Shalom all.
Israel Update – Day 14 of the War.
As we complete two weeks of war, the national trauma continues following the atrocities and war crimes committed by the terrorist organization, Hamas, on Shabbat, 7th October, the last day of the most joyous of the Biblical festivals of Israel. That day has been designated as 10/7 (Israel’s 9/11), Kippur 2023, Holocaust 2023, and others. Some said that they don’t ever want to forget what happened and even tattooed the date on their forearms. 
As more and more bodies are identified, the numbers of dead and missing will change. In the meantime, the exact number of those who were taken captive is still unknown, not only to the IDF, but to Hamas itself, as some of those taken hostage were abducted by Gazan civilians. So, the numbers and locations of all those who are still presumed to be in captivity remains unknown. But, some facts are known. The IDF has reported that among the captured are about 30 children and that the fate of between 100-200 is not known.
Khaled Mashaal, a senior member of the Hamas terrorist organization, was interviewed last night on the Saudi Al- Arabiya television network. He insisted that Hamas does not target non-combatants, despite the massacre committed by his organization that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians. The interviewer, Rasha Nabil, said that the world watched what Hamas did to civilians throughout the communities in the south and added, “you (Hamas) injured Israeli civilians” and that Hamas is being equated with ISIS. Mashaal’s response was typical of the kind of lies disseminated through the media, as he said that the accusations of transgressions against Israeli civilians was “fabricated by Netanyahu and unfortunately the West is collaborating with it.” The interview is posted here, so that you can see and listen to the denials that the whole world knows are false and the intention of Hamas to do a prisoner exchange to empty all of Israeli prisons of so-called “Palestinians”. Mashaal sits comfortably while he expects non-combatant Gazan civilians to die as part of the cause of Hamas. In this case, the interview shows how leaders of Hamas lie with impunity and then expect the world to side with them. Unfortunately, many in the world buy into the lies and they, together with Hamas, will continue to condemn Israel for existing. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkZDxJ3JhCA&t=3s>
Amazingly, Sales al-Arouri, the number 2 man in Hamas and Iran inside man, even claims that Hamas is not responsible for taking the hostages, but what he refers to as the “riffraff of Gaza”. It is known that some of these so-called “riffraff” accompanied the Hamas terrorists. In all likelihood, some of the captives are being held by Hamas, some by Islamic Jihad and some by other organizations – all in different places.That is why the Hamas spokesman could only give an estimate of the number of hostages, because, as mentioned, even they don’t know. We traded 1,000 prisoners for one Israel soldier a few years back. One of them was Yahya Sinwar, the present leader of Hamas, who took over the leadership from Ismail Haniyeh in early 2017. Attempts to kill him have so far be unsuccessful. Now, instead of one soldier, there are hundreds of hostages held by Hamas, both soldiers and civilians, whowill play the hostage card and milk the proposed exchange to the fullest extent, as noted in the interview with Mashaal. When negotiations begin, Hamas will make its demands through a third party. But, that third party has to be a country with power and authority to press Hamas to agree (to whatever the end result of the negotiations will be). There’s not a lot of room to negotiate here. Israel is at a breaking point: It has to produce results on the ground, both against Hamas (as originally stated) and at home (to bring about the return of the hostages). It has to win the war in the flesh and the war in the media. Its “hasbara” (explanations and public relations to present truth and Israel’s actions and point of view) can use a good boost.
Surprisingly, as this was being written, Hamas released a mother and daughter, both U.S. citizens. This is, undoubtedly, is an attempt to gain public support to show that this is a humanitarian gesture, recognizing that the two of them were holders of foreign citizenship. This is a continuing story and will need to be followed up.
Right now, Israel is pursuing military action to revenge the massacre that was committed by Hamas. The weak point of the operation is the fate of the hostages. Hamas knows that Israeli society demands and pressures the government for the return of its sons and daughters. It is an acknowledged weakness. Can Israel succeed militarily and accomplish its goal of eliminating Hamas without endangering the lives of the hostages? We’ll soon see.
I’m not entering into a discussion of what will happen “the day after”. That is pure speculation at this point and will have to wait for another day. But, one thing is certain, Hamas rule in Gaza needs to end.

Looking back over the past two weeks, it can be said that Hamas seriously underestimated the Israeli response and resolve. The indescribable atrocities committed by Hamas was an intentional and calculated event, designed not only to shock the nation, but to serve as a preliminary outworking of the threat to eventually remove Israel completely from the face of the map, and bring about the return of “occupied” Arab land. This constant claim and narrative of “occupied” land is based on the Islamic belief that any place where Islam was once in control becomes land sacred to Islam, even if they are removed from it for a time, short or long. The history of the region reveals that the land of Israel, indeed the entire region, was once under the control of the Islamic Ottoman Empire. So, even though the Turks were defeated in WWI and were removed from the land, the area that was under their control, according to the dictates of the religion, remained sacred to Islam. Now, it can be readily understood that their claim of “occupied land” does not refer to the area of Judea and Samaria only (the so-called West Bank [of the Jordan River]), as claimed by those who call themselves “Palestinians”, but it refers to the entire land of Israel. That is why the chant of Hamas and the “Palestinians” is “from the River (Jordan) to the (Mediterranean) Sea”. From their religious point of view, Israel is the infidel that needs to be removed from Islamic land to usher in the Islamic messiah.

But, the Israeli public did not respond as anticipated by Hamas. We did not cower in fear and we are not willing to negotiate “at any price”. We pulled together in a resolve that could well spell the end of the rule of Hamas and result in its elimination. Undoubtedly, Hamas was relying upon the discord and divisions within the land that would weaken us as a people and minimize our resolve to fight back. But, their barbaric assault brought us together, on the whole, with a call and a resolve to end the threat of Hamas once and for all. The same response and resolve is true for Israel’s allies, who are standing with us in condemning the attack and the slaughter that is the severest attack upon the Jewish people since the Yom Kippur War and the Holocaust. As indicated by the Mayor New York, our fight is your fight. The threat against us is a threat against the “civilized” world, as we know it.

Hamas has undoubtedly understood that it miscalculated the Israeli response, so it is urging the involvement of the other Iranian puppets, Hezbollah in Lebanon and possibly Syria, as well as possibly the Huthis in Yemen. Iran has openly threatened to become an active participant in the present war, if Israel conducts a ground offensive into Gaza. That would most probably bring about a full-scale missile attack from the Hezbollah. It is more than just a military “alliance”. It is also a religious one. Iran and Hezbollah are both Shiite and they will see the Israeli attack to eliminate Hamas (also a puppet of Iran) as a defeat for Islam, which they will try to prevent. Hence, the increased cross-border activity in the north.Then, of course, there is always the possibility that Iran will try to take advantage of the present war to press forward with its plans to develop nuclear capability and to eventually carry out its threat to bomb Israel. But, if that goal is pursued by Iran, Israel may decide, alone or with the U.S., to pre-empt the situation and act to eliminate the threat from Iran. Both events would engulf the entire Middle East in war. 

In the meantime, the military activity in the north has reached the point at which the IDF is urging the evacuation of the residents in Kiryat Shmona, a sizable city in the north. The missile threat from Hezbollah is considerable and the situation can easily develop into a second front. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of the Hezbollah, may talk a good game, but he knows that a full-scale war with Israel would not be good for the people of Lebanon. But, then, orders from Iran will need to be carried out.
Israel has already entered Shabbat, so we’ll leave this for now.
Shabbat Shalom (may you have a peaceful Sabbath)!

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing!
Marvin

Shalom all.

Israel Update – Day 13 of the War.

It’s been 13 days since the murderous slaughter carried out by the terrorist organization, Hamas. The body count of the killed and fallen victims is over 1,400, with thousands wounded, many of whom remain in serious and life-threatening conditions. According to the Israeli army spokesperson, at least 306 members of the IDF have been killed and 203 people are being held hostage by Hamas. It is not known how many hostages are still alive. All the bodies taken to the forensic examiner have not yet been identified. When they are identified, the numbers of killed, captured and still missing will change again.

There is no diminishing of the anguish of the families whose loved ones were taken hostage and brought into Gaza. The media here reports on many of the stories, almost all of which will pull at the heart strings of any rational person and cause tears to flow. The mother of one of the kidnapped said, “I can hear my son screaming to me every night: ‘Mom, bring me home, save me!’” For some, the pain is compounded by the loss of a family member who was murdered by Hamas. As one mother said, “I don’t have time to mourn my mother’s murder, because I have to save my children’s life.” This expresses ongoing trauma, compounded by murder and kidnapping.

A final word regarding the hospital explosion in Gaza. Israel has presented concrete proof, including a recorded conversation between Islamic Jihad Terror Organization operatives <see https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-18/ty-article/israeli-army-presents-video-audio-to-show-islamic-jihad-behind-gaza-hospital-blast/0000018b-41f1-d242-abef-53f7d6570000>, that the explosion was from a terrorist missile that misfired. It landed in the parking lot, not on the hospital, and only between 10-50 people died as a result, and not 800. And even if the victims of the explosion near the hospital are greater more than 100, the responsibility for their deaths is on the Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Lies and exaggerations are part and parcel of the Hamas DNA. 

The Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon launched 30 rockets and 3 anti-tank missiles into Israel today. Two-thirds were aimed towards Western Galilee and the remaining ten rockets were aimed towards the Upper Galilee. One his a home in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona. The IDF responded with with artillery fire against the locations from where the missiles were launched.

Simply writing about missile launches and retaliation cannot generate a full understanding of the whistling sound of incoming projectiles, nor can it generate an understanding of the booms and shock wave of missiles landing and exploding. Our daughter was with a youth group in Jerusalem when there was a missile alert. They all went into a bomb shelter, but she reported about the explosion that shook the building and the emotional impact resulting from this harrowing experience. My family went through a similar experience when, during the Second Lebanon War, a missile landed only a few blocks from where we live. 

An award-winning veteran journalist with one of the major television channels here, who has been covering the events of the war every evening, particularly in the south, shared this post on his Facebook account: “Two days ago, I went back for therapy. Psychological therapy. I thought, that as long as this war continues and I am working, then there really isn’t any need. Everything is OK. But, every night, when darkness descends – I fall apart. And every night that passes it gets worse.” If this is how war and missiles and explosions and deaths and atrocities and mayhem affects someone with years of experience in covering these events, how do you think it would affect the ordinary citizen? If you lived in the south of Israel, or even in the north near the Lebanese border, how do you think it would affect you? 

Political alliances rarely are made just because they are the right things to do under certain circumstances. As has been said in the past, “There are no free lunches.” There is usually a price to be paid for political “friendship”. One of those prices is to stop military action against Gaza and provide “humanitarian assistance” to those living there. Is this the “right thing to do”? After all, the citizens of Gaza supported ISIS. They chose the militarist terrorist group Hamas to rule over them. They cheered when Israeli citizens were killed, butchered and burned. We’re not talking about being nice to them, so that they can think well of us. The burning issue in Israel should not be to provide humanitarian aid to our enemies, but the defeat of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and the return of the hostages, all of the hostages. This brings us back to a “compromise” that poses the dilemma of national priorities.

In an earlier update, I posed the question: “What would you do if the decision was for you and you alone to make regarding the war against Hamas and the offer to free hostages who are foreign nationals only?” I’m thankful for those who responded, both in short answers, as well as in longer, analytical replies. Add to the situation the knowledge of the sheer evil of the atrocities that were committed; and the fact that we don’t know exactly how many hostages were taken, and neither does Hamas; and the fact that our original purpose was to go after Hamas and eliminate it; and that your family member was one of the victims and you have another family member who was taken hostage, and that there are still over 200 hostages that may be spread out over a wide area in Gaza. Now, you’re being asked to stop bombing Gaza and provide humanitarian aid, without condition, to citizens of Gaza (recognizing the possibility that members of Hamas would try to “blend in” with the local population, so as not to be captured or killed). So, with this additional information, what would you do? This is a question that will be repeated many times during the course of this war, which will not end tonight.

“Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us or for our adversaries?’ He said, ‘No; rather I indeed come now as Captain of the Host of the LORD’.” (Joshua 5:13-14). We need to grab hold of the fact that The “Captain of the Host of the LORD” is also the “Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6) The answer to Joshua’s question was, in essence: I didn’t come to take sides, I came to take over! That’s where the victory is.

We should not make the mistake of placing our trust in “princes, in human beings”. (Psalm 146:3-5)

God says: “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors 

of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” (Isaiah 45:2) The road that is blocked by human power is open to faith. When God emphatically says that He will do something, we should not dare to doubt. 

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all.

Israel Update – Day 12 of the War.

Well, the war continues and two major events took precedence is a multitude of media sites and newspapers between last night and this morning: (1) A bombing of a hospital in Gaza and (2) the arrival in Israel of U.S. President Joe Biden.

As most of you are probably aware, there was an explosion in Gaza. The terrorist organization, Hamas, immediately posted through every possible media source that a hospital was bombed, that the IDF did the bombing and that 500-800 were killed as a result. This contained three lies: (1) a hospital wasn’t bombed, it was a hospital parking lot; (2) the IDF didn’t do the bombing, but it was the result of a missile launched by Islamic Jihad that went astray and failed to get out of Gaza; (3) the numbers of dead were drastically reduced, without an exact number being given. There is abundant photographic proof, as well as admissions from the terrorist organizations in Gaza, that the intended target was somewhere inside Israel (possibly even as far north as Haifa, if it was a long-range missile). Despite the clarifications and proofs that it was not Israel, but the “Palestinians” who were responsible for killing their own, the narrative in most places didn’t change and Israel still came out as the one responsible for the damage and deaths. For some people and governments, they would prefer to believe the lies of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, because the lie aligns itself well with their own worldview and desires. Demonstrations against Israel flared up in a multitude of different places within minutes of the “false” report of the bombing. Media bias still plays a large role in “persuading” the people, rather than properly reporting and informing. They’ve made up their minds and don’t want to be bothered with the facts. At least one foreign government official thinks differently. British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made it clear that the reports that Israel bombed a hospital was based on information that came from “the terrorists who control Gaza” and that we should not believe Hamas just as we don’t believe the Kremlin. Well said.

In the meantime, U.S. President Biden made an historic visit to Israel this morning, being the first U.S. President to come here during a war. He was warmly received by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His visit included a meeting with the war cabinet, with families of those who were taken hostage by Hamas and with a woman who was held as a hostage. He said that “Israel is still the safest place for Jews [and I] promise you that we will do everything so that the world will know this.” The President made two statements today to the press, along with Netanyahu. In a joint statement from a hotel in Tel Aviv, Biden admitted that Israel was not to blame for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza, based on what he had seen. He repeated the atrocities committed by Hamas, saying: “The terrorists from Hamas murdered more than one thousand three hundred people. Slaughtered, including some Americans…Rape, beheadings, bodies burned alive – Hamas committed atrocities that recall the worst ravagaes of ISIS, unleashing pure, unadulterated evil on the world. There’s no rationalizing it…They committed atrocities that make ISIS appear more reasonable.” Then he emphasized the commitment of the U.S., stating: “We must ensure that you receive what you need to defend yourselves and we promise that this is what will take place.”  In an effort to try to put things into perspective from the point of view of size, Biden said that the Hamas attack was equal to “fifteen 9/11s.” 

In his second address, President Biden said: “The State of Israel was born to be a safe place for the Jewish people. While it may not feel that way today…Israel must against be a safe place for the Jewish people…75 years ago, the founders of the State of Israel declared that this nation would be a nation based on freedom justice and peace. The United States stands by your side in the defense of freedom, in the pursuit of justice and in support of peace – today, tomorrow and always. That’s our promise.”  

In his statement concluding the visit, Biden said that when he returns to the United States, he will ask Congress to approve an unprecedented support package for Israel’s defense.: “You will have enough equipment for an Iron Dome, whatever is required, to defend Israel. We have military assets in the area.” At the same time, the President clarified that the “Palestinian” public is not Hamas, adding: “I asked the Israeli cabinet to allow aid, of course on the condition that it does not reach Hamas. We will transfer one hundred million dollars to aid the displaced people in Gaza.”

The Hezbollah also welcomed President Biden and launched anti-tank missiles into northern areas of Israel. The IDF responded appropriately and a short while ago, it destroyed to locations from which those missiles were fired. During his visit, Hamas also fired rockets towards Beer Sheva and areas surrounding Gaza. Shortly after the President left, sirens again blared in the area of Gush Dan, as well as Samaria, among other places, shattering a few hours of silence, as rocket barrages were first into Tel Aviv and neighboring communities..

The above are the highlights of the day. With President Biden no longer in Israel, we return to the war and its related events. The north is definitely heating up, while Iran has threatened to join the fray if Israel commences a ground offensive into Gaza. The massive build-up in the south indicates that troops will be sent into Gaza soon. And, if Iran follows through with its threat, a missile bombardment from Lebanon most likely will follow. Hezbollah is flexing its muscles in cross-border confrontations. 

There were a lot of other things that happened today, with many of them generating an emotional response with tears. For now, we still need considerable prayer support. Thousands have been displaced from their homes in the south as a result of the murderous Hamas assault. In anticipation of the opening of a second front in the north, thousands are voluntarily leaving their homes and moving to different areas for safety. They want to avoid the physical and emotional horror that they experienced during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Many are being hosted by families in different cities, while others are being put up in hotels, with a partial subsidy from the government. The extent of the move away from the north has not yet been determined. But, 

Please remember our sons, and all the sons and daughters of Israel, who are wearing the uniform. There are at least 25 members and first-degree relatives of members of our congregation, who are presently serving in the IDF in different capacities and locations.

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7 – emphasis added)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 11 of the War.

The news of the war with Hamas, the seemingly unending rocket barrages, the blaring of the sirens, the wailing of the ambulances, the buzz of the drones and the roar of the fighter jets overhead have become regular aspects of Israeli life for the past week and a half. In the last 2 hours, sirens sounded in communities surrounding Gaza, in Sderot, in Lachish, Ashdod, Holon, Rishon LeTzion, and the surrounding area, as well as in Tel Aviv and its metropolitan area and 

the geographical area between the Judean Hills and the coastal flatlands. 

In the south, a high-ranking Hamas official responsible for the kidnapping of the IDF soldier Gilad Shalit a number of years ago, was killed in the IDF bombardment of an area in the Gaza Strip.The northern region continues to heat up. The terrorist group, Hezbollah, that is based in Lebanon, fired anti-tank missiles against us and the IDF retaliated with tank and artillery fire. So far, Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah, has leaned towards a limited cross-border provocations with Israel. But, it is clear that his instructions come from Iran and in anticipation of receiving such instructions, Hezbollah is preparing both forces and operational systems for a full-blown engagement with Israel. If push comes to shove, Tehran would instruct Hezbollah to launch massive missile attacks into the country and Nazrallah will have no alternative except to comply. It is possible that the Hezbollah will be a bit more restrained during the planned visit tomorrow of U.S. President Joe Biden, particularly because of the U.S. naval presence in the Mediterranean that has enough fire power to level Lebanon. Then again, there is no rhyme or reason with the Mullahs in Iran and they could instruct their Hezbollah proxy to lob as many missiles into Israel as they could, with the goal of severely damaging Israel’s infrastructure and possibly injuring President Biden in the process. We’ll be wiser at the end of the day tomorrow.

After a series of decisive and encouraging speeches in the U.S., President Biden is expected to land in Israel for a visit tomorrow (Wednesday). There are a number of reasons for this spur of the moment decision to visit: (1) To demonstrate the American show of force, intended for Iran and its puppet, Hezbollah, that if rockets are fired on Israel, the U.S. will join Israel in shooting them down, if requested to do so by Israel. (2) To make sure, as far as possible, that Israel will be victorious in the war against Hamas – again, without the intervention of Iran and Hezbollah. (3) To encourage Israel to continue to minimize, to the extent possible, harming the civilian population in Gaza, while pursuing the primary goal of eliminating Hamas. 

This “humanitarian” goal has become the outcry of nations and organizations around the world. As mentioned yesterday, the slaughter of Israeli innocents was the media baby for a few days. But, once Israel got over the shock of the Hamas attack and began to take the initiative, the media reverted to its favorite story of accusing Israel of wrongful conduct that results in civilian casualties in Gaza. It’s an old story, and an old accusation and ignores all of Israel’s efforts to minimize the deaths of non-combatants – the exact opposite of the mass killings and butchering committed by Hamas on an Israeli religious day of celebration. Biden’s “encouragement” of Israel in this regard will come at a time when the population here is again divided, this time over the offer of Hamas to return the hostages who are foreign nationals, purportedly unconditionally, but when “field conditions are right”. This is yet another revision of Hamas’s statements of willingness to release “some” hostages and it should be treated with no small degree of skepticism. But, if in fact this is a genuine offer, we need to look at what will allow for the release, namely, when “field conditions are right”. That’s another way of saying that Israel should stop the bombardment of Gaza and end the war against Hamas.

The present offer to “unconditionally” release the foreign nationals who were taken hostage, as noted above, is not unconditional. Hamas desperately needs to set the conditions, to be in charge, “to save face”. That also means that Israel needs to comply with the demands of Hamas. If only foreign nationals are involved in the release, then those nations whose citizens are being held will be adding to the pressure on Israel to do what is necessary, i.e., to comply with the demands of Hamas, in order to get those hostages freed. But, what about the non-foreign nationals, the Israelis, Jew and non-Jew, young and old, male and female, religious and secular? They will remain as hostages and will be the pawns for another planned negotiation at some point where Israel will be called upon to make additional concessions to this terrorist organization. The Hamas spokesman who announced the above willingness to release hostages who are foreign nationals also indicated that they are holding some 250 hostages, “or so”. What that means is that Hamas itself does not know how many people were taken hostage on 7th October. The reason for that is that many Gazans, who were not actively affiliated with Hamas, also went through the border fence with the terrorists, kidnapped individuals and took them back to Gaza. The bottom line: the exact number is not known and the locations of all of the hostages in not known. So, Hamas can only express a willingness to release the foreign nationals that are held by it.

I was asked this evening what I would do if I were “the man in charge” and needed to make a decision right now. It resulted in a lively discussion. So, I forward the question to all of you: “What would you do if the decision was for you and you alone to make regarding the war against Hamas and the offer to free hostages who are foreign nationals only?”

