the valley in the land of Moab over against Beth-peor; and no man knowsh of his sepulchre unto this day. 7
And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim,
nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in
the plains of Moab thirty days; so the days of weeping in the mourning for
Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom;
for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened
unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And there hath not arisen a
prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face; 11 in
all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of
Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 12 and in all
the mighty hand, and in all the great terror, which Moses wrought in the sight
of all Israel.
The sight of 600,000 + adult males and
equal number of women, probably over a million children and many elderly.
NEXT BLOGSPOT WILL BE IN TWO WEEKS FROM
NOW ON CREATION AND WILL DISCUSS AI IN RELATIONSHIP TO CREATION.
Story picked up on Facebook: She walked into the office of one of the most feared Nazi
officials in Europe and asked him to release six hundred Jewish children. He
laughed at her and gave her six days to prove she could actually get them out.
Six days later, Truus Wijsmuller came back with six hundred children ready to
leave Vienna.
It was December 1938. Vienna had become a city of fear. Jewish shops had been smashed. Families were being threatened,
humiliated, arrested, and stripped of their rights. Parents who had once
worried about schools, rent, and ordinary family life were now asking a much
darker question.
How do we get our children out before it is too late?
Into that nightmare walked a Dutch woman named Geertruida
“Truus” Wijsmuller-Meijer.
She had no military rank. No government position powerful enough to command anyone. No weapon.
What she had was nerve, persistence, and an almost
frightening refusal to accept the word impossible.
Wijsmuller had already become involved in helping Jewish
refugees escape Nazi-controlled territory when she decided to go directly to
Vienna. There, she asked for something extraordinary. A meeting with Adolf Eichmann. She got it.
Eichmann was then overseeing Jewish emigration from Vienna and
would later become one of the central organizers of the machinery that deported
millions of Jews to ghettos and extermination camps. Across his desk sat Truus. A middle-aged Dutch woman asking permission to take hundreds of
Jewish children away from him.
Her request was simple. Let her take six hundred children out of Austria.
Eichmann reportedly regarded the idea with contempt. Six hundred children? In less than a week? He considered it impossible. So he gave her a challenge. Take six hundred children out within six days. Truus said yes. Then she started
moving.
The next six days became a battle fought with documents,
telephone calls, railway schedules, passports, permits, officials, border
regulations, and almost no sleep.
Every hour mattered.
And behind every name on her lists was a family being forced to
make an unbearable decision. Parents had to place
their children into the hands of strangers. They packed small suitcases with whatever could be carried. Clothes.
Photographs. Perhaps a favorite toy.
Then came the moment no parent wanted. They had to say goodbye. Some children were old enough to understand why they were
leaving. Others were not.
They clung to mothers and fathers who could not promise they
would see each other again. Truus kept working. She arranged trains. Found people willing to cooperate.
Secured documents. Negotiated with officials. Solved one bureaucratic disaster only to encounter another. Six days passed. And she returned.
The impossible number had become real. Hundreds of Jewish children were ready to leave Vienna. Some were barely more than toddlers. They carried tiny bags and enormous fear. And then the train began moving. That may have been the hardest moment of all.
Parents stood behind while their children disappeared down the
tracks toward safety.
Nobody knew that for many of those families, this goodbye would
be permanent.
Truus traveled with the children through Nazi-controlled
territory, passing checkpoints and authorities who could have stopped the
journey at any moment.
But the transport continued. The children reached safety. For most people, saving hundreds of lives in one operation would
have been enough.
For Truus, it was the beginning. She went back. Then she went back
again. And again.
Throughout the months before the outbreak of the Second World
War, Wijsmuller repeatedly traveled into Germany and Nazi-controlled Austria to
help organize the escape of Jewish children. Every journey carried risk. Rules could change overnight.
Borders could close. Officials could refuse documents. Someone could decide she had become inconvenient. She continued anyway.
Because every trip revealed the same thing. More parents waiting. More children needing places. More names.
More frightened families asking whether there was
still time. Wijsmuller became one of the major figures involved in the
Kindertransport effort that carried thousands of Jewish children away from
Nazi-controlled Europe before the war.
Her work did not end with one spectacular confrontation. That is what made it extraordinary. Heroism, in her case, became repetitive. Another train. Another list.
Another frightened child. Another exhausted night. Another border. Another argument with
an official. Again and again, she turned bureaucracy itself into a rescue
tool.
The children who escaped paid a terrible price. Many never saw their parents again.
The adults who put them on those trains often understood exactly
what they were risking.
They were sending their children into the unknown
because the alternative was becoming even more terrifying.
But the children survived. They grew older. They built careers. They married. They had children of
their own. Then grandchildren. Entire branches of families continued because someone had been
willing to keep crossing borders when staying home would have been easier. That is what makes Truus Wijsmuller’s story remarkable.
She was not a general. She did not command an army. She did not defeat the Nazis in battle. Her weapons looked almost absurdly ordinary. Forms.
Passports. Train timetables. Telephone calls. Persistence. And the ability to sit across from powerful men without allowing
their power to frighten her into silence.
History often teaches us to imagine courage as something loud. A charge across a battlefield. A weapon raised against an enemy. A speech delivered before thousands.
But courage does not always announce itself that way. Sometimes it looks like a woman arguing over paperwork. Sometimes it looks like working until dawn because a train
leaves in the morning.
Sometimes it looks like taking the hand of a
terrified child and guiding them toward a railway carriage while their parents
cry behind them.
Truus Wijsmuller could not stop the Holocaust. She could not dismantle the Nazi regime. She could not save everyone. But she could save the child standing in front of her. Then another. Then another.
And she kept doing that until the number reached into the
thousands. That is the part worth remembering. When history becomes enormous, individual action can feel
meaningless. Truus refused to believe that. She could not change everything. So she changed what she could reach. One document. One train. One child at a time.
The Price for Blowing a Shofar in Schul by R’
Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5787/1500-01.html
During the month of Elul [1], the deep blue skies of Jerusalem seemed to
be drawing closer to the earth. In the early hours before dawn, the skies of
Jerusalem were filled with clouds of morning dew, refreshing the city,
softening its soil, and bringing relief and renewed vigor to its inhabitants
after the oppressive heat and dryness of summer.
