Jerusalem News (24 August, 2014, 28 Av, 5774)
Contents:
1. Moshiach Must Be Really Really Close by Yekutiel Ben Yaakov
2. Melbourne [Australia] is the world's most liveable city, again
by Richard Willingham
3. This Ongoing War. 4-Year Old Jewish Child Killed by Gaza Mortar Shell
4. Rock-Throwing Terrorist Hits Jewish Driver in the Head, Car Overturns
By: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu
5. Israel is Still Less crazy than anywhere else!
(a) Blessing of the Priests [Birkat Kohanim]; Said Every day in the Synagogues in Israel but not said every day outside of Israel:
(b) Reasons for Living in Israel And Why You Shouldn't Live Anywhere Else
By Meir Solomon
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1. Moshiach Must Be Really Really Close
by Yekutiel Ben Yaakov <guzofskyyekutiel@gmail.com>
forwarded by ObadiYah
When my dear friend Ben Caspit, formerly of the lunatic fringe extremist leftwing ilk writes and op-ed piece calling upon Israel to smash the Hamas enemy without mercy, not to agree to a ceasefire, and to disregard international opinion and get the job done without risking Jewish soldiers even at the expense of killing 'innocent terrorist shield civilians' then you know Moshiach must be here or very near indeed.
When Yair Lapid talks about conquering all of Gaza and about looking for his grandpa's prayer book to pray to Hashem, you know there is something new and special in the air.
When correspondent Ben Caspit today speaks about a wonderful dream that the media would not be broadcasting their nonsense that instills hysteria and fear in the hearts of the people, we are approaching the final days of redemption.
When thousands of Jews come out to Tel Aviv's 'Rabin Square' to pray, there is revolutionary and unprecedented faith and unity in the streets.
When Ofer Winter, the Chief officer in charge of the Givaati Brigade gives a speech that could have been taken straight out of the Bible to strengthen the faith and resolve of his troops before they entered Gaza, this is something new, that we have not seen since the time of the Bible. We are not speaking of an IDF Rabbi, but rather a high ranking combat officer. He made all of the soldiers say shema Yisrael and he spoke about destroying the enemies who threaten Jew s and who defile the living G-d of Israel.
Haaretz and Maariv attacked Machat Givaati Ofer Winter for turning this into a religious war as they spoke, to their great dismay of the new reality of a Jewish army filled with religious zealots who are dominating the combat units, including the ranks of the officers.
When Egypt supports Israel's military operation.
When G-d hardens the hearts of the Hamas who despite their being clobbered continue to force Israel to continue smashing them!
When Israel continues to disregard international pressure for a ceasefire.
When 40,000 fellow Jews show up for the funeral in Haifa of a lone soldier who they never met.
When Israelis start acting nice to each other and stop cutting you off on the roads as they curse you out.
When Rabbis openly speak about driving the Arab enemy out of Israel.
When the Iron Dome miraculously intercepts most of the missiles that would land in populated areas, and 3000 rockets cause almost zero harm.
When dozens of tunnels that were meant to surprise Israel and facilitate hundreds of armed terrorists launching dozens of simultaneous raids into Israel are discovered and blown up by the Israelis who had no intention of fighting this war until they were dragged into this, 18 days ago..
Two weeks ago, the average Israeli would never have supported a ground assault on Gaza.
The Targum in Isaiah 14:29 explains the reference to flying snakes as a sign of redemption. The COBRA helicopters with their insignia of a cobra snake dropping its payloads of explosives over Gaza, and the paratroopers with their flying snake symbol are living prophecy.
The insane bombing of Daniel The Prophet's grave two days ago by Islamic fundamentalists in Iraq can be seen as yet another divine sign to add to all of the other signs about a redemption rapidly approaching. It was Daniel who tried to discover and reveal the date of the final redemption. Yisrael Misgav of Haaretz attacked the new era that this operation has ushered it in, 'Israel has been conquered with prayers'.
This is a war that has great potential to roll into the final war of redemption. Will Israel have the faith to get the job done, disregard world opinion. Destroy Hamas, rid the area of any hostile enemies, liberate all of Gaza and allow the return of Jews to Gaza? If so, then clearly Moshiach is at our doorstep. If not, we will continue to respond to Arabs murdering Jews with ceasefires and wars and more bloodshed. We have reached a decisive and critical juncture in Jewish history and there is change in the air.
Will Jews in the Exile have the faith and wisdom to understand that their time is more than limited with attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions throughout the Exile, with flights being temporarily frozen? Who is to say that Jews will have an opportunity to leave when Israel really does what they ultimately must do? As the prophet Yoel says, the only refuge will be in Zion.