Another aspect of President Biden’s visit is the possibility of gaining popular support among Americans for aligning with Israel. Most Americans can easily relate Israel’s “9/11” (10/7) with America’s “9/11”, particularly when they saw the atrocities committed by Hamas following its murderous assault here a week and a half ago. No doubt there will be some political points gained by his being here now, in the middle of a war – something that no American President has ever done in the past. But, more than that, his visit here at this time will be a message to Israel’s “Abraham Accords” partners that the relationship between Israel and the U.S. is solid and that those same partners should take this into account and act, or at least, take a public stand, in favor of Israel.

As of this writing, I have two sons in uniform. Your prayers for them and for all of the IDF would be greatly appreciated.

“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

“The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.” (Deut. 1:30).

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 10 of the War.

Ten days after the surprised terrorist attack upon communities surrounding the Gaza Strip, and the slaughter of civilians and military personnel alike, Israel is still trying to grasp the magnitude of the attack and deal with the impact that it has upon daily life here. Streets that usually have heavy pedestrian traffic are considerably less crowded. Traffic is less congested. Businesses close early. Government offices are on modified schedules and almost all of them are not open to the public. There is still a pervasive sense of shock over what happened and the sheer brutality of it that is difficult to comprehend. To date, at least 1,400 people have been killed as a result of the Hamas attack and over 4,100 wounded. 

Approximately 1,500 terrorists managed to infiltrate Israeli territory on the 7th of October. They had planned this attack over approximately two years. They had a manual of what to do, where to go and how to get inside and what needed to be done once they entered military and civilian locations. Documents and maps that were recovered from the terrorists reveal that after attacking border communities and cities, where they murdered multitudes, they planned to invade coastal cities and even reach the city of Kiryat Gat, which is approximately 20 miles inside Israeli territory. They entered Israel with over 30 different types of vehicles, which were loaded not only with a vast supply of weapons, but also with food and medical supplies, including advanced first-aid kits packed with blood units, which would last them about a month. No fewer than 10,000 various weapons have been located and turned over to Israeli authorities. You can see some of them here: <https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rj0wxok11t> There was enough weaponry to equip an entire military brigade. The types of captured weapons were not surprising, but the quantity of them was. Most of the weaponry was not used, but was intended for future terrorist assaults during the month that was to follow the Hamas infiltration of Israel. Despite the tremendous loss of life and the high number of wounded, many of whom are still in life-threatening conditions, we are thankful for the effective action of the IDF, that prevented the killing of thousands more.

Missiles continued to be fired into Israel from Gaza, both in the south, as well as in Jerusalem and the greater metropolitan Tel Aviv area. Sirens wailed several times during the day in those locations, as well as others. The attack this afternoon upon Jerusalem was carried out during the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, causing those present to gather into protected areas. In the address given by P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu during this opening session, he made clear that the objective of the Israeli government in this war is the destruction of Hamas. He 

warned both Iran and the terrorist organization Hezbollah based in Lebanon, not to open a second front against Israel. Issac Herzog, the President of Israel, addressed the Knesset and said that the actions of Hamas, if not stopped, would endanger not only the Jewish people, who are their primary targets, but the entire world. In simple language, he said that what is happening is not a complex situation, that there is good and there is utter evil. He added, “we are fighting an enemy that is all evil.” It doesn’t get much clearer than that. Even Yair Lapis, the leader of the Opposition, said that Israel would be victorious and that Hamas would be destroyed, but it will take time. He added, “If the world doesn’t like it, so be it. Their children were not massacred, ours were.” 

It’s interesting to note the world reaction to the murderous assault by Hamas and Israel’s retaliatory action to it. When the war began, the world was as much in shock as was our nation. Almost everyone sympathized with Israel. We were the victims, the sheep who were ruthlessly slaughtered and butchered. U.S. President Joe Biden gave a speech, where he made clear that the U.S. stood with, and will continue to stand with, Israel. Part of his speech is included with this vivid video clip <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyNcwSuiea0>. Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, gave an impassioned speech, saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself. Your fight is our fight…We will not be alright until every person responsible for this act is held accountable…Hamas must be disbanded and destroyed immediately.” <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhksThn3Jc>

Following Israel’s cleansing of Hamas terrorists from the communities surrounding Gaza, we began to turn things around and prepare for a ground assault, designed to locate and eliminate Hamas. This required flattening areas inside Gaza. Civilians were notified in advance and told to move away from the area where Israeli troops will enter. As soon as we began to take affirmative action against Hamas in its own territory, the physical war then turned once again to a media war, with the focus shifting from Israel as the victim of unimaginable terror, to the plight of civilians (not Hamas) in Gaza.

Four days ago, former P.M. Naftali Bennett was interviewed on Sky News. The interview is 6 minutes and 50 seconds in length. At approximately 4.15 minutes into the interview, after the interviewer kept asking about what Israel will do to protect the civilians in Gaza, Bennett had enough and exploded: “Are you seriously keep on asking me about “Palestinian” civilians? What’s wrong with you? Have you not seen what happened? We’re fighting Nazis…Shame on you if you go on with that false narrative…Listen, Mister. If someone is shooting at your children and hiding behind a human shield, will you shoot back or not?…What would you do?” The interview ended shortly thereafter. It is well worth watching and I would encourage you to do so, as it gives a clear indication of how the media are looking at the events here, ignoring the atrocities committed by war criminals and adopting a warped perspective of victim and aggressor. We need more people like Bennett who will stand their ground and refuse to accept the “Palestinian” narrative.

In Israel, we have an expression “Call the child by its name.” In other words, say it the way it is. Is Hamas a terrorist organization? Of course it is. So why doesn’t the BBC acknowledge that simple fact? Two days ago, on the 14th of October, GB News interviewed John Sergeant, a former BBC Chief Political Correspondent in a debate with Gary Mond, the National Jewish Assembly Chairman. During the course of the debate, Sergeant attempted to defend the decision of the BBC not to label Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Jerusalem Post gave a 4 and a half minute summary of the debate. <https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-768290> Beginning at 1:23 minutes, the host of the debate asked Sergeant whether slitting the throat of a baby is an act of terrorism. Sergeant responded that it was an atrocity, but not a terrorist act. Incredible! Are we missing something here? If a terrorist organization commits an atrocity in the course of carrying out terrorism, wouldn’t the atrocity be deemed a terrorist act? 

Of course, some European countries have already joined the “Let’s put the pressure on Israel” bandwagon. In an article appearing in the EUObserver <https://euobserver.com/world/157547>, Nato, France, Britain (not longer Great) and the U.S. (who said it would stand by Israel) are urging Israel “to minimize civilian Palestinian deaths”. Representatives of the three countries mentioned wanted Israel “to show mercy to Palestinian civilians”. Speaking at a press conference with P.M. Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Antony Blinken, the U.S. representative, who is Jewish, said: “Israel has the right to defend itself … how Israel does this matters.” Behind these urgings and comments is an accusation (sometimes expressed – depending upon who says it, and sometimes implied) that Israel considers civilians in Gaza as expendable, when, it fact, it is Hamas who is making every effort to keep the civilians in harm’s way, while Israel is trying to distance them from the war with Hamas.

Pro-Hamas demonstrations are being held in places all around the world. If we are not successful against terrorism here, you won’t be successful against it where you are. As Mayor Adams put it: Our fight is your fight. But, we can only win if we do fight. “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass [to accomplish] their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing….” (John Stuart Mill, 1867).

Earlier this evening, there were anonymous reports from two U.S. officials saying that the Pentagon has sent a “prepare to deploy” order to approximately 2,000 U.S. troops, who are to be ready to respond to the present Israel-Hamas war in a variety of support roles. They are not expected to take part in active combat here. With the situation heating up in the north and Iran and Hezbollah continuing to threaten, the U.S. promise to stand with Israel will be tested.

Less than an hour ago, missile alerts sounded again in all metropolitan areas of Greater Tel Aviv, as Hamas fired a heavy fourth barrage in the space of a few hours. And so, the war continues – on the ground, in the air and through cyberspace. We need divine wisdom to know how to fight the good fight of faith, with a holy boldness, to protect our country and our citizens, without compromising or trying to win the favor of the world.

“The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.” (Deut. 28:7)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 9 of the War.

Most of the population in northern Gaza is heeding the warning of the IDF to move south, to avoid being killed or wounded by the Israeli military action designed to flatten the area, allow for the beginning of the ground operation and help to facilitate the search for those who were kidnapped by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The terrorist organization is now preventing Gazans from vacating the area. From past experience, we know that Hamas and Islamic Jihad use their citizens, particularly children, as human shields. There is another reason for wanting the population to remain: If they are killed or wounded as a result of the action of the IDF, Hamas can show the dead bodies and wounded children to the foreign media (which they are already doing), who accept without hesitation, the false and deceptive reporting of both terrorist organizations. Last night, as Hamas was preparing to show the body of a small child supposedly killed by Israeli forces during the explosion of buildings in the northern part of Gaza, they made a fatal mistake of showing that the child was actually a toy doll, which should have been a red light to the foreign journalists covering the present war. The video was quickly deleted. I wonder when the media will come to the conclusion that they cannot accept anything that is said by Hamas, who has learned how to successfully manipulate the media into believing fake news, including its assertion that the victims in this war are the occupants of Gaza and not the citizens of Israel. Part of this war is to expose and neutralize the lies of Hamas and the false news that it publicizes. 

There were a few isolated incidents of rockets fired into the north of Israel yesterday, one of them coming from Syria. Obviously, the militants in Syria want to remind everyone, including Israel, that they are still a player in the region. But, insurgents in Syria, like the Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, are all paid puppets of Iran, who is pulling the strings of hatred and discord. Then, late this afternoon, 9 rockets were fired into the area of the Golan Heights, the Western Galilee, and other locations not far from the border with Lebanon. Israeli fighter jets retaliated and struck Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. There is no doubt that the tense situation in the north continues to heat up, with the Hezbollah making efforts to target IDF bases in the area of Mount Herman and the Golan Heights. Without question, it is the most difficult day of the war from the point of the northern front. Five people were killed as a result of the activity of the Hezbollah, with a number of others wounded. 

Hezbollah knows that Israel doesn’t want to get involved in a second front in the north. But, it continues to provoke Israel, little by little, and stokes the fire, but it hasn’t yet made up its mind whether to take an active role in the present war. The Israeli Air Force is fully prepared to act in the northern arena, if necessary. Hopefully, there won’t be a need to do so. The big question for Israel right now is whether to move more troops to the north. 

Not to be ignored is the ongoing armed confrontation in the south. With darkness descending on the region of the Middle East, there was a heavy rocket barrage from Gaza on Tel Aviv, Gush Dan (extended metropolitan area of Tel Aviv, located along Israel’s Mediterranean coastline) and Hashfela (the geographical area between the Judean Hills and the coastal flatlands). This came after a constant flow of missiles were fired into some of the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip and included rockets fired into the coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon.

The Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have differences of opinion regarding whether to intensify the present efforts in the war in the south – Galant wants to do so, Netanyahu doesn’t. It’s OK for members of the war cabinet to disagree with one another, as long as the ultimate goal, desired by both, is reached, namely, elimination of Hamas and, particularly, every terrorist that was involved in the slaughter carried out in the communities surrounding Gaza.

Notwithstanding the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah, and the retaliation of the IDF, the issue of the day is the return of the hostages. The government is committed to doing everything it can to bring about their return. That was the promise of the Prime Minister, who met today with number of the families of the hostages. But, what does such a promise entail? The taking of hostages, particularly civilian hostages, is a violation of the rules of war. But, Hamas does not consider itself bound by any rules, much less international rules of war. By the second day of the war, the Hamas spokesman said that there would be no negotiation regarding the hostages. Everyone understood that such a statement was intended as a show of strength and that it was intended to be a public relations statement for the entire Arab community. But, less than a week after the war began, Hamas announced that it was willing to release the women and children being held hostage, in exchange for the release of all of the so-called “Palestinian” prisoners held in all of the Israeli jails. That was a non-starter and Hamas quickly realized that its demand would never be accepted by Israel. 

When Israel began to act aggressively and started its move to eliminate Hamas, the terrorists revised their demand. Now, they want medical supplies and humanitarian aid. And, in exchange for that, they are willing to return the women and children who were abducted. This greatly affects how the war against Hamas will be carried out. At the outset, the IDF was given the green light to pursue whatever military action was necessary to achieve the stated goals: elimination of Hamas and obtain information that would lead to the return of the hostages. But, the military action would be undertaken without regard to the actual situation of the hostages. The latest proposal of Hamas creates no small dilemma for Israel. The families of those taken hostage are extremely vocal and demand that the government take the necessary action to insure that their loved ones would be returned. The fate of many of those abducted is still unknown. Are they alive or were they killed sometime between the 7th of October and today? Were they abused? Are some of them wounded? The head of the governmental unit appointed to deal with the return of the hostages, said today: “We have no indication of the situation of those who were kidnapped.” This is not a good fact upon which to base any negotiation.

Negotiating with Hamas is severely problematic. They do not provide any information and their promises are not to be trusted. Any compromise by Israel with Hamas is a public relations and “face-saving” victory for Hamas within Gaza and the “Palestinian” community and the Arab-speaking peoples worldwide. In other words, “they” set the terms. The fact that they have to return some of their hostages to achieve their goals is irrelevant. If they are not decisively defeated, they are seen as being victorious.

From the Israeli side, agreeing to negotiate with Hamas weakens the original resolve to defeat this terrorist organization, without taking into account the situation of the hostages. It also creates a public relations problem for the government, namely: agreeing to the release of some of the hostages – women and children, while the men remain in captivity in the hands of Hamas, whose demands would undoubtedly then revert back to the release of all so-called “Palestinians” being held in all Israeli jails, in exchange for the men (maybe even some of the men, not including the soldiers who were taken hostage). Such a situation would bring about the end of the political career of P.M. Netanyahu, which is teetering on the brink, as well as members of the war cabinet.

I certainly want all of the hostages to be returned, alive and well. But, having undertaken a military campaign designed to end the existence and related threat of Hamas, it would seem clear that negotiating with it at this point is self-defeating. It extends the life of an entity that should be killed. It strengthens the resolve of terrorists, who should be forced to capitulate and be tried as war criminals. It encourages other terrorist entities (governments, organizations and individuals) to pursue their own vile acts against Israel, knowing that in the end, we would agree to negotiate again, because Israeli public opinion will demand it. I understand the agony of the families whose loved ones were taken hostage by Hamas. I think we all can. But, if we are faced with a decision to either pursue our stated military goals and eliminate a totally immoral, murderous terrorist organization that has acted against Israel time and time again, or negotiate with it, again, to bring back some, but not all, of the hostages, how should we decide? Is it really a Hobson’s choice? Why is it that Israel is the only country that the world doesn’t allow to win a war?

I am attaching a political cartoon from “the Dry Bones Blog” of Yaakov Kirschen that appeared today <blog@mrdrybones.com>. The explanatory content accompanying the blog speaks for itself: 

After The Second World War we reacted to the Nazi horrors by trying to convince ourselves, and the rest of the world, that the “Holocaust” had been a “crime against humanity” instead of the expression of an ages-old and unique war to destroy the Jewish people.

It wasn’t the German people who were responsible , we liked to think, it was the Nazis.

But like the Germans who cheered the vile acts of their beloved Nazis back then, today the Palestinian Arabs and their supporters around the world are cheering the vile acts of their beloved Hamas.

“Never Again” is not a wish. It is our pledge to fight any reappearance of the beast. And the beast is back.

[A time will come when] He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war. (Isaiah 4:2) 

Until that time: Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. (Psalm 27:3)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing,

Marvin

Shalom all,
Israel Update – Shabbat – Day 8 of the War.

Shortly after midnight last night, the Israeli Air Defense Forces intercepted two flying aircraft that penetrated Israeli airspace from Lebanon. A little earlier, an alert/alartm was triggered when an unidentified aircraft intruded into the region of S/hefa-Amr, which is about a half hour drive drive Haifa. No alarms were triggered in haifa, but we did hear drones overhead around 03:00 a.m. People were not gathered together in a s”safe”/“secure” room. We’re OK. There were no explosions and no injuries were reported as a result of those drones. But, Hezbollah continues to flex its muscles and fired rockets into the northern town of Har Dov this afternoon, resulting in a retaliatory attack in southern Lebanon by the IDF. While the northern arena is heating up, the communities in the south continue to come under attack by rocket fire from Hamas, whose targets include the coastal city of Ashkelon and areas in central Israel.More and more independent reports confirm the atrocities committed by Hamas. More and more bodies are found, shifting numbers from missing to dead. Outrage continues to grow against the invasion of Hamas, the murders, rapes, decapitations, burnings and kidnapping of individuals, very old and very young, old school or new age, male or female. U.S. Defense Secretary  Lloyd Austin, a former U.S. Army General who led the campaign against ISIS, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, and said, in part:  “We’re with you, Mr. Prime Minister, and as the president said, we have. Your back…It’s an awful week…disgusting acts by this terrorist group…As you know, I was the guy that initially put the ISIS campaign together and I know a lot about ISIS, and this is worse that what I saw with ISIS.”President Biden met yesterday with the families of 14 Americans who are missing following the attack of Hamas. After the meeting, he said: “The more we learned about the attack, the more horrifying it becomes…These guys [Hamas] make, they make Al-Qaeda look pure. They’re pure evil.” <https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378459> Another article, among a multitude of similar other articles, relates to the missing from here:“The barbaric massacre that took place in the Gaza border area on October 7, 2023, the horrific rapes and abductions of civilians have nothing to do with the struggle for the rights of Palestinians or human rights. These are acts of pure sadism, of the worst and most abominable type imaginable, of the kind ISIS committed against their victims. Those who committed them would have gone on to do the same to any Israeli resident – Jew, Arab or foreign national that had fallen into their hands had the security forces not stopped them…It is the duty of Israel and of humanity to protect themselves and eradicate such acts and those capable of committing them. The world must know and act against them and help us bring the innocent captives back home, for the sake of the continued existence of Israel and for a sense of humanity, wherever it may be found.”For the full article, see <https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1jzxapzt>. There is little doubt that “7/10” is Israel’s “9/11”. There is also no doubt that it will be “a date which will live in infamy” (from the speech of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941, after the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor)An entire week has passed since the unprecedented invasion of Hamas. Hundreds of funerals have taken place and hundreds more will soon take place. Those attending the funerals acknowledge the loss of a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, a colleague, a victim of terror, who may be unknown to the one attending to identify with, and sympathize with, the mourners. Not so with the families of those whose fate has yet to be announced. It is difficult to express the the growing agony, anguish and anger of the relatives of those who are still missing and believed to be taken hostage to Gaza. Demonstrations took place this afternoon in Tel Aviv with the relatives demanding answers to the burning question: “Where is _____?” – a question that, at least for some, cannot be answered at this time. For some, the frustration takes the form of political exasperation. Some are openly accusing the Netanyahu-led government (before the emergency unity government) of bearing full responsibility for the Hamas attack, with some putting the coalition government on an equal footing with Hamas, saying both should be punished and bear the penalty for their sins. Indeed, difficult questions will have to be answered, but they should wait until this war is over. Right now, we need to be united in our goal to fight and to win, to eliminate Hamas and any other potential threat that might emanate from Gaza.
With the continued military buildup here, concern grows over the consequences of the ground operation in Gaza and the potential for a second front opening in the north, particularly from the Hezbollah terror group. As Shabbat here draws to a close, you may want to join in a prayer, expressed about 175 years ago, by Fanny Neuda – the daughter of a Rabbi from Bohemia (what is now known as the Czech Republic, 1855):

For a Son Serving in the Army

Gird your sword upon your thigh, mighty warrior, your glory and your splendor. In your majesty ride prosperously for the sake of truth and for the cause of righteousness, and may your right hand show you awesome things. (Psalms 45:4-5)

My God in the heavens, Lord of Hosts, Who rules with a high hand over the heavens and the earth: I offer my prayer to you from the depths of a mother’s heart. My God and God of my forefathers – hear my prayer in Your great mercy. The time has come for my son to join the ranks of those who fight for our country, to maintain its security and to remove the plotting and wickedness that threaten the homeland and its inhabitants. I am thankful to You, my God in heaven, for granting me a child whose limbs are strong, who is able to bear arms in the noble war for our country.

But my maternal heart is fearful and trembles at the thought of the dangers and temptations that surround him. He is young and lacking in experience, far from the teaching of his mother and the guidance of his father. His heart may easily be drawn after some forbidden thing, and come to sin. Therefore I pour out my supplication before You, Almighty God of heaven. Spread Your protection over him, shield him, and surround him, in Your great kindness. Nurture and strengthen within him every refined emotion, every positive intention, every remembrance of parental guidance that is imprinted on his soul, that he may always have in mind proper ethics and fear of God, that he not alienate himself from the faith of his forefathers, that military life and arms not harden his heart, that the insidious temptations of sin never control him.

Bless him, my God, with the wisdom and strength to behave conscientiously, to fulfill his difficult tasks properly. Let him not come to betray, nor to transgress, nor fall into error or doubt. Cause him to obey his commanders, and be loyal and ready to sacrifice, dedicated to his flag.

And on the day that he is called out to the battlefield, where death reaps its harvest – there, my God in heaven, spread Your mercy over him. May Your kindness be his shield and armor. Give strength to his arm, imbue his heart with courage, and let the remembrance of the mighty warriors of Israel guide his heart, that he may go out to battle joyfully and with purpose, and with courage and presence of mind defend the glory of his God and his loyalty to the ruler, to his nation and to his country.

My God in heaven, listen to my prayer. Let his mother’s blessing hover over him. May this blessing be a protective banner, and at the conclusion of his service may he return, whole in body and spirit, decorated for having carried out his obligations, bringing gladness to my heart and praise and glory to Your great Name, Amen.
A final word: Many have asked “Do you know this (person/organization)?” “Did you hear so and so’s message?” “Do you follow so and so?”, and questions along those lines. I try to communicate in these updates what is reported by reputable and professional news sources. There’s a lot of “clutter” that people receive that is intended to pass for genuine information, much of which is puffed up and outright false. Call it “fake news” or whatever else you want. This type of irresponsible reporting confuses the recipient and sometimes causes the reader or hearer to suffer a panic attack. Please be careful about what you allow to enter into your mind and thinking. No individual has a special, private source of information, unless it is based on personal, first-hand knowledge or by first-hand experience of family or close friend. Almost everything else that is reported can and should be able to be verified. “Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they deported an entire population To deliver it up to Edom. So I will send fire upon the wall of Gaza And it will consume her citadels” (Amos 1:6-7)“Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deut. 20:3-4)“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your places’.” (Psalm 122:6)

Shavua tov (have a good week)!