Every day, at the break of dawn, the permeating melodies of the Sephardic
Selichos (penitential prayers) being recited in Jerusalem's many synagogues
could be heard. Frequently they were punctuated with the penetrating sounds of
shofar blasts, awakening sleepers from their slumber and summoning them to
return in repentance before the exalted and mighty King, in preparation for the
approaching Day of Judgment.
Most of Jerusalem families had already secured places for themselves in
the synagogues of their neighborhoods. Some of the prayer leaders of the larger
synagogues had even left their homes to rest and recuperate before the sacred
service that awaited them.
Among all the holy congregations who were busy preparing for the Days of
Awe, the prayer leaders and shofar blowers stood out in particular. Each one
was practicing the task assigned to him, as well as preparing himself to be
worthy of the role.
One of them was Rabbi Shlomo-Chaim Stern, a veteran shofar blower whose
family had held the position in the main synagogue of the Hasidic community in
the Meah Shaarim neighborhood since the day it
was founded. A tenth generation of expert shofar blowers who currently held the
position he had inherited from his father, he was a throwback to previous
generations, when nearly everyone understood that "the reward for a
mitzvah is the mitzvah itself." his true happiness came solely from having
been granted by the Almighty the ability and talents to bring merit to the
public through his mitzvah fulfillment.
It follows that Rabbi Shlomo Chaim's preparations were entirely different from
those of the younger men. For him, the entire month of Elul was for genuine
repentance, and he conducted himself accordingly. He spent long hours studying
Torah and praying, and cut back considerably on food and sleep.
Whenever someone would caution him to take better care of his health so
that he would have the strength to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, he would
sigh deeply and respond: "Am I truly worthy of being counted among the
public shofar blowers? I only do it because the congregation insists that I
continue in my role. If so, surely the merit of the community will protect me,
and 'Heaven will grant strength to the weary.'"
As you probably surmised by now, Shlomo Chaim had never once considered
asking for payment for his sacred service, much less accepting it, even though
his financial situation was far from good.
But then, in the month of Elul in the year 5668 [1908], Chaim Shlomo's
wife learned that the administrator of the large synagogue established in the
new neighborhood of Zichron Moshe were looking for a suitable shofar blower,
and that they were offering to pay twenty pounds-a tremendous sum in those
days.
The thought of an unexpected addition of a substantial amount of money,
especially during the holiday season when household expenses were so great, was
irresistibly appealing to her. The growing children had been begging for a pair
of shoes for two years already, food was meager, and so on. So she began urging
her husband to accept the position.
Shlomo Chaim pleaded with his wife: "What difference will these few
pounds make? The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) itself says that one does
not see blessing in money earned in this way. And how could I leave the
position I inherited from my father of blessed memory, who prayed and blew the
shofar in our synagogue for thirty years? Will we not have to answer for that
on the Day of Judgment for such a thing before the One Who dwells on
High?"
But his wife did not relent. "How can I face my family during the
holidays? The children are growing up, and soon they will reach marriageable
age, yet they do not even have a single respectable garment to wear when they
go out.
"My dear husband, look at what important and distinguished people do.
They travel to England, and some go as far as America, and they return with
substantial sums. Yet for you, going from Meah Shaarim to nearby Zichron Moshe
is as though you were traveling to the end of the world!"
"I cannot pretend to be like the distinguished people you speak
of," Shlomo Chaim replied. "I am not important, and in truth I am not
even worthy of serving as a shofar blower even without payment. But rest
assured that the Al-mighty will certainly help us as the new year approaches--
without England, without America, and even without Zichron Moshe."
His wife however, refused to give up. She enlisted the help of several
respected Hasidim from her husband's shul (synagogue), and asked them to try to
persuade him to follow her advice. At the same time, she secretly contacted the
officials of Zichron Moshe that her husband, the well-known, experienced, and
deeply religious shofar blower, would be willing to accept the position.
Eventually, after the combined efforts of his wife and the congregants who
had joined the campaign to pressure him, Shlomo Chaim softened his resistance.
He agreed to take the job, even though he still did not want to.
On the first day of Selichos week, Rabbi Shlomo set out for Zichron Moshe
to lead the morning prayer and blow the shofar there, so that the payment he
was due to receive for the Rosh Hashanah blasts would not be considered payment
for work performed on the festival.
However, as soon as he started, it immediately felt wrong. Praying
somewhere other than his regular shul, together with the different liturgy used
in that synagogue, unsettled him and threw him off balance. His daily routine,
which he had accustomed himself to for many years, was completely disrupted; He
was unable to focus properly; neither his heart nor his mind was into it.
After the prayer service, he returned home troubled. If today was this
difficult, he wondered to himself, what will happen on Rosh Hashanah?
That night he tossed and turned for hours on his bed, unable to fall
asleep. Finally he managed to doze off, but not for long. He saw his father in
a dream, who then started speaking to him:
"You inherited the shofar and the shofar blowing from me. Guard that
inheritance carefully. Remember: according to Torah law, if the mouth of a
shofar has been covered with gold, the gold constitutes a separation between
the mouth and the shofar, and is therefore invalid for use for the mitzvah on
Rosh Hashana."
Before dawn, when Rabbi Shlomo Chaim washed his hands and rose from his
bed, his mind was made up. His would remain in his own synagogue. He would not
exchange his sacred responsibility for the twenty pounds from Zichron Moshe.
As soon as he returned from the morning prayer, he asked his wife to
cancel the arrangement at Zichron Moshe. This time, she did not argue. Seeing
the day and night he had endured, she finally understood what her pressure had
done to her righteous husband.
"I see that this matter is affecting you deeply -- your heart and
even your life," she confessed. "At first I thought it would be good
for me and for the family. But now, who knows, what harm I might have caused,
G-d forbid?
"Do what you believe is right. I am confident that our Father in
Heaven will inscribe and seal us for a good and blessed year, even without
those twenty pounds."
Still, Rabbi Shlomo Chaim was not entirely at peace with his decision. His
wife's disappointment touched his heart, and he decided to consult the rabbi of
Zichron Moshe, the renowned Rabbi Yitzchak-Tzvi Rivlin, of blessed memory. He
hoped that the rabbi would understand his perspective better than the synagogue
officials, and would guide him to understand what was best for him to do.
He went quickly to the rabbi and told him all his doubts, what had
happened to him during the previous two days, and finally, the dream. Then he
asked to be released from his commitment.
