Simchat Torah, Wednesday, Thursday War News: Kassam Attack on West Negev; Arab Stabs & Kills Elderly Civilian in Gilo, Wounds Cop, 14 Terrorists Nabbed, Rock and Molotov Attacks, Beduin Rock Throwers Ambushed by Police

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Parsha Breish’t 5769: New Beginnings; Lessons for the Jews

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By Moshe Burt

Somehow, not being rabbinic or a Talmud Chacham, it has always seemed difficult to put a true and deep meaning of Hashem’s creation to words.

In Hashem’s expression of creation; “Breish’t, Bora, Kelokim.” (“In the beginning, Hashem created the heavens and the earth”, Sefer Breish’t, Perek 1, posuk 1) Torah surely wasn’t referring to that big 7 run 7th inning by the Red Sox in game 5 of the ALCS vs the Tampa Bay Rays where they trailed 3 games to 1 and 7-0 in the game; you know the one, ‘In the big inning.’ read more

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Simchat Torah 5769: The Torah’s Completion and Continuance

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by Moshe Burt

After all of the Simchat Beit HaShoevot, after we daven for sufficient rain to raise our crops and to provide sufficient drinking water and after we daven for the 7O nations, Hashem asks his people, his most-favored nation to remain one more day, just we and HaKadosh Borchu — a private visitation — This is Simchat Torah.

Shem Mishmuel relates to this private visitation, the intimacy which Hashem shares with B’nai Yisrael as opposed to the nations by equating the nations and their collection of their b’racha with a purchaser and a vendor who connect momentarily to conduct a business transaction and then part. I’ll connect the b’rachot of the nations with the contestants on a game show — the losers of each game have their moment where the game show host and the viewers get to know both or multiple contestants a little bit during the interaction of the game. read more

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Sunday War News: Stonings, Molotovs and Injuries; Terrorist, Sheep Rustlers Nabbed; Soldier Attacked, Wounded and Weapon Stolen in Infiltration at Tzrifin Base

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Shas Talks on Joining Livni Government: Jerusalem Not Necessarily Red Line?

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Commentary;

Is there anything at all new under the sun? We’ve known the FACTS regarding Shas’ Jerusalem priority, or lack thereof, for over six months. MB

Shas Negotiating Attorney Indicates Jerusalem Not Necessarily Red Line, Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 17 October 2008 (IMRA)

Full Text;

In a live interview broadcast during the noon news program today of Israel Radio, Attorney David Glass, who is negotiating with representatives of FM Livni on behalf of the Shas party, explained that should a deal be reached with Livni for Shas to join her ruling coalition and the agreement does not preclude negotiations over Jerusalem with the Palestinians that the decision to accept the deal would be left up to the Shas Council of Sages and Rabbi Yosef. read more

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Chol HaMo’ed, Erev Shabbos War News: IDF Nabs 14 Terrorists, Shoot Another, Arabs Caught With Explosives near Jenin, Firebombers Elude IDF After Tossing Molotovs Near Beit El

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Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succot: The Eternality of Hashem’s Covenant with B’nai Yisrael

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by Moshe Burt

There is a section of our leyning for Shabbos Chol HaMoed Succot, immediately following Hashem’s pronouncement of The Thirteen Attributes, which can be seen as directly connected to our Haftorah;

He said, ‘Behold, I seal a covenant before your entire nation I will make distinctions such as have never been created in the entire world and among the nations; and the entire people among whom you are will see the work of Hashem — which is awesome — that I am about to do with you.’ (Sefer Shemot, Perek 34, posuk 10) read more

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Succot, Chol HaMo’ed War News: Terror Suspected in Jerusalem Auto Collision, 4 Terrorists Nabbed, IDF Detonates Hevron Tunnel and Foils Beit El Terror Attempt, Molotov Attack Near Ramallah, 700 More PA Troops to Hevron

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Succot 5769 — The Redemption: Promise, Unity and Fulfillment

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By Moshe Burt

Having emerged from Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and, hopefully we have all been inscribed and sealed for a happy, healthy, successful and meaningful year and years ahead, we find ourselves in the midst of Succot.

During Succot, the B’nai Yisrael, as an Am Segula (a nation apart and unique from the other nations), as Hashem’s special, chosen people, visit, bond, and celebrate our special and unique relationship with HaKodosh Borchu.

Prominent in our thoughts during Succot are the Haftorahs which the prophecy of the War of Gog and Magog, Moshiach, the Ge’ula Shlaima (the Redemption) and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash are pronounced. Or, as the expression goes among baseball fans each springtime — right down to the fans of the most hapless MLB team; “Hope springs eternal.” read more

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Shabbos, Sunday War News: Gaza Arabs Die in Tunnel Work Accident; IDF Nabs 7 Terrorists, Infiltration Attempts at Har Bracha and Near Yitzhar, Stabbing Attempts in Hevron, Arabs Attack Jerusalem Police, Rock and Firebomb Attacks

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