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 7 of the War.  

A volunteer with Zaka (see https://zakaworld.org/), the humanitarian volunteer organization that provides a rapid response to mass casualty disasters, in Israel and throughout the world, was interviewed on one of Israel’s main television news programs, and described what he saw: “A pile of 20 children tied [and] shot, that the terrorists put in one pile and set them on fire.” Various news outlets continue to give a platform to those who try to justify the actions of the terrorists. From what I am able to discern, a lot of people in “western” countries, including in what are supposed to be institutions of “higher learning”, are making an effort to justify what Hamas did and support them in fighting against Israel. This is simply moronic, idiotic and lacking in an understanding of basic morality. There is no reasoning with these terrorists and we should not try to understand them or their actions with a “western mentality”. Such efforts are doomed to failure. They are not subject to “rules of war”, nor does the Geneva Convention apply to them.

Every war has its tragedies. But, one man’s sunset can also be another man’s sunrise. The death of one provided life to others. An IDF Paratrooper, 23 years of age, was gravely wounded during the fierce battles in Kfar Aza, one of the border communities near Gaza. In her eulogy of her son, who was one of six children and a twin, his mother spoke compassionately of his final gift, after hours of life-saving efforts proved unsuccessful. She stated in part: “We were certain that [he] would wish to donate his organs to save others. Although accepting this decision was incredibly challenging, we chose to honor his wish. [He] was not only a cherished son but also the very bedrock of his family. May his memory be blessed”. Amen! In life-saving, transplant procedures, his organs provided life to five others.

At this point, the IDF has mobilized approximately 360,000 reservists – the largest, single call-up in our brief history. To date, the number of killed and fallen is over 1,300, with more that 3,500 wounded. Israel has given 24-hour notice to the residents of Gaza to vacate the northern area of the Strip, in part of preparations for a ground offensive. The above numbers will most certainly rise after the IDF physically enters Gaza. The IDF announcement states: 

“The IDF calls for the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza, as shown on the map…The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place. This evacuation is for your own safety. You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made. Do not approach the area of the security fence with the State of Israel…Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels underneath houses and inside buildings populated with innocent Gazan civilians. Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields. In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians.” The U.N., in its typical attempts to ignore terrorist action from Gaza that generates a response from Israel, tried to get the IDF to cancel its evacuation order, saying that the relocation of the people living in the area affected by the evacuation order would cause “severe humanitarian consequences”. Shame on this organization, that fails to condemn the “severe humanitarian consequences” of the devastating terrorist attack upon civilians living in the south of Israel. Shame on this organization, that fails to acknowledge the pure evil that resulted in over 1,300 deaths and the destruction of entire settlements, including agriculture and farming communities. Shame on this organization that turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the terrorists who use civilians as human shields to protect themselves. Shame on this organization that fails to condemn the use of civilian facilities and infrastructure to house and to hide weapons and missiles. Shame on this organization that supports, in various ways, terrorism and smiles on countries that encourage and export terrorism, while condemning Israel time and again for defending herself against attempts to destroy her. And what is Hamas’s response to Israel’s warning, that is designed to avoid the deaths and wounding of as many civilians as possible? That the notice to vacate the area was an attempt by Israel “to broadcast and pass on fake propaganda, aiming to sow confusion among citizens and harm our internal cohesion…We urge our citizens not to engage in these attempts.” They are hoping to gain public sympathy for the plight of the people who will die and suffer harm once the 24-hour warning has passed. Woe to the U.N. and woe to Hamas! The blood of the victims of the terrorist attack that began last Saturday will not be wiped off, but will now spill over to include the blood of those who either foolishly, or out of fear, choose to heed the instructions of the murderous Hamas regime.

We know people who have been killed since the terrorist invasion that started the war. But, there are always stories of miracles, answers to prayer and heroism. One month prior to the outbreak of the war, the girlfriend of one of our nephews was a look-out post observer, stationed at the Gaza base that was overrun shortly after the terrorists broke through the border fence. After completing her assignment, she left. But, there were many friends (officers and enlisted personnel), who continued to serve there. When the terrorists entered the base, those who remained were either killed or captured. The terrorists also left bullet holes in furniture, machinery and even photographs, including the the attached photo of our nephew’s girlfriend. 

The major television stations here repeatedly refer to the need for unity. But, Television News Channel 14 is the only one of the major stations that has states: “With God’s help, together we will be victorious”. Amen! and Amen!

For many who have asked, I want to clarify that the ministry of A Future and A Hope <afutureandahope.org.il> continues without a break. Our service to the women and families in crisis has increased since the beginning of the war and we make every effort to encourage them and provide for their special needs during this unprecedented time of crisis. See photo of a few of the boxes of food supplied by our organization that were delivered today. The label says: “With love and with blessings – A Future and A Hope”.

Rockets continue to be launched throughout the day against communities in the south and, as of this writing, sirens were sounded in northern communities of Israel, as a long-distance missile was launched from Gaza and made its way north. The IDF declared parts of Israel’s most northern town, Metula, which is close to the border with Lebanon, as a closed military zone and warned civilians to stay away from the area. 

“But the LORD said to Moses, ‘Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon’.” (Numbers 21:34; Debt. 3:2)

“Joshua then said to them, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight’.” (Joshua 10:25)

Shabbat Shalom! (May you have a peaceful Shabbat!)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Israel Update – Day 6 of the War. The number of those killed or fallen since the beginning of this war has risen to 1,300. The number of wounded stands at 3,200. The incremental reporting of the numbers is undoubtedly intended to ease the emotional shock of trying to digest the magnitude of the slaughter. 

It is impossible to report everything that has happened and is happening since last Saturday, when this war began. There are news sites that will fill in the gaps, but all too often from an impersonal point of view. The reporting of atrocities, slaughter of innocents, beheading of babies, booby-trapping corpses so that they would explode and kill those trying to identity victims, shooting elderly and handicapped people at point-blank range, burning to death entire families in their homes, and more, cannot be reduced to objective numbers and dispassionate news. Many who deal with tragedy and death on a daily basis here find themselves hard pressed to cope with and express in words the horror of the sights that they have seen in the wake of the Hamas terrorist onslaught.

A veteran, experienced plastic surgeon, upon seeing the remains of victims of the Hamas murder rampage, was left in shock and pain. “These things I never saw, terrorists booby-trapped the bodies so that those trying to free them would be blown up.” When he left the area where the bodies were being gathered, he wrote these words to himself: “This cannot be repeated again after we swore ’Never again’.” He was helping to identify the bodies of those killed in the terrorist attack and said, in shock: “Until last night I thought I had already seen everything. As a doctor in the field, I saw burns, war wounded, terrorist attacks, terrorists who came to me after they exploded. But I have never seen such things in my life…I felt that I entered a Time Machine and went back in time to 1945, that I was released from a concentration camp. These were inhuman scenes, impossible to believe…The number of corpses was considerable and they brought them in frozen food trucks…They came to abuse, to eliminate and to eliminate. I don’t have in my vocabulary words to describe what I saw there. Those who did that are not animals, they are sub-animals…When I left there this morning, another truck came. [One of the workers from Zika – the organization that helps pick up bodies and body parts] said to me that there were bodies of 50 babies and children. We need to publish those pictures. One such picture will make it clear to the world who we have to deal with.” There’s more, but not for now.

There is this expression “the two-state solution”. Although it was buried a number of times, apparently, each time it buried alive and repeatedly made its way out of the grave. It was treated by those who live in “lalaland” and who refuse to accept reality. Then, it showed up again, with many encouraging it and urging it on. The murderous terrorist attack that took place six days ago should prove, once and for all, that the time has come to kill the concept and very thought of a two-state solution and bury it so deep so that not even the memory of it will remain.

The Hamas massacre was not enough for those who killed indiscriminately. Two days ago, the leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization called for a General Mobilization Day for “Al-Aqsa Flood Operation” to take place tomorrow, Friday, 13th October. The call of Hamas, translated by Memri (Middle East Media Research Institute) can be found at: <https://www.memri.org/reports/hamas-declares-friday-october-13-general-mobilization-day-al-aqsa-flood-operation-urges-west> It is worthwhile to take 2 minutes to read it. In its essence, it is a call to all Muslims and the “Nation of Islam” to take to the streets worldwide and join “the battle”. Don’t be misled into thinking that “the battle” refers only to Israel. It is a call to Muslims everywhere in “the West”, in America, and Israel and in other places for reinforcements from the “Palestinian people, the masses of the Arab and Islamic world, and free people worldwide”. The Daily Signal reported yesterday (11th October, 2023 – <https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/10/11/there-blood-hamas-issues-unambiguous-call-arms-support-jihad-waging-gaza/>): “Robert Greenway, director of the Center for National Defense at The Heritage Foundation, told The Daily Signal that the statement will result in bloodshed. (The Daily Signal is the news outlet of The Heritage Foundation.) “It is an unambiguous global call to arms…It will be heeded. There will be blood.” From past experience, we know that whenever there is a flare-up here, there are large numbers of Arabs who foment violence and even bloodshed. Not a small matter of concern is the existence of “Palestinian sleeper cells”, who wait for the right opportunity to spring into action.
But, not all are part of a fifth column. Thankfully, there are many Israeli Arabs who are dedicated to the existence of Israel, who want to see it thrive and prosper, who want to raise their children in peace and security and who align and affiliate themselves completely with Israel, despite occasional differences of opinion and viewpoints that are part of a vibrant, democratic country. Please see the attached video. 

A final word for now: The situation in the north of Israel is heating up. The opening of a second front is a real possibility. Hezbollah would hesitate to start something against Israel on its own. But, since Hamas and Islamic Jihad have already started a war, and have called for Muslims everywhere to join in, the Hezbollah terrorist organization could try to take this opportunity to carry out its repeated threats against Israel.  All the while, Iran sits by and hands out instructions to Hamas and Hezbollah, and others, to kill and to be killed.

“On your walls, Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;
“All day and all night they will never keep silent.
“You who profess the Lord, take no rest for yourselves;
7 “And give Him no rest until He establishes
“And makes Jerusalem an object of praise on the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Good evening all.

It has been a difficult day, long and stressful. Rocket barrages continued throughout the day in the south, including to the coastal cities of Askelon and Ashdod. In addition, there was an anti-tank missile fired into northern Israel from Lebanon and the IDF retaliated appropriately. This evening, sirens blasted throughout communities in the north, including Haifa, with a warning of some 30 drones that entered Israeli air space, sending people to secured rooms in their homes or buildings. The IDF just reported that the warning was “a mistake” and that there is no present threat in the north.

After five days of war, an emergency unity government was established today to deal with the situation. The “war cabinet” is made up of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and a former IDF Chief of Staff. Other Members of Knesset are part of this unity government. Hopefully, they will have the courage to make the decisions necessary under the present circumstances. 

The IDF has already indicated that notwithstanding the number of hostages being held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and despite the emotional enormity of the suffering of the relatives of those missing, these will not be considerations for the action that will be taken against the terrorists. Yoav Galant, the Minister of Defense, spoke to the troops in the field yesterday and stated: “Hamas wanted a change in Gaza, it will change 180 degrees from what they thought. They will regret this moment – Gaza will not return to what it was…There will be no situation where Israeli children are murdered in the fields, and Hamas continues to exist. I have lifted all restrictions – we will kill everyone who fights us, using all means. Whoever comes to behead, to murder women, Holocaust survivors – we will annihilate them.” These are tough words and reveal a resolve to finally fight our enemy with the intention to win.

Israel continues to pound areas in the Gaza Strip and destroy buildings and military targets, with some success in eliminating high-ranking members of the Hamas terrorist organization. Two days ago, part of what I wrote was: Striking Hamas targets may have some impact, but what needs to be done is to strike Hamas itself and its leadership. We need to cut off the head of the snake and bury it deep.Striking Hamas targets may have some impact, but what needs to be done is to strike Hamas itself and its leadership. We need to cut off the head of the snake and bury it deep.This attitude is finding more and more support within the ranks of our government. May it be that they finally realize that Hamas cannot be the only one fighting a war, with Israel responding, even severely, but without the goal of winning the war. That is a recipe for defeat. If we are in a war, we need to fight to win, not to wait for a political solution and/or the intervention of foreign governments that will try to bring about yet another meaningless cease-fire when we achieve the upper hand. I encourage you to read the article published today by the Gatestone Institute, that argues clearly and strongly: “To win a war, you have to fight one.” <https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/20038/win-a-war>

If all of our attention is focused on immediate events, attacks from Gaza and potential attacks from Lebanon and Syria, then we miss the story behind the story, namely that Iran is behind the terrorist attack that began on Saturday, 7th October. According to an article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal on 8th October: “Officers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had worked with Hamas since August to devise the air, land and sea incursions—the most significant breach of Israel’s borders since the 1973 Yom Kippur War” <https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25>. According to senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, both Iranian puppets, Iranian officials gave the “green light” for the assault a week ago Monday. The U.S. officials deny having any information to verify that Iran “directed or was behind this particular attack”, but the same account was given by a European official and adviser to the Syrian government. Despite the willingness of the U.S. to stand with Israel at this time, it will have a heavy price to pay for its political and financial agreements with Iran that made this attack, and others, possible.

The “big folks” make wars possible. But, what about the “little folks”? Parents often try to comfort their children during times of difficulty and children respond with childish statements. Sometimes, when the situation becomes critical, children respond with greater understanding. When Kibbutz Beeri, which was overrun by the terrorists, one family sat is absolute silence while the shooting took place outside their home. Their daughter, age 7, whispered: “Mommy, I don’t want to die. I am only 7 years old. I am too little to die.” A 5-year-old boy turned to his mother and asked: “Mom, are all countries under fire now?” A 9-year-old in a besieged house in Kibbutz Beeri was interviewed and said: “I’m fine. I’m a little stressed a lot, but we’ll get through it. I heard shots and that they hit our window outside of our shelter. We also heard a lot of alarms sirens and explosions and now there are shots here again. All the time I gave mom hugs and also gave her my hand. I feel better now, because the army said they will come with the car and take us to where all the other people are. It’s not easy to go through that when you’re 9 years old.” There are many such statements that appear on an Instagram page called “Kids are the best screen writers.” They give us a simple, but direct, perspective that many adults cannot relate to.

A closing note: The numbers of killed and fallen and wounded are far from final. As more and more bodies are being found, one organization, that literally picks up the pieces of dead bodies, reported that none of its people have ever experienced the type of slaughter that they saw and had to deal with in some of the communities that were attacked. They said that the terrorists indiscriminately  killed and mutiliated everyone they came across, male and female, adults and minors, even babies in their cribs. They described the scene as nothing less than a holocaust. 

Please pray for:

The new government; the IDF and that a second front will not be opened; the wounded; the captives; the families of the captives; the general public in Israel and (fill in what you are led to pray for). May God keep us under the shadow of His wings.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

p.s.: Our organization, A Future and A Hope, continues to provide humanitarian assistance to women dealing with a crisis pregnancy and to single moms, who need various types of help and supplies during the war. Please keep them in your prayers, as well.

Good morning all,

Israel Update – Day 5 of the War.   This will be very brief. According to the IDF, there are more than 1,200 killed and fallen since the beginning of the war. At least 2,900 were wounded. It is estimated that more than 200 were taken captive by Hamas.

Israel continued to pound areas in the Gaza Strip during the night and some relatives of the head of the military wing of Hamas were killed. There is ongoing missile attacks from Gaza into Israeli territory, with over 4,500 rockets launched since last Saturday.

The opening volleys of a second front in the north occurred yesterday after the Hezbollah fired 15 rockets into Israel from Lebanon. Syria joined the fray with mortars launched at the Golan Heights. Israel responded to both incidents with artillery fire.

In a televised speech yesterday, U.S. President Biden related to the “sheer evil” of Hamas and pledge that the U.S. would ensure that Israel will receive whatever it needs to respond to the terrorism. He expressed what ever leader of every government should state publicly: “This is not some distant tragedy” and added “It is personal for so many American families who are feeling the pain of this attack was well as the scars inflicted through millennia of antisemitism and persecution of Jewish people.”

The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav. Gallant, spoke with soldiers in the field, as he toured the Gaza border region yesterday, telling them, “I have lifted all restrictions; we have taken control of the sector and are moving to a full-scale attack. Hamas wanted a change in Gaza, you will have the honor to turn the tables on its head…You stood bravely on the front line, struck many terrorists, and saved lives. You saw firsthand what we are fighting against – human beasts – the Islamic State of Gaza. Thanks to your heroic action in this defense mission, you will have the honor of changing the reality here. You saw the costs, and you will witness the turnaround.”

More later.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Good evening all.
Following up my earlier emails:-
Last night, after the Civil Command urged all citizens to store supplies that will last for at least 72 hours, I anticipated some panic buying from supermarkets. Little did I expect that by 10:00 a.m. this morning, shelves in a multitude of locations would be empty of water, fruit and vegetables and dry goods (tuna, snacks, etc.). The timing of the notice was clearly pre-mature and could have waited at least for another 2-3 days.  

Communities may have been cleared from the presence of terrorists, but attempts at infiltration in the south continue, resulting in fire fights and prompt emlimation of the terrorists  by the IDF. Nevertheless, air raid sirens blast throughout many communities in the south and there was a heavy rocket barrages upon different locations, including a southern coastal city.
The concerns expressed earlier today about the silence in the north are being realized. In the last two hours, there were att least 15+ missile launches from Lebanon. The IDF is eliminating Hezbollah observation posts inside Lebanon. The northern arena is heating up and it could easily explode. There are ongoing missile barrages and seemingly no end to the supply of projectiles being launched from Gaza.
About 20 female soldiers were taken captive and brought to Gaza. Very young children and tots were also taken by Hamas. There is a genuine concern that efforts will be made to raise them as Islamic Moslems. May God set His divine protection around all of them. 
The present situation is intolerable. It is inhuman. There are more and more calls to put an end to Hamas, not just to destroy buildings and command posts. This should have been done years ago. Why did we have to wait until now to deal with Hamas and Islamic Jihad the way we need to? Why can these animals rejoice in front of a camera and show their barbarism to the entire world, a world that wants to leave it to us to deal with them? If citizens of the western world would be attacked, killed, kidnapped, tortured and abused, if their daughters were systematically raped and dragged naked through the streets, if their babies and soldiers were decapitated in front of the camera – how long would it take for those countries to act to eliminate not only the threat of the aggressor, but the aggressor himself? It is time, it is past time, for us to finish the job. The world cannot remain indifferent, again, because it is happening here and not there, because it is us and not them. Our enemies have touched the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8) and He will not remain silent.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

“Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

“Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”—Martin Niemöller

I implore you: Stand with Israel.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Brief Update – Day 4 of the War. On the whole, the news fails to generate a time of rejoicing. As the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip are being cleansed from the presence of terrorists, the horror of what is discovered becomes difficult to express. The corpses of dozens of civilians are found, 100 in one community alone. Antennas in the Gaza Strip are still in place on the tops of buildings, allowing internet capability to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who continue to broadcast over social media. The cell phones of those taken into captivity serve as information tools to broadcast atrocities to families and friends of the murder and abuse of captives. Women being stripped naked and raped. Seniors being shot point blank in the head. Confirmation of killing, by shooting them point blank to make sure they are dead. Some are beheaded and their fingers burned to prevent easy identification. For obvious reasons, the IDF intentionally does not reveal the names of Israelis taken captive. Some hesitate to say this is a second Holocaust. Others readily proclaim that the killing of innocent women and children, as well as seniors, some who are suffering from age-related conditions and have no idea what is happening to them, and burning people alive in their homes, is unparalleled in our brief history since the end of WWII and must be treated as a 21st century Holocaust against the Jewish people and Israel. Yet, despite the clear violations of international law and war crimes committed by Hamas and Islamic jihad, the Security Council of that infamous institution known as the U.N. (=unscrupulous narrow-minds) has failed to condemn the terrorists. 

I intentionally do not refer to websites or social media sites that public photos and videos of the atrocities being perpetrated by the terrorists. In a speech last night by the Prime Minister of Israel, he referred, among other things, to the establishment of an emergency, unity government. As of this writing, that much-needed entity still has not been established because of politics.If that does not take place immediately, the words of the P.M. will be considered as more political pablum, trying to placate a grieving nation with empty words that are like clouds without water.

Foreign media continue to follow the heart-wrenching stories of the terrorist attack by Hamas. As events unfold, it is discovered that many of the victims and missing are foreign citizens, which increases the interest of the foreign press in what is happening here since the murderous crusade began on Shabbat. Earlier today, the IDF permitted some foreign press to enter Kfar Aza (one of the communities that suffered great loss from the terrorist incursion) accompanied by a contingent of soldiers. Dead bodies were discovered, which were photographed by the foreign press … and publicized. But, the members of that community and the families of the victims were not notified in advance. Some, who were still anxiously waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, saw their dead relatives through the photos and videos published by the foreign press. This media faux pas only adds to the anguish of relatives and friends of the victims, as well as to the national trauma that we are experiencing.

The IDF spokesman said that the communities in the south are now cleared of terrorists and the few who were killed today were the last remaining contingent of those who entered on 7th October and managed to hide from the IDF until now. Although the communities in the south of the country have been cleared of terrorists, air-raid sirens continue to sound throughout the day in those areas, with missiles still being fired into Israel from Gaza. One death has been reported and two were seriously injured as a result of one missile that landed in mid afternoon. A number of terrorists who attempted to infiltrate the country earlier were immediately dealt with and killed. Also, the Minister of the Economy of Hamas was killed today by the IDF. Hamas is going to have to find someone else who can add 2 and 2 to come up with 7.

It should be pointed out that many of those who were killed and/or taken captive were participating in a nature festival that took place not far from the border fence with Gaza and there were many who came from different countries – migrant workers, vacationers and foreign students. This not the place to discuss that event, but it is mentioned to round out the picture, so that it would not be thought that only Israelis were killed or taken captive.

Dairy farms in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip continued to supply milk under fire. But, the manager of one of the dairy farms was killed when he went to milk the cows, which are now being milked by volunteers. There is also a bright light in the midst of everything that has happened – it was reported this afternoon that 30 people who were reported missing were found alive. Many are seniors, who are assisted by foreign workers, who continued to be with them, speak with them and encourage them during the time that they were in hiding. 

