Monday, July 21, 2014

Operation Protective Edge: Adopt a Soldier to Pray For. Please sign up. Names of Wounded Soldiers from Shmira Project.

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Names of Wounded Soldiers: http://www.janglo.net/component/option,com_adsmanager/page,display/tid,322328/catid,99/Itemid,361 (Visit link for most updated list of wounded soldier or see list below for names as of Wednesday, July 23rd)
Mailbag: A Letter from a Soldier In Gaza
Warriors-IDF-750x432
Today our hearts are pounding in fear. Who of us will die? And who will return safely?

We are your messengers in fighting . We are fighting so you can live peacefully with your children. So you can stay alive. We are your protection. Will you be ours? We are going to this dangerous mission knowing some of us will not come back, but will rise to their next position in a storm to heaven, as Eliyahu the Navi did.

We are going with devotion and dedication. We are asking you to be our protection with your prayers. Protect us by going above and beyond yourselves through Ruchniyus and good deeds. Pray for us. Pray that you won’t see another mother burying her son. Pray that you won’t see our wives as widows raise our children in tears. Pray that our children will grow up knowing who their fathers are. Pray that we will eliminate the terrorists who aim to destroy us, and that we will not injure innocent women and children.

Please, we are begging you, as you are reading this, don’t just go on to the next thing you are doing. Say a chapter of Tehillim. Wake up David HaMelech to ask Hashem for full Geulah and peace for the all world. Take upon yourselves another good deed. And please pass this on. I’m certain that your prayer will make a difference. Remember, we are in it together. We are on the front lines carrying the weapons and you are fighting along with us in your prayers. Each word of your prayer gives us strength, protection and success!!!!!!

- Soldier in Gaza

The Shmira Project http://www.shmiraproject.com/en-us/home.aspx  is an ongoing, grassroots program that pairs IDF combat soldiers with Jews around the world who do acts of kindness, prayer or Torah learning to increase the soldier's spiritual merit and protection.  Hebrew word "shmira" (pronounced shmeerah) means "guarding" or "protecting". In modern Hebrew, shmira also means guard duty. 

In USA:   For a soldier's name through our automated system, text 240-393-4836. The Shmira Project is a person to person match that everyone can do. It follows the ancient practice of pairing physical effort with spiritual effort. The families of soldiers and the soldiers themselves enjoy the reassurance of spiritual support. Participants enjoy knowing that they bring about unity and connectedness. There are absolutely no fees.

This project originated with Rav Simcha HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi Rechovot & The Hurva Synagogue with the Bostoner Rebbe, zt"l in 2009 during the Gaza Operation Cast Lead. It has the support of people across the world and across all denominations.  It's being organized in its present format by the mother of a former IDF paratrooper. Rabbinical Endorsements - הסכמות (HaRav Simcha HaCohen Kook, Chief Rabbi Rechovot, the Bostoner Rebbe zt"l, Rav Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva Ner Yisroel, Baltimore)
Frequently Asked Questions:

What is The Shmira Project about? 
It's about supporting and protecting each other.

For example, if a 15 year old girl in Los Angeles does one act of kindness on behalf of a soldier she does not know, thousands of miles away, she increases our interconnectedness and unity. Think of our interconnectedness as a web of protection: each person to person connection makes one strand of the web. If the 15 year old girl can make more threads in the web, or make the web stronger, she will have accomplished something amazing. Think of it as a "spiritual Iron Dome". 

 How does it work?
The participants sign up via the website – or text - to receive the name of the soldier.  The soldier signs up with only his/her first name and mother's name (preferably Hebrew, if known), and end date of service. He is automatically paired with a person or family for the length of army service. The soldier receives the name and hometown of the person or family who is doing good deeds in his/her merit. To protect privacy, no personal contact information is shared.
What kind of act of kindness or spiritual deeds should I do?
The activities can be simple and creative. They should suit your style of life to keep you motivated.

Here are some examples pulled from our website replies: giving charity, include soldier in prayer at Shabbat candlelighting, volunteer for the homeless once a month, reading Jewish stories to kids when  I babysit, Shabbat hospitality, say tehillim (psalms), make soup for needy people, learning Torah – mishnayot, visit grandma.

How frequently do I need to do my act of kindness or mitzvah?
However often you'd like. Some activities are daily, weekly or one time occurrences. If you can include the shmira (good deed) activity in your normal routine, you can extend yourself for a longer time without stress.

 How long do I need to do my act of kindness or mitzvah (prayer, etc.)?
Ideally, when "your" soldier is finished with his/her active service, you are finished with your shmira (good deeds). You can be reassigned to another soldier or you can retire! If you can't complete the time frame of the soldier's service, let us know and we will reassign him/her.

Many people will sign on in times of war or crisis; fewer in times of "calm". Our goal is to have every combat / patrol soldier covered at least once. 