See Rashi in Breishit 15:9 where Rashi speaks of the Moshiach coming when Abraham will send away the Ayit [eagle or vulture], the symbol of America, Â Will Israel have the faith and the courage to do that today?
Regardless, it is clear that the nation of Israel is readier than ever to do so, and that if the politicians once again buckle under American pressure, there will be sever political repercussions for Bibi. Actually in as much as bringing the redemption closer, it is a no lose situation for the good Jews. Because the nation is more ready and prepared than ever to sacrifice with faith in unity.
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2. Melbourne [Australia] is the world's most liveable city, again
by
Richard Willingham
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-planning/travel-news/melbourne-is-the-worlds-most-liveable-city-again-20140819-105nyc.html#ixzz3B6P10BWG
August 19, 2014
Melbourne has retained its status as the world's most liveable city for a fourth consecutive year, outscoring three other Australian cities in the top 10.
The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index found Melbourne to be ahead of 139 other cities, with the city scoring well across a range of criteria, including health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
It also scored a perfect 100 points in the sub-category of sport.
Vienna ranked second in the survey, with Adelaide (5th), Sydney (7th) and Perth (9th) also polling well.
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3. This Ongoing War. 4-Year Old Jewish Child Killed by Gaza Mortar Shell
23-Aug-14: Firing from right next to an UNRWA facility in Gaza, the terrorists achieve a strategic hit
http://thisongoingwar.blogspot.co.il/
Posted: 23 Aug 2014 02:50 PM PDT
Far from the scene, the indiscriminate fire of the Hamas terror forces into Israel and at anything Israeli has an almost-boring sameness about it. Thousands of firings (more than 3,500 in the past 46 days), place names that are vague and usually unrecognizable to non-Israelis, and outcomes that are usually stated as "no injuries, no damage, but that is not what the terrorists intended'.
Here is what the terrorists of Hamas did intend: the violent death of a four year-old Israeli child in his home on a kibbutz in southern Israel. Not occupied, not territories, not an act of liberation. Just a killing, a dead "Zionist", and - finally - a little child.
 Four-year-old boy killed in mortar attack on southern Israel
http://www.timesofisrael.com/four-year-old-boy-killed-in-mortar-attack-on-shaar-hanegev/
A four-year-old Israeli boy was killed by a mortar shell fired from the Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon. The boy, Daniel Tragerman, was at home with his parents and siblings at Kibbutz Nahal Oz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Region, close to the border with Gaza, when the attack took place. An Israeli security source said the fatal shell was fired from near an UNRWA shelter in Gaza... Sirens wailed only very shortly before the mortar shell struck outside the Tragerman family home at the kibbutz, and his parents, Doron and Gila were unable to get their son Daniel into theirr protected room in time. He was killed by shrapnel from the explosion that smashed into the house. Daniel is the first Israeli child to die in the current Israel-Hamas conflict. His death brought the Israeli death toll since Operation Protective Edge began on July 8 to 68. He was critically wounded, and later died of his wounds... The family had only recently returned to their home, having stayed elsewhere during part of the war... [The child] was the first Israeli fatality since Hamas breached a truce on Tuesday and resumed rocket fire at Israel, prompting a re-escalation of fighting and the collapse of ceasefire talks in Cairo. [Times of Israel]
And please: no sanctimonious claims of "he was unfortunately caught in the crossfire". Like innocent victims of all terrorist attacks, 4 year-old Daniel was the target. His being a Jewish child simply completes the Hamas wish-list (see "15-Aug-14: Terror and children").
http://thisongoingwar.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/15-aug-14-terror-and-children.html
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4. Rock-Throwing Terrorist Hits Jewish Driver in the Head, Car Overturns
By: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/rock-throwing-terrorist-hits-jewish-driver-in-the-head-car-overturns/2014/08/24/
A resident of the southern Hevron Hills is in serious condition from injuries to the skull after an Arab rock-throwing terrorist hit him in the head shortly after midnight Saturday, forcing his car to overturn.
The victim's wife and baby, who were traveling in the car on their way home, were not hurt.
The terrorist struck between Al Aroob and Carmei Tzur, immediately south of Gush Etzion and one of the favorite launching areas for Arab attacks on Jewish drivers. The IDF routinely stations jeeps in the area, but restraints on dealing with rock-throwers have hampered deterrence,
The victim was rushed to Hadassah Hospital and is undergoing surgery Sunday morning for internal bleeding and skull fractures.
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5. Israel is Still Less crazy than anywhere else!