The rabbi was deeply moved by his sincerity and integrity. He nodded and
spoke his thoughts. "I don't think this is really a question of Jewish
law. If you are asking to be released, then know that you are indeed released,
and you are free from this post, exactly as you requested. With God's help, the
synagogue will find another shofar blower, although I doubt that he will be as
skilled and as God-fearing as you."
But if you are asking my opinion," the rabbi continued, "I would
advise you to stay and blow the shofar here. What you saw in your dream it must
have come from your thoughts during the day. The payment specified for the
shofar blowing is totally permissible. First, the shofar is also blown on
weekdays throughout the month of Elul. Second, the money is given as a gift.
"Besides, can you really say that gold or the money has somehow been
added to your shofar and created a physical separation between your mouth and
the instrument?"
Rabbi Shlomo Chaim was embarrassed by the rabbi's clear words. In a quiet
voice, he apologized and said: "Heaven forbid that I would say that the
halacha (Torah law) is that money itself creates a separation between his mouth
and the shofar.
"What I mean is that in my own mind only, this separation exists. I
feel that I will not be able to concentrate properly on the necessary kavanot
(intentions) that even a lowly Jew such as myself must have when blowing the shofar
publicly. What am I supposed to do?"
When the rabbi realized that despite his advice Rabbi Shlomo Chaim had
firmly made up his mind to return to his Meah Shaarim shul, he did not
try to argue with him any further. Instead, he simply wished him, "May you
be inscribed and sealed for a good year," and they parted in peace.
Rabbi Shlomo Chaim left the rabbi's home relieved and in good spirits. He
headed for his own synagogue to inform the officials that he had changed his
mind. He would not give up his established position after all; he would blow
the shofar for them just as he had for so many years already.
On Rosh Hashanah that year, something remarkable happened. Rabbi Shlomo
Chaim's shofar blowing was better than ever before. The seven verses recited
before the blowing, beginning with "From the narrow place I called upon
the Lord" and so forth, emerged with greater power than ever and stirred
the hearts of everyone present. What's more, every shofar blast was clear,
strong, and flawless.
During the shofar blasts sounded during the repetition of the special Rosh
Hashana Amidah (standing silent) prayer, a distinguished guest entered quietly.
It was none other than the rabbi of Zichron Moshe, Rabbi Yitzchak Tzvi Rivlin,
who had come specially to hear Rabbi Shlomo Chaim's shofar blowing.
After the service, one of the synagogue officials approached the guest and
asked: "Well, Rabbi, what did you think of the shofar blasts?"
The rabbi replied: "What is so surprising about it? After all, this
shofar blower had already defeated the Satan ('accusing angel') before Rosh
Hashana!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source:
Freely adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from an emailing of "Sipurei
Tzaddikim" (with some referencing of a literal AI translation).
Footnotes:
[1] The Jewish month immediately followed by Rosh Hashana.
[2] As is taught in chapter 9 of Gemara Brachos.
Thanks to Rona M. of Modiin
on Facebook
On this night 25 years ago, a newborn baby died in Nashville,
Tennessee. In their deepest grief, his parents chose to donate his organs. Only
his tiny, ten-ounce liver could be saved, a perfect match for Karina, a
six-month-old girl dying of liver failure in Houston.
Then came the morning of September 11. As terrorist attacks unfolded, government ordered every plane in
America grounded and the skies went eerily silent.
In Nashville, Jill Grandas of Tennessee Donor Services received
the devastating call from the operating room: Nothing can take off.
Jill refused to let despair win. She grabbed a phone book, found
a listing for the Air Traffic Control tower, and dialed. Bracing for a
rejection, she pleaded her case to a supervisor. Against all odds, the response
was yes.
The Tennessee Air National Guard prepped a massive C-130
Hercules, a heavy-duty warplane built to transport 38 tons of military cargo.
On a morning defined by terror and empty skies, that giant aircraft lifted off
carrying no armor or weaponry. It carried only a single ten-ounce cooler.
In Houston, an ambulance waited on a silent runway. Paramedics
watched in awe as personnel stepped off the giant warplane carrying the tiny
container. At Texas Children's Hospital, surgeons completed the transplant.
Karina survived, growing up healthy and strong.
Last year, Jill and Karina finally met, holding each other in
tears.
On the darkest day in modern history, when the world seemed to
collapse, a grieving family’s generosity and a stranger’s refusal to give up
proved that love could still command the skies.
Pictures of
the two women appeared Sept. 11th https://www.facebook.com/rabbirachamim.pauli
A
Chassid’s Skeptical Question on Yom Kippur by R’ Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5787/1501-02.html
Rabbi Mendel Futerfass was a
chasid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and the Rebbe said that everyone must be
prepared to sacrifice their lives to ensure that as many Jews as possible get a
genuine Torah education, even in [or especially in] the G-dless U.S.S.R, where
Reb Mendel was born and lived.
Eventually, Reb Mendel was arrested, charged with the subversive activity of
teaching Judaism and put in jail shortly after Rosh Hashanah 5708 (1947) until
his trial. It was pretty clear that he would be found guilty and spend the rest
of his life in Siberia, which in most cases wasn't much time at all.
A few days had gone by in his damp prison cell together with dozens of violent
criminals, when he realized with dread that he would have to be there for all
of Yom Kippur; The day of Forgiveness!
On one hand he was sad to spend the holiest day of the year in this hell of a
prison. But on the other hand he was alive! And Jewish! And…a chasid of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe! And that means, he said to himself, he must rise above the
situation! That is what being a chasid is about.
That Yom Kippur night he decided he would consider his bed (which was a long
plank of wood attached to the wall) to be a little Synagogue, and do his best
to blank out the presence of the scary violent criminals and anti-Semitic
Russian guards while he prayed. So he sat on the sole seat in his shul (i.e.
his bed) and said as many of the prayers of Yom Kipper as he remembered by
heart.
But it wasn't so easy. The prayers of Yom Kippur are only said once a year and
there are a lot of them. He succeeded somehow in saying the evening and morning
prayers by heart. But when he reached of the lengthy complex poems of Musaf [a
second "Additional" morning prayer], he only remembered a small
fraction, and that with difficulty.
