The Implications and Consequences of Expulsion for the Jewish People
In the past, Parsha Eikev has been equated in terms of one’s being attentive to the little Mitzvot; the details, the Mitzvot that one tends to overlook, to ignore, to tread one’s heels on in the mad dash, but without which the Jewish people would lack the merit which sets us apart from common man.
We learn “For the land to which you come, to possess — is not like the land of Egypt from where you came…” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 11, posuk 10.)
First, this report on last night’s rocket blitz on Haifa which killed 3 and destroyed several apartment houses;
3 Dead, 160 Injured in Rocket Barrage on Haifa
Excerpt;
“160 people were treated for physical injuries and psychological trauma. Four people were reported in serious but not life-threatening condition. Seven others suffered moderate wounds. Security officials said at least one of the rockets was a 220-mm Syrian-made missile. The rocket barrage scored several direct hits, including two apartment buildings.”
Israeli Army Says Hizbollah Far from Defeated
40 Troops Battling Hizbullah in Attempt to Destroy Launchers
Excerpts;
“Helicopters dropped off the troops on a hill overlooking Ras al-Biyada, south of Tyre. It is believed that the majority of rocket launchings take place in the region of Tyre.”
Tanzim Commander Apprehended During the Night
Rocket Hits Safed Building; One Injured
14 Hezbollah Fighters Killed in Heavy Exchanges of Fire with IDF Ground Troops
Excerpt;
“One Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed, four others wounded in battles with Hezbollah fighters Monday morning in the south Lebanese village of Bint Jbail. The soldier killed was part of a Paratroopers Brigades force that engaged in gunbattles with Hezbollah in the village. Three of his comrades sustained light wounds.”
A few weeks ago, at the occasion of the special Yom Kippur Kotton Tefillos said in Beit Tefillah Shul of Ramat Beit Shemesh, in reaction to the ongoing war in both North and South of Eretz Yisrael, I delivered a message between Minchah and Ma’ariv. And the point made was that HaKodosh Baruch Hu runs and manages the world with an organized system—–the system being middah k’negged middah (measure for measure). This means that the consequences of mankind’s deeds, both wicked and righteous, is always appropriate, fitting, and indeed, more often than not, the direct result of the deed itself(See Rambam Commentary to Mishnah,Avos,2:6).
On year ago, Tuesday on the English calendar, just a few days before the expulsion, this article appeared on Katif.net A year later, it seems important to revisit the ficticious Benny Darom and the lingering mental, psychological traumas surely being suffered by more than a few of the soldiers who took an active part in the expulsion, the eviction of Jews from Gush Katif.
This fictional story of Benny Darom bears rereading; One year ago our brethren were ousted at legalized gunpoint from Gush Katif, from all that was Theirs, from a part of Eretz Yisrael.
At Least 11 Dead, 13 Hurt, in Massive Hezbollah Rocket Barrage Across North
Excerpt;
“A direct hit on an open area in the northern community of Kfar Giladi, as Hezbollah renewed its rocket fire against Israel with what was described as an enormous barrage.”
For more background, click; Ten Killed in Katyusha Attack near Kiryat Shemonah
Excerpt;
“A massive wave of Hizbullah-fired rockets hit throughout northern Israel around noon. One of the rockets hit a group of people sitting outside the Kfar Giladi cemetery, killing nine and critically wounding four more. Several of the casualties were members of one family. Elsewhere in the area another man was killed.”
The Open Wound of Gush Katif, By Nadav Shragai
For context and for pictures, click here, here and here
When Makor Rishon’s photographer, Miri Tzahi, saw the photo of First Lieutenant Amihai Merhavia, who was killed in the battle of Bint Jbail, it jogged something in her journalist’s memory. She thought she had seen this face before.
Tzahi, who is about publish the album, “Katif – Nine days in Av,” featuring hundreds of photos of the “days of the expulsion,” searched through her computer archive and found a series of photos from around four years ago, showing Merhavia during the violent evacuation of Havat Gilad (Gilad Farm) in Samaria.
Column One: Amateur Hour is Over, By Caroline Glick
The good news is that Israel has not lost the war. We can win. As the IDF’s long awaited ground assault is demonstrating, on a tactical level, the IDF has been able to learn on the go, and learn well.
The bad news is that Israel’s national leadership has so far managed to take every political and strategic advantage that Israel has, and turn it into an impediment. Today, assuming Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will let us win, what three weeks ago could have been a rapid victory will now be costly and slow.
For context, Read what former recording secretary, of the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic Buddy Macy has to say here and here about abandonment by American Jewish Federations of the Jews expelled from Gush Katif.
Jewish Charities Seek $300 Million for Israel , ByAlan Cooperman
Excerpts;
An umbrella organization of North American Jewish charities said Wednesday it will seek to raise a minimum of $300 million in emergency humanitarian funds for Israel this year, one of the largest short-term goals in its history. Howard Rieger, president and chief executive of United Jewish Communities, formerly known as the United Jewish Appeal, said its approximately 120 board members voted unanimously to launch the Israel Emergency Campaign. Rieger called the $300 million figure “a floor, not a ceiling,” and the amount raised probably “will grow beyond that.” The aim is to raise the money fast, ideally within weeks, UJC officials said.
Kassam Rocket Lands Near Nir Am
Anti-Tank Rocket Attack in Lebanon
Excerpt;
“Israel loses seven civilians, five IDF soldiers. Simultaneously, thousands of Israelis enter rocket range when long-range rockets land in Hadera, Zichron Yaacov area. On other side, 40 terrorists killed in southern Lebanese villages, more than 170 targets struck from air.”
Three Killed in Latest Rocket Bombardment in West Galilee
Excerpt;
“A rocket scored a direct hit at their home on Saturday in a western Galilee Arab-Israeli town. The three were a 60-year-old woman and her two daughters, both in their 30s. 170 rockets landed in Israel throughout the day, with 120-130 of those falling in one hour in the late afternoon.”