There was also a report of infiltration from Lebanon this morning, which was promptly dealt with by the IDF. Since then, there has been a strange and worrisome silence about happenings in the north. The IDF is on full alert for a situation that we pray will not develop.

This is being sent out now, because there was a Hamas missile barrage to the center of the country. We need prayer coverage (Psalm 91:1-4).

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you.” (Psalm 12:6) Pray for wisdom for the leadership of Israel, for wisdom, discernment, planning and skill for the IDF, as well as for a holy boldness to act  (1 Sam. 30).

Thank you for standing with Israel. Great will be your reward (Gen. 12:3).

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

This is third day since the terrorist infiltration and attack in the south of Israel. The event is being nicknamed in some circles as “Israel’s 9/11”. Yesterday, the number of deaths was reported at over 600 with some estimates that the death toll would reach 1,000. Throughout the course of the day, this number stood at 700 and less than 15 minutes before this writing, the number of those killed jumped to “at least 900”. The number of wounded has increased to more than 2,500. We were notified today of the deaths of two soldiers, a young man and a young woman, members of the Messianic community, who were killed during the terrorist invasion in the south.

There are still a few terrorists in southern communities who have not been eliminated. The IDF did an admirable job in killing over 400 terrorists on this side of Gaza and hundreds more in the Gaza Strip. The Minister of Defense said that Gaza is being cut off – no one in or out. No supply of electricity and no supply of water. The Air Force is pounding specific Hamas targets and strongholds and our military is making every effort not to cause collateral damage to civilians. Striking Hamas targets may have some impact, but what needs to be done is to strike Hamas itself and its leadership. We need to cut off the head of the snake and bury it deep. Less than two and a half years ago, during May, 2021, there was another severe missile attack in the south. The IDF pounded the Gaza Strip and the government announced that it had destroyed the Hamas infrastructure so that it will take them years to regroup. And lo and behold, not only did they regroup and rebuild, they planned and executed an attack on Israel the likes of which we have not seen since the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) War in October, 1973. The taking of captives, men, women and children, young and old, civilian and military, and abusing them and even executing some of the captives (which has already happened), cannot be tolerated without an Israeli response that will end the threat from Gaza once and for all. 
This morning, a spokesman for Hamas said that there will be no negotiation regarding the hostages. Later in the day, they demanded the release of all so-called “Palestinians” from all Israeli prisons, in exchange for Israeli women and children who are being held hostage by Hamas and islamic Jihad. Different countries are attempting to “negotiate a deal” for the return of the women and children. Pursuing this line will be considered a victory for terrorists, not only in the Gaza Strip, but wherever they exist. In this area of the world, “face” is everything. If you do not suffer defeat, you are deemed to be victorious. I have many thoughts regarding the actions that Israel needs to pursue, not the least of which is to notify the residents of Gaza to vacate their homes on very short notice and to systematically eliminate entire areas of the Gaza Strip. Terrorists need money to operate. The flow of money into Gaza needs to immediately stop. The 5-star hotels in Gaza City need to be flattened. The ability to communicate by email, WhatsApp and various types of social media needs to be blocked and antennas destroyed. They need to be kept totally in the dark and absolutely isolated from the rest of the world. No more victory signs and dancing in the streets and on roof tops, no more boasting, no more showing prisoners being humiliated, abused and executed, no more making demands from Israel.  We need to remember that we cannot lose any war and certainly not one initiated by one or more terrorist organizations.
We need to keep in prayer. This war is far from over. Missiles and mortar shells continue to be sent into areas of Israel, not only in the south. The Greater Jerusalem area was hit today, as well. The north of Israel is not immune from the actions of Iranian puppets. Hezbollah has been flexing its muscles during these days and the situation in the north is heating up and could easily explode. If that happens, the whole region could become engulfed in armed conflict. There was minor terrorist infiltration from Lebanon today, which was promptly dealt with. And even as this was being written, some missiles were fired into Israel from Lebanon.
Added to the present concerns is the instructions of the Civil Command that all citizens should store supplies (food, water, medicine and other essentials, including a certain amount of cash) that will last for at least 72 hours. This will undoubtedly result in some panic buying from supermarkets. Welcome to Day 3 of Israel’s 9/11. 
Your prayers are truly solicited and greatly appreciated. We are thankful for all who have written to encourage us during these difficult days.
Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.
Marvin

Shalom, all.

Israel mourns! We mourn the loss of over 600 of our sons and daughters who were murdered by terrorists who attacked Israel from Gaza yesterday. When the final numbers are in, they are expected to be considerably higher, with some estimates reaching 1,000. We mourn the more than 2,000 Israelis who were wounded as a result of the attack, hundreds of whom are in serious and/or life-threatening conditions. We mourn the abduction of dozens of Israelis of all ages to Gaza and they abuse that they suffered and are suffering at the hands of people with no moral conscience. We grieve over the destruction and damaged caused by multiple missile barrages launched against Israel from Gaza, with over 3,000 rockets fired, some reaching communities in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem area. We mourn with our friends and acquaintances who were informed that a parent, a husband, a wife, a son, a daughter, an in-law who was killed as a result of the events of yesterday and today. We grieve with our friend of over 35 years, who was informed today that her son-in-law, a father of five, was one of the victims. 

Why did this happen? How could this happen? It’s not over yet. The numbers are not final. The captured are still in captivity. The anguish of the families of not knowing the fate of their loved ones cannot be expressed in words. Anguish turns to frustration and frustration turns to anger. Reports trickle in of some of the atrocities and war crimes committed by the terrorists and families being burned alive in their homes. Social media displayed photos of some of those who were taken captive. A soldier, bloodied and stripped down to his underwear, a naked young woman pulled out of a body bag by her hair, covered in blood. A very young child was heard asking his mother what was happening. She told him that they were taken captive and are being led to another place, to which he responded: “Are they going to kill us?” While I am against posting such photos on social media, some of these, like the ones mentioned here, need to be shown on every news channel in the world, so that they can see the kinds of people to whom the nations of the world want to give statehood and international recognition. A country that allows its politicians to take a public stand and praise the terrorists should send those very politicians to live with those terrorists, so that they can experience the pain and suffering of the victims of such terror. Their joy will quickly turn to sorrow and grief.

There is no doubt that our enemies saw the disunity in Israel resulting from the controversy over the program for judicial reform and they sought to take advantage of what they perceived to be a weakness in our society, a weakness that would spill over to our defense capability. They trained for this event for months. We even saw a video of their training, which actions they duplicated after their infiltration to the southern part of Israel. We were “duped” into believing that they did not want to expand hostilities with us.

But, the south is not the only area of concern. Hezbollah is also flexing its muscles and its missile capability far exceeds that of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. The I.D.F. needs to take action to prevent the Iranian puppets in Lebanon from carrying out their threats against us. We know what we need to do. We need the wisdom, timing and courage to do it.

Some think that I am taking a hard line and they are correct. I live here, my family lives here, most of our relatives live here, our children have donned the uniform and served this nation during difficult times with different responsibilities. For 2,000 years, our people have yearned for a homeland where we can live in peace. There are those who want to remove us and destroy us as a people that the name of Israel would be no more (Psalm 83:2-4). But, they did consult the Creator God of the universe, who said (Jeremiah 31:35-37: Thussays the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixedorder of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: ‘Ifthisfixedorderdeparts from before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Then the offspring of Israelalso will cease from being a nationbefore Me forever’. Thussays the LORD, ‘If the heavensabove can be measured and the foundations of the earthsearched out below, then I will alsocastoffall the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,’ declares the LORD.” God still has work for us to do, so whoever tries to remove Israel will find himself fighting against God, Who never loses.

More to follow.

Blessings to all,

Marvin

Brief Update – 19:50 (7:50 p.m.)

The pictures are difficult to see. Terrorists breaking through the barrier and arriving by multitudes in pick-up trucks, motor bikes, kites and on foot, showing victory signs. An Armored Personnel Carrier was destroyed by them on their way to the various communities in the south. Other terrorists succeeded to steal a vehicle belonging to the Border Police. Residents are being warned not to pay attention to those in a Border Police vehicle, because there is a concern that they are masquerading as Israelis.

The I.D.F. moved into action and is still slowly working its way through the 22 communities around the Gaza Strip to restore Israeli control over the area. Heavy fighting was reported in some of the areas. In one settlement, Hamas is holding 50 residents hostage in the community dining room. Attempts at negotiation to free them are ongoing for hours. In the meantime, the terrorists also managed to steal other I.D.F. vehicles and are trying to get into the heart of Israel, disguised as members of the I.D.F. The streets (at least in this area and in many other locations) are without traffic, almost like a repeat of the Day of Atonement.

However, there are confirmed reports of at least 100 people having been killed by terrorist activity and over 1,000 who are wounded and are being treated in hospitals around the country. Nightfall has descended, making the search for terrorsts more difficult. But, so far, over 250 terrorists are reported to have been killed by the I.D.F. The Spokesman for the I.D.F. confirmed that Hamas kidnapped members of the I.D.F., as well as civilians, men, women and children – a clear war crime and took them to Gaza. 

Attempts are being made by different countries to bring about a “cease fire”. If ever there was a time for Israel not to agree to a cease fire, this is the time. Television photos show that antennas are still operating and allowing communication in and out of Gaza, electricity is still functioning, water is still flowing and multi-story buildings are still standing. Our government has said that we are at war. That being the case, then we should act like we’re at war and do what is necessary to be victorious and to restore Israeli control over all areas – all areas, to bring the captives home safe and unharmed and to make sure that this situation will not and cannot happen again. We need to stop thinking what the world community says about us. No matter what we do, the world won’t love us and we shouldn’t seek the world’s favor. 

It’s time to stop playing politics and to get the job done!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Shalom all.

This is a short update of the situation. My efforts to send a Blog Update have proven fruitless for technical reasons that I can’t understand, so this email is being sent instead.

Around 06:30 this morning, scores of Hamas terrorists broke through the wire fence barrier separating Gaza from the City of Shderot and entered Israel by truckloads. There was also entry from the sea and, undoubtedly, from tunnels, as well as single-seat kites. They infiltrated every community in the south, killing, injuring and taking individuals captive and taking some from their homes into Gaza. As of this writing, at least 40 civilians are reported killed and over 740 are wounded. The numbers across the board are expected to increase considerably as confirmation is received. Apparently, the numbers taken captive is also not small.

Incidents have been reported in and around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as in some areas in the north. There has been a widespread call-up of reservists. The Israeli Air Force also began hitting specific targets in Gaza. The Security Cabinet still yet hasn’t issued a formal declaration of war (which is necessary), in all likelihood over the concern of the number of captives taken into Gaza.

There is also concern over internal unrest and attacks in different areas, which may result in official closure later today, causing people remain in their homes. This is the Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles – a time of joy, and one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War (Day of Atonement War – 1973). Celebrations have been cancelled throughout the country. Travel advisories have been issued.

Questions of how the terrorists were able to infiltrate, and in such large numbers and to take captives to Gaza without be stopped, will have to be answered when this assault is over. For now, we need prayer for wisdom for the government and the IDF, for strength and courage to do what needs to be done.

That’s it for the moment. 

With blessings and thanks for your prayers.

Marvin

Shalom all,

Yesterday marked the celebration of the fourth of seven prophetic Feasts mentioned in the 23rd chapter of the Book of Leviticus. This feast, known by different names, both biblical and rabbinical, is called “Shavuot” in Hebrew, meaning “weeks,” and Feast of Weeks in English. It falls on the seventh Sabbath after Passover, encompassing seven full weeks plus one additional day. According to Deuteronomy 16:12, the purpose of this feast is to rejoice, to celebrate and remember the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.

In the Newer Testament, Shavuot holds great significance as the day when the Holy Spirit was given. It was on this day that 3,000 people came to faith in Messiah Yeshua, having their sins forgiven and marked the beginning of a new age.

One of the traditions associated with Shavuot is the reading of the Book (actually Scroll) of Ruth. There are several reasons for choosing this part of Scripture, including its connection to the end of the Spring harvest and its themes of giving, kindness, and selflessness, which align with the belief that God gave the Torah, the Law, to the Jewish people on the day of Shavuot. The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges, a period that highlights human failure and God’s enduring mercy.

The Book of Judges reveals the consequences of compromise and the escalating effects of uncontrolled evil. The principle underlying Israel’s repeated failures is summed up in the final verse of the book: “In those days, there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25) While the Israelites were not inherently rebellious against God’s desires, they pursued their own subjective understanding of right and wrong, leading to disastrous outcomes.

The message of Judges is relevant to our present time. The prevailing winds of self-centeredness and the “me, myself, and I” mindset bring with them the dangerous virus of relativism. The prevalent “do your own thing” attitude has become a societal lifestyle, infecting every aspect of life, including spiritual truth and moral absolutes. Our society has become increasingly secular, pagan, and resistant to a message that points people to the Creator God of the universe. The Book of Judges begins with compromise and ends with confusion—a pattern that repeats when lives remain unsurrendered. Israel’s history, chronicled in the Bible, serves as instruction for us, who live in the culmination of the ages.

In contrast to the somber backdrop of the Book of Judges, the Book (Scroll) of Ruth shines like a jewel, radiating brilliance. While the Books of Joshua and Judges primarily focus on Israel’s connection to the land, Ruth places greater emphasis on the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant’s promise, particularly concerning the lineage of King David. It acts as a link between Deuteronomy and Samuel, bridging the anticipation of a king in Israel with the divine selection of a monarch. It accomplishes this by showcasing the remarkable display of God’s sovereign and elective grace, which worked providentially among His covenant people even during the troubling days of the Judges. This grace blessed their obedience driven by faith and prepared the way for the fulfillment of God’s predetermined purposes for the world.

The Bible accurately reflects the complexities of life itself. God’s dealings exhibit a pattern found both in nature and history: light follows darkness; emerge from valleys; repentance is accompanied by forgiveness, and so forth. So, in the Book of Judges, we encounter war and turmoil. In the Book of Samuel, we encounter even more conflict and unrest, hatred, theft, lies, and murder, an ancient world ravaged by sin. Sandwiched between these two books that are replete with war, conflict and unrest is the Book of Ruth. – a captivating tale of love and virtuous character that stand in stark contrast to its place in the historical time line.

The story itself is simple, composed of ordinary elements of human life. Its characters are everyday people. As the narrative unfolds, the beauty of Ruth’s character gradually emerges. From the moment she affectionately decides to accompany her widowed and grieving mother-in-law, she becomes the central figure of the story. The background: Famine in the land caused Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons, to decide to leave Bethlehem, in Judah, and to relocate to Moab (in Jordan). However, within ten short years, Naomi became a widow facing dire circumstances. Both of her sons married Moabite women, but her sons also passed away. Naomi, bereft of husband and children, living in a foreign land, facing extreme poverty, was broken and felt that God had forsaken her, because of her desertion of Him. She decided to return – back to her ancestral soil and back to her God.

Decision time. Would her daughters-in-law accompany her, knowing that they might not find a favorable welcome in Bethlehem? The pull to remain in Moab was strong for both of them. One daughter-in-law , Orpah (meaning turned away), after originally refusing to leave Naomi, opted to remain in Moab. She shared her mother-in-law’s sorrow of widowhood and did not see a favorable prospect on the horizon if she were to accompany her to Bethlehem, a foreign land for her. Naomi encouraged Ruth to do the same.

Ruth’s life had now reached the decisive moment—the moment that hinged on a monumental choice, determining her fulfillment of God’s purpose. It was a crisis that left her isolated and seemingly alone. Until this point, she had walked alongside Orpah. However, now Orpah, her sister-in-law, with whom she had accepted the hand of an Israelite husband, who had shared in the sorrow of widowhood, and who had begun the journey with Naomi back to Bethlehem, had departed.

Behind Ruth lay Moab—the land of her childhood, her parents, her friendships, and her interests. Before her lay Israel, with its unfamiliar territory, unfamiliar faces, and unknown trials. Outwardly, there appeared to be little, if anything, that would encourage her to move forward. Comfort, pleasure, and even common sense, as Naomi pointed out, all encouraged her to return to her homeland, where family, familiarity, love, and hope awaited her.

However, Ruth discerns a voice that resonates uniquely within her. It is the gentle voice of compassion, faith and love that won’t let her go. As she stands before Naomi in that momentous farewell, she sees more than just her mother-in-law—she sees the mother of her deceased husband and she perceives the faith and the God of her departed spouse. Can she embrace them as her own? Ruth adamantly refuses to leave Naomi’s side. Her words of determination constitute the most resolute, unequivocal declaration of love found in all of literature: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Ruth emerges victorious. Despite Naomi’s extraordinary nobility of heart and self-sacrificing love, she now assumes a secondary role in the narrative. The heroine of the tale becomes the younger woman. Leaving Moab behind, they cross the Jordan – a journey that God calls each of us to undertake. They press forward and eventually arrive in Bethlehem.

Ruth’s impassioned expression of tenderness transcends time. It encapsulates the deepest sentiments of loving hearts and reaches us across the centuries with undiminished warmth and vitality. It embodies the fusion of the two most powerful human emotions—love and faith. To love is to give oneself completely, and when Ruth throws herself upon Naomi’s frail bosom, pouring out her fervent resolve, she speaks the timeless language of love, simultaneously claiming Naomi as her own while surrendering herself to her. You can give without love, but you cannot truly love without giving. Ruth’s words also convey the abandonment of all things that lies at the core of genuine faith. Her declaration culminates in a vow to the God of Israel. 

In Ruth’s embrace of the faith relationship between Israel and God, we witness a representation of what was meant to be the impact of Israel’s connection with the Gentile world. 

The rest of the story reveals how God blessed both of these women upon their arrival and residence in Bethlehem. Ruth humbly embraces honest work gleaning in the fields of one of Naomi’s relatives, Boaz, who ends up marrying Ruth, who gives birth to their son, Obed, the grandfather of King David.

In their congratulations to Naomi upon the birth of her grandson, Naomi’s neighbors express a glorious tribute to Ruth’s character and her qualities of both intellect and compassion (Ruth 4:14-15): “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Thus, the story concludes, not only with these two courageous and noble women finding happiness in each other, Ruth’s husband Boaz, and their son Obed, but also with an everlasting crown of honor bestowed upon them for their close connection to King David and to the One who is both David’s Son and Lord.

Ruth’s voluntary and remarkable attachment to the people, land, and God of Israel—an attachment demonstrated during the most severe trials when hope seemed lost and she had only an elderly, childless, homeless widow to cling to—received a corresponding reward that matched Ruth’s intense love and devotion.

Boaz was not only captivated by Ruth’s beauty, but also by her reputation. People spoke of Ruth’s life, her love, and her loyalty to Naomi. They marveled at how she left behind her Moabite lifestyle and committed herself to Jehovah. Ruth’s godly reputation was her most valuable possession. Though she was materially poor, her reputation for righteousness held great worth. Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.” Whether we like it or not, people observe our lives and how we live.

The theme of the last chapter in the Scroll (Megillah) of Ruth is redemption. This post is not intended to be a sermon, but a word of encouragement. God redeemed Ruth, who made a decision to honor the God of Israel. As a result, God raised her up to His level of honor! It doesn’t matter what you may be facing today. God always writes the last chapter of our lives. He calls us to a love relationship with Him with accompanying privileges. If you face famine, He can place before you a feast. If you are facing sorrow, He can enable you to overcome and rejoice. If you are facing death, He can give you eternal life. He will honor those who honor Him.

Indeed, at Shavuot, Feast of Weeks, Pentecost. there is much reason to rejoice!

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Have a great week.

Marvin

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’

Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together,

To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD – An ordinance for Israel – To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

For there thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.

May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.’

For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.” (Psalm 122)

Shalom all.

Yesterday, 19 May, 2023, Israel celebrated the 56th anniversary of the historic event of the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli control during the Six-Day War in 1967. Jerusalem is mentioned 763 times in the Older and Newer Testaments of the Bible. It is a city which God chose for Himself to put His name there (1 Kings 11:13, 32, 36; 2 Chronicles 6:6) and one day, it will be replaced by a new Jerusalem, where righteousness will reign (Revelation 3:12; 21:3, 10).

It is symbolic of God’s protection of His people Israel (Psalm 125:2) and of His blessings (Psalm 128:5). A Jewish bridegroom standing under the marriage canopy, recites Psalm 137:5: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill, may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember Jerusalem above my chief joy”. It is a place that is to be etched in our thoughts and memories, in our hearts and our minds, so that we will not suffer the consequences of forgetting it. 

Jerusalem is a symbol with historical, religious and political significance. History buffs will have no problem exploring all of these aspects. And, despite attempts by nations and international organizations to deny the historical connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people, the fact remains that Jerusalem has always stood as a unifying symbol of Jewish nationhood … and for good reason.

God will make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:7). He set her “at the center of the nations, with lands around her” (Ezekiel 5:5) and it will be inhabited for all generations (Joel 3:20). He is “exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” (Zechariah 1:14) and He will “dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (Joel 3:17), which will then be called “the City of Truth” (Zechariah 8:3).

The coming of the Messiah was promised to Jerusalem: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) and God, Himself, will defend it (Zechariah 12:8). Even though Jerusalem failed to understand the time of Her visitation by the Messiah (Luke 19:40-44), the time is coming when her inhabitants “will look on Me [God] whom they have pierced” and will mourn and weep bitterly over Him (Zechariah 12:10). Living waters will flow out of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8) and one day, Jerusalem will dwell in security (Zechariah 14:11). Those nations that will go up against Jerusalem will eventually go up to Jerusalem to “worship the King, the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 14:16). 

Hatikva (translated as “The Hope”), is the national anthem of the State of Israel. Its words speak for themselves:

As long as in the heart within,

The Jewish soul yearns,

And toward the eastern edges, onward,

An eye gazes toward Zion.

Our hope is not yet lost,

The hope that is two-thousand years old,

To be a free nation in our land,

The Land of Zion and Jerusalem.

(emphasis mine)

A return to our ancient homeland after two thousand years of diaspora…against all odds. The reunification of Jerusalem, our ancient capital, in 1967…against all odds. So the world thinks. But, the odds were in our favor. God was on our side. Jerusalem Day 2023? Is it any wonder that we chose to celebrate?

Have a simply great week!

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing!