One prayer, however, stood out in
his mind: a poem of the twenty-two lines, and each line begins with the words
"Everyone believes…" ("Kol Maaminim"), and the third word
on each line is in aleph-beit sequence:
So, in the stillness of the night, while everyone else was asleep, he sat
swaying gently back and forth on his bed praying quietly to the Creator:
[beginnings of selected sample verses]
And all believe that HE is and there is none other…
And all believe that HE knows our deepest feelings…
And all believe that HE remembers the Covenant…
And all believe that HE is good to all…
And all believe that HE is a righteous judge…etc.
Suddenly the thought entered his
mind "Oy, what am I saying here? 'Everyone believes? Everyone believes!'
What about the evil communist regime? And what of the Jews of the atheist
bloodthirsty Yevsektsia ('Jewish division' of the communist party), who are so
fiercely dedicated to wipe out any mention of G-d and His people?
Reb Mendel put this new question aside and finished his prayers.
Two weeks later he was
transferred to a concentration camp and squeezed into a hall, where about sixty
beds were crammed in tiers on the surrounding walls. All the hardened criminals
snatched the best places, while he was pushed into a corner.
He tried his best to be inconspicuous. It was Shabbat night, so he decided to
wait until all the other prisoners were sound asleep. Finally, he was able to
close his eyes and immerse myself in the Shabbat prayers.
Suddenly he felt that someone was
staring at him. He looked up. It was Ivan, a huge mountain of a man with a
scarred ugly face featuring a thick Uzbek mustache. Everyone knew him and was
afraid of him. He was a known murderer. Now it seems that he had set his sights
on poor Reb Mendel.
Ivan jumped silently from his bed, crouching like a huge cat and quietly
approached the Rabbi. When he reached Reb Mendel he bent down, put his face
into his and whispered forcefully and slowly, "You're Jewish, right?"
Reb Mendel never hid his Judaism; better to die a Jew than to live a lie. He
looked him in the eye and answered firmly, "Yes!"
"And you are praying now, aren't you?" Reb Mendel nodded.
The murderer pointed to his own chest and whispered clearly, "So am
I."
Reb Mendel was stunned.
"And I'll tell you something
else" Ivan continued, "I even fasted this Yom Kippur!
He paused for what seemed an
eternity and continued. "A few days ago I heard one of the Jewish
prisoners say 'Tomorrow is Yom Kippur' and I don't know why, but I did it; I
decided I was going to fast!
The next day I told the guards I was sick and they put me in the 'hospital'
(which was no more than an empty room with a wooden bed in it) and locked the
door. I just sat there.
After a while, however, I felt really uneasy. Then I remembered that my
grandfather took me to services and he used to pray and cry to G-d with all the
other Jews. Then suddenly I remembered a prayer!
"It was something my grandmother used to say to me every morning when she
woke me up. I remembered her soft, sad eyes and I began to cry.
"Do you hear? I cried on Yom
Kippur just like my grandfather did! Just like all the Jews! And when I stopped
crying, I didn't even wipe my eyes I just said the prayer, my grandmother's
prayer:
"Modeh Ani L'fa'ne'chaw Melech Chai v'Ka'yam" ('I offer thanks before
You, living and eternal King [for You have mercifully restored my soul within
me; Your trustworthiness is great.')
"I don't even know what it means. Actually I don't know a word of Hebrew,
for even my father received a communist education, and I did not see a trace of
Judaism in my father's house.
So I sat in that room the entire
day. That's right, I sat from the morning until when it became dark, and said
over and over again: 'Modeh Ani L'fanechaw Melech Chai v'Kayam. Modeh Ani
L'fanechaw Melech Chai v'Kayam.' "
He paused for another minute in deep thought, then snapped out of it. He
pointed his finger at Reb Mendel and whispered menacingly, 'Now don't you tell
anyone what I just told you, understand?! I-said-nothing." After this
conclusion he turned and slipped silently back to his place.
Reb Mendel sat in the silence staring at Ivan, who simply climbed into his bed,
turned his face to the wall and was snoring instantly.
That's when the thought entered his mind. 'Aha! This is an answer from Heaven
to the question I had on Yom Kippur. If even that murderer believes, that is a
sign that "Kol Maaminim' -- Everyone believes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Source: Compiled and freely adapted by Yerachmiel
Tilles from a weekly email a few years ago by Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, and from
"Days of Awe, Days of Joy", the translation by Rabbi Chaim Miller of
the original Hebrew edition by Rabbi Eli Friedman; (Kehot).]
Biographical note:
Rabbi Menachem-Mendel ("Reb Mendel") Futerfas (1906 - 4 Tammuz 1995),
was a near legendary Lubavitcher chasid, even for those who knew him
personally. In 1947 he was arrested for administrating networks of underground
yeshivas and Jewish schools, and for facilitating the repatriation of thousands
of Soviet Jews to Poland after WWII. For three months he was interrogated,
tortured and threatened with death, but he would not reveal anything about his
co-conspirators or the underground religious schools. In the end, he was
sentenced to 8 years in Soviet prisons and labor camps, which he went through
without compromising any religious observances, despite the cruel pressure to
do so. After another six years in Siberian exile, he was allowed to emigrate to
England, thanks to an appeal for family repatriation made by prime minister
Harold Wilson during his summit meeting in Moscow with Chairman Nikita
Khrushchev. In 1973 he settled in Kfar Chabad, Israel, for the rest of his
life.
[photo credit: chabadpedia.com]
"Reb Mendel in Action"
George W.
and Laura Bush cared for the Secret Service and read this about Trump:
A Secret Service agent who
protected Trump recently said something that SHOCKED everyone: “Trump has
RUINED me — I could never protect another President the same way again.” And
before you assume he meant that as criticism, WAIT until you understand what he
really meant by “ruined,” because his explanation of Trump has left people
across the Secret Service deeply emotional.
Here’s what the agent meant by
“Trump ruined me”:
This Secret Service agent had
protected several Presidents before Trump. He was professionally trained,
followed every rule, and performed his duty with discipline, distance, and
dedication. He protected each President the same way — until he was assigned to
Trump.
That’s when EVERYTHING changed. The agent explained:
“Trump RUINED me for this job.
Not because he’s difficult — but because he’s completely different. Trump knows
my NAME. Other Presidents called me ‘agent.’ Trump calls me by my actual name.