 Why can't we exchange the full names and contact info of the people involved?
While it would be wonderful to establish positive contact between the soldier and participant, there are boundaries of security and personal privacy that need to be maintained.
Who is participating?
Everyone can understand the importance of rallying behind those who are putting themselves in danger to protect us. We all can express our gratitude. 
As Rav Ovadiah Yosef (the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel) said on Yom Hazikaron  (Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers) 2012, "G-d should bless the IDF soldiers who stand guard on our behalf. Without them, Israelis could not carry on their lives. Much less perform acts of kindness or study Torah…G-d should protect them and keep them well, as it is He who is fighting against our enemies."
Can non-Jews participate?
We welcome everyone's efforts in helping our soldiers. 
How did this program get started?
The original Elef LaMate IDF prayer matching program was started by Rav Simcha HaCohen Kook in 2006 in response to the Lebanon War. The Rav then joined with the Bostoner Rebbe, zt'l, in 2009 for the Gaza Operation, Cast Lead.  It has been continued in its present state to include the efforts of a mother of a chayal boded soldier in the paratroopers.  There is presently an international team, with a nucleus in Baltimore, Maryland, who is working on this project.  (A "Chayal boded" – or lone soldier- is a term used for a soldier who has no immediate family in Israel. Usually these are young men and women from abroad who serve in the IDF.)
 Are soldiers included who are in the reserve army?
At present, we have decided to focus on active duty soldiers. If, God forbid, there is a conflict where the reserves are called up, the administrators will override the system and reactivate all previous soldier entries. As a participant, you will be kept up-to-date with any changes of this nature.
 I am not religiously observant. How can I participate?
Focus on doing acts of kindness: give charity, feed someone, or give someone encouragement. These are spiritual deeds at their core.  Also, simply remember that this program recognizes and demonstrates our gratitude. Gratitude is universally appreciated.
 Is there any other precedent to this in terms of helping to protect Jewish soldiers?
The earliest precedent for this approach is found in the Bible. When the Israelites were at war with the Nation of Midyan, Moses appointed an equal number of soldiers and Jews to pray on behalf of the soldiers.  This is the origin of the Elef LaMate system.
On a spiritual level, "Kol Yisrael avrevim zeh b'zeh" "All Jews are responsible for one another" (Talmud, Shevuot 39A). It is the mystical paradigm that we are intertwined with each other on a very deep level – regardless of how far apart we are physically. An "arev" is a guarantor: we have signed on to be spiritual guarantors for each other. 

Why have a match between individual Jews, rather than pray or do good deeds in general?
The matches increase our awareness of individual efforts. Furthermore, when we know the names of those people who are ill, for example, we try our best to indicate the exact name in our prayers. This program follows that example.
How will participants stay motivated in the long term?
Just like for the soldiers, the time of enlistment can feel like a long haul. If you're losing your motivation, do what the IDF does, and rotate your assignment. Change it up.
Vary the mitzvah (act of kindness) that you do. Pick something you wouldn't ordinarily think of doing. Stretch a little. Or, conversely, choose a mitzvah that you do daily and dedicate it to your soldier.
Find a partner. Have a chevruta. Get a group and encourage each other.
Come up with a line that motivates you. "I'm in this together with him for as long as it takes." "He should live and be well." "May she be safe from all harm." "Am Yisrael Chai!" Make it realistic. Do what you can, and do it well.
as of July 21, 2014 12:06pm


  
PLEASE PRAY FOR: List of names of wounded soldiers (UPDATED!)
Posted by Zev Stub Wednesday, 23 July 2014 11:31 AM 
List updated Wed. July 23 

אחיה בן נירה
Achiya ben   Nira
אביעד בן סימה
Aviad bn Sima
אוהד בן אליס גנון
Ohad bn Elice Ganon
אוהד בן רות
Ohad bn Rut
איתי אהרון בן אילנה
Itai Aharon bn Ilana
אליאל בן אריאלה
Eli'El bn Ariela
אליהו בן חוה
Eliyahu bn Chava
ארד ליאורה
Arad bn Leora
ארז בן שרית
Erez bn Sarit
בן דויד בן אסתר נלי
Ben David Ben Esther Nelly
בן ציון בן רחל
Ben Tzion bn Rachel
גיל בן מיכל
Gil bn Michal
דוד ילחק בן סוזי
David Yitzchak bn Suzi
דולב בן כוכבה
Dolev Ben  Kochava
דניאל מנדס בן מרים
Daniel Mandes bn Miriam

Ziv ben Ayelet
יואב בן גילה
Yoav bn Gila
יוני בן שרה
Yoni bn Sara
יונתן שמעון בן גיטל
Yonatan Shimon bn Gittel
יונתן בן חגית אביגיל
Yonatan bn Hagit Avigail
יונתן שמעון בן מסעוד
Yonatan Shimon bn Masud
יעקב בן לאפו
Yakov bn Lepo
ירין בן מור (הנער שנפצע מהרקטה)
Yaron ben Mor
ישי דב בן נרי
Yishai Dov bn Neri
ישי דב הלוי בן נרי
Yishai Dan HaLevi ben Neri
ליאל בן אילנית
Li'El bn Ilanit
מור מרדכי בן שרית
Mor Mordechai bn Sarit
מיכל בן פרידה
Michal bn Frida
מרדכי חי בן ברכה יהודית
Mordechai Chai bn Bracha Yehudis
משה אלעד בן עיתיאל
Moshe Elad bn Iti'El
נריה בן חוה
Nerya bn Chava