Marvin

Shalom all,

If you have been following the on-going missile and mortar attacks launched from Gaza into Israel by the Islamic Jihad, with the support and encouragement of Iran and its proxies in the region, you know that over 800 of such projectiles have been fired. Those responsible for starting the latest military engagement are targeting cities in the south and center of Israel, some landing not far from Jerusalem. This latest attack has resulted in numerous injuries, including loss of life here, and significant damage to property.

Most of the world was quick to condemn Israel. Our enemies continue to publish false reports of our responses to the terrorist activities, trying to win the war of public opinion. From the outset, Israel was participating in an effort to bring about a cease fire. But, it withdrew from such negotiations when it became clear that some of the missiles were sent towards Jerusalem. Enough is enough.

In the midst of sirens sounding in the city of Rehovot, a photo was taken that is one of the most popular in Israeli social media today. The photo (see attached) was taken by Li-Aviv Dadon, age 34. While she was traveling together with her husband, their infant child and their 4-year-old son, Yair, they suddenly heard a siren. The parents in a panic quickly started to take the baby out, but the other car door got stuck and Yair could not get out. The terrified mother finally succeeded in pulling the door open, and Yair ran out to hide, alone. The parents managed to hide with the baby. Then, out of the corner of her eye, the mother,saw a sight that caused her tears to flow. Two soldiers, who passed by and were also looking for shelter, saw young Yair and covered him with their bodies

That’s who we are, that’s how our military behaves.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marvin

Children like to play a game called “Let’s Pretend”. Well, that’s nothing new. Grown-ups play it all the time. Ever since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the human race has been pretending that it is not responsible for its actions, passing on blame from one to another and making excuses for their wrong-doings. We have refused to recognize and to honor God, as God. In Adam, we all sinned, but in the Lord Yeshua, we have redemption for all who call upon Him in spirit and in truth and are born again by faith in His shed blood on the cross of Calvary, as the Lamb of God who was slain that we might have life and life eternal. Life and death draw us close to one another, as we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

As of this writing, we are celebrating the Feast of Hanukkah (referred to as the “Feast of the Dedication” in John 10:22). In a few days, multitudes around the world will celebrate a holiday called Christmas, on a date traditionally accepted as the time of Yeshua’s birth. But, “what if” the inconceivable happened? “What if” Yeshua was not born, because of a decision to abort Him? Under Israeli law as it exists today, His mother would have been approved for an abortion. While what follows is only “what if”, for some it is their reality. May the Spirit of Life spur us to pray for those who have not yet acknowledged God’s gift of eternal life through Yeshua the Messiah.

What If?

Woe to the world, the Savior has not come; the earth still awaits her King;

We die for all the wrongs we’ve done, and seek a reason for our being.

While shepherds tend their flocks at night, no angel’s voice is heard;

Over Bethlehem is no special light, no good news is shared, no, not a word.

Miriam could not bear the shame – pregnant, but not yet married;

She will not give birth, nor will she name this child that she carried.

With morning rumors did abound of a child who was meant to be;

But, many excuses are always found to explain to those who would not see.

It did not take long for His life to end, as the Lamb of God was killed;

The Son that our Father chose to send, whose precious blood was spilled.

Please God, explain how can this be? What is it we have done?

We chose convenience over love and killed your only Son.

At times abortion seems so right, “it’s just a thing, a blob of tissue”;

When rationalized with guilt and fright, murder is not an issue.

We never chose His love for us, this Child from Miriam’s womb;

He never made it to the Cross, there is no empty tomb.

In trespasses and sins, we’re lost, eternal hope is gone;

Only One could pay the price it costs to atone for what we’ve done.

Deep sorrow gripped my broken heart, in anguish tears did fall;

By killing Him I did my part to abort them – one and all.

Then suddenly I came to see that all that I had thought,

Was Satan’s scheme to frustrate me and bring God’s work to naught.

“No”, I cried, “It’s all a lie. The Son You sent was born;

“And on the Cross in time He died, amidst my people’s scorn.

“His blood I know was shed for me, for forgiveness of my sins;

“I’ll rejoice throughout eternity, because I’ll be there with Him.”

God’s grace now wiped away my tears, I’ve awakened from my dream;

His love has replaced all my fears, my soul He did redeem.

Woe is gone, joy to the earth, the Light of Life has come,

And now we celebrate His birth, the gift of God’s dear Son.

© Marvin S. Kramer

May the Lord Yeshua, the true Light of the World, illumine your hearts and minds to honor Him in all your ways, grant you good health and strength and bless all that you do, say and think in 2023.

You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ (Exodus 13:8)

The command “to tell” has its counterpart in the need “to remember”. Remember our history, remember that our enemies hate us because of where we are and who we are, remember why we’re here. Remember, God brought us out of Egypt to bring us into the land that He has chosen. Remember what God has accomplished through us in this tiny stretch of desert sand. Remember that freedom is not free, but costly. Remember those who paid the price with their lives so that we can continue to live. 

Israel was established as a sovereign nation that rose from the ashes of the Holocaust. It is a resilient country, with a resilient people. Time after time, attempts were made to destroy us a nation, that the name of Israel would be no more (Psalm 83:4). But, “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name. ‘If this fixed order departs from before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever’.” The point is clear: Israel will continue to live.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36)

Our nation anthem expresses the resolve, the longing, the hope and the anticipation of returning to the land of Zion and to Jerusalem, where we can be a free nation:

As long as in the heart within,

The Jewish soul yearns,

And toward the eastern edges, onward,

An eye gazes toward Zion.

Our hope is not yet lost,

The hope that is two-thousand years old,

To be a free nation in our land,

The Land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Remember the Holocaust, an attempt to kill off the Jews of Europe and then, those that remain in the world. This was not the first attempt. Our history is filled with failed attempts to destroy us as a people, attempts that continue until the present day.

The number of Holocaust survivors dwindles considerably each year and before too much longer, there won’t be any who remain alive. It is imperative to remember what happened, their stories of survival, of heroism, of the hatred that resulted in the deaths of 6 million Jews and millions of non-Jews. The numbers of Holocaust deniers grows larger each year. Truth dispels the lie and the remembrance and documentation of the Holocaust will always stand as a testimony to the fact that it was the darkest wart on the hide of human society in the 20th century.

In the same way, Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism, is Israel’s official remembrance day, enacted into law in 1963. It is observed each year on the 4th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar and is always marked one day before Israel’s Independence Day. Each year, the number of fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism increases, rising this year to 24,068, of whom 56 were added during the past year.

The families of the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism live with their memories every day. Their stories are told in documentaries, in interviews, in brief summaries of heroism and tragedy, even in songs and drama. Remember! It is the theme that permeates the stories shared over the various media. Remember the sons, the daughters, the husbands and fathers, the wives and mothers, the brothers and sisters, fiances, the childhood friends, the brothers-in-arms, the lone soldiers with no blood relations in Israel, the orphans who were born or who grew up without the tender touch and care of a fallen parent or sibling. Remember those who allow us to celebrate life, because theirs was forfeited on our behalf.

Tears seem never to end from flowing, as story follows story of heroism, self-sacrifice for family and comrades. We mourn with those who mourn. When the day is over, we rejoice with those who rejoice.

The flag that was lowered to half mast at the beginning of the day of remembrance last night was raised a few minutes ago to full mast at the beginning of Independence Day celebrations. The switch is imperceptible, but immediate. Sorrow turns to joy. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). 

The restrictions brought about by the coronavirus have been removed. Masks are off. Public celebrations are once again permitted. Almost two and a half years have passed when the restrictions were first imposed. The streets are again filled with people.

Now, with the setting of the sun, Israel celebrates – publicly and openly. The nation dances, sings and proclaims to the world: Am Yisrael Chai! – The nation of Israel lives! The enemies who continue to try to dampen our spirit have lost.

Tonight, we begin our 74th year! Rejoice with us, celebrate with us, give thanks to the God of Israel, Whose Who stands behind His Word to perform it.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord our God, King of the World, Who has revived us, established us and allowed us to come to this time!

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

In last-minute haggling, a hodgepodge “coalition” was asserted to be formed a week and a half ago by Yair Lapid, the head of the second largest political party in Israel, that garnered 16 seats in the last election, the fourth held in the last two years. However, as I pen these words, the coalition that is in the process of being approved by the members of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament), will not be headed up by him as the Prime Minister for at least another two years. Instead, Naftali Bennett, the head of the Yamina (meaning “right”, as in direction), which succeeded to gain 8 Knesset seats will become the Prime Minister for the first two years.

The dissonant voices, stretching across the highway of political opinion from far left to center right, had and will continue to have difficulty agreeing with one another … except with regard to their united efforts to remove Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, Israel’s present and longest-serving Prime Minister. In order to achieve that coalition, almost all of the party leaders had to compromise and back-track on promises made to their various constituencies. Bennett zig-zagged back and forth between joining forces with Lapid or with Netanyahu, ultimately ending up with Lapid. Such a move, and the compromises he made by becoming affiliated in a Lapid-led government, could effectively destroy any confidence that the voting public might have placed in him. Now, with Bennett poised to take over the reins of government, one would have to question whether his move in joining Lapid was meant to primarily topple Netanyahu, a seemingly altruistic move for the benefit of the nation, or to exalt himself as the king pin. According to Bennett, everything will be done for the benefit of the nation as a whole. Time will tell.

The coalition is in the process of being approved by the Knesset. The new “government”, if we can call it that, needs at least 61 Knesset members, who are prepared to support it. Last-minute threats from certain disgruntled members of two parties within the “coalition” raised concerns of potential failure to be approved. But, it appears that notwithstanding those threats, all seems to be well in lala-land. That means that Netanyahu will become part of the books of Israel’s history. 

In order to establish the “coalition”, Lapid had to make various deals with the heads of different political parties, some of which are ultra-leftist in policy and in practice. At least one small Arab party, Ra’am, that will have 4 Knesset seats in the newly-formed coalition, has agreed to join the coalition and added its signature to an agreement. It is poised to become the first Arab party to be part of an Israeli government. Another potential deal, however remote it may seem today, could be with the UAL, which could abstain from voting, to allow the coalition to maintain its majority. Much has already been said over the concerns of bringing the Ra’am party into the government. Right-wing parties pulled out all the stops to try to convince some within Bennett’s party to “jump ship” and not vote for approval of the new government. The pressure applied was so intense that certain party members needed police protection from threats made against them.

As mentioned at the outset, even though Lapid received the mandate from the President of Israel to form a new government (after Netanyahu’s efforts to do so were unsuccessful within the time allotted him by law), the one actually being sworn in as Prime Minister is Bennett. This was a potential legal issue that could have ended up in Israel’s Supreme Court and delay the swearing in of a new government until a court decision is rendered.  This option, however, was not pursued. There is actually a precedent for such a political “bait and switch”, that took place in 1961, when David Ben-Gurion led a government formed by Levi Eshkol. So, for the time being, the “coalition” is in the process of forming was has become designated as the “government of change”.

From the looks of things, before the end of the day, the “coalition” and “government of change” will receive approval and a new government will be established. Most of the coalition members have never spent a day being part of a ruling government. In other words, all they knew was that they needed to oppose the moves of the Netanyahu government, which went contrary to their political ideologies. In short, most of the new kids on the block lack the experience in making decisions, as those responsible for those decisions, that will affect the nation as a whole. On the other side of the political aisle will be members of the Likud and some members of the right-wing, religious parties, who will now challenge government policies and decisions, which may be a totally new experience for some of them. Both sides will have to learn how to function in their new capacities.

Adding to the difficulties of “newness” is the make-up of the coalition. The only thing they really had in common was their united goal of removing P.M. Netanyahu. Leftists and rightists will need to put aside their ideological differences in order to work together. This will be a formidable task, if not an impossible one, considering how far apart some of them are ideologically. Hawks and doves will have to sit around the same table and agree regarding a broad range of matters pertaining to the military. Expansionist needs to sit with the leaders of parties seeking and/or agreeing to the establishment of a “Palestinian” state in the heartland of Israel. Gay and anti-gay leaders will face off at cabinet meetings. Anti-religious views will encroach on long-established policies, such as allowing commercial businesses and public transportation to operate on Shabbat, or civil marriages, including same-sex marriages, funding for religious institutions and the like. In short, the personal and political ideological differences and the lack of experience of leading, and of opposing, coupled with the long-entrenched habit of fighting and arguing with “the other side” will make for a very fragile, new government, with a short fuse that could be easily ignited and blow up in everyone’s faces. 

How did we manage to get into such a situation? With a little (actually, more than a little) help from the media. In his well-written article in Israel Hayom of May 31st, Noam Fathi notes that deception of the public on a national scale requires the magical assistance of those referred to as analysts and news reporters. The conscience of the nation has been seared.

If ever there was a need for Divine intervention, guidance and wisdom, particularly in a predominantly secular government, this is the time. We should always remember that when everything was dark, formless and void, God, through Whom all things are possible, said, “Let there be light!”

Have a great week.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

World media have become accostomed to slanting news reports to fit their socio-political biases. Ethics is no longer a pre-requisite for reporting news. Instead, the goal is to persuade, to convince listeners and readers alike of news that is tailored and edited to fit a particular mindset and perspective. Slants on “facts” distort the truth of what happened and the media, my less-than-favorite entity, is to blame for how the wider, general and international public responds to events in this tiny stretch of desert sand. Despite playing the blame game, there are certain “facts” that cannot be denied. 

On Monday night, during Jerusalem Day celebrations, rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel’s capital and upon civilian population centers here. With that began the present round of hostilities towards Israel, which has seen over 1,500 rockets sent into mostly civilian communities in the country in five days. In addition to the missiles, internal Arab violence, originally labeled “disturbance of the peace”, is now causing chaos, destruction and injuries, as well as a backlash from some Israeli Jews. The resultant clashes border on a mini-civil war. The death toll in Israel resulting from Hamas militarism, while still low, is, nevertheless, increasing.

Unfortunately, on this side of the eternal order, we will always have to pay a price for our existence. So be it. But, that does not mean that we should stand aside and kowtow to the actions of an enemy that is sworn to eliminate Israel as a sovereign nation and to kill all Jews or subject them to Islamic rule. The Hamas terrorist organization that rules the Gaza Strip since 2007 has sought to generate a link between the al-Aqsa mosque (on the Temple Mount) and Gaza in the psyche of the Arab world, both in Israel, as well as in lands near and far. Monday’s rocket fire on locations in Israel, including Jerusalem, was geared towards generating the impression that Hamas was the true and only defender of the Temple Mount. It took advantage of Jerusalem Day (a national holiday commemorating the unification of Jerusalem and Israeli control over the Old City following the 6-Day War in June, 1967), to strengthen what Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, asserted was “the equation that connects the Gaza Strip to Jerusalem”. 

We have allowed Hamas and Islamic Jihad (=Holy War; I prefer to use the term “Religious War” because Israelis do not consider it a holy task to wage war against members of another religion to destroy them or subjugate them because of their beliefs) to dictate our responses to terrorism and terrorist attacks upon Israel. Our responses have usually been proportionate: they bomb us, we bomb them back. Such is the nature of civilized conflict. And, whenever Israel has responded in strength to attacks from Islamic terrorists, the world was quick to condemn us for a “disproportionate response” and urge de-escalation. However, unlike the War of Independence and the wars that followed every decade since then, this present attack upon Israeli sovereignty is different. The events of this week revealed how easy it is for violent and deadly consequences to follow when things spiral out of control.

It should be pointed out that the assault on Jerusalem, as well as on places ranging from Eilat in the south to cities in central Israel, incited, as well as ignited, violence in some of the young, Arab citizens, in locations “from Dan to Beersheva” (i.e., from north to south) where there is “du-kiyyum” (co-existence). Few locations have been spared from armed violence, physical assaults, conflagrations and destruction of property. All of these events are shots in the arm for Hamas, which has taken advantage of the weakness of the “Palestinian” Authority and stepped in as the proclaimed leaders of the “Palestinian” national movement. The very fact that such a purported movement continues to exist and is gaining traction amongst “Palestinian” Arabs, allows for Hamas to continue to define the rules of the game against Israel. This has to stop and it should have stopped when it first began.

The underlying strategy of Hamas has been that its engagements with Israel will be on the basis of attacks upon us from Gaza, with limited, or “proportionate response” from Israel. It is also based on the presumption, from prior similar military engagements, that Israel would want a limited number of “combat days” and agree to a negotiated cease-fire, followed by the usual cooling-off period, that is usually broken by isolated rocket attacks from Hamas.

Israel has now been provided with a golden opportunity to destroy not only the “Palestinian” mindset, but the Hamas infrastructure as well. As stated by Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, no sovereign nation in the world would allow missile attacks upon its citizenry without responding appropriately. Think for a moment if such attacks were made against Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Ottawa, Canberra, Wellington, or the capital city of where you live. How long do you think it would take for your government to declare war against the terrorists? How quickly do you think you would respond to calls from other nations to “go easy and don’t overdue it”? How ready would you be to give terrorists another shot at you after killing a member of your family? Or will there continue to be a double standard for responses to terrorist attacks, one for Israel and one for the rest of the world?

Israel “gave in” to Hamas threats and took a conciliatory approach that spread across a broad spectrum of Israeli officialdom, delaying a Supreme Court hearing on evicting certain families from a neighborhood in Jerusalem, changing the traditional route of the Jerusalem Day Parade, so as to avoid hurting “Palestinian” sensitivities and ending up cancelling the Parade entirely. The country also failed to respond to the threats of Hamas that it would launch missiles and incendiary balloons, as part of its claim to consolidate its protection over “Arab Jerusalem” if Israel failed to withdraw its military forces from the Damascus Gate (one of the gates in the Old City). In this part of the world, failure to respond to actions and even threats is considered as weakness and that perspective of weakness prompted Hamas to become more aggressive, as well as massive civil unrest in cities throughout the country. This, in turn, prompted responses by local residents in efforts to protect their families and homes. Israel needs to act and act decisively, as a democratic society that will punish those inside its walls who break the law. It must also act, as one writer put it: “As for Israel’s external enemies – Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and Fatah, they must meet the full weight of Israel’s military might, and the sooner, the better. The belief that anything short of a crushing defeat will lead to their moderation is as delusional as Chamberlain’s appeasement of Nazi Germany.” The principle is simple: “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed swiftly, therefore the hearts of the sons men among them are given fully to do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

We need to have a broad perspective on the events of this week, which are far from being over. Jihadist slogans, such as “Khaybar, Khaybar, ya yahud, jaisyu Muhammad saufa ya’ud” (“Khaibar, Khaibar, Oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is returning”) and “With our blood and spirits we’ll redeem the al-Aqsa Mosque” are battle cries against Jews and have become rallying cries of rioters throughout Israel, particularly during the Muslim celebrations during the month of Ramadan. [Khaybar was a town in northern Arabia, whose Jews were massacred by Muslims in 628 C.E. Some of the surviving women were taken as wives by some of the Muslims, including Mohammed and less than 10 years later, the Muslim conquerors charged Jews a 50% tax on their crops. Whatever Jews remained in Khaybar after the death of Muhammed were expelled.] These rallying slogans are battle cries when attacking Jews.

But, more than this: When Jewish drivers are dragged from their vehicles by Muslims and beaten, it is a religious war. When a synagogue is burned and Torah scrolls are destroyed, when vehicles and businesses are destroyed after it is confirmed that they belong to Jews, it is a religious war. When Israel is said to occupy land that has been consecrated to Islam, it is a religious war. And so on. It has been a religious war from day one, long before the establishment of the State of Israel. As a result, in the Islamic mindset, Israel has no right to exist as a sovereign state and needs to be reduced to the status a non-Muslim protected minority, allowed to exist but only under Islamic rule. This has worsened from the time of the Oslo Disaster of 1993.

Islamic extremism rises when opposition to it is weak or diminished and it recedes into the background when strongly opposed. Israel has no choice but to demonstrate strength in the face of attack against its sovereignty, its people and its infrastructure. International efforts to stop the present war before Israel achieves the goal of dismantling Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah, will only defer the next round of conflict and encourage the Islamists, backed by Iran and Turkey, to expand their demands for world hegemony. Which country will be next on their list?

Tonight begins Nakba Day, 15th May, 1948, a day commemorating what is referred to by “Palestinians” as the “catastrophe” – the day following the end of the British Mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel. Israel is on full alert against attacks from without, as well as from within. But, with all of our strength and military might, may we remember that we exist because of God’s promises and will continue to exist because He stands behind His Word to perform it.

“Behold, He Who keeps Israel will neither slumbers nor sleeps…The LORD will protect you from all evil.” (Psalm 121: 4, 7) 

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.” (Psalm 122:6-9)

Keep your eyes on Him, Who is invisible, so that we can bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marvin

“I will put things on the table here. I, Shimon Lavi, the northern district commander, for better or worse, bear overall responsibility,” he admitted. “We uncompromisingly prepared for all of the scenarios relating to safety. I can tell you that at the moment, we are at the stage of gathering evidence. There’s a complex effort here to gather evidence to properly get to the truth.” (Shimon Lavi, Northern District Police Commander of the Israel Police, 30 April, 2021)

Celebration. Narrow corridor. Severe overcrowding. One slips. Another trips. Many fall. Panic. Rush to escape. People trampled. Many suffocated. 45 died. Multitudes injured. National day of mourning proclaimed.

I started to pen this less than 48 hours after disaster struck in the north of Israel at a place called Meron. Then I stopped. Almost immediately after the event that resulted in the deaths of almost four dozen people, accusations flew back and forth as part of the “blame game”. It’s easy to point an accusing finger at someone, particularly when it seems as though that is the consensus of popular opinion and, particularly, when all the facts are not known. Rather than join the throng, I opted to wait until most of the funerals were over and there was more information available. 

A little background could prove helpful. The particular type of gathering that took place on Mt. Meron is referred to a “Yom Hillula”, an annual day of remembering the death of a great rabbinical sage, who taught Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and/or piety. Those who refer to themselves as pietists today are called “Hasidim”. Unlike an annual memorial of someone who passed away, which is usually a day of sadness, the “Yom Hillula” is a time of joyful celebration.