He knows my WIFE’S name. He knows
my CHILDREN’S names. He asks about my son’s baseball games. Trump notices when
I’ve been standing for 8 hours and tells me, ‘Sit down, you need to rest.’
During long days, Trump makes
sure EXTRA food is available: ‘Make sure my guys eat first.’
When my FATHER passed away, Trump
came to his funeral. No cameras. No reporters. No publicity. He simply came to
honor the man who raised the person protecting him.
After being treated like THIS —
how could I ever return to being just ‘agent’ to another President? After Trump remembered my CHILDREN’S names, how could I protect
someone who wouldn’t even bother learning mine? After Trump treated me like FAMILY, how could I go back to
feeling like FURNITURE?
Trump RUINED me.
He raised the standard so HIGH
for how a President can treat the people protecting him that I could never
accept the old standard again. That’s what I mean
when I say he ‘ruined’ me.”
Here’s what this confession
supposedly shows:
Trump didn’t simply have Secret
Service agents protecting him — he made them feel VALUED, RESPECTED, and
treated like FAMILY. Once someone experiences that kind of personal respect, it
becomes impossible to accept being treated like nothing more than equipment.
Milestone: Yohanan
Elishuv, 95, the last remaining man of those who raised the flag over Eilat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433123
Milestone: Yehuda Widawoski,
107, restored Polish Jewish Graveyards after he survived the Holocaust. https://www.timesofisrael.com/yehuda-widawski-the-oldest-holocaust-survivor-in-israel-dies-at-107/ https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433095
Milestone: Rachel Rabin
Yaacov, 101, sister of former Prime Minister active on Kibbutz Manara. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908370
Milestone: Peter Max,
88, Psychedelic Artist. https://www.timesofisrael.com/peter-max-whose-psychedelic-pop-art-came-to-symbolize-the-60s-dies-at-88/
Inyanay Diyoma
Sept. 5th and
Sept. 6th
Day
1065 and Day 1066 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 186 and Day 187 start of week 153.
If you’re
going to make a mistake do it well. I was writing about Moshe dying 2488 and
made next year 5789 instead of 5787. The days of the war are mounting up and
trying to keep things correct is not easy.
https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-energy-prices-09-05-26
Another Nukhba
commander eliminated.
The
IDF itself has acknowledged that a Givati Brigade group's training exercise
conducted on Shabbat had no operational justification. The exercise was not
brought to the attention of the brigade Rabbi. The commander falsely told the
soldiers the Rabbi had been asked and had permitted it, and the IDF later
acknowledged that the commander's orders infringed upon the religious soldiers'
way of life. It also infringed on the IDF's own orders forbidding activities
not permitted on Shabbat unless lives are at stake (pikuach nefesh). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432759
In a
significant change to the military’s screening system, the IDF has decided to introduce
a new medical profile - Profile 70. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432784
Study: approximately
1,370 doctors left Israel for at least one year during this period - a 94%
increase compared with 2013-2015, when 705 doctors left.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432786
The IDF must be ready
for an attack on all sides: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432787
The
IDF announced Sunday afternoon that the Shin Bet, IDF and Yamam forces
completed a counter-terrorism operation in the Akraba area in the northern
Jordan Valley, during which a Hamas terrorist cell was thwarted and a rocket
was located. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1iqrr5ugl
They had a rocket
ready. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432785
Bennett’s Party heavy
on Tech. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1iqrr5ugl
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/04/hhs-issues-new-guidance-antisemitism-health-care/
25 die in bus crash. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907703
The
Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition on Sunday urging Ed Sheeran
and his management to drop rapper Macklemore
from the remainder of the tour after claiming he used his opening set to spread
anti-Zionist and antisemitic propaganda.
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907681
Lebanon could sign the
Abraham Accords when Hezballah disarms. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-907705
Sept. 7th
Day 1067 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 188
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
issued a fresh warning to Iran on Sunday, saying Tehran would face a
devastating response if it attacks Israel as he vowed to complete the mission
of toppling the Iranian regime. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-strikes-war-iran-trump-oil-hormuz-strait-latest-sunday-september-6 https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-energy-prices-09-07-26
Sen.
Bernie
Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar,
D-Texas, introduced legislation Thursday seeking to hit American artificial
intelligence developers with a "corporate death penalty" and up to 20
years in prison— a move critics warn will hand a crucial edge in the global AI
arms race to Beijing and Moscow. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sanders-pushes-death-penalty-crucial-us-industry-critics-advantage-foreign-adversaries
Huckabee slams world
hypocrisy after attack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432838
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/07/yemen-government-forces-capture-houthi-base-jawf/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/07/research-links-gaza-peace-board-chief-to-starvation-campaign/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/06/secret-navy-seal-operation-in-strait-of-hormuz-revealed/
Op-Ed Robert Besser 1947
when rioting British Soldiers murdered Jews: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432818
UK to ban trade with
west bank. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-907844
Deputy
Communications Minister Yisrael Eichler is expected to conclude his role as the
Belz Hasidic community's representative after many years in the Knesset.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432840
Otzma
Yehudit Chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has notified
pro-Israel advocate Yishai Fleisher that he will be placed at number 12 on the
party's slate in the upcoming Knesset elections. Fleisher serves on the Efrat
Local Council and as the international spokesman for the Jewish community of
Hebron.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432844
Surprise exercise to
check into all military options and anti-Israel attack possibilities. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432836
No left unity. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjmda0j00fe
Aliyah from western
countries rises. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjkgun3uml
Kamran
Hekmati, a Jewish Iranian American citizen
who had been held in Tehran’s Evin Prison, was released on Saturday, Iranian
sources reported on Monday.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-907850
Wife of US Major killed
in action to get partial widow payment.
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907840
Sept. 8th
Day 1068 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 189
Antisemitism at its
best UK, France and Canada boycott Yehuda and Shomron. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907968
FM to close “East
Jerusalem” UK Consulate. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907974
Boycott could cost UK
Businesses. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907948
https://www.timesofisrael.com/thieves-steal-works-worth-10-million-from-renoir-museum-in-france/
Poll gives Eisenkot a
path to 61seats. https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-907949
Security breach as
Syrians approach IDF. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432892
Ukraine to get 1000 Patriot
Missiles. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907981
Sept. 9th
Day 1069 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 190
Right now as I write
metal water pipes are being delivered to Gaza. Part of Trump-Kushner Deal but
could be used to make rockets.