Niv ben Ayelet
עובדיה בן רויטל
Ovadya bn Ravit
עמוס בן סיגל
Amos bn Sigal
עמית בן מרים
Amitai ben Miriam
רמי בן רמונד
Rami bn Ramond
רועי בן יהודית
Roie ben Yehudit
רותם בן ארנונה
Rotem ben Arnona
רן בן ציפורה.
Ron Ben Ziporrah
שוהם בן יפה פלורה
Shoham bn Yafa Flora
שקד בן אורה
Shaked bn Ora
גיא בן מגי
Geeh ben Maggie
טל חיים בן תמרה
Tal Chaim Ben Tamara
ארנון בן איריס
Arnon ben Iris
צוריאל אליהו בן שולמית
Tzuriel Eliyahu ben Shlomit
מעוז חיים בן חסיה מלכה
Maoz Chaim ben Chasia Malka
משה בן סיגלית חביב
Moshe ben Siglit Chaviv
אוהד בן רחל
Echud ben Rachel
אורי בן רחל
Ori ben Rachel
יהודה פנחס בן שלמה
Yehuda Pinchas ben Shlemah
דוד בן רחל
David Ben Rachel
בניה בן פנינה
Benya ben Penina
אושיק משה בן שושנה זהרי
Oshik Moshe ben Shoshana Zahari
יוגב בן סימה
Yogev ben Sima
ניצן בן מזל
Nitzn ben Mazal
שי בן אורלי
Shai ben Orly
אברהם נחמן בן אוסנת
Avraham Nachman ben Osnat
יעקב בן אוסנת
Yaakov ben Osnat
דניאל בן נעמי פנינה
Daniel ben Nomi Penina
רון מנחם בן חנה
Ron  Menachem ben Chana
נמרוד בן ויקטוריה
Namrod ben Victoria
יונתן מנחם בן שושנה
Yonatan Menachem ben Shoshana
סער בן דבורה
Saar ben Devorah
אור בן דבורה
Ohr ben Devorah
אביחיל אלימלך בן נחמה
AviChayil Elimelech ben Nechama
יאיר שמעון בן נחמה
Yair Shmuel ben Nechama
דני בן מילה
Dani ben Milah
עידן בן בת שבע
Eydan ben Batsheva
אור בן ריקי
Ohr ben Rikki
מאור בן רונית
Maor ben Ronit
מוטי מרדכי בן רונית
Moti Mordecai ben Ronit
עמישב בן אסתר
Amishav ben Esther
ליאור בן ניצנה
Lior ben Nitzna
יאיר בן יעל
Yair ben Yael
ליאור בן רות
Lior ben Rus
טל בן חגית
Tal ben Hagit
יואב בן בלה
Yoav ben Bella
Boaz David ben Frye Tzippora
אליסף חיים בן חיה יהודית Elisaf Chaim ben Chaya Yehudit
מתן בן יעל Matan ben Yael
עמית בן חגית Amit ben Hagit
אייל בן נטע Eyal ben Nitta
אהרן יוסף בן צפורה וורדה Aharon Yosef ben Tziporra Varda




--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 
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Friday, July 18, 2014

Revisiting Chareidi Protest of Draft - Moshe Rabbeinu's Speech to Gad and Reuven (32:6-15) – Justified Rebuke or a Misunderstanding? Parshath Mattot In light of Operation Protective Edge, the ground invasion just starting in Eretz Yisroel

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In light of the ground invasion just starting in Eretz Yisroel:


PARASHOT MATOT-MASEI Moshe's Speech to Gad and Reuven (32:6-15) – Justified Rebuke or a Misunderstanding?  By Rav Elchanan Samet Parshat HaShavua Yeshivat Har Etzion
http://www.vbm-torah.org/parsha.60/42mm.htm

It never made sense to me that Moshe Rabbeinu would not judge Gad and Reuven in a positive light and if mistaken should have apologized to them for having misjudged their intentions. The above article concludes that Moshe Rabbeinu was justified in Rebuking Gad and Reuven.  

Right now many are waiting for the Chareidim, ultra Orthodox Jews, to prove to themselves and to their brothers that they have not abandoned their brothers in a Milchemet Mitzvah, a mandatory religious War  against Hamas and will act like the Tribes Reuven and Gad to help fight the enemy with their brothers and even be in the frontline.

For this to happen the following needs to occur.  Those who led the protest against Chareidi draft need to speak with Clarity to the Chareidi community, ultra orthodox religious Jews, to end the confusion. 