This annual celebration takes place on the day known as Lag BaOmer, or the 33rd day of the counting of the “omer” (a measure of barley) – the counting of 49 days from the beginning of the time of the grain harvest, following the Feast of Unleavened Bread (the day immediately following Passover, to the celebration on the 50th day known as the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot or Pentecost, according to Deuteronomy 16:9-12 and Leviticus 23:10-16). The Hebrew word “Lag” is from the numerical value of the two Hebrew letters “lamed” (=30) and “gimel” (=3). Throughout the year, multitudes of Jews visit the gravesite of the Rabbi, Shimon bar Yochai, (referred to as “the Rashbi”) a famous 1st-century Jewish sage, who was one of the students of the renowned Rabbi Akiva. Many believe Shimon bar Yochai to be the greatest teacher of Torah of his generation. And, Jewish tradition holds that he revealed the “secrets” of the Torah on the day of his death, in the Kabbalistic (mystic) work known as the Zohar. According to the Zohar, on the day of his death, as he taught his students, the Rashbi’s house was filled with fire and light and when the fire subsided at the end of the day, Rabbi Shimon died. On successive years, his students sought to recreate that experience of light and mystical revelation by kindling bonfires and studying the Zohar in the light of the flames, accompanied by singing and dancing. The occasion is celebrated in Israel with the lighting of bonfires throughout the land and a time for many to gather socially, particularly youth, a large portion of which are secular. 

For the more religiously orthodox, the annual remembrance of the Rashbi’s death could be a time for getting married, the first cutting of the hair of a child who reached the age of three, and celebrations of different kinds throughout the night. In particular, multitudes journey to his gravesite in Meron in the belief that if they pray at the gravesite of a righteous person (a “tzadik”), God is more likely to grant their requests. There would be recitations from the Psalms and with the sunrise, a multitude of prayers would be lifted up.

On this particular occasion, thousands upon thousands gathered at midnight, waiting for the lighting of the bonfire that was soon to take place. The bonfires are symbolic, in part, of the spiritual light that the Rashbi was said to bring to the world. After the bonfire-lighting ceremony, as people began to celebrate and dance, singing with expressions of faith in the coming of a Redeemer and looking forward to the beginning of the Messianic era, an announcement was made instructing people to immediately evacuate the area. It is not clear why that announcement was made. The tightly-packed multitudes began to head towards the exit away from the location of the lighting ceremony. More and more people jammed the narrow corridor, packed like sardines. Within minutes, around 01:00 a.m., some people stumbled and fell, others tripped over them and fell on them, trampling and crushing to death those on the bottom layer. Panic set in, which only made the situation worse, as the throng tried to find a way out. Family members were separated, friends were pushed apart by the thousands now cramming the narrow passageway. People were yelling and screaming. Young and old alike were pushed and stepped on. Some tried to break through metal barriers, others tried to jump over them. 

Ambulances were called and rushed to the scene. Emergency workers tried to evacuate the dead and wounded. When the press of the crowds was over, the scene revealed a horror of bodies tramped to death – the worst civilian disaster in Israel’s modern history. The bodies spanned ages of generations. As the news of the disaster began to be made known, families and friends frantically tried to make contact with those who were present at the gathering and, failing to reach the person they were calling, they began to contact hospitals, hoping against hope that their loved ones were not among the injured, or worse, that they were not numbered among the casualties. When the dust literally settled, 45 participants in the celebration were dead, the light of their lives was extinguished. Multiple scores of others were wounded. Funerals were planned hastily (in Jewish law, a body needs to be buried within three days, except for extraordinary circumstances) and began to take place, one after the other, almost in an endless stream, both before Shabbat began and resumed immediately after the Shabbat was over. Emotion-filled eulogies were heart-rendering, as families bid tearful farewell to loved ones, young and not-so-young, sons, brothers, fathers, grandfathers and friends.

A national day of mourning was proclaimed and held on Monday, May 2nd. The day came, the day passed and almost all of the mourning was done by the families and friends of those who died and were injured. 

While the victims were primarily from the various branches of orthodoxy, everyone wanted to know what happened, what caused the disaster, who was responsible and whether it could have been prevented. 

When viewed in retrospect, many factors entered into the tragedy in Meron, both on the part of the participants, as well as on the part of those who were responsible for permitting and overseeing the event on behalf of officialdom. Politics played a part. Dysfunctional organization played a part. Lack of respect for health regulations, for the police and for other participants also contributed to the disaster. Allowing one sector of society to ignore restrictions in public gatherings and social distancing, while other sectors are strictly enforced, added greatly to the grievous failure what was intended to be a joyful celebration. But, the deaths and injuries were not the result of the coronavirus pandemic. They had to do with human, socio-political failings. The orthodox blamed the secular authorities, while the secular authorities placed the blame for the disaster squarely at the feet of the religious. 

At first, I wanted to come to a conclusion for myself where to point the finger of blame. But, after looking at the situation as a whole and from the perspective of our behavior towards our fellow citizens, I understood all too painfully that the fault lies with the entire country. Lack of proper preparation, insuring the infrastructure of the location and allowing for easy ingress and egress, respect for other participants, pushing and shoving – an all too-normal part of our society, an attitude of superiority and lack of tolerance for those who don’t “believe” like we do, among many other factors, all contributed to the fiasco. And, despite the loss of dozens of lives and the injuries to scores of participants, we have lost sight of the tragedy that befell this nation. In the finger-pointing, we have pushed aside compassion and failed to relate to the national loss and to the individual pain that will forever be part of our history. Every future celebration of Lag BaOmer will contain a reminder of a tragedy that could have been avoided. Those who died were trampled upon by “their” brethren. But, they are all “our” brethren, part of this tiny nation, even if we have major differences in belief and behavior that tend to divide us. To quote a well-known expression: “Derech eretz kadma l’Torah”, colloquially meaning behavior or character comes before Torah (instruction). Or, put into everyday Yiddish: “Be a mensch!” Somewhere along the line, the greatest of all Jewish character traits has fallen by the wayside and was trampled upon along with the participants at Meron on Lag BaOmer. It is a national loss that man, by himself, is powerless to restore. 

Still, this is a land of wonders and miracles, established by God for His glory. Nothing is impossible with Him (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). He is able to restore what has been lost (Job 42:10) with compassion (Deuteronomy 30:3; Isaiah 49:13) and deliver them by the LORD their God (Hosea 1:7).

Let us remember that we were put here for a purpose. We were not intended to be islands unto ourselves.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

From sorrow to joy, from Memorial Day to Independence Day. From weeping to celebration. From death to life. Only a week ago, Israel mourned the 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. The sirens sounded throughout the land. Most of the country stopped whatever they were doing and stood in silent reflection of the most heinous crime of the twentieth century or of all time. 

A week later, two days ago, the country again stopped in silent remembrance of those who gave their lives so that this country could be established and could continue to exist. It was Memorial Day, a day when Israel honors not only the members of the Israel Defense Forces (the IDF) who were killed, but also those who were killed through acts of terror, which continue to this day. It was a day of national sorrow, a day that for some is repeated with every sunrise and which doesn’t end with sundown. It is a day when others join in the pain and emotions of grief. It is a day when the media are filled with stories of lives cut short through war and terrorism, mixed with stories of heroism and self-sacrifice. At various times throughout the day, it seemed that even the heavens were grieving with us. There was “weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Jeremiah 31:15). Only a stone would not shed tears over the stories shared over the main television stations here. And then, while the endless stream of tears of sorrow still flowed over the loss of our sons and daughters, our fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, our friends and co-workers and the people who live next door, the country somehow shifted gears, as the pain of loss turned to expressions of joy and celebration – Israel began to celebrate its 73rd year of indepenence. It was as if some unseen switch was pressed in our national consciousness, enabling and even necessitating our exiting from the darkness and heaviness of the day to entering into the light and release from the thoughts and emotions of yesterday, to the hopes and anticipations of the dawning of a new day. 

A year ago, Memorial Day was a compounded sorrow. Families were not permitted to visit military cemeteries because of health restrictions, adding to the emotional stress and strain of the day. The same is true for the day that followed. Israel’s 72nd Independence Day was different from any that had occurred up until then. Independence day celebrations were clouded over with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, resulting in national shutdowns and restrictions, preventing public gatherings and adding to the frustrations of confinement. But, even then, people celebrated on their balconies, singing songs, blessings neighbors and friends, calling, “zooming”, communicating in a variety of different ways that were accessible via the technology of the day. We socially-distanced, hugged via the internet, sent greetings and words of encouragement and did what we could to break the depressive spirit of the lockdowns and to enter into the collective joy of independence as a nation.

What a difference a year makes. While the pandemic is not defeated, it no longer controls every aspect of our national and private lives. Families were able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones, public gatherings are once again allowed. It was a time to celebrate and Israel wasted no time in making the effort to restore the joy of Independence Day. It was a brilliant, technological accomplishment. The annual torch-lighting ceremony included a dozen lighters of the flames, young and old, from teenager to centenarian, Jew and Arab, professional and volunteer, secular and religious. All gave their short, prepared speeches. All referred to themselves as children of mom and dad, mentioning them by name, some of who had passed on and some who were still living. All gave praise and honor to the part of the community where they serve and all end with “to the glory of the State of Israel” as the last statement before lighting the flame. The “official” speeches acknowleged those who serve to protect and defend the country against her enemies, those who serve selfishly to preserve life and to tend to the sick, those who volunteer and encourage others to “love their neighbor” and to remember that, despite our differences, we can and should seek to unify, rather than to divide. Lofty goals. And today, with the sun shining and temperatures befitting of mid-April, the country took to the parks, to the open areas, to the beaches, to the restaurants, to the public celebrations of the day. It appeared as though life was once again becoming liveable. 

But, not all who live here stand in remembrance of the six million who were killed in the Holocaust. Not all stand in silence in honor of Israel’s fallen on Memorial Day. Not all celebrate Israel’s independence. Posters and flags of “Palestine” were raised by certain groups in different places in Israel. There were efforts to disrupt national celebrations from the north to the south, “from Dan to Beersheva”. 

All of the events of the past week – Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day, ended, as they do each year, with the recitation of the Psalm of Asaph, Psalm 83. The author prays that God would defeat our enemies and destroy their foundations. But, he also prays that they would be embarrassed over their deeds and recognize God’s sovereignty. As long as they seek to destroy us as a people, as long as they seek that the name of Israel would be no more (83:4), Israel’s enemies can be extinguished. But, the desire of the writer is that the day will come “that they will know that You along, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth” (83:18). 

The promise to Abraham of 4,000 years ago was, among other things, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great…And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3). The enemies of Israel hate the God of Israel and try to prevent the blessing that God has promised. But, that is contrary to the multitude of God’s promises, including Isaiah 54:17 – “‘No weapon forged against you will prevail and you will refute every tongue  that acuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me”, declares the LORD.“

Israel was and exists because of God’s calling and His faithfulness. Anything that we have been able to accomplish is because He has enabled us to do so. May we never take credit for what God has done. May we celebrate our independence as a sovereign nation, but remember that we are called by God for His purposes and for His glory. May our celebrations of independence never replace our total dependence on Him. “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even their enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

There is a time for all things under heaven. It’s celebration time. Happy Birthday, Israel.

And while celebrating, remember: bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

What a mess! After four elections in two years, we still don’t have a stable government. And, what’s worse, we don’t know whether any of the major players will be able to put together a coalition government or whether we are headed towards round number five right after the summer months.

For many people reading this, the names of some Israeli politicians and/or the names of the political parties that they head up are of little significance. Most people simply want to know who is going to run the country. Will it continue to be Benjamin (“Bibi”) Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister, or will it be someone else? As mentioned in the last post a week and a half ago, a number of scenarios are possible, but trying to play “mix and match” requires major compromise, breaking of some campaign promises and swallowing pride. The pursuit of position and power could lead to alliances thought to be impossible, which would be disastrous for the nation as a whole. 

Case in point: Mansour Abbas is the head of the Ra’am Party, which broke away from the “Joint List” of Arab parties about five months prior to the last elections and his party succeeded in winning four seats in the next Knesset. Those four votes could actually determine whether a “rightist” or “leftist” coalition government will be established. He has a list of “demands” that need to be met in order for him to support one side or the other in the ongoing drama of who would become the Prime Minister. He met with a number of leaders, including those of the “change bloc”, the anti-Netanyahu factions from the left, right and centrist parties, whose common goal is to oust P.M. Netanyahu. In a recent interview, Abbas said, among other things: “Our red lines are our rights whether national or civilian rights … We don’t negotiate or compromise on these rights. We may not be able to achieve them all, but we will not abandon them.” He added: “Our options are open and we are negotiating with the right and the left … We stand at the same distance from the two camps, and we are the third camp.” Apparently, Ra’am will condition its recommendation on the candidate that commits to providing funding to eliminate crime in communities having a primarily Arab population, as well  as amending the controversial Nation-State Law, and increasing the number of Arab workers in the public sector.

It is beyond reason that both the right and the left camps are courting Abbas, a devout Muslim, whom Netanyahu had previously referred to as being “anti-Zionist”. Netanyahu’s present alliance of right-wing religious parties consider the Ra’am party as being anti-Zionist and supportive of “Palestinian” terrorism. Ra’am, for its part, refused to cooperate with one of the right-wing extremist parties. Even if Netanyahu gains the support of the Ra’am party, it still won’t be enough to give him the necessary 61 mandates to form a coalition government. He will need the added support of the Yamina party, headed by Naftali Bennett, which holds seven seats and still remains uncommitted.

Immediately prior to his meeting with P.M. Netanyahu today, Bennett said: “We have one goal: to form a good, stable government as quickly as possible [adding] no effort will be spared” in the pursuit of that goal. But, we should not be overly enthusiastic about the outcome of that meeting, as Bennett will also meet tomorrow (Saturday) with Yair Lapid, the leader of the center-left party, Yesh Atid.

But, back to Mansour Abbas and the Ra’am party. A revolution of sorts has taken place in Israeli politics. In a previous election of recent memory, Netanyahu urged Israelis to get out and vote, making the point that “the Arabs are flocking to the polls.” Indeed, when they did so, the Joint List of Arab parties achieved 15 seats in the Knesset. This time, as a result of a low voter turnout, the Joint List succeeded in obtaining only 7 seats, with the break-away party, Ra’am obtaining four. While the Joint List is not even a remote thought to help form a right-wing government, the seemingly insignificant Ra’am party is now poised to determine not only Netanyahu’s fate and that of the identity of the next Prime Minister, but also the nature of the next Israeli government and its identity and ideology for some time into the future. This “upheaval” in political partnering – from both the right (Netanyahu and traditional right-wing parties) and the extreme left (anti-Israel, Arab parties) reflects widespread changes in Israeli-Arab society and attitude over the years. These changes include, among other things, warming of relations with certain Arab countries, a going-nowhere realization concerning the Israeli-“Palestinian” conflict (until the Biden administration stepped in) and experiential “partnering” in the health crisis caused by the Corona pandemic.

Adding to the “upheaval” in potential political alliances is the statement from Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, head of the ultra-Orthodox-Lithuanian community and spiritual leader of most of members of the United Torah Judaism party. When asked concerning the possibility of the formation of a government that relies either on Arab parties or anti-religious leftist parties, his response was that cooperating with Arab parties who respect religion and values is better than establishing a coalition government with the secular left, who oppress religion.

Mansour Abbas’ language reveals his ultimate purposes. Use of terms like “our red lines” and “our options are open and we are negotiating with the right and the left” should be wake-up calls to our politicians that the goals of the Ra’am party are not national but partisan – just like most of the goals of other political parties, both in Israel and abroad. His party will go in the direction that best serves its restricted goals.

No matter how we view the situation, other political leaders of an “alleged” right-wing party, including Netanyahu and Bennett, that courts a non-Zionist party, whose primary goal is to advance the interests of Muslims is foolhardy, at best, and blatantly hypocritical, at worst.

It could be argued that an alliance with an Arab-Muslim party in an effort to establish a governing coalition in Israel is simply a short-term expediency, motivated by self-interest and political self-preservation. This may be true, but even the attempt to establish such a political coalition flies in the face of Israel’s calling, its establishment and its concerns, if there are concerns, for its future. While the leadership of the Ra’am party claims to have more in common with the Jewish, religious right than with socially-liberal leftist political parties, he also supports the two-state solution, which was declared dead during the Trump administration and now resurrected by the Biden administration. He opposed the normalization deals with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as a protest against the absence of peace with the so-called “Palestinians”. Only two years ago, Netanyahu was outraged that his political rivals were even thinking of a possible alliance with the Joint List, which at that time included both Abbas and the Ra’am party, referring to them as “a danger to Israel.” Now, that “danger” is poised to become a member of a ruling coalition. The pursuit of position and political power is fogging up the focus regarding our future. 

Is a Muslim-backed coalition government the best alternative that this enlightened, but politically-fractured country can offer? Is that better than taking another go at it in a fifth election go-round? We can only imagine what demands will be forthcoming and how much compromise will be required to make such a cut-and-paste government functional. All the political parties need to make their recommendations for Prime Minister to Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, by this coming Monday. And only after that we’ll know who will be given the baton to run against time to try to establish a coalition government. Traditionally, the mandate is awarded to the a party leader whom the President believes has the best chance of forming a government. We’ll know in a few days whether we’ll be moving forward, backward or sideward. 

May God grant us wisdom to how to pray, like “the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Today is Election Day, Israel’s 4th election in two years. The population is seriously divided, tired of all the politicking and unsure whether the outcome will be decisive enough to allow the winner to form a government, or whether this election is simply a forerunner of election number 5.

For many months, the situation on the street looked like it was the United States, with posters and loud-speakers and demonstrations calling for removal of the Prime Minister. The major different between the two countries is that the demonstrations in the U.S. were primarily by “right-wingers”, whereas the demonstrations here are, in the main, by “left-wingers”. The “never Trumpers” have their counterparts on this side of the Big Muddy by the crowd chanting “anyone except Bibi” (i.e., Benjamin Netanyahu).

For a long time, it seemed as though the Prime Minister and his Likud Party were losing ground against three main challengers, Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid Party – center left), who ranks second in the polls, Naftali Bennett (Yamina Party – right) and Gideon Sa’ar (New Hope Party – right), who were, at one point, tied for third place. Last-minute polls, however, question whether Sa’ar will get enough votes to make it past the election threshold. If he does, it would be reasonable to presume that he would garner only a minimum number of Knesset seats, but nowhere near what he would need to be a serious contender for the Office of Prime Minister. Other main parties do not have a realistic expectation of success for leadership of the government, but their votes will be essential in determining whether Netanyahu will be able to cross the finish line ahead of his challengers. Latest election polls showed that Netanyahu and his right-wing allies, primarily religious parties, are close to achieving a minimum majority that could allow Netanyahu – who is already Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister – to form a new government and remain in power. Interestingly enough, the push over the threshold could come from a small Arab party that broke away from the Joint List, which does not warm the cockles of the hearts of the hard right.

Netanyahu is a skilled leader, who has acquired considerable political savvy after losing an election to Prime Minister to Ehud Barak some two decades ago. Demonstrators against Netanyahu refer to him as “Crime Minister” because of the criminal indictments that he is facing on charges of corruption and bribery. Throughout the entire legal process, which is far from being over, he constantly maintained that nothing will come of the charges, because they are based on nothing, other than politics. 

While many consider that the vote today is a pro-Bibi or anti-Bibi referendum, in reality, it is a vote regarding whether we will have a strong government with a division of powers – executive, legislative and judicial – or whether we will allow the legal/judicial establishment to continue to infringe upon the other branches of the government, as it has done during the last few years. For an excellent analysis of this subject, see Caroline Glick’s “Bennett, Sa’ar and Israel’s Legal Tyranny“.

Polling places will close here in less than two hours and it is difficult to predict the outcome. There are a multitude of small parties, only about half of which are expected to get the minimum number votes needed to get a seat in the Knesset. Even though some of those parties had a degree of positive support, the likelihood is that most will fail and that the votes cast in their favor would be a loss, most likely for the rightist bloc.

So, what can reasonably be expected at this time? A number of scenarios are possible. 

First, Netanyahu can put together a coalition, supported primarily by religious parties an ultra-rightist parties. Even Naftali Bennett could end up supporting Netanyahu, although the two of them have been like fire and water over the past several years. 

Second, if Netanyahu fails to accumulate at least 61 seats, from all of the parties that would join him, he could still technically win the election, but have to do a lot of politicking to gain the backing that he needs to form a coalition government.

Third, if Netanyahu doesn’t walk away with a clear-cut victory, anti-Netanyahu parties could try to try to put together a coalition, but they would be hard-pressed to do so. There are enough center-left and far-left parties that could band together, but at this point, there is no central authority or leadership that could unify them. 

Fourth, realistically, there is no fourth possibility, at least for the purposes of putting together a coalition government. It would require that pro-Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu political leaders put aside their personal, political and ideological differences and work together for the benefit of the nation. To think of this as a real alternative outcome would require a great sense of humor. 

So, if Bibi doesn’t further extend his record as Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, we can anticipate that we will be in for a fifth round of elections in the next few months. Well, we’ll get a better perspective on things tomorrow morning.

And the LORD said to [the prophet] Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.” (1 Samuel 8:22) 

A time is coming, and it does not appear to be too far off, when partisan politics will no longer control the affairs of life in this nation. The leadership that the nation has rejected will one day rule over this land. There will be no more voting, but only giving thanks, praise and worship. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a society that is God ruled and God blessed? May He grant us a sanctified imagination to look forward to and yearn for that day.

Until that time, we have the politics of this world to deal with. Oy, what a contrast!

Whatever the outcome of today’s elections, we don’t have to go with the flow of this world. We can bless, be blessed and be a blessing. May it be so.

Marvin

Politics, personalities, perspectives and policies. The first is reflected by the second. The second is shaped by the third and the fourth is the outworking of the third. 

With the inauguration of Joe Biden as President of the United States, internal issues, including the health and economic crises and illegal immigrants were, understandably, high on the agenda. International concerns, including Iran, the Middle East conflicts and trade wars with China needed to be addressed, but, apparently, are not considered priority items. From an Israeli perspective, the issues are more specific and more critical: Will the Biden administration try to renegotiate the disastrous nuclear deal with Iran that endangered Israel and the entire Middle East? What will be the new administration’s position regarding the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem? Will the Biden administration attempt to resurrect the dead-and-buried, two-state solution to the Israeli-“Palestinian” conflict? How will the administration relate to the anti-Israel bias of the United Nations and to its organizations, such as UNRWA and UNESCO? Will the new President continue the warm relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (“Bibi”) Netanyahu that existed under the Trump administration?

The answers were not long in coming, as a cold shoulder stretched across 9,490 kilometers (5,897 miles), causing Israel to start to look for a diplomatic winter coat. Biden spent 8 years as Vice-President in the Obama administration learning, among other things, how to treat enemies like friends and friends like enemies. 

