An Ancient Fear Reappears

 An Ancient Fear Reappears

The topic of this letter is somewhat unusual as I seldom write about statistics, but an insight while reading past Shabbat's Parasha has prompted some ideas.

The first chapter of the book of Sh’mot/Exodus continues to tell the story of the Hebrew people, who were very fruitful in the land of their sojourn. But then a Pharaoh who did not know his Egyptian history came to power, or in the words of Scripture, “a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph".   By this time, as mentioned, the Hebrews were very prolific, compared to the local population.  Fearing that these foreigners, living among them, might join an invading army, the king decided to do something about it.  So, Abram’s vision that his seed would be in a very dark place for four hundred years was about to be fully manifest.  “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. And Elohim said to Abram, 'Know for certain that your seed will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years'” (Genesis 15:12-13).

We know the story. YHVH heard Israel's cry and sent a deliverer. But what if we were to superimpose the above scenario on our situation here in Israel, comparing ourselves to the Egyptians whose land was being filled with who may be termed as an alien people group? Let’s examine the numbers: The Jewish population of Israel is around 8 million.  The Arab population is Israel is close to 2 million, in the “West Bank” there are about 2.2 million Palestinians, and in Gaza 1.7 million, making a total of around 5 million Arabs.  The greatest concern that we are living with every day, just as did the Egyptians, is that if a foreign entity such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, or in Syria, or the nation of Iran were to invaded our state, the West Bank Arabs and those who are Israeli citizens may join the invading forces.  We have always been conscious of a possible fifth column in our neighborhood. 

This fearful concern almost came to pass on October 7^th. But Hamas made a tactical error as Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen, with the help of the West Bank Arabs and possibly also Arab Israeli citizens, had a specific date planned and coordinated, to attack the Jewish state together. Thus the enemy from within would join the ones from over the border.  Had that happened we would have been overwhelmed by thousands of rockets, drones, along with invading forces. The damage to our roads, communication systems, electronic power, and everything else would have made it very difficult to gather and mobilize our forces.    Thankfully, the Almighty Protector of Israel put it in the minds of Hamas leaders to attack when they did, thus throwing off the enemies' coordinated plans. Hamas jumped the gun but did succeed in breaking through. Once they did, the call went out on all the Arab networks and communication systems for all the Arabs to join in and that included the local population.  The failure of the all-encompassing plan gave us time to mobilize and within just a couple of days we had an army of over 300 thousand troops and armaments along the borders of Gaza, Lebanon, and in the West Bank. 

The government ordered every citizen to have their home shelters ready for use and initially for all communities, big and small, to post local guards 24/7 in and around their towns.  The population in the villages and towns along the borders of Gaza and Lebanon was evacuated. 

This was kind of a long-winded way to compare the present to what went through the minds of the Egyptians in their concern about the Hebrews.  Some of the local Arabs, and many of them in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) celebrated the attack on the southern kibbutzim and towns and on those who participated in the party that took place near the Gaza border on that fatal day. So, what do we do now?  We obviously cannot take the same measures that were taken by the ancient Egyptians. But maybe we can pray that the Almighty will send our Muslim enemies a deliverer who will lead them out of Israel to their 'promised land' in one or all of the 57 Muslim countries. Hopeful thinking? A figment of my imagination? Or perhaps the solution is found in the following statement? "When a man's ways are pleasing to YHVH, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7). 

Marriage - A Living Gospel

 We all have a testimony of how we were “saved” and our lives were transformed from our former ways (of being "lost") to a “Spirit-filled life” (having been "found").  This new way brought us in contact with others, who like us were now reading the Word and getting together in what is called “the church”. As for me, my hunger for the word was like a newborn baby whose instinct to survive was to get as much of the “El Shaddi” as I had time for. 

After the first ten years of playing in the sandbox with other like-minded Christians adhering to the Charismatic expression, at age 37 I suddenly found myself under a hupa in northern Israel committing myself and my life to a lovely Israeli woman.  We have now been together for almost 42 years.  As you probably noticed, I did not use the word “married”, because marriage is a process of unification, that is, of becoming one, as were the male and the female in the beginning.

In those first ten years of being a believer, I probably read or listened to the book of Ephesians thousands of times.  But there was a small section in chapter 5 that didn’t apply to a nice loving bachelor like me.  However, now that I was a husband, I had to take a closer look at what the word of Elohim was saying to husbands:

 ^“Husbands, love your wives, just as Messiah also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.  "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:25 -33 emphasis added).