 Contrary to what they led the people to believe, having a Jewish army is actually a Torah commandment and that being drafted into the Israeli army is not as they claim for the purpose of violating Torah but in fact  the opposite, for the purpose of defending the people, the Land and observing Torah from a dangerous enemy and an existential threat.  Operation Protective Edge is proof that this is the case and the soldiers are fighting this War knowing that G-d is their true Protective Edge and Iron Dome. The believing soldiers understand this prophesy of Jeremiah in this week's Haftorah (See Haftorah of Parshat Mattot)

   וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה נְתַתִּיךָ הַיּוֹם לְעִיר מִבְצָר וּלְעַמּוּד בַּרְזֶל וּלְחֹמוֹת נְחֹשֶׁת עַל כָּל הָאָרֶץ לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה לְשָׂרֶיהָ לְכֹהֲנֶיהָ וּלְעַם הָאָרֶץ18:  Jeremiah Chapter 1:18: And I, behold I have made you today into a fortified city and into an iron pillar, and into copper walls against the entire land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land.  19  וְנִלְחֲמוּ אֵלֶיךָ וְלֹא יוּכְלוּ לָךְ כִּי אִתְּךָ אֲנִי נְאֻם יְהֹוָה לְהַצִּילֶךָ: And they shall fight against you but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you says the Lord, to save you.

Undoubtedly, the Israeli government, Netanyahu's administration, has also led to the confusion  of Jews and non Jews alike.  Netanyahu talks as if a Palestinian State is an option and an option for peace. 

 A Palestinian State in Judea and Samaria is not an option. 

 Netanyahu is a master politician and apparently feels he has no choice but to make statements for public consumption that do not reflect truth but rather what the international community wants to hear.  From his perspective, the alternative is to be demonized.

 The reality is that a Palestinian State means the destruction of Israel.

 Mark Langfan, chairman of AFSI Op-Ed: A "Sane Country" Would Not Create a PA Terror State http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/15285#.U8vK1fldUWI and his father William Langfan, Death Camp Liberator, Bill Langfan Warns Israel http://www.eish-l.org/s/epzre7 emphasized this reality when they speak of the existential threat facing Israel and the formation of a Palestinian State. 

 At it's very root, clarity needs to come from Torah  and Torah Leadership. This existential threat is a manifestation of a religious and Biblical truth.

  Israel is labeled by Obama and his administration and internationally as "Occupiers".  This is a Chillul Hashem, a desecration of G-d's Name.  The word Chillul comes from the Hebrew word Challal, which means a void. Israeli's failure to speak out with clarity, publicly, and with strength as per  the Torah position, has led to the confusion. 

 No authentic Rabbi will disagree with the following statements as they are obvious, yet the Rabbis have yet to be vocal..

  • The Land belongs to Hashem.  (Ki li Kol Haaretz as we learn from th Mitzvah of Shemittah)
  • Hashem chooses to whom to give the Land.  (First Rashi of Breishit)
  • Hashem chose our forefathers, Avrohom Yitzchok and Yaakov, and their descendants, the Nation of Israel exclusively to inherit the Land (numerous references in Tanach, Siddur, Tefillin, Mezuzah, Birkat Hamazon....) and noone else! How can we keep the Mitzvoth when we give the Land away? How can we reject Hashem's gift to us and by extension our Blessings and the Blessings to mankind that come through us?
  • Am Yisroel is obligated to keep the Mitzvoth of the Land (Covenant with our Forefathers). (known as Mitzvoth Teluyot Baaretz)
  • Security in the Land is the reward for keeping the Mitzvoth dependent on the Land and the opposite is true as well (See Tochacha sections of Chumash), 
  • It is a Mitzvah for all of Am Yisroel to protect the Land and fight for the Land and expel those who do not belong in the Land since they do not meet the higher standard that the Land demands and we must not act like the Miraglim who discouraged the people from inheriting and conquering the Land of Israel (See Parsha lesson above)
The tragic consequences of being silent in 2005 is obvious now.  Many of these points were made recently in the home of Mark Langfan chairman of AFSI and their recent meeting attended by a full house, by Dror Vanunu and Laurenz from Nitzan of Gush Katif Committee  and Mark Langfan Chairman, AFSI and Helen Freedman, Executive Director of AFSI.  
  • Gush Katif was the front line for Southern Israel
  • Gush Katif absorbed over 5000 katyusha rocket attacks in the years preceding the Expulsion from Gush Katif protecting the rest of Israel.
  • G-d protected the communities of Gush Katif  with miracles and while their lives were greatly disrupted they suffered relatively minimal casualties.
  • Once Gush Katif was abandoned to the Palestinians and taken over officially by Hamas, it became a launching pad into Southern Israel endangering many lives.
  • Gush Katif communitees exported $150,000,000 worth of produce of the highest quality. The desert bloomed after 2,000 years
  • Gush Katif communites were model communities in every sense.
  • Once destroyed, the earth became barren once more in spite of having sold the hot houses.  This is consistent with G-d's promise in the Tochecha in the Torah that the Land will wait for Israel to be productive.
  • Families were torn apart, children taught to believe in the country were betrayed and emotionally scarred very deeply
  • Farmers now in their fifties not only lost their homes and control over their lives, they were unable to find jobs.
The Chareidi world held no massive protests prior to the Gush Katif expulsion. I am not sure how much it helped to hold a Tefilla rally after the fact, to share in the pain.  In America the Rabbanim were advised that they had no right to tell the gov't of Israel what to do.  After all, they don't live in Israel. They excused themselves and their silence as taking their cue from Rabbi's in Israel.  The Rabbi 's in Israel initially took a stand against the expulsion as documented in Halacha Berura a sefer written by Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rumpler. but then apparently politics, blood money as Rabbi Rumpler calls it, helped change their minds and they were passive and basically joined with the gov't. 