Iran could burst open
to a full scale war at anytime despite the lull. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/iran-war-strikes-strait-of-hormuz-09-09-26
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/09/iran-pickaxe-mountain-nuclear-site-construction/
And https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432954
It is reported that
Sinwar wanted to make a prisoner exchange for two bodies, a Bedouin and a crazy
Israeli held in Gaza. He promises a Zin-Zana or Earthquake if Netanyahu does
not negotiate with him. Possibly Egypt or the UAE sent messages to Netanyahu
along with Fatah. Netanyahu wants to sue Haaretz and after the election,
the lawsuit will probably disappear.
Possible new 60 Minutes
Host. https://www.aol.com/articles/ex-fox-news-host-maria-113414000.html
The Golem may be
uncontrollable. https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-declares-agi-has-arrived-after-openai-unveils-gpt-6-astra
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-ai-extinction-risk-warning/
Tourist warning: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/deadly-drugs-crime-kidnapping-flagged-tourist-hot-spot-known-ancient-wonders
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/08/peres-secret-disguise-meeting-king-hussein-jordan/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/08/kenny-cunningham-israel-dublin-aviva-nations-league/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/07/jewish-nominee-ohio-governor-targeted-armed-man/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/09/us-pressure-forces-uk-to-soften-israel-sanctions/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/07/germany-asks-un-top-court-throw-out-israel-arms-export-case/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/09/naked-suspect-attacks-officer-sharon/
I don’t know what these
people are thinking? https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-anti-israel-turmoil-67-of-us-jews-plan-to-vote-democrat-in-midterms-poll/
New
York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $70 million would be spent on
providing security for synagogues, schools, and other minorities that face the
threat of hate crimes ahead of the start of the Jewish High Holidays this
coming weekend, the New York Post reported. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432950
https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-says-prostate-cancer-radiation-treatment-worked-as-intended/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/zamir-says-idf-to-open-new-unmanned-systems-and-ai-branch-by-december/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-uncover-4300-year-old-tomb-of-ancient-judge-near-cairo/
Itamar
Galinsky, who was critically wounded during the fighting in Lebanon nearly two
years ago, has returned to reserve duty in the same unit in which he was
serving when he was wounded. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432949
30 Terrorists planned
to attack Modiin. B”H Thwarted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432904
The
IDF and the ISA dismantled three weapon storage facilities and a launch pit
from which rockets were fired toward Israeli territory throughout the war, a
new military statement confirmed Wednesday morning. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432930
Surprise-surprise:
Hamas rearming. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432936
We will not give away
Har Hermon to a Jihadi Army. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432957
New weapons rollout
USA, Germany and Israel Production. https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/syps0proze
Elbit FUZE to be the
first UAV in new Drone-AI Division. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-908117
Sept. 10th
Day 1070 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 191
An A10 Aircraft was hit
at the US Base in Yarden. Some of the USN ships had near missile misses it is
not so simple with the Russian Hypersonic and accurate Iranian Missiles. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908179
https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-iran-war-strikes-strait-of-hormuz-09-10-26
Iran conflict could
continue through the end of Trump’s term. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-908188
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-incumbent-becomes-first-sitting-governor-lose-primary-decade
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/09/what-if-palestinians-dont-want-two-states-mr-miliband/
Nigel Farage would undo
Labor’s Damage to Israel. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-908245
Nukhba Commander who
killed Nahal Commander eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433017
Attorney
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, President of Shurat HaDin, warned that attempts to
pursue IDF soldiers through legal proceedings abroad are escalating, as
pro-Palestinian organizations monitor soldiers and veterans and seek their
arrest in foreign countries. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433009
Netanyahu’s trick. Tensions
between Likud and Otzma Yehudit are escalating. Senior Otzma Yehudit officials
claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aiming to establish a unity
government with Gadi Eisenkot after the elections and that, to this end, Likud
has recently been working to weaken the party’s political strength.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433010
Chief Rabbi of the UK
says to stand-up and be a proud Jew. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433012
3 M16 rifles stolen
from Seal Base. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433002
Ariel Man found safe in
Arab Village. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433000
IDF hits three Hamas arsenals.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432996
$5000 to all adult US
Citizens if … https://www.jpost.com/international/article-908180
WASHINGTON
– Israel’s retaliatory measures against Britain for banning imports from
the settlements were designed to make London “wince” and have likely succeeded,
former senior US official Elliott Abrams said on Wednesday. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908184
Israeli wineries will
be affected by UK boycott. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-908161
Shabbos – Rosh Hashanah
times: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat/
Projectiles hit Iran. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908174
Pickaxe Mountain pickup
in activity. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908107
Sept. 11th
Day 1071 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 192 end of week 153
Four
months of continuous fighting, under some of the most difficult terrain
conditions and amid relentless Hezbollah attempts to strike the forces, have
ended with a significant achievement: The IDF has completed the capture and
clearing of the Ali al-Taher Ridge, one of Hezbollah’s main terrorist
strongholds in southern Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433062
IDF: Hezballah failed
in the tunnels. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433039
Saudi
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman twice called President Donald Trump on
Thursday to urge the United States to launch strikes against the Iran-backed
Houthis as the group advanced toward a strategically important Red Sea
chokepoint. Trump rejected the request, according to two US officials cited by Axios. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433057
https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-dogs-sniff-cancer-an-israeli-co-founded-ai-startup-thinks-so/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/google-to-set-up-new-ai-chip-team-in-israel-tapping-local-talent/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/10/25-years-later-does-america-still-remember-911/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/10/irans-gulf-attacks-are-an-own-goal/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/10/ai-extinction-risk-anthropic-openai/
Another
year of war brings with it the fifth High Holiday season that Ukraine’s Jewish
communities are spending under the shadow of intense and ongoing fighting.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433060
In
recent months, a man from the Afula area repeatedly called police and reported
a series of suspected terrorist threats. Among other things, he reported a
terrorist who had allegedly been seen near a kindergarten and another who was
allegedly planning to carry out an attack at Afula’s central bus station.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433064
This Rosh Hashanah a free
man. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1x900mwfmg
Miracle
within a miracle. 17years after being pronounced Dead and a suborn
paramedic, woman gives birth to third child. Her sister aided in the birth,. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h100yls11tmg
Palestinian Elections
may be delayed. (During Chol HaMoed Sukkos we read: “There is nothing new under
the sun.” https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433053
A
new anti-Israel film created by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel
Shor has sparked controversy after being screened at the Venice Film Festival. … MK
Tally Gotliv (Otzma Yehudit) responded angrily, writing: “Who needs enemies
when we have enemies at home? Where is the Defense Minister? Where is the Chief
of Staff?