After one week of this so-called marriage, all my ideas of how it should 'work' were simply obliterated.  From then on, the above has been a prayer, as accomplishing it seemed to be an impossible task. How do you “give yourself up”? Yeshua gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse us. Therefore, I thought to myself, 'His sacrifice was sufficient to do that for my wife and I'.  So how is it that we husbands have to also do what He did?  This did not make any sense to me. My religious fervor and frustration to try and “wash her by the water of the word”, meaning to correct her behavior by using scripture, only turned out to be a legalist effort to demand submission. I’m sure we all know the result of that!

We cannot escape Paul's comparison of the relationship between husband and wife to Yeshua’s relationship with the Kahal of Elohim.  Therefore, what Paul is saying is that the reality of the Gospel is lived out in a marriage 24/7.  This is not about religion. The key to understanding a living Gospel is seen in the beginning of Chapter 5.   "And walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2 emphasis added). I am not sure how many marriages produce a sweet-smelling aroma of the presence of Messiah. But here again, we read “gave Himself ".  The Greek word “paradidomi” means to hand or deliver one's self over as an expression of loving one's wife.  But before we can do that notice the first three words, “walk in love”, just as the Messiah walked.  The Hebrew word for "walk" is “halach” and can mean the way one lives life. 

One of the scriptures that mystifies us the most, giving room to much pondering, is Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (emphasis added). Here again we read, “gave Himself up”.  Yeshua’s giving of Himself or delivering Himself up to death is what the living Gospel is all about. Therefore, as husbands who love their wives, we demonstrate that same 'delivery' of ourselves which is paramount to laying down our lives for our spouses.  In doing so we become a vessel or channel of the living waters of the Father’s love that will work His power to sanctify and cleanse, so that together we become a fragrance of Messiah as Paul indicates in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16:  "For we are a fragrance of Messiah to Elohim among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life".  Amazingly, the marriage is the testimony, the witness of the reality of the Gospel of the Kingdom on earth.  If it is not seen in the family then how can it be in a nation?

Perhaps the best way to conclude this letter is to take the counsel of Romans 12: “I urge you therefore, brethren/husbands, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to Elohim, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of Elohim is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  For through the grace given to me, I say to everyone/husbands among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as Elohim has allotted to each a measure of faith” (verses 1-3).

The Vehicle for the Agenda

 A New Covenant verse, that is often quoted (especially during this season, of the Festival of Lights) states “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yeshua His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  You may be under the impression that I’m about to present some exhortation on the subject of “fellowship”, or on "light", but neither is the case. I would like to share what I see and hear emanating from some who profess to be walking in this Light of Messiah.

“O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of YHVH. For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children of foreigners.  Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots.  Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made” (Isaiah 2:5-8).

If we as believers are walking in YHVH’s light then our eyes should be open to see that the above scripture describes rather accurately the current condition of the (supposedly) Judeo-Christian Western civilization.  The values of these two religions have acquiesced to the spirit of humanism.  Humanism is defined as “an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems…" Humanism, therefore, allows each individual to decide what is right in his/her own eyes, and conversely, what is wrong. 'Who is the good guy and who is the bad one'.  Moreover, to prove this personal 'rightness' or self-determined justice, others have to be found who will consent to and confirm one's opinion. Such autonomous and subjective points of view do not necessarily seek out facts and are not subject to any absolute norms.  Thus, ignorance of pride and self-righteousness are highlighted and are guided only by the ideal of a so-called rational mind and self-esteem. This is what we could call 'walking in darkness' and in deception. 

The evidence today of the above problem is seen quite clearly in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. This is not just a war between these two parties. It is, as most of us have seen, a conflict between the Islamic agenda and Western civilization that Islam aims to conquer and destroy and to establish a more righteous, just, and moral Islamic social order (as any true Muslim would see it) in its place.  Islam also has had a vendetta specifically against the United States, Great Britain, and France.  For over 500 years the Ottoman Empire was a Caliphate, which was destroyed and divided up by these three nations.  In the process of doing so, they granted the Jews (Islam’s ancient enemy) a colony/territory in a Muslim piece of land which they called Palestine.  The Islamic world cannot accept a Jewish state on (what they consider) Islamic land, and most if not all 58 Islamic states are united on this one issue.  Jews and Christians can live under the authority of Islam but only in a subservient status.