 It's time to finally admit we made a tragic mistake by being Silent and and rectifying it.  Please read When Silence is a Sin.   http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2012/05/bsd-more-on-great-assembly-at-marienbad.html

Please review my many blog posts covering the mass protests against the Chareidi Draft and see from the quotes of the leaders of this protest why I came to the conclusion that that these protests had many elements of Dibah Raah and Motzi Shem Ra ."The Hebrew term lashon hara (or loshon hora) (Hebrew לשון הרע; "evil tongue") is the halakhic term for derogatory speech about another person.[4] Lashon hara differs from defamation in that its focus is on the use of true speech for a wrongful purpose  By contrast, hotzaat shem ra ("spreading a bad name"), also called hotzaat diba, or motzi shem ra (lit. "putting out a bad name") consists of untrue remarks, and is best translated as "slander" or "defamation". Hotzaat shem ra is worse, and consequentially an even graver sin, than lashon hara.[4]"

  I did not see any justification based on Torah for a blanket, unconditional ruling to forbid Chareidim from joining the army. 

On the other hand, it is important for Torah Leadership to address the concerns that need to be addressed to ensure that the Israeli army camp is a Holy camp.

Posts covering Chareidi Draft on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
Yakov Horowitz writes:  " In his monumental "Yad HaChazakah," the Rambam (Maimonides), our great codifier of halacha (Jewish law), brilliantly converts nebulous terms like teshuva(repentance), into practical checklists of precise steps one needs to take in order to perform this Torah commandment. This was an extraordinary contribution to Jewish life for it gives us a structured set of sequential steps to take to improve our spiritual and physical lives.  

The main components of teshuvah according to Rambam (Hilchos Teshuva 1:1)  are:

1)      Feelings of remorse for past misdeeds
2)      A sincere commitment to avoid returning to the path of sin
3)      Confessing one's sins
4)      Personally apologizing for the sin
5)      Making retribution 
 
  
In this Zechus of being unified, and correcting our misdeeds, may Hashem protect our brothers and sisters in the IDF and other military units during the ground invasion and beyond and may He return them to the loving embraces of their families safely."

Shabbat Shalom Umevorach! and Shavua Tov!


Sincerely, 

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing. 

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 
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Operation Protective Edge: Updated Global Antisemitism


2014 - Increased Anti-Semitism in France, Netherlands, Turkey, Morocco and United States of America!





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Operation Protective Edge from B'Ahavat Yisrael Fwd: Newsletter (Matot): Vol. VI Sec. 42 / Support our Soldiers in Gaza



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: B'Ahavat Yisrael <bahavaty@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 17, 2014 at 2:19 PM
Subject: Newsletter (Matot): Vol. VI Sec. 42 / Support our Soldiers in Gaza
To: faigerayzel@gmail.com


 
 Inside: 
                       1. Look to G-d
                       2. Support our Soldiers in Gaza
                       3. Recent B'Ahavat Yisrael Deliveries to IDF Soldiers & Israel's Needy

 
 
Look to G-d
by Rabbi Yisrael Kaniel - July 17, 2014
 
Towards the end of the Torah section of Matot, we read of the tribes of Reuven and Gad approaching Moses to request that they be allowed to settle the land on the other side of the Jordan River rather than settle the Land of Israel along with all the other tribes.  After initially being reprimanded for what appeared to be their forsaking the Land of Israel and their brethren, they assure Moses that they do not intend to forsake their brethren in any way.  They only choose to stay in this land because of the great number of livestock in their possession that requires this sort of land for their livestock to thrive.  The tribes of Reuven and Gad inform Moses (Bamidbar 32:16 – 17), "Enclosures for the flock we shall build here for our livestock and cities for our children.  We shall arm ourselves swiftly before the Children of Israel until we will have brought them to their place and our children will dwell in the fortified cities in face of the inhabitants of the land."  Moses responds (Bamidbar 32:20 – 24), "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before G-d for the battle.  And every armed man among you shall cross the Jordan before G-d until He drives out His enemies before Him.  And the Land shall be conquered before G-d and then shall you return, then shall you be vindicated from G-d and from Israel and this land shall be a heritage for you before G-d….Build for yourselves cities for your children and enclosures for your penning and what has come from your mouth shall you do."
 
In Ma'ayana shel Torah, on the aforementioned verses, an intriguing thought is cited from a work called Gan Rave:  One may note that, when they originally suggest their idea to Moses, the tribes of Reuven and Gad express their intention to have their children "dwell in fortified cities" while they accompany their brethren in battle, whereas when Moses reiterates their plan, he only mentions building "cities for your children" and omits the mention of their being fortified.  The reason for this is that the construction of fortified cities could diminish the people's sense of security vis a vis G-d in that they would tend to rely on these fortifications rather than raising their eyes to G-d and leaning on Him, so to speak, for their security.  When our physical surroundings are very "fortified," we tend to become too complacent and look less to G-d.
 