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433065
Gadi Eisenkot sued for
defamation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433029
Analysis: I
believe that unless Eisenkot and Golan have a deal with Degel HaTorah and
Aguda, the next government will consist of Eisenkot-Netanyahu. R. Pauli
The IDF held a surprise
drill Erev Rosh Hashanah in Yehuda and Shomron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433046
Terrorist who murdered
six Jews dies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433030
Op-Ed Dr. Michael Wise:
A Century of British Hostility. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433049
Khan Yunis Brigade
Commander eliminated. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-908376
Yellowed bellied folks:
Gulf foreign ministers plan to meet their Iranian counterpart in a
push by Oman and Iran to
secure buy-in for a temporary deal to manage shipping through the Strait of
Hormuz. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908367
The current coalition
regains strength. https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-908365
Washington Middle East
Conference. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908361
Al Qaeda since 9/11. AQIS
leaders remained in Kabul and had been issued Afghan identity documents, known
as tazkiras, suggesting close cooperation between the Taliban and AQIS. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-908373
Sept. 12th 13th and 14th
Day 1072, Day 1073 and Day 1074 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 193, 194 and 195 start of week 154
The Saudis bought F15 Aircraft from the USA. Why
didn’t they bomb the Houthis and only cried to Trump? Iranian Drones hit their
oil production. Where’s the bombs?
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-china-spies-us-report-ties-chinese-imagery-iran-strike
Most of the ‘Settlers’
in Yehuda and the Shomron are Orthodox who pray not attack.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-consul-general-in-ny-likens-mamdanis-policies-to-nazi-germany/
UK occupies the
Malvinas and a few other countries but blames Israel.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/14/us-colonel-f15e-shootdown-iran-survival/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/14/saudi-pipeline-drone-attack-crisis/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/14/houthis-grow-stronger-as-trump-turns-his-back-on-us-allies/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/14/oman-postpones-hormuz-reopening-nuclear-talks/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/search-underway-for-some-130-people-after-indonesian-ferry-overturns/
Shooting thwarted in
Chevron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433116
The
Modzitz Rebbe, Rabbi Haim Shaul Taub, was taken to Mayanei Hayeshua Medical
Center on Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) night after experiencing general
weakness. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433123
The new Gaza Flotilla a
new threat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433104
The replacement Kahn
Younis Brigade Commander needs a replacement. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433104
IAEA has not visited
Iran in 6 months. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433134
The
latest episode of Newsmax’s “Israel Now" examines the growing battle over
Israel on American college campuses, new congressional efforts to combat
anti-Israel boycotts and the broader security challenges facing the Jewish
state. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433136
Man who murdered seven
year old indicted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433124
Oren
Almog, who was critically wounded in the Maxim restaurant terror attack and
lost his eyesight as well as five members of his family, married Rotem Alima
last week. Alima, a producer who lives in Los Angeles, nearly lost her eyesight
herself after contracting a bacterial infection. The wedding took place 23
years after the terror attack that changed Almog’s life. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433125
A
senior police officer with the rank of Chief Superintendent, serving in the
Lahav 433 national crime unit, was lightly wounded Monday morning after a
bullet was accidentally discharged from his personal handgun. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433126
IDF 13 KM in Lebanon. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1cmjbhffl
Op-Ed Amine Ayoub Saudi
Drone Vulnerability a warning to Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/by00bonskme
Stable Syria w/o Turkey
could be good. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-908523
Iraq’s
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is traveling to Europe. He’s planning to visit
Germany and France. Meanwhile, at home, there are questions about why
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq continue to carry out attacks on neighboring
countries. The latest attack targeted the Saudi
Arabia East-West pipeline.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-908498
21 dead in South Africa
Minivan crash. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-908528
British Jew murdered in
Ukraine. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-908499
Sept. 15th
Day 1075 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 196
Behind the news. The
IDF and the left are pursuing the Orthodox. They are taking money away that
even wives of Arab Terrorists get. There is a principle “No Torah = No Flour,
No Flour = No Torah”. Ok you took the flour away from Torah Scholars. The Army
has no money to buy new helicopters, repair tanks and build other weapons. The
good L-RD does not change HIS Rules because of a cheap election year and
anti-religious stunts. “No Torah = No Flour”. Ariel (Eric) Sharon asked the
Ponovez Yeshiva to pray & learn extra during the take-down of the
anti-aircraft missiles in the 1982 war. https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-netanyahu-meeting-said-to-blow-up-over-clash-on-increasing-idfs-budget/
Saudis are in secret
talks with Israel. They had a pact with the US. They made a pact with Turkey
and Pakistan. They have been hit by Iraqi and Houthi Proxies and nobody but
nobody cares. It was like in 1943 where there is a photo of bombers over
Auschwitz and they hit somewhere else. Or the US ran a mission to save horses
from being eaten by hungry Russian Troops. But to save a Jew!!!