The Islamic intellectuals have taken advantage of the present liberal humanistic values and mindset mentioned above, to invade the educational, cultural, governmental institutions, etc. of the Western nations. The oil-rich Islamic nations have pumped billions of dollars into colleges and universities along with their young people of their ilk.  They are also settling into areas of the bigger cities since the latter, being economic centers, offer greater advantages.  Additionally, proliferation in an urban environment is less conspicuous and the agenda can be better hidden, as individuals and families settle peacefully and little by little takeover.  If they have a just cause and can tap into the local population for support, it only adds to their legitimacy and acceptability. 

Proof of the above facts, one can see in the hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims who have joined ranks in supporting “human rights”. The cause sounds great, but who is determining this form of justice?  The Western world of humanistic reasoning has lost its foundational moral values. Now everyone can do what is “right” in their own eyes.  The consequence of this way of life is death, especially to truth, because the root cause is and always has been the partaking of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. 

"Who among you fears YHVH? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of YHVH and rely upon his Elohim.  Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled -- This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment” (Isaiah 50:10 -11).  BUT, “How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O YHVH, they walk in the light of YOUR countenance.  In YOUR name they rejoice all the day, and by YOUR righteousness they are exalted” (Psalm 89:15-16). 

PENIEL

 

Last Shabbat's Parasha took us to the bank of the Jabbok brook, where a frightened Jacob was taking precautionary measures before meeting his brother Esau, who was about to launch an assault on him and his entourage. Splitting his family into two groups ("camps"), so as not to be bereaved of all of them, was a desperate move on the part of this man who was making his way back to the land of his fathers. But to Jacob's credit, it must be pointed out that he also did something else – he addressed the Elohim of his father Abraham and the Elohim of his father Isaac – YHVH who had called him to return to his land. Jacob prayed and asked the Elohim, who according to his admittance, had shown him much favor, to rescue him from his brother. He then did something else, he sent many gifts of livestock to Esau, to entreat his favor. Having done all things he was still restless on that fatal night; he therefore arose and took his now double entourage and helped them cross the Jabbok brook. Left alone, was Jacob at the mercy of his brother, or was he at the mercy of his Elohim? … Whose authority did he deem to be the greater in this situation?

But Jacob didn't have to ponder for long, as suddenly he found himself in a struggle. Out of nowhere, there appeared "a man" who fought him until the break of dawn. At such a time Jacob no doubt forgot his troubles, the possible outcome of his encounter with his brother, and the future and fate of his family. The current situation left him no choice but to concentrate on what was at hand, including the dialog between him and his unnamed opponent. Having fought hard and relentlessly, and although now maimed, a shift of focus has taken place in this man's state of mind – as he has just seen Elohim face to face, but his life has been spared. If seeing Elohim has not brought about an end to his life, meeting his brother certainly seemed much less consequential. What's more, he was no longer Jacob, he was now Israel who "struggled with Elohim and with men and prevailed".  Jacob named the place of his momentous encounter Pni-El. But in the next verse, the name is transformed into Pnu-El. 

"When a man's ways please YHVH, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7 emphases added).  Evidence of this truism is found in Jacob's words to his brother Esau following the nocturnal episode: "If I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of Elohim, and you were pleased with me" (Genesis 33:10 emphasis added).

Ezekiel chapter 20 covers an extended time period, past and future, with an abridging passage that may be quite relevant to our day. Here are some excerpts from that interim segment: "And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face... "I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant" (vs. 35,37 emphases added). When the sheep pass under the shepherd's rod, they do so one by one, for the shepherd to examine each individually.  Additionally, in Isaiah chapter 27:12, we read: "And it shall come to pass in that day that YHVH will thresh, from the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; And you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel" (emphases added). Are all these prophecies cornering each member of restored Israel into their respective Peniel moments? And what about the name change, mentioned above, from Peni-El to Penu-El? (That is, in 32:31 it is no longer Peni-El, but rather "Penu-El" – TURN TO EL).

The Pni-El - Pnu-El experience not only accomplished the peace that now existed between the two brothers but also established Jacob as a man with a clear and fearless vision as to his affairs and the calling that was put upon his life by his Elohim. When offered to come and live under his brother's auspices, which could have been a tempting proposition, Jacob didn't hesitate, and declined (politely, we may add) the generous offers "and [he] journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house... (Genesis 33:17).  

Turning to El, resolve and clarity were the results of Jacob's water-shed experience. Thus, before their reunion, an experience of no lesser magnitude is awaiting Jacob's-Israel's sons at the bank of each of their own Jabbok* experience!