A well-known singer once sang, in part: “Call me irresponsible, call me unreliable…call me unpredictable”. Netanyahu can add to that, “Call me whatever you want, but  call me!” In another 6 days, it will be a month since the inauguration of Joe Biden as President of the United States. And, unlike Donald Trump whose third phone call after taking office was to the Prime Minister of Israel, Biden still hasn’t picked up the phone to call Netanyahu. Granted, it took Netanyahu a bit of time after the U.S. elections to call Biden and to refer to him as “President-Elect”. But, he didn’t wait long to congratulate him after he was sworn in as President. Is not calling Netanyahu a form of “payback”. Is it an attempt to politicize Irving Berlin’s “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)” from the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun? Is it a case of “monkey see, monkey do”? 

Back on 10th February, Danny Danon, Chairman of the World Likud, the global arm of Netanyahu’s party, expressed what many wanted to say, but who didn’t have the platform from which to say it. He tweeted a message to Biden, listing ten countries to whose leaders he placed long-distance phone calls (without reversing the charges). Then he added: “Might it now be time to call the leader of #Israel, the closest ally of the #US? The PM’s number is: 972-2-6705555”. That number, by the way, will get to the Prime Minister’s office, but not to the him personally. Netanyahu, being ever the astute politician, tried to downplay Biden’s failure to call him, saying that he expected a call from him “soon”, adding: “He is making calls to world leaders according to the order he sees fit. He has not reached the Middle East yet. The Israel-US alliance is strong and so is our friendship of almost 40 years, though we may not agree on everything.” Unfortunately, there are a few concerns with Netanyahu’s statement. First, Biden has by-passed the Middle East, by calling India (much further East than Israel), South Korea (much further East than India) and Russia (due north of Israel), not to mention Australia, which is way down under on the other side of the world. Second, the Israel-US alliance “was strong” and its strength is now being tested. Third, the strong “friendship (between Biden and Bibi) of almost 40 years” has little to show for it, when viewed from a legislative perspective and when the question is asked: “What have you done for me lately?” As one former statement Middle East analyst stated, in reply to the tweet of Danny Danon: “A call will come. But a clear message is being sent…To quote Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

The close relationship that Netanyahu built with Trump and his administration over four years, resulted in moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Golan Heights and removing U.S. opposition to Israeli settlement activity in Judea and Samaria, among other things. Add to them the major role that Nikki Haley played in presenting a very pro-Israeli position in the U.N. as the representative of the U.S., who knew how to silence countries which were/are blatantly anti-Israel. In short, in one-tenth of the time of the alleged friendship between Biden and Netanyahu, there was a favorable reversal of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Israeli interests. Now, we are being thrown back to the politics, personalities, perspectives and policies of the Obama era. Some of the political appointments that Biden has already made prompted the Zionist Organization of America to set up a special “Joe Biden’s Hostile-to-Israel Appointments” section on its web page. If Biden is going to trust them for advice and guidance, should we be foolish enough to trust him? 

All this in less than a month of the new U.S. administration’s taking office. Undoubtedly, many are thrilled that Trump is no longer in office. But, looking at the situation from this side of the Pond and from a distance of a 12-hour plane trip, we could rightfully ask whether this is really a “new” administration, or simply a cleverly-disguised third term of Biden’s former boss. Time will tell.

In the meantime, Israel should finally understand that the players in the international political arena change with seasons and elections. We should never build our hopes on the frailties of political power that can be gone with the wind. Our reliance should be on One Who changes not, Who never disappoints, Who wants us to call upon Him because He longs to be gracious to us.

“Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)

O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (Psalm 115:9)

God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good? (Number 23:19)

May the Lord protect you from all evil and guard your going out and your coming in.

Have a God-honoring week.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Can we take a break from the political changes occurring in the United States? What about a break from the pandemic, from being vaccinated and from issuance of “green passports”? Unfortunately, opting not to talk about them doesn’t negate their existence or the consequences of the decisions that are made and the effects they will have on us. They’ll all still be there to talk about again after considering other matters. 

Three days ago, January 27, 2021, was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is one day during the year when the world is not asked, but urged, to remember the Holocaust – a special event in world history. While 16 European countries, as well as Israel, have laws against Holocaust denial, some countries that are considered bastions of democracy allow it as protected speech, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Dr. Robert Rozett, Senior Historian in the International Institute for Holocaust Research at Yad Vashem, in an article entitled: When Denying History is Incitement to Violence, wrote in 2006:  “In a perfect world, one who denies a clearly proven historical fact, like the perpetration of the Holocaust, should be considered a laughing stock. He should be no less an object of scorn than one who insists that the earth is flat or the sun revolves around the moon. The denier need not be fined or jailed for being ridiculous. Rather people should make him feel so mortified that he should want to hide in a deep, dark cave, and for a very long time be too ashamed to show his face in the light of day. But we don’t live in a perfect world, or anywhere near one….Holocaust denial is a form of antisemitism, and antisemitism in our time still frequently incites to violence against individual Jews and against Jews in general.” 

One would be hard pressed to disagree with the clear consensus in most locations around the world that anti-Semitism is on the rise everywhere. There was a time in not-too-distant memory, when expressions of anti-Semitism were widely condemned, when the world as a whole understood the horrors of the Holocaust, when photos of concentration camp ovens, corpses of those hung on make-shift gallows and emaciated survivors spoke a thousand words. It was a brief time when the expression “Never Again” was understood almost in its fullest sense. However, with the passage of time and the passing away of survivors whose final days were in different countries around the world, the task to never forget commands that we should always remember.

We must all accept the past, as we are all affected by it. This does not mean that we have to agree with what happened. Nor can we come to terms with it, as we cannot change it or undue it. All we can do is remember it, and in remembering, make efforts to resist repeating it. The slaughter of six million Jews in the Holocaust is etched in our memories.

A dear friend wrote to me earlier this week, saying that Holocaust Remembrance Day reminded him of my post a few years back when my wife and I were in Poland. We were hosted by a couple who love and pray for Israel and the Jewish people, whose tears joined with ours as we saw historical evidence of some of the atrocities perpetrated against the Jewish people of Europe, which accomplished the murder of one third of the Jewish population that existed at the outset of WWII. During that visit, the first from any member of my family in 80 years, we also experienced different forms of anti-Semitism, through both verbal and non-verbal communications of others.

We cannot legislate against anti-Semitism. There will always be a “legal loophole” that will make one’s statements and behavior subject to interpretation of third parties, whose unspoken prejudices will determine whether expressed hatred and violence against Jews and Israel falls into the category of anti-Semitism.

Can people be taught the necessary lessons of the Holocaust? I’m not simply talking about academic instruction that treats the Holocaust as a universal model of the consequences of dealing with the evils of prejudice and blind hatred. It is not simply a visceral response that evokes sympathy for the victims, while at the same time ignores the attacks and threats against Jews today and the struggle of the nation of Israel to defend herself against a host of enemies, national, organizational and individual. It is not glossing over the events that led up the Holocaust and relating only to the civic and moral implications of man’s evil inclinations against his fellow man. Historical knowledge is essential to generating a proper understanding and relation to the Holocaust. If the world doesn’t learn from the often-ignored facts of history, because those facts are not understood, it is bound to repeat it. This is particularly true regarding the second and third generations born after the shock and disillusionment of WWII and the revelations of the horrors of the purposed, planned, concerted and focused devil-inspired efforts to eliminate a particular people, the Jewish people, from the earth. 

The Holocaust is not just an historical event that happened “then” to “them”. Each generation, irrespective of ethnic background, needs to confront it, to try to get a handle on how it happened and who the actors were, in order to act to prevent it from re-occurring. Remembering and understanding the darkest hour of recent human history are essentials for the times in which we live. It is not unreasonable to conclude, as did one comprehensive article dealing with the subject, at pages 39-40, that most of the post-WWII generations are “profoundly unaware of the geographical scope and scale of the Holocaust and typically [do] not appreciate that its execution required the complicity and collaboration of tens of thousands of individuals and localities, regions and nations all across Europe.”

After the passage of 80 years and widespread teaching about the Holocaust, on the whole such teaching has failed to curb the expressions of anti-Semitism that is experiencing worldwide revival and increased adherence today. We should not be surprised. Although the term “anti-Semitism” is relatively modern, in practice, its roots are in antiquity and it has developed and expanded during the last two millenia.

As noted by Raul Hillberg, in The Destruction of the European Jews, Volume 2, at page 7, appearing in The Holocaust, Origins, Implementation, Aftermath (Edited by Omer Bartov), at p. 25: “Since the fourth century after Christ there have been three anti-Jewish policies: conversion, expulsion, and annihilation….The missionaries of Christianity had said in effect; You have no right to live among us as Jews. The secular rulers who followed had proclaimed: You have no right to live among us. The Nazis at last decreed: You have no right to live.”

This Blog is not the place for a lengthy discussion of historical anti-Semitism. But, it is the place to call out the need to understand that the Holocaust didn’t simply jump up out of the pages of history. Seeds were planted in ancient times for the destruction of the Jewish people. It developed over time, over millenia, through reigns of kings and rulers, religious and secular. The singular event of the Holocaust has roots going back to the time of the Book of Genesis and its tentacles continue to reach out today, to poison the hearts and minds of today’s generation across mountains, valleys and oceans, from the high-ranking politician to the common person on the street. Some outwardly accuse the Jews for every evil under the sun, while others shift their emphasis to the nation of Israel. Anti-Semitism has learned how to use and manipulate the mainstream media as its adherents attempt to exonerate the perpetrators and to accuse the victims of causing their own demise.

Proper education about historical anti-Semitism will help to provide a greater, but not complete, understanding of the Holocaust. Having a proper understanding of the events leading up to the Holocaust will help us to identify anti-Semitism when we experience it in our own lives. It doesn’t matter if one lives in a community where there are only a few Jews, or even no Jews. Anti-Semitism is taught … and learned and is the result of blind hatred and an ignorance that seeks to exalt itself above the knowledge of God. We can all play a part to negate anti-Semitism. Lies are negated by truth. Darkness is eliminated by light. 

Indeed, we are all affected by the past and its consequences. How we relate to them will determine the course of our lives and our future.

“How odd of God to choose the Jews. But not so odd as those who choose a Jewish God yet spurn the Jews.” (William Norman Ewer and Leo Rosten) For a clear and simple, but straightforward explanation regarding God’s eternal covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the nation of Israel, see here.

Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the starts for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: “If this fixed order departs from before Me”, declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.” Thus says the LORD, “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31: 35-37)

Have a God-glorifying week.

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

What’s more important: Who is leaving the Office of the President of the United States, or who is entering it? The answer really depends on who is being asked the question – Americans, Israelis, “Palestinians”, Iran, China, the European Union and a host of other nations, individuals and entities that were and/or will be affected by the turnover.

America voted for Joseph R. Biden to replace Donald J. Trump as President of the United States. At least that’s the way things turned out when all of the controversy was over or is believed to be over. A majority of Israelis were appreciative of Trump, favoring him to win over Biden. “Palestinians” (so-called) were/are hoping that the Biden administration will reassess and reverse the policies of the Trump administration vis-a-vis relations between them and the U.S. government. Iran was/is looking forward to dealing with the new king of the Hill . . . and so on. Some danced in the streets. Others felt that the inauguration ceremony signaled an American retreat to the Obama era, phase II.

Much could be said for each location and an extensive discussion could be undertaken with reasons for and against the outgoing and the incoming. But, the focus of this post is not to delve into multifaceted discussions on a multinational level, but to consider, even if briefly, potential ramifications and ripples of the changeover, as they affect or may affect Israel. 

Trump was popular in Israel. The simple reason is that he acted to strengthen the recognition of Israel as a sovereign, active player on the world’s stage and because of the decisions made affecting Israel’s security. He promised to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and did it, with other nations following suit. Almost two years ago, he proclaimed U.S. recognition of the Golan Heights as belonging to the State of Israel. In the closing months of his presidency, Trump’s administration was instrumental in moving forward at least four agreements between Israel and some of the Arab countries in the region, with other, potential agreements that did not reach completion prior to his leaving office. Perhaps the most significant act was to withdraw the U.S. from the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action”, commonly referred to as the “Iran nuclear deal”. Of course, there were other things, such as putting economic pressure on Iran and continuing to supply Israel with state-of-the-art weaponry. From the point of view of support, the relationship between Israel and the United States can only be seen as having been positive and encouraging. Even the “Deal of the Century”, which failed in principle, ended up achieving no small degree of success, indirectly, resulting in the signing of the Abraham Accords. As stated in an Op-ed in Arutz Sheva earlier this week: “For most of the Israeli right, U.S. President Donald Trump’s pro-Israel legacy will outlive other elements of his controversial presidency, particularly his last days in office….” The writer, who presented differing views concerning the outgoing President, also quoted Yishai Fleisher, an American-born international spokesperson for the Jewish community of Hebron: “It took a man who was not the norm, not a career politician, not a regular ‘dude’—a dude that came from being a mogul, media guy and just a character—to break a lot of the calcified lies that we’ve lived with.” Whether one appreciates Trump or despises him, his Middle-East record speaks for itself.

While  the Trump administration benefitted Israel, Iran, its proxies in the Middle East, and especially the “Palestinians” were experiencing an ongoing nightmare.  After Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel less than a year after he took office, the “PA” cut off all contact with his administration. But, its action brought re-action by the U.S. Among other things, the Washington office of the PLO was closed. Financial assistance to the “PA” was halted. Two years ago, the American Consulate in East Jerusalem was closed. They looked forward to the hope-for changes that would be brought about by the Biden administration. It would be reasonable to believe that the “PA” is not expecting changes to take place overnight and that it recognizes that the priority for the Biden administration will be to deal with the national health crisis and other international concerns. Still, “PA” activists nevertheless are hoping that the Biden administration will bring about a renewed relationship with the “Palestinians” and reverse the above-mentioned setbacks that they suffered under Trump. 

Biden backs the two-state solution resolve the Israeli-“Palestinian” conflict. The “PA” is banking on that and will undoubtedly make every effort to raise itself from the ash heap and re-involve the U.S., Russia, the European Union and the United Nations – the organization that is anything other than united, except when it comes to condemning Israel for continuing to exist. As stated by the “PA” Foreign Minister only one month ago: “We are ready for cooperation and dealing with the new US administration, and we are expecting that it would re-draw its ties with the state of Palestine.” That, in a nutshell, says it all, at least for the “Palestinians”.

According to published reports, Biden has a long-standing, positive relationship with the Jewish community, although there have been severe policy differences going back almost 40 years over the settlements in Judea and Samaria and continuing with P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Biden is expected to act quickly to deal with the various crises presently afflicting the U.S. But, once he settles into his new role as leader of the free world, it will, indeed, be a new day dawning. If Biden’s administration pushes for restoration of the Iran nuclear deal, it could cause a rift in the relationship that the U.S. has with Israel and reestablish the political cloud that existed between the two countries during the Obama days, during which Biden served as Vice-President. The most outstanding critic of the Iran deal was Israeli P.M. Netanyahu, who called it an “historic mistake”. The priority of his administration was to impress upon the world the urgency to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Any action that gives Iran the impression that the U.S. is trying to restore friendly relations with it, for whatever reason, will be an encouragement to Iran that it can pursue its goal against Israel under the guise or “disguise” of a revised nuclear agreement. In this regard, Biden nominated as Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, lead negotiator of the Iran deal under the Obama era. Jonathan S. Tobin, JNS Editor-in-Chief, stated this week: “By any objective standard, Sherman’s handiwork [referring to her 2015 negotiating efforts] was a disaster. A government that was a merciless tyranny at home, a threat to the stability of neighboring Arab states and pledged to Israel’s destruction had been enriched and empowered.” Any attempt to reengage with Tehran will require walking a political tightrope between wooing Iran back to the negotiating table without damaging U.S. relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, or exacerbating the political rift at home that Biden desires to heal. He has his work cut out for him.

Adding the possibility of a renewed political relationship between the U.S. and the “Palestinians” to the already existing concerns of the U.S. renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal, will restore the cloud of uncertainty to Israel’s efforts to create a new, peaceful Middle East with countries opposed to Iran’s efforts at hegemony. The Biden administration will try to make its own, new friends, possibly at the expense of some of the old friends of the Trump administration. Problematic in this regard is the designation of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel appeared on Twitter as the “U.S. Ambassador to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza”. The reason for the concern is that at the present time, diplomatic relations with the “PA” dwindled to almost non-existent and need to be renewed. In addition, for the U.S. to appoint an Ambassador to Gaza, diplomatic relations need to be established with Gaza, which is controlled by the terrorist organization, Hamas. Apparently, after considerable outrage to the new designation was expressed over social media, “the West Bank and Gaza” were removed from the title, without explanation, leaving only “U.S. Ambassador to Israel.” Is this an early indication of what is on the horizon? May it never be! But, time will tell whether the decisions of the Biden administration will be beneficial for Israel or not. 

What kind of leader will Joe Biden be? Will he laud it over the people, or will he say, “Follow me?”

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) 

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked. (Proverbs 29:12)

Remember: Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

“To be, or not to be? That is the question—Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and, by opposing, end them?” (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1, lines 57-61)

We deal with a multitude of choices every day. For drivers: Can I make the light before it turns red? For shoppers: Should I buy this, because it’s on sale, even though I don’t need it right now? For the fashion minded: Will this match with that? For computer users: Should I open this attachment or not? For present life in Israel: To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is The Question! 

It started with a virus and rapidly spread to become a pandemic. People were getting sick. Some were dying. The race was on. The world needed to find a solution, a vaccine to protect against becoming infected with the virus. Pharmaceutical companies were challenged. Time was of the essence. Who would be the first to develop and to market a vaccine.

In November, 2020, Israel signed a deal with Pfizer, Inc., for 8 million doses of that company’s potential Covid-19 vaccine. According to Pfizer’s C.E.O., the same would be supplied after it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“the FDA”). The dose supply was supposed to be enough to inoculate almost half of the population of Israel with a two-dose application. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted the agreement as “a great day for Israel”, adding that the goal was to receive the vaccine within two months (January, 2021). Israel already had a deal with Moderna, Inc., to receive a future supply of its potential vaccine. 

Things moved swiftly from that point on. Pfizer received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA and the promised doses of vaccine began to arrive in December, 2020, a month earlier than planned. The media took over and pushed the need for the country to be vaccinated and the process began. Then the Prime Minister announced on Thursday of last week that as a result of its deal with Pfizer, all Israelis over the age of 16 would be able to be inoculated by the end of March and that “We are going to be the first country to beat the coronavirus.” He added that “Israel will be a model for the world for the vaccination of an entire country“ in a campaign called “Back to Life” and that the authorities here would share our “data” with Pfizer in an effort to help “develop strategies to defeat“ the coronavirus.

It is important to understand what P.M. Netanyahu declared to the public, as it was the basis for Israel being able to get millions of doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, that will exceed 10 million by mid-March, in addition to the half million doses of the vaccine produced by Moderna. As reported by Globes news service on 8 January, Israel would serve “as a giant testing trial lab for Covid-19 vaccinations” and that Israel would supply Pfizer with “data and details especially gathered for them, including the consequences of the inoculations, side effects, efficacy, amount of time it takes to develop antibodies. according to different types of population, age, gender, preexisting conditions etc.”. Put into colloquial language, “giant testing trial lab” is “guinea pig” (please excuse the expression!).

Obviously, not everyone was happy with the “deal” made with Pfizer, or the push to inoculate the entire country. Opposition began to develop in different circles, medical, immunological, epidemiological and legal. In order to quell the concerns, the Ministry of Health issued a statement, declaring that “The data is shared with the public on a daily basis and this is the same data to be conveyed to Pfizer” and that there was no concern of violating rights to privacy. One would have to be truly gullible to accept the claim that Israel committed itself to share data with Pfizer that was made public. If it was already in the public domain, why would it be necessary for Israel to make a deal concerning it? Pfizer could readily obtain whatever information it wanted by via the internet.

From a pharmaceutical-industry perspective, Israel plays a relatively minor role. Nevertheless, it is a preferred location for clinical trials of treatments and drugs for various reasons. Israel has digitized medical documentation on all of its citizens, which represent a very diverse population of some 9 million people. Its health system is small, but quite efficient, together with a strong research and development infrastructure. The data that has been accumulated, along with all of the statistical data that will become available following the inoculation of the masses, can be of major benefit for pharmaceutical companies. 

The big issue now is transparency and making available to the public the contents of the agreement with Pfizer. One such concern was expressed by Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, who expressed concern that Pfizer was promised “personal data rendered anonymized – that is citizens’ medical files from which names, addresses and ID numbers are removed.” In short, it is a person’s entire medical history. However, according to Shwartz Altshuler, the state of technology is such that “even data that has been rendered anonymous can be ‘de-anonymized’ [making it a] huge risk“. But, the issues are more involved than simply being concerned about a violation of privacy.

Making Israel a “giant testing trial lab for Covid-19 vaccinations” is problematic also from a legal point of view. Without getting into the fine points of the law, medical experimentation in Israel on individuals is against the Public Health Regulations, unless there is compliance with very strict guidelines. Injection of an experimental drug into the body falls into the above category and is mentioned in the Regulations. A specific objection is that the experimental drug is still being tested in the U.S., and the testing period is supposed to end on 29 January, 2023. In other words, there is no final certification from the FDA, only an “Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)” of the Covid-19 vaccines for both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The reports relating to the “Emergency Use Authorization” of the vaccines from both of those two companies contain similar language, which includes, among other things: “The (name of the company) COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19.” Other objections, among many, relate to the unknown effects of the vaccination on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or how it affects reproductive capability of both men and women. For a copy of the study performed by Pfizer “To Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, immunogenicity, and Efficacy of SARS-COV-2 RNA Vaccine Candidates Against Covid-19 in Healthy Individuals”, see here, particularly pages 40-44, dealing with the Study Population. With all that being said, why did the FDA grant “Emergency Use Authorization” to both companies? The FDA can issue an EUA when, in its opinion, in the case of a vaccine, “the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks.” That, apparently, was the determination of the FDA with regard to both of the vaccines presently being marketed during the present pandemic.

As of this writing, over 1.9 million people here have been vaccinated with the first dose, with many thousands having already received the second. It is almost a given: people are expected to be injected. The “Start-Up Nation”, “Innovation Nation” is on its way to quickly becoming the “Inoculation Nation”. 