Israeli expert shatters
doomsday nonsense. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433194
72% reject Gaza
pullout. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433194
New Judicial Reform. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433195
Soldier who shot Arab
under investigation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433192
Four
Jewish graves were relocated today from the new Jewish cemetery in the
Chachoengsao area near Bangkok after Thai authorities declined to renew its
operating license. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433197
4year hospitalized with
meningococcal infection. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433193
2 Hamas Commanders
eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433188
3 Jewish Teens
assaulted on London Bus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433172
Bereaved families want
to disqualify Arab Party. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433156
74% of Jews fast on Yom
Kippur. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433186
In WWII a
person became a Kapo for the Nazis was generally a low-life who needed to
survive as long as possible even at the expense of other Jews. Some actually
eased the suffering but they were few and far between. But not here. Op-Ed Diane Bederman:
Traitors. https://dianebederman.com/remember-to-forget-yuval-abraham-and-rachel-szor/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/storm-over-naza-doc-is-a-massive-boost-to-the-likud-campaign/
Two stolen vehicles
found in Arab hands. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433178
32 rockets in Lebanon
destroyed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433182
Sept. 16th
Day 1076 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 197
The Saudis tried to
befriend Iran for peace but they got hit. Now the Houthis and the treaty with
Turkey and Pakistan is as good as the two defending Israel and India. Trump
refused to help but he suggested that there is Israeli Intelligence on the
Houthis and the Abraham Accords. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-rebel-against-trump-vote-dems-rein-iran-war-powers
https://www.foxnews.com/health/common-antibiotic-linked-higher-risk-death-adults-major-study-finds
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-reform-synagogue-pelted-with-eggs-on-rosh-hashanah/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/15/americans-face-generational-divide-israel-poll-finds/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/15/uk-us-netherlands-issue-advisory-iran-linked-spyware/
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/four-upgrades-decide-americas-carriers-keep-edge-over-china
The Hamas replacement
commander of Rafah eliminated. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433219
Miracle:
Captive prayed not to be moved to a building that later was bombed. Former hostage
Bar Kupershtein shared an extraordinary moment during a Selichot event in
Netanya on Monday night that he believes saved his life while he was held
captive in the Gaza Strip. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433213
Diane Bederman expanded
yesterday’s Op-Ed:
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433220
Protesting in uniform
is a ‘no-no’. MP arrest: An enlisted IDF soldier currently in
basic training stood in uniform outside the Central Command Base in Jerusalem
on Monday to protest outside the office of Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth while holding
signs reading: "Stop the administrative orders," and "Avi Bluth,
stop persecuting Tal Yinon Derdik."
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433180
A
senior Shin Bet commander was living in a kibbutz along the Gaza border on
October 7, raising serious concerns that she could fall into Hamas captivity,
she reveals for the first time in an interview to be broadcast Wednesday
evening on Channel 12 News. "If I fall into captivity, it's
clear to everyone that they have to kill me," she said. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433245
Grandson protesting no
commemoration for former Chief Rabbi. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433256
Ashdod: Results
accumulated over recent weeks showed that mezuzahs in many homes contained
entire words that had been erased or letters that had deteriorated and
separated from the parchment. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433253
Moray injures 10year
old swimmer in Eilat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433252
The
Otzma Yehudit faction has formally petitioned the Central Elections Committee
to disqualify former MK Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in the upcoming Knesset
elections. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433224
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/16/trump-israel-weapons-sale-package/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/16/iran-boeing-737-tire-blowout-emergency-landing/
Shabbos Times 9 minutes
earlier. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat/
Op-Ed Ron Ben Yishai
Houthis cannot be defeated by air. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/byefkx00ymg#autoplay
Damage to US Bases. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryfwlgdtze
Op-Ed Ayoub Amine Iran
is moving west and into Africa. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/bjp1qtwkzl
Unusual
involvement by the US Secret Service has been evident in preparations for Prime
Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, a
diplomatic source told The Jerusalem
Post on Wednesday.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908791
Menashe came with two Yeshiva
friends to put on the cane covering for my Sukkah. Doors, windows and screens
will follow it is kosher but not cat or kitten proof yet.
Sept. 17th
Day 1077 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 198
I think that I might
give a positive approach in Parsha Beresheis (Genesis) on AI when I write about
creation. More jobs instead of less employment but I will have to build my case
slowly in my way without AI help.
False alarm or real
drone threat being pooh-poohed by the IDF as usual. People in the northeast of
Israel ran to shelters and children away at school began crying. “A radar
glitch” on the anniversary of the beeper attack. I am big enough to learn the
truth.
How to outwit the
antisemitic costume wearer with the big prosthetic nose calling to free the
imaginary land of Palestine. https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/robert-kraft-pledges-2m-humanitarian-aid-macklemore-faces-fallout-venue-ban#&_intcmp=fnhpbt1,hp1bt
https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/iran-war-trump-talks-oil-gas-prices-midterms-09-17-26
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/scammers-coming-your-money-one-thing-you-must-never-do
Senior Tanzim Terrorist
captured. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433315
The
Association of Community Rabbis has announced that it intends to petition the
District Court against the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality after the city refused
to allow a central Selichot prayer service to be held in accordance with Jewish
law and tradition at Tel Baruch Beach on Saturday night. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433313
MK
Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu party responded to Yashar! chairman Gadi
Eisenkot's criticism of his refusal to recognize Eisenkot as the anti-Netanyahu
bloc's candidate for prime minister. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433312
In the Kiriat Yam a
baby fell to its death and in Bnei Brak a 20year old fell to his death.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433311
Eisenkot’s red line: No
rotation! https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433302
Shepherd finds a
terrorist monument. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433267
China presses Iran to
rein in Houthis. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjogjvkkzx#autoplay
Op-Ed Dr. Martin
Sherman: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/into-the-fray-comparing-catastrophes-9-11-vs-10-7/
Israeli Police are
using Chinese Traffic Spy Cameras. https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-intelligence-repeats-warning-f-35-sale-to-saudis-could-expose-tech-to-china-report/
Sept. 18th
Day 1078 since
Oct. 7th Roaring Lion Day 199 end of week 154
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mike-huckabee-calls-out-macklemore-antisemitism-voice-jew-hatred
https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-air-national-guard-pilot-ejects-safely-before-f-16-crash-michigan
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-michigan-jews-endorse-pledge-to-vote-for-abdul-el-sayed/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/17/who-are-houthis-why-does-iran-support-them/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/16/nvidia-cto-michael-kagan-ai-development-interview/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/09/17/israel-five-year-energy-plan-gas-nuclear-data-centers/
Israeli Arab spies for
Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433355
Yeshiva Student dies in
a ramming attack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433356
Israeli Paraglider dies
in Columbia. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1ihnwcfme
Israel – Morocco
strategy. https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/hy6tsh9yfx
Philippines school
shooting. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-909032
Lockheed
Martin unveiled on Thursday details of a next-generation air-to-air missile
developed to counter threats from China and a new agreement with the Defense
Department to boost production as the Pentagon rebuilds
munitions stockpiles.
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-909030
Iran reconstructing
Nuclear Test Site. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-909030
Have a
healthy, peaceful Shabbos and G’mar Hatima Tova (signing in the book of life),
Rachamim
Pauli