*Jabbok – Yabbok – possible root a.v.k (alef, bet/vet, kof) meaning "dust", as is also the meaning of "struggle" – ma'avak. Or, b.k.k. (bet, kof, kof) which is "to empty/pour out".       

YHVH's End Time Weapon

 If we are going to understand the present Israeli – Arab conflict, we have to examine its roots.  The drama of our day, which many consider to be the “last days”, is the Genesis conflict between Jacob and his brother Esau.  We, along with many others, are viewing the 10 nations of Psalm 83 as the protagonists that constitute the Islamic “uma” (the “nation Islam”), and the "Israel" mentioned there, as the present Jewish nation-state.  However, there is one more representative of Israel who although not recognized, has a very important role to play in this configuration. This entity is mentioned by most prophets but for some strange reason, it remains hidden in the shadow of prophetic history. 

The prophet Obadiah is not the only one who resurrects the above-mentioned ‘mystery man’.  The sole chapter of the ‘book’ of Obadiah is all about Edom/Esau, describing the very nature of his latter-day conduct and how he has dealt (or will deal) with his brother’s time of corrective judgment, called “Jacob’s trouble” - tsarah - distress, calamity.  “Alas! for that day is great, there is none like it; and it is the time of Jacob's distress, but he will be saved from it” (Jeremiah 30:7).  There are many previous examples of Jacob being saved out of his troubles throughout history as his Elohim extended compassion and forgiveness to Jacob/Israel after severe judgments (tribulation or distress).  No doubt we are facing this reality today.  Amazingly, Esau seems to appear each time in the context of Jacob’s troubles.  But in the case of Obadiah, it says that YHVH would judge Esau and his land by fire. Where does this fire originate? None other than from "… the house of Jacob [that] will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; but the house of Esau will be as stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them so that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau, for YHVH has spoken” (Obadiah 1:18).

It seems that the Almighty One, who has hidden this mighty mystery person, will resurrect him as a corporate entity (house) when the right time comes. But when will that be?  Obadiah states that when YHVH causes the House of Jacob to “possess their possessions” (ver.17), He will set that house on fire as mentioned above.  But lo and behold a flame, out of that fire, also appears… it originates from none other than the House of Joseph! Many today in Christendom, Judaism, and Messianism do not recognize this house, but maintain that he is included in the House of Judah. This mistake snuffs out the flame that is so needed, especially in this latter-day war with Esau and the other nations that have joined with him to wipe out Israel as a nation (see Psalm 83).  

Why is it that many believe that the present-day enemies of Israel are those ancient foes of Jacob, but fail to recognize Joseph (in his gentile garments) as still a viable Israelite entity? The spirit of anti-Semitism not only tries to snuff out the fire of Jacob (the Jews) but also the flame of Joseph. Removing the House of Joseph or the stick of Joseph's prophetic history, as though it does not exist in the Word of Elohim, results in severe consequences, especially in the body of Messiah, which is supposed to be the united House of Israel.  Not recognizing Joseph and the role that he plays causes the body to limp along on one leg, or worse… during the time to fight the end-time battle with Esau and the kingdoms of this Greek world, the bow of Judah would thus remain arrow-less, contrary to the prophetic prediction: “For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; and I will make you like a warrior's sword. Then YHVH will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning, and Adoni YHVH will blow the trumpet, and will march in the storm winds of the south” (Zechariah 9:13-14 emphasis added).  

What is interesting about the above-mentioned “Jacob’s Troubles”, is the context in which it is set.  “For, behold, days are coming,' declares YHVH, 'when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.' YHVH says, 'I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it'" (Jeremiah 30:3 emphases added).   Is there a link between the Two Houses of Israel (Judah and Joseph/Israel) returning to their possession and the troubles that they will face when this union between the Land and these two families takes place?  “Now these are the words which YHVH spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah, for thus says YHVH, 'I have heard a sound of terror, of dread, and there is no peace. Ask now, and see, If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?  Alas! For that day is great, there is none like it, and it is the time of Jacob's distress/trouble, but he will be saved from it” (Jeremiah 30:4-7 emphasis added). 

Contrary to the common belief that Jacob's trouble or distress applies to the Jewish nation only, the above scripture makes it quite clear that the union of Israel's Two Houses is followed by a tribulation period. Zechariah 9:6-11 elaborates even more on this time- period. "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am YHVH their Elohim, and I will hear them.  Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as if with wine. Yes, their children shall see it and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in YHVH. I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will redeem them; and they shall increase as they once increased.  I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember Me in far countries; They shall live, together with their children, and they shall return…”  But in spite of the joy that this restoration will generate, notice what comes next:  "He shall pass through the sea of trouble, and strike the waves of the sea: All the depths of the River shall dry up" (emphasis added. This passage echoes the exodus from Egypt).

