Israel and The Sin of Expulsion
The Implications and Consequences of Expulsion for the Jewish People
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The first word of our parsha; Vayikra begs discussion of why the small “aleph” in Vayikra, and tells much about Moshe Rabbeinu’s level of principle, integrity and his standard of leadership of B’nei Yisrael.
We are told how Hashem, Kav’yochal, would call gently, affectionately
“Moshe, Moshe” in a voice for Moshe Rabbeinu’s ears only and Moshe would respond “Here I am.” (Rashi on Perek 1, posuk 1 Metsuda Linear Chumash & Rashi with footnotes)
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Commentary:
Here’s anoutrage which should NOT pass from the Jewish scene unnoticed.
The Daily Alert, prepared by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, posts that according to Minister Haim Ramon; Hamas prisoner demands constitute an ultimatum for Israeli surrender in a translation of a Voice of Israel Radio-Hebrew report:
Israeli Minister Haim Ramon, a member of the Ministerial Committee on Security Prisoners, told Israel Radio Thursday that Hamas did not negotiate over the release of prisoners but rather presented an ultimatum for Israeli capitulation.
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Commentary:
How long will the Jewish people tolerate this vicious cycle of repetition? What is new in Amos Gilad’s comments that we do not already know and which we have not heard adnausium countless times before? Didn’t we know that Hamas can’t be trusted before Operation Cast Lead? Didn’t we know Hezbollah’s shtick before the Lebanon conflict 2 years ago? Yet, rather than displaying her earlier self-reliance such as in the Six-Day War, the Entebbe rescue and the bombing of the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor site, Israel continues entering into truces and ceasefires with enemies who nullify agreements at their convenience and continues to abrogate her security to third party nations and the UN. What will it take for the Jewish people to demand; with their votes, feet and bodies, a faith-based governance and a return to the self-reliance which comes with doing the right Jewish thing and relying on Hashem, rather than on third party nations, “superpowers” or the UN? MB
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Kassam Attack on Eshkol Region
Explosion in Herzliyah, No Injuries [Detonation of Concealed Explosive Device]
IDF Arrested 16 [Terrorists] Suspects [Near Ramallah, Silwad, Near Hevron]
Molotov Hurled at Israeli Vehicle near Kalkilya
Police Shoot Terrorists who Tried to Run Them Over [in the Southern Hevron Hills]
Rock Attacks Near Carmei-Tzur [Next to Ofakim Junction]
Stones Thrown at Israeli Bus, Cars Near Bethlehem; None Hurt
Molotov Cocktail [Near Karnei Shomron], Rock Attacks in Yesha
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Commentary:
Could there be a connection between Israel’s weak, lame or non-existent responses to continued Gaza rocket fire and the combined arsenal of nearly 50,000 rockets possessed by Hamas and Hezbollah and Israel’s lack of an anti-rocket defense system? Could it be that this immense arsenal is mainly the result of smuggled materials which enter Gaza and southern Lebanon right under the noses of UN and/or Egyptian forces due to Israel’s abrogation of her national sovereignty, her right to win a war and to eradicate terror as well as abrogation of her defense and security to third parties — often hostile nations? Will the US, Canada and seven European states’ agreement, soo lauded by Israel’s government, to coordinate efforts to stop the flow of weapons into Gaza make any difference?
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The terms leadership, accountability and transparency have often been bandied about in contemporary Medinat Yisrael where dedication, diligence and overiding concern for the welfare of the Kahal have often been wanting as compared with the influence, enrichment, protexia and political agendization of the few, the priviledged, the elitists.
Our Parsha Vayakhel is dedicated to teaching B’nai Yisrael about Shabbat which has always, until recent times, been the unifying, defining factor of Judaism. It alludes to all else — Yishuv HaAretz, Kiddushin, etc. It symbolizes the Jew’s faith in Hashem. The parsha begins by stating that “Moshe assembled the entire congregation of B’nai Yisrael…” (Perek 35, Posuk 1) However, Torah’s loshen (language) “Adat B’nai Yisrael”, in the context of learning the laws of Shabbos as related to the construction of the Mishkan, seems to indicate a unity, as one, amongst the Assembly of the B’nai Yisrael.
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Two More Rockets Fall on Eshkol Region [Between 10 and 11 AM]
Rocket Attack on Eshkol Area [Friday AM]
Kassam Attack on Shaar Hanegev
Rocket Fired From Gaza Hits Sha’ar Henegev Region; None Hurt
PA Releases 45 Hamas Terrorists
Tanzim Terrorist Arrested near Ramallah
IDF Arrests 2 Terror Suspects [Near Bethlehem, Near Jenin]
Attempted [Shooting] Attack [on Woman Driving] Near Dolev
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Military Intelligence: Iran Can Produce Nuclear Weapon
Four Kassam Rockets Strike South [Two Hit Eshkol Region, Two struck Sdot Negev], by Yaakov Katz (Jerusalem Post)
Olmert to Barak: You’ve Shown There Was No Value to Cast Lead
IAF Aircraft Hit Munitions Warehouse, Smuggling Tunnels in Gaza
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For many years, since 1991 when Parsha Ki Tisa marked my son Philip’s Bar Mitzvah, I have spoken or written about a posuk in our Parsha which alludes to an event which is recorded in Torah 40 years later, in a subsequent Parsha.
The posuk being referred to (Sh’mos, Perek 30, posuk 30) says that while Moshe Rabbeinu was on Har Sinai being given Torah, Hashem said;
“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them to minister (to serve) me.”
This seemingly obscure posuk which pops up in a couple of slightly different forms in both Parsha Tetzaveh and in our Parsha raises a challenging question which cuts to the chase of what we continue to face today. The question is; what about that Pinchas Ben Elazar? Why was he not anointed as a Kohen with his brothers?
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Arabs Fire Five Rockets at Israel Over Shabbat
Palestinians in Gaza Fire Kassam Rocket at West Negev; No Casualties
IAF Targets Terrorist Smuggling Tunnel on Philadelphi Corridor
Palestinians: IAF Strike Kills Terrorist Firing Rockets From Gaza
Kassam Lands in Eshkol Region; No Casualties or Damage
Israeli Woman Injured by Arab Rock Throwers [Between Beersheva and Aro’er Junction]