Such a concept of looking less towards G-d as a result of improved physical surroundings can be traced back as far as the beginning of mankind.  We are told (Bereshit 2:8 – 10), "And the L-rd G-d planted a garden in Eden, to the east, and placed there the man whom He had formed.  And the L-rd G-d caused to grow from the ground every tree that was pleasing to the sight and good for food…And a river issues forth from Eden to water the garden."  G-d provides the first man with the most blissful and serene physical surroundings that can be imagined – a veritable utopia.  What happens afterwards is man's being lulled into complacency whereby G-d's one prohibition of refraining from eating of the Tree of Good and Evil does not weigh heavily enough on Adam and Eve and they transgress this one prohibition.  Seeing the detrimental effects of man's surroundings being too blissful, G-d sees no choice but to remove Adam and Eve from this utopia so that they and their descendants should better be able to recognize the Hand of G-d in their lives and not be lulled into complacency by utopian surroundings.
 
This concept also seems to be alluded to in G-d's choosing the Land of Israel for the people of Israel to settle.  With regards to the Land of Israel, we read (Devarim 11:11), "By the rain of the heavens it drinks water."  The Land of Israel is dependent on rain – something that is not readily available to us.  Rain comes from above and is not under our control.  To receive the necessary amount of rain for our crops and other needs, the inhabitants of this land are encouraged to look to G-d for His assistance (see Babylonian Talmud, Rosh HaShana 17b).  On the other hand, the inhabitants of the land of Egypt that our ancestors escaped looked to the ever-present Nile for their water to the point even of deifying it.  The more our physical surroundings are "set", the more we have a tendency to become complacent and think less of our dependence on G-d and His benevolence.
 
Our Torah section teaches us that we must continually look to G-d and not allow "fortified cities" to distract us. We must not become complacent by our pleasant physical surroundings whereby we lose sight of G-d and what He expects of us.  This can only lead to trouble for us.  If we turn away from G-d, we are told (Devarim 11:17), "He will restrain the heavens and there will be no rain, and the ground will not yield its produce, and you will perish quickly from the good land that G-d gives you."  Only if we look to G-d and abide by His wishes, can we expect G-d to fully look to us – positively.  In the Torah, we read (Devarim 11:13 – 15), "And it will be  that if listening, you will listen to My commandments that I command you today, to love the L-rd your G-d and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Then I shall provide the rain of your land in its time, the early rain and the late rain and you shall bring in your grain, your wine and your oil.  I shall provide grass in your field for your animal and you will eat and you will be satisfied."  G-d wishes to provide for our needs but we must look to Him and turn our attention to him "with all your heart and with all your soul – no room for complacency towards G-d.  Look to G-d and He promises to look to you.
 
These days the Jewish people in Israel are faced with mortal danger at the hands of Arab neighbors bent at destroying them.  After abducting three innocent teenage Jewish boys and murdering them in cold blood, our not very neighborly neighbors, after sporadically bombarding different areas over the past months, initiated a fresh barrage of missiles last week over the entire Jewish State, numbering over 1000 to date, with no other objective other than destruction of all in their path – man, woman or child, youngster or senior citizen.  Miraculously, thanks to G-d's benevolence, few missiles have caused any harm. But we are taught not to rely on miracles.  To protect the Jewish State and it's civilian population, many Jewish soldiers have been called up to put an end to this and restore calm to the Jewish homeland.
 
During these trying times, all our Jewish brethren must remain steadfast behind their brothers and sisters in Israel.  Those who do not live in Israel, who may be enjoying relatively calm and blissful lives dare not become complacent.  We all must look to G-d and along with this is G-d's imperative to care for each other.  The soldiers protecting our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel are fighting under very difficult conditions in more ways than one.  We must show that we care.  The B'Ahavat Yisrael organization is beseeching the entire Jewish people to sponsor Personal Care Packages for these soldiers, something to help keep up our soldiers' spirits and assist them practically too.  Let us not be complacent.  Let us in these trying times all show solidarity with our Jewish brethren fighting to protect our people.  Let us look to G-d and show we care.
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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Operation Protective Edge - Tefillin. Key to G-d's miracles when fighting our enemies. Tefillin Campaign for Security in Eretz Yisroel. Amazing youtube of Lubavitcher Rebbe 1967. Recalling Miracles of the Exodus in Operation Protective Edge with a Tefillin Campaign

bs"d

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu, MK's, Rabbanim and Dear Friends and my Fellow Lovers of Eretz Yisroel: 

 The Tefillin Line of Attack - Lightpoints - Parshas Veeschanan
http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2014/08/fwd-tefillin-line-of-attack.html

Tefillin is synonymous with military victory for Israel.  Please watch Lubavitcher Rebbe - The Six-Day War and Tefillin - May 28 1967  A brief history of the Six-Day War and the Rebbe's call for all Jewish men, particularly soldiers in the IDF, to don tefillin as a special merit for added security. http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/397220/jewish/The-Six-Day-War-and-Tefillin.htm (see 2:48 minutes into the video of address of Lubavitcher Rebbe that Lag BaOmer)