At the present time, the decision of whether or not to be inoculated is a matter of one’s personal opinion. But, with the numbers of those testing positive to the coronavirus spiking to over 9,500 yesterday alone, it would not be beyond the realm of reasonable thought to conclude that not only will the present lockdown be extended, but the pressure on the population to be vaccinated will increase. Eventually, the government may attempt to compel vaccination, indirectly, as a means of making it possible for people to be allowed to travel or to enter into certain facilities. Enter the “green passport”. When one’s livelihood is on the line, there is a tendency to yield to the pressure, even if the person is originally against doing so. Most of Israel, however, will agree to be inoculated and will volunteer to be part of Operation “National Guinea Pig” (my designation). The data regarding how the population will be effected by the drug will be accumulated and passed on. How it will be used and what benefit it will bring to pass remain open questions.

This is voluntary medical experimentation on a national level of an entire population. And the country agreed to pay an exorbitant cash price for the privilege of having an experimental drug injected into our bodies. Of all places, here, in Israel! 

First a crisis. Then the media steps in creating no small degree of panic. Then the government steps in and tells everyone that they need to be inoculated for the public good and their own benefit. What is next?

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is The Question! A remedy that is good for one is not necessarily good for all. This post is not intended to persuade you to not to take the vaccine. Rather, it is to inform, so that you can make an intelligent and informed decision should you choose to be vaccinated, as many have already done and many more will do, trusting that the benefit of being inoculated outweighs the potential harm. God grants wisdom to know how we are to live and what we are to do. Each of us should pray and be assured in our own minds and hearts whether to agree to be inoculated or not.

Whatever decision you make, may you be healthy and may the virus, in any of its forms, be kept far from your doorstep.

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah … saying, “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name, ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ “For thus says the LORD God of Israel … ‘Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel …’ “Thus says the LORD, ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place … in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem … the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, “Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting”. (Jeremiah 33:1-4, 6-7, 10-11)

I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2).

And remember: Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Shalom all,

There is an expression: “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” How true of so many things that were carried over from 2020 to 2021. The readers of this Blog in each nation can verify that little has changed over the past week and a half. Each country deals with its own challenges and some issues spill over and affect other countries as well. 

Israel began the new civil year in a lockdown situation, its third, which went into effect on the 27th of December. It was in an alleged response to the number of new infections that steadily climbed to over 8,000 a day, the highest figure in months. The lockdown was supposed to remain in effect for at least two weeks. But, after only a week into it, the government approved an even stricter lockdown that went into effect a few days later, at midnight this past Thursday, the 7th of January. It is expected to cost the economy as much as 4.0 billion shekels ($1.3 billion) a week. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, Israel led the world in dealing with it and then eased off, resulting in a second wave and a second lockdown. Schools and certain businesses were allowed to reopen, even as a significant number of Israelis ignored or willfully violated rules and restrictions regarding travel and social distancing. The second wave grew stronger, resulting in a third lockdown and a reinforced third lockdown, which is the situation today. But, Israel has regained the status of world leader, this time in administering the number of vaccinations against Covid-19 per capita. 

In a speech this past Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s agreement with Pfizer, Inc., which supplied the first doses of vaccine, would allow for all Israelis over the age of 16 to be inoculated by the end of March, if not sooner, adding: “As part of the agreement, we agreed that Israel would serve as a model nation, a model for the world in the swift vaccination of an entire country.” Indeed, about 17.5% of Israel’s population of approximately 9 million, including 70% of citizens aged 60 or older, received the first of two shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Arab citizens and others living in East Jerusalem, have been offered the vaccine, but, according to one major news outlet, many refused to take it. The second round of inoculations is said to begin tomorrow, Sunday.

Still, there is a growing concern over the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as increased opposition from medical experts as to the need for a third national lockdown and a tightened lockdown. There is no doubt that vaccinating the entire population by the end of March would be a feather in the cap for the Prime Minister, particularly as the country will face another national election on the 23rd of March, its fourth in two years.

The whole business of the vaccinations was not dealt with properly. The government didn’t have clear guidelines regarding it. For a long time, the media said that everyone needs two shots, 2-3 weeks apart. Then, when the doses were dwindling, the health officials were considering giving only one injection, instead of two. This sparked immediate opposition from some medical professionals, who claimed that giving a single dose was like giving nothing. Even worse, giving a single dose would be like experimenting on people. The media did a great job in creating a mini-panic and on the whole, the population responded as expected. The shipment from Moderna, which was supposed to supplement the vaccine received from Pfizer, was reported to be late in arriving. But, lo and behold, the first shipment from Maderna (100,000 doses) arrived also on Thursday. There are clear differences between the Pfizer and Maderna vaccines, particularly with regarding to storage. So, again, a lack of clarity. There are also legal objections to the effort to vaccinate the entire country with what has been defined as an experimental drug, untested in the normal course of granting approval for dissemination, making the population “human guinea pigs” (you should excuse the expression)!

In the midst of all of this, Israel is considering issuance of a “green passport” for those who have been vaccinated and recovered. According to a report in The Times of Israel earlier this week: The Health Ministry on Monday unveiled details of its proposed “green passport” for Israelis who have been inoculated against the coronavirus or recovered from COVID-19, which would grant holders of the document access to large gatherings and cultural venues. Those who test negative for the virus could receive a temporary green passport for 72 hours, while a 6-month green passport would be issued to those who were vaccinated, starting a week after receiving the second dose of the vaccine, or who recovered from COVID-19. Its use is intended to encourage vaccination in an effort to achieve “herd immunity”, which requires the vaccination of 70 percent of the population. The Health Ministry is also planning to issue an additional document for those who were vaccinated, which would exempt them from having to be quarantined. Restrictions relating to occupancy and gatherings would continue. Other countries are considering the Israeli proposal and Israel will decide how to proceed after getting feedback from those countries. 

Notwithstanding all of Israel’s efforts to deal with the challenge of Covid-19, Itamar Grotto, the deputy director-general of the Health Ministry, said: “We are winning the vaccine race while losing the battle against the mutation.” He was apparently referring to concerns whether the vaccine would be effective against the South African (501.V2)  variant of the virus, which is more infectious than the original Covid-19, following at least Israelis who tested positive to it, bringing the total of those who tested positive to the variants to 151.

So, the new civil year is very much a continuation of the year that just passed. The health crisis continues, as does the economic crisis and the seemingly never-ending socio-political crisis. To that is added the developing crisis of lack of rainfall. God grants rain in due season as a blessing for obedience, but withholds it when the nation turns its back on Him. (see Deut. 11:10-11)

This Blog usually deals with events as they relate to Israel, both at home as well as abroad. Sometimes, however, events in other countries have an impact on Israel, for good or for bad. Such is the situation regarding this week’s occurrences in the United States. 

The storming of the U.S. Capitol building impacted not only the U.S., but the world as a whole. The bastion of democracy was assaulted. The result was to leave a serious wound on the hide of American society that will take a long time to heal. And, even when it does heal, an ugly scar will remain. I don’t want to get into a political discussion of who was right and who was wrong. When all of the evidence is in, no one will walk away without blame – not rightist, not leftist, not centrist. President-elect, Joe Biden, responded to the situation with clear disgust, saying: “This is not who we are.” 

But, what if it really IS who we are? America has been divided for a long time. It is not alone in that regard. Other countries, including Israel, are in the same category. The divisions and specific interest groups, the hatred, discrimination and bigotries that have festered within America’s borders from east to west and from north to south brought it to a boiling point and then exploded. Yet, the U.S. is strong and has the ability to overcome this latest challenge to its socio-political infrastructure. 

As in most instances where a nation suffers a setback, local or national, it looks for a scapegoat. For countless generations, that scapegoat has been the Jew. Anti-semitism has increased worldwide over the past decade by leaps and bounds and it found almost unfettered expression in the United States. We should all remember that those who touch the Jew touch the “apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). This should not be misunderstood. God’s singling out the nation of Israel has to do with His honor and glory, as well as His faithfulness, and not because of anything that Israel has done or deserves (Deut. 7:7-8). Still, a promise was made to Abraham, a promise that emanates from the God of creation Himself and one that has been played out time and again during the last 4,000 years: “And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2-3) It’s not too late for America to get its act together. It needs to get back to Biblical basics.

Archie Bunker was a fictional character from the popular television sitcom of the 1970s, All in the Family. He was a veteran of WWII, a family man and a blue-collar worker. He was also highly opinionated, to put it mildly, putting down everyone and everything with which he didn’t agree. A poster of him sums up the perspective of his character: “There’s a little me in all o’ youse…”. Maybe that really IS who we are. 

Democracy is a relatively fragile thing. It is not etched in stone, but built layer upon layer of struggle, in an effort to form “a perfect union” – a goal envisioned in the Constitution of the United States. Unlike the U.S., the State of Israel is much younger, although as a people we have existed for millenia. Our democratic ideals are also being severely challenged and our legal system is being tested in a way that no one thought would be possible only a few years ago. Could what happened in the U.S. happen here? May it never be! But, we are a divided nation, facing challenges from within as well as from without. We could also reach an internal boiling point.

The U.S. once referred to itself as “one nation under God”. Israel was called to be a nation “under God” in the truest sense, serving under the theocracy of the Almighty. But, despite being warned against it, Israel wanted and was granted a king, so that it could be like the other nations. The result: A kingdom was established. It became a divided kingdom, suffered captivity, was allowed to return to the Land and was punished with a long-term diaspora following unjustified hatred. Only God’s faithfulness restored us to the land and established us as a people. But, we are once again at each other’s throats, with unity being a distant hope. 

It is a new civil year. There is much good that can be done and accomplished if we learn how to work together, keeping our eyes on Him Who is invisible. Man will always disappoint, but God never will. He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond anything we can ask or think. He can restore, heal and unify a divided nation.

Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (Psalm 146:3-5).

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Have a great week.

Marvin

The hands of the clock both stood on 12. It was midnight. One more second and it was a new year. January – a month named after the Roman god, Janus, who had two faces, one to look behind and one to look forward, or one to look to the past and one to look towards the future. 

For a few in the remote regions of “down under”, the turn of the clock and the entry of 2021  was a time of joyful celebration – gathering together, no social distancing, no masks, no restrictions inside the country. For most of the rest of the world, it was just another day passing, perhaps a little longer than the other days earlier in the week. But, with the morning light it was just another day, like the previous 300 days when our normal existence and routines ceased, as a result of events and decisions that were beyond our control. The skies were closed to incoming and outgoing travelers. Internal restrictions were imposed on travel, on entry to locations away from home, on businesses, on numbers who could gather together for different reasons, on tourism and on what many considered simply as leisure activities and more. Facial masks covered both smiles and frowns, fogged up glasses and made it more difficult to understand someone speaking. Compulsive hand-washing and panic over a possible lack of toilet paper took over most of what we consider the be the civilized world. 

The restrictions, of course, were imposed because a health issue that quickly deteriorated into a national, health crisis, which, in turn generated a national, economic crisis. Our vocabulary adapted to the words “lockdown”, “isolation” and “restriction” almost overnight. Schools were closed, businesses were either closed or were allowed to function on a limited basis. Only those places that were considered as “essential” were allowed to remain open. Entire families were required to stay home. Some were allowed to go to work, while multitudes were either placed on a status of “vacation without pay” or worse, had their employment terminated as a direct consequence of the economic crisis. Unemployment soared to approximately a quarter of the work force. Spouses needed to spend more time with each other, parents needed to spend more time with their children. An increase in family violence was reported “from Dan to Beersheva”. Time on the computer increased accordingly, along with uncontrolled viewing of pornography, increased reports of pedophilia, shaming and bullying. 

The government couldn’t make up its mind how to deal with the domestic issues and, instead, focused on international matters. Some countries in the Arab-speaking world entered into open arrangements with Israel, wrongfully designated as “peace agreements”. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, Israel enacted stern measures and treated the virus as an enemy that needed to be quickly defeated. When it looked like victory was around the corner, it eased the restrictions and the situation quickly worsened, resulting in a second national lockdown, somewhat more modified and less restrictive than the first. The skies were opened, some businesses were allowed to re-open, children returned to classes “in” school, rather than “through” Zoom. But, many rebelled at the continuing restrictions and failed to abide by the instructions of the Department of Health. The numbers who tested positive to Covid-19 again began to rise and we are now already one week in our third national lockdown. 

“Big Pharma” competed with one another to produce a vaccine against Covid-19. Along the way, the safeguards of “testing, time and verifiable risks and consequences” that usually accompany the release of a new drug were, on the whole, ignored. The world needed a vaccine and it became available from different companies. Obviously, the end result differs from company to company and from vaccine to vaccine. If one is more effective, then the others are less effective. And if the vaccines were produced to deal with the known strain of Covid-19, the question arises whether they will deal with the mutations (plural) that have already affected some countries. That is a discussion for another time. During the past 10 months, extended family and friends had tested positive to Covid-19. Some became sick, some were hospitalized and died, some from the virus, others from different causes. 

And, in the midst of it all, the government coalition collapsed and, once again, we are facing national elections that will take place at the end of March. 

Israel has inoculated over 1 million people, just over 10% of the population. The “start-up nation” has become the “inoculation nation”. Yesterday, I was notified by the Health Department to make an appointment – on line, of course, to receive the injection. Today, I received a notice not to bother – the Health Department ran out of the vaccine. As soon as the vaccine arrived here, there was a rush to be inoculated. The question of the day quickly became: “Did you get the vaccination?” And, if not, “What are you waiting for?” People were reacting with herd mentality, hoping to develop an aspect of herd immunity. Commercial areas, once bustling with crowds, in recent days again had almost no foot traffic. Normally busy locations had only handfulls of people. There was a sense of concern and fear that we are experiencing the “new normal”. 

If we look back on 2020 and see only the things mentioned above, we are looking at the glass as being “half empty”. Of course, there were other things that occurred during the year that were more encouraging. It was a time of learning to do with less, to appreciate what we have and not to take things for granted. It was a time to be thankful to people whom we usually don’t think of in the course of our lives: health-care professionals; those who wear the uniform and who stand as the guardians of our safety, locally and nationally; teachers, who, despite the difficulties, learned how to instruct from a distance; parents who learned not only how to communicate with their children on an understandable level, but who also learned to listen to them; the postal workers, who kept the mail coming; the people who delivered the groceries that were ordered online, so that we didn’t have to stand in line with someone who didn’t keep his distance; to all those unknown people who reminded us to wear our masks, keep our hands clean and keep our distance; to our families, who continued to encourage us during difficult periods; for the new births, there were 176,000 births and, despite all of the difficulties of the times, approximately 11,000 Israelis living abroad returned home and another 20,000 brave souls made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel). If we stop for a moment and reflect upon the past year, there is much, much more for which we can be thankful. I’m thankful for a healthy and loving family, and for being able to write this, as well as for those who will read it.

The pandemic was and remains a time of testing for all of us. We all respond differently to the tests in life. Some fail, some are challenged and some succeed. The Biblical character, Job said (23:10-12): “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Despite his sufferings and losses, far beyond what most of us will experience on this side of eternity, his reliance remained upon the God of creation to bring him through. He had a perspective that God would not test him beyond what he was able to endure. 

Circumstances can be beyond our control, but not our attitudes. Each new day allows us to act with compassion, kindness, humility and patience, bearing with others who are different, or difficult, and to be forgiving. A right attitude can remove fear, doubt and anxiety and help us to have a proper focus on the essentials. However we might choose to designate the time in which we live, each day is a new opportunity to be thankful – for good health, for a roof over our heads, for clothes on our backs and for food in our stomachs. When we think about it realistically and practically, what more do we need? 

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” (Proverbs 4:25) Time to leave what is behind and press on to what is ahead. “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come?” (Ecclesiastes 8:7). May yours be blessed.

May 2021 bring with it abundant good health for each of you, for your families and loved ones. Treat it like an empty vessel and allow God to fill it with His love, joy and peace that passes all understanding.

Please also remember Israel in your prayers. “[The] eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.” (Deut. 11:12)

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin

Three years ago, I published a post about Yom HaKipurrim, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It was a sort of primer regarding this holiday, which is also the sixth of the prophetic holidays mentioned in the 23rd chapter of the Book of Leviticus.

As is the case every year, the country comes to a standstill. With the exception of exclusively Arab areas, all traffic stops, businesses are closed, synagogues are filled with the observant, who attend religious services regularly and consistently, and with the less observant, who attend services sporadically and sometimes, only on this day. There is a sense of reverence, of awe, congregations lifting up genuine and heartfelt prayers before the Throne of God, the King of the Universe, prayers of thanksgiving, of apology, of repentance. Ancient melodies are sung in unison, some with tears of sorrow, others with joy. The congregation rises when the closet containing the Holy Scriptures (Aron HaKodesh) is opened and they sit when it is closed. Particularly portions of the Bible are read that are significant to the them of the day: judgment. Multitudes try to fast for 25 hours, in an effort to atone for the sins of the past year. The long blast of the Shofar, the ram’s horn, signifying the end of this special day and the breaking of the fast with family members and often, with guests. The following day, the country returns to its normal pace,

This year was different. The country came to a standstill again, but it was at a 90% standstill for a week preceding Yom HaKippurim. Synagogues were not full, but practically empty. People were allowed to attend services, but only outside and in small groups (capsules). Even the Prime Minister suggested that people pray outside of the synagogue or at home. Those who chose to participate in the special services held on this day had to maintain a distance of two meters (just over 6 feet) from each other. It was a hot day and the worshippers needed to be outside for hours on end, rather than inside an air-conditioned facility. Not everyone heeded those instructions. Still, the special atmosphere that usually attends this solemn day was missing. 

Israel has been in a modified, national lockdown since just before Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, which began on Friday, September 18th. We are the first country to have a second, national lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. After successfully tackling the first wave of the virus from February through mid-May, the rapid relaxation of the restrictions resulted in a rapid re-emergence of the virus. This small country has been experiencing between between 7,000-8,400 new cases per day for the past week. Hospitals are over-loaded and understaffed. Over 1,500 deaths have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic. I personally know people who have tested positive and others, including myself, who have had to be in isolation for up to two weeks because of exposure to someone who tested positive. Lockdown appeared to be the only reasonable measure to take in an effort to curtail the growing numbers of those infected. But, should it have been?

Throughout the past week, the out-of-control coronavirus shared the headlines with the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Some tried to compare the failures that led up to that war with the failures that led to the present health crisis, a crisis which gained Israel the reputation of having the highest infection rate per capita than any other country in the world. And, as of today, we even surpassed the United States in having the most coronavirus deaths per capita. 

Can we really compare the failures that brought about the military crisis in the Yom Kippur War and the health crisis of Yom Kippur 2020? I don’t think so. From a practical point of view, the present crisis is far worse. During and after the was of 1973, that took place on the most sacred day of the year, there were individuals who were held accountable for the intelligence and tactical failures. It took a little while, but the country assessed the tactical issues and dealt with them as they needed to do and the tide of the war turned. Despite the heavy loss of life, the nation recognized that the war needed to be fought effectively in order to win. There was no other option. It pulled together, worked together, fought together, mourned together and overcame together. Everyone recognized that they needed to cooperate and do their part in order to be victorious.

Not so with the war against the coronavirus of 2020. Leadership is lacking, responsibility is being blamed on “the other guy”. The numbers of dead and wounded are continually on the rise. But, the population is not behind the effort to win the war against the virus. From the leaders in the government to the people on the street, there is a lack of unity and a lack of clear direction how to fight. As a result, they end up fighting each other, rather than their common enemy. We see divisions and old polarizations, particularly between the religious and the secular segments of society, between those who blindly support the government and those who blindly oppose it, between those on the “right” and those on the “left”. Each faction claims to know best. But, no single segment of our society has exclusive rights to define how democracy should function or how one can exercise his faith. There are demonstrations that regularly take place against Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government’s handing of the health crisis. But, in doing do, they congregate together, most often without facial masks as a form of protest against the government, adding to the likelihood of widespread infection. Then, there are the religious factions, who largely ignore the rules of wearing a mask and social distancing. Not all, but enough.

So, it was almost inevitable that a nation-wide lockdown would be re-imposed, except for what is deemed to be an essential service. In the process, everyone is affected, men and women, young and old, school children (who may not be able to return to school until the end of the year), small businesses and many others. Unemployment remains extremely high. The economy is faltering and it may not be able to regain its strength for at least two years. Somebody needs to yell out “Stop. You’re fighting the wrong enemy. We can’t continue to fight against ourselves.” The divisions are being fuelled by the media, as usual, each with its own political perspective and agenda. Some want to bring down the government. Others want the protests and demonstrations to stop and give the government an opportunity to act like a government should. After all, they have their partisan interests at stake in causing the government to remain in power.

Yom HaKippurim is a day of introspection and soul-searching. It is a time to reflect on our sins, individual and national. It is a time to repent and to try to make things right. As long as we continue to fight against each other, the microscopic, silent killer that has invaded our land will continue to claim victims. The first lockdown was successful because the population saw that the danger was real and everyone was afraid of contracting the disease. Now, with theories debunking the seriousness of the coronavirus and the perspective that there are other, political issues that are more important than our health, people are doing what each considers to be right in his own sight.

We can make “peace agreements” with other countries in the Middle East. But, what good is it, if we can’t visit each other for fear of getting sick? Flights out of the country have been cancelled. The tourism industry here is at a standstill. Many businesses that rely on tourism during the holiday season (Passover through the Feast of Tabernacles – April to October) to make it through the year, are on the verge of collapse.

Less than a week ago, the Prime Minister stated: “We are at war – the Corona War . . . Only if we work together can we deal the virus – and we will defeat it.”

Those are not empty words. Israel knows how to fight a war. It requires, among other things, cooperation and determination on a national scale. We are a small family and cannot afford internal disunity. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Yom Kippur is a time of that is particularly appropriate to forgiveness, seeking it from God and from one another and granting it to others. Asking for forgiveness is a humbling experience. But, a little humility, when genuine, can go a long way. 

“[If] My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Knowing who we are; humbling ourselves; praying; seeking God; turning away from evil. Sounds like it fits perfectly with Yom HaKippurim. That shouldn’t be too hard. Or, maybe we don’t believe it because it sounds too easy. 

Why is it that the lessons we learn the best in life are the ones that hurt us the most or cost us the most. 

Bless, be blessed and be a blessing.

Marvin