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(a) Blessing of the Priests [Birkat Kohanim]; Said Every day in the Synagogues in Israel but not said every day outside of Israel:
Numbers 6:
22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
27 So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
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(b) Reasons for Living in Israel And Why You Shouldn't Live Anywhere Else
By Meir Solomon
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
http://hamodia.com/2014/08/19/reasons-living-israel-shouldnt-live-anywhere-else/
Extracts:
We sit here in Israel, one eye on life, the other on the clock, counting the moments until the ceasefire expires, waiting for the 'boom' that is sure to come. ...
Maybe one has to be a bit meshugga [crazy] to live here, but the way the world looks from where I sit, there is no sanctuary from crazies anymore, and no matter how challenging things are here, it seems the world at large is a much crazier place.
Before I enumerate several of the world's more pronounced ticks and incoherence as reasons for living in Israel, I will give a two-word positive reason: Birkat Kohanim. That is reason enough. End of story. Once every day and on Shabbat a double portion, like manna, the Kohanim ascend the bimah [podium] and sustain the kehillah [community] of Israel with benedictions. This religious rite has been performed for an uninterrupted chain of days, dating back before we were exiled from the land by the Romans.
The benefits of the bentching [blessing] are multi-fold: We the non-priestly are the better and safer for it, and it gives these Sons of Aharon [the priests, kohanim] an extra reason to get the day started with a special sense of purpose. I have had this confirmed by a number of my friends who are Kohanim, who have even described this as 'the highlight of the day.' So either way, Kohen or non-Kohen, everyone wins every day - not just on holidays.
Now, on to a world gone mad:
Let's start with the world's largest authorized and subsidized loony-bin, the United Nations, otherwise referred to behind its back (and it is a very broad back) as the United Nonsense. It is difficult to take seriously an organization that is putatively about human rights, yet populates all its rights commissions with nations who are the principal offenders: Iran was appointed to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women.
The U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is dominated by nations such as Pakistan, judged by human rights advocates as chronic violators of essential freedoms.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned Israel for not sharing its Iron Dome defensive technology with Gaza and its Hamas leadership. Outside of the utter insanity of that remark, it inherently encourages an arms race.
It is from this locus of logic that the inspired decision was made to have the Canadian legal expert and renowned anti-Israel activist William Schabas head the commission investigating Israel for 'war crimes' committed in the defensive engagement, Operation Protective Edge. Dr. Schabas' positions are so noxious that his countryman, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, responded negatively to the news, correctly criticizing the U.N. Human Rights Council (under whose auspices Mr. Schabas will operate) as 'a sham,' and denouncing the investigation as 'an utter shame [that] will do nothing to promote peace and dignity in Gaza for the Palestinian people.'
Added to this pile-on against Israel are the threatened boycotts of arms shipments by both the United States and Britain. The White House is peeved because it feels Netanyahu pulled an 'end around' and did not go through usual channels to replenish arms during the war in Gaza. As stated by members of the U.S. defense community, Israel followed accepted and appropriate protocols in replenishing its stock during Operation Protective Edge. Obama, with his popularity in a nose dive, is thought to be jealous of Netanyahu's approval ratings both in Israel and in the U.S., and this has been offered as a reason for this tempest. Ironically, Obama is making more noise over arms to Israel than over Iran's furthering its nuclear program.
Not to be outdone in illogic, Britain announced that, if there is a resumption of hostilities in Gaza, it will deny certain arms shipments to Israel outright. What that means on a practical level is that Hamas can start the battle and Britain will make Israel pay the price. Win-win for the terrorists of Hamas.
While we are 'visiting' the United Kingdom, supermarkets in Ireland and England have been savaged by anti-Israel demonstrators who have removed everything from the shelves that they 'suspected' is from Israel. The floors were littered with every imaginable item. If someone needed to shop, they would have had to crawl on the floor to find products. In the English supermarket, the kosher goods were removed, and the store clerks said it was done in support of the people of Gaza.
Israel is no less guilty of inane behavior by providing electricity, water and other basics to the Gazan people, who overwhelmingly seek to destroy Israel and all the Jews in it. Whoever accused the Jewish people of being the smartest of all the nations did not 'get the memo' from the government committing itself to protecting the Gazan people. We may as well follow U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay's idea of sending Iron Dome batteries to Gaza, Â but wait a second, the Gazans no longer need Iron Dome defense, because Israel is running out of missiles, because Britain and the U.S. are embargoing Israel.
Speaking of missiles, Hamas has sent a flurry of its calling cards to the south of Israel. See what happens when you take both eyes off the clock and focus them on living? A war breaks out. There is so much more lunacy out there to discuss; come to Israel so that we can talk in person. If that invitation doesn't close the deal I have two words that surely will: Birkat Kohanim.
Meir Solomon is a writer, analyst, and commentator living in Alon Shvut, Israel, with his wife and two children. He can be contacted at msolomon@hamodia.com.
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