 In Tefillin there are four portions  The order of these passages as they occur in the Torah is: 1] "Kadesh Li" (Exodus. 13:1-10), 2] "v'Hayah Ki Yevi'acha" (Exodus. 13:11-16), 3] "Shema" (Deut. 6:4-9), and 4] "v'Hayah Im Shamo'a" (Deut. 11:13-21). http://ohr.edu/3943 Other links about The Mitzvah of Tefillin is http://tefilinhebron.com/eng/about-teffilin.asp?fatherID=5&pageID=7 and The Torah passages (parshiot) in Tefillin http://ott.co.il/tefillin/the-torah-passages-parshiot/

In Exodus :9 it says "And it shall be to you as a sign upon your hand and as a remembrance between your eyes, in order that the law of the Lord shall be in your mouth, for with a mighty hand the Lord took you out of Egypt."  In Exodus:16 it repeats basically the same concept "And it shall be for a sign upon your hand and for ornaments between your eyes, for with a mighty hand did the Lord take us out of Egypt." (underline is my emphasis. Robin)

The Exodus from Egypt is a major theme in the passages in Tefillin.  The passages speak about the redemption of the first born, not eating leavened bread,  Mezuzah, the door post, all connected with the story of the Exodus.  The Exodus was a monumental moment in the world and especially in the formation of a Jewish Nation.  

"The experience of Yitziat Mitzrayim, of the Exodus, was one of Hitgalut haShekinah, of Divine Revelation, of a direct encounter with the Divine. "At midnight, I will go out into the midst of Egypt." (Ex. 11:4) "And I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night" (Ex. 12:12) - "I, and not a messenger; I, and not an angel" (Pesach Hagaddah). This revelation of the Divine reached a new height at the Splitting of the Sea - "This is my God whom I will adorn" (Ex. 15:2) - "A maidservant at the Splitting of the Sea saw what even Yechezkel never saw in his prophecy of the Divine Chariot - 'This is my God' - as if one could point to God with her finger." (Mekhilta). It was this process of Divine revelation that reached its apogee at the Revelation of Sinai, when God reveled God's self to the entire people, in the one never- to-be-repeated moment in history."

The Exodus from Egypt is very connected with the Final Redemption, the Messianic time as it says
"As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show [the people] wonders."[Micha 7:15]   http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/anticipating-redemption-2/03.htm 

In the Tefillin Unification Prayer it says: (Artscroll Ashkenaz Weekday English Interlinear Siddur Shacharis page 6 and 7,  Putting on Tefillin Section)

"The Exodus, and by extension the Tefillin, reminds the Jew and the world that G-d is All powerful. The Tefillin is worn on the heart and the head.  as it says "and it shall be to you as a sign upon your hand and as a remembrance between your eyes". We shall recall the miracles and wonders that He did for us when He took us out from Egypt and the idea that He has the strength and domination over the upper realms and the lower realms to do with them as He wishes. He commanded us to put the tefillin up the arm as a reminder of the outstretched arm of the Exodus and it because it is opposite the heart, subjugating thereby the passions and thoughts of our heart to His service - blessed is His Name;and upon the head opposite the brain, so that the soul that is in my brain together with the rest of my senses and faculties, all may be subjugated to His service - blessed be His Name.  

Open Miracles In Operation Protective Edge.  http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2014/07/operation-protective-edge-miracles.html Israel witnessed over 900 rockets with almost no casualties.  Each time a rocket falls and there is no casualty is a miracle.  These miracles will hopefully be documented and not seen as happenstance.  Let us recognize the open miracles happening on a daily basis!  We can not attribute our success so far to our own might and power.  It must be that G-d in Heaven is protecting us as he did in the Six Day War, in Gush Katif (documented in their Haggadah), and in the Gulf War and countless other times.  If we only acknowledge Hashem's wonderous miracles in the present and link it to the past by strengthening our observance of Mitzvoth especially Tefillin, surely we will merit a great salvation!  

Today is Shiva Asar BeTamuz. Thank G-d  Kerry just postponed his trip to the Middle East. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/14/world/meast/kerry-mideast-diplomacy/  Let us not forget the last time he visited on Asara Beteves http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2013/12/on-snowstorm-kerry-watch-rav-richter.html that brought with it a snowstorm that put Jerusalem in a Siege. When Netanyahu met with Kerry in Washington DC it put Washington DC into a deep freeze.  Now is the three weeks.  Now is the time to recall the tragedies and turn them into days of Praise and Thanksgiving!

Watch: Chabad 'Mitzvah Tank' Joins Troops at the Front Line Chabadnik volunteers provide spiritual and moral support as IDF soldiers poised for Gaza ground assault.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/182756#replies


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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 
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Monday, July 14, 2014

Updated Operation Protective Edge: MIracles occur daily, Netanyahu in the News, Israel and Ethical Warfare and Proportionate response to terrorism

bs"d

Miracles 
Netanyahu and Israeli Gov't Ministers in the News
  • Benjamin Netanyahu Fox News Sunday We Use Missiles to Defend Civilians Hamas Uses Civilians.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9dSEd8FtUA (When Netanyahu mentions why Israel is succeeding he attributed it to an incredible defense system (Iron Dome and he thanked Obama) and for targeting the Rocketeers. Netanyahu forgot to mention G-d's hand in protecting us.  After around 1000 rockets with minimal casualties G-d's hand and blatant miracles need to be acknowledged. What  a Kiddush Hashem to emphasize Hashem's protection over Israel in this time rather than "My strength and my power..." Otherwise, Netanyahu as usual gives an amazing interview.) Robin's comments
  • PM Benjamin Netanyahu on CBS's Face The Nation and FOX News Sunday, Operation Protective Edge. Jul 13, 2014 video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZPktFZcMVs&list=UU4XJnRPZjXhgvVMhXKNSJvQ

Israel's Ethical Warfare and Proportionate Response to terrorism

  • Envoy to UNHRC on Palestinian ICC (International Criminal Court).  Hopes: Israelis Warn Civilians Before Attacks, We Don't. Palestinian Authority TV - July 9, 2014 - 02:28\  video in Arabic with subtitles http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/4343.htm-- 
  • Israel Guilty of Disproportionate Attacks by not Wiping Out Hamas. The only thing disproportionate is the world's hatred of Israel.  Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu Published: July 14th, 2014  Excellent You tube of Michael  Bloomberg. In the CNN clip  from 2009, during Operation Cast Lead, then-New York Mayor Bloomberg said at 1:00 in the video, "There is no such thing as a proportionate response to terrorism." http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-guilty-of-disproportionate-attacks/2014/07/14/




Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog.
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Operation Protective Edge: American Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai - Miracles occur daily. Security Needs Grow as Rioting Continue.

bs"d



panorama
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Our Website | Tours | Donate | Advocacy      Parashat Pinchas Candle Lighting in Jerusalem 7:08 PM   July11, 2014  13 Tamuz, 5774 
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Security Needs Grow as Rioting Continues

The events in Israel over the last few weeks have been extremely difficult.  We continue to grieve with the Shaar, Yifrach and Fraenkel families and pray along with the parents of the Chayalim who are now in harm's way as they protect the people and land of Israel in Operation Protective Edge.
As you are no doubt reading and seeing, there is no area that has been spared from the ongoing violence perpetrated  by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Hundreds of missles have been fired  We iron domesupport the government and its leaders as they plan the appropriate response to this festering evil.  Miracles occur daily and we continue to pray for the safety of all Israelis, they are our brothers and sisters.
Daniel Luria, executive director of Ateret Cohanim in Jerusalem, continues to relay to us anti-Israel, anti-Semitic incidents that occur daily in the "East Jerusalem" neighborhoods where we provide for the social, recreational and security needs for those living in the Old City.  Many of these incidents include firebombs, Molotov Cocktails and large rocks aimed at our children, mothers, fathers, and yeshiva students. Daniel's report follows:
Old City - Twenty-six incidents, most ongoing and life-threatening. Six assaults with physical contact, six incidents of Molotov Cocktails, seven incidents of disturbances of the peace, including rocks and stones from the roofs.There are seven wounded and suffering from anxiety attacks so far.​ 
Silwan, Abu Tor -Twenty-seven incidents, some ongoing and life-threatening. Seven incidents of Molotov Cocktails,Nineteen incidents of disturbances of the peace; including rocks and stones thrown from the roofs.
Mount of Olives-Seventeen incidents, some ongoing and life-threatening. Four incidents of Molotov Cocktails, sixteen incidents of disturbances of the peace, including rocks and stones from the roofs. 
As a result of these events, many are suffering both physically and psychologically. With the barrage of missles, there is really no place to go where a mother can feel that her children are safe.
Our immediate objective is to insure that we help protect our families 
The following are some of the requests from the Security Team:
Flood light projectors to light up homes and streets in front and back
Protective hats with flashlights for medical teams 
Protective hats with inner steel for residents and children
Protective pepper spray
Emergency equipment in the event a rocket falls in the Old City
Enforced Steel Pergolas for the Roof Top Playgrounds
These are just some of the emergency needs that are presenting themselves now. We don't know what the future holds.  Please he protect the families, yeshiva students and children who live in the Old Yishuv.  
donate


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Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 
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Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Operation Protective Edge: MITZVA: JOIN the Shmira Project to Help Protect Israeli Soldiers



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <havanehama@aol.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 2:34 PM
Subject: MITZVA: JOIN the Shmira Project to Help Protect Israeli Soldiers




PROJECT SHMIRA
We are relaunching the ShmiraProject.com whereby people
around the world can sign up to take the name of IDF soldiers to do a
mitzvah in their merit. 40,000 reservists were called up in the past few
hours. 

The site is active and matching people right now. People can register IDF
soldiers names. People can sign on to participate to do a mitzvah.
(*If you know soldiers - sign them up. Gathering soldiers names has been the most
difficult part of the project in the past.)

Please post information on to the list servs you belong to. Spread the
word amongst your friends and contacts.

Last time we had 10,000 people from 35 countries join in 1 week.

Let's do all we can and daven for Hashem's compassion for our
children.
To Sign Up, go to www.ShmiraProject.com


 



--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 
Posted by at No comments:
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