This season is followed, of course, by the two being engaged in military campaigns, such as we saw above, where they are described as fire, as a bow, an arrow, and a sword. Isaiah 11:11-16 delineates more aspects of their military feats and their results. Jeremiah 51:19-24 expounds further on Israel's might, as a powerful hammer in YHVH's hand. Thus, not only does YHVH take the two sticks (of Ezekiel 37) and makes them One in His hand, but He will also use that Oneness as His instrument of war.

Ancient Israel was beset by certain enemies who were determined (unsuccessfully) to annihilate her. It is the same Israel now who is facing the identical foes as she did then.  The spiritual parallels (of the kingdoms of the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece) are manifesting themselves through the same people groups that were already identified eons ago in the Word of YHVH.  

Honey and the Sting

 This is the title of a song that was penned many years ago and fits our present reality.

"Sobering up" is the current catchphrase – hit'pak'chut – here in Israel. Hitpakchut does not mean that up until now people were being inebriated with alcohol, but for too long there has been a deep rift among various sections of the population, to the point that each group was completely unable to see the other's point of view or show empathy to anyone but those in their own opinion-group. Our prayers have been directed toward a call for disillusion. That is to say that, politicians, religious leaders, entertainment, and economic success cannot and will never satisfy. Abba has indeed answered this prayer, though at a tremendous cost. The Jewish people in Israel are in a different place at the moment, amidst the sorrow, grief, fears, and uncertainty there is a great measure of brotherhood. A brotherhood that on October 7th, and beyond, manifested in many cases of self-sacrificial acts for the sake of saving others' lives. And this keeps going on, with compassion, help, and support of every type being shown toward one another, especially toward those in need as well as toward our troops in the armed forces. A "waking up" (another translation for "hitpakchut") is happening in most circles.

But something even more significant is taking place. Many are turning to Abba, even among those who are not declaredly religious or traditional. People are truly taking a 'second look' and are asking themselves deep questions. They are daring to tread and step into areas that were thought to be 'dangerous', that which has been labeled here as "religionization" (similar to "Judaizing" in the Brit Chadasha). Up until recently, this was the 'demon' that the secular dreaded, so much so that any show of interest or introduction of biblical topics (not even in the realm of religion) would cause many to rise up with this 'fear of religionization', or in other words what they thought to be Jewish missionizing.  This fear seems to have evaporated to the point that soldiers of every background get together to pray before going on a mission or to sing together verses or prayers and no one seems to be worried or concerned (as they would have done in the past) that they are being brainwashed or manipulated. 

The stories of those whose lives were spared on October 7th when they prayed or cried out the Sh'ma, or had their communities' gates closed because of the Shabbat are circulating around the country. People are not ashamed or embarrassed to bring Elohim's name into the conversation. But what seems to be the peak of all these events was a speech delivered by a Knesset member, from the podium of Israel's legislature. This is unprecedented. No one has ever spoken words like these in that house, words that address and recognize a much Higher Authority than those who are occupying the Knesset's 120 seats. Some of you may read the transcript already but for those of you who haven't, we are posting it at the end of this article.

However, in order to be firmly planted on the ground of reality, there is much more to the story, as you can well imagine. As mentioned, there are of course many bereaved and traumatized families in Israel whose lives have been shuttered by the atrocities that they and their dear ones have experienced and are now having to somehow continue their everyday existence. All of these people are now displaced. Those who are from kibbutzim still have their communities to 'fall back' on and are trying to bolster each other up as they stay together in their new and temporary homes, but that is not the case for those who are residents of the southern towns. In their new 'homes', mostly in hotels, they are rather forlorn, with their routines totally disrupted. Most are unable to continue in their jobs, as they are very far removed from their workplaces. Their children are not in their secure and familiar framework of school. What are they to do? How are they to handle their daily living? What little help they get is often not sufficient, both financially, but mostly emotionally. The reports about these ones are very grim. There is also a serious concern as to their inter-family relationships (similar to the Covid 'season'). This is just a very brief glimpse into another aspect of the current reality, which hardly scratches the surface…

But now back to the Knesset Member's speech. 

“I want to talk for a moment about one little spiritual element that caught my eyes and ears. I'm talking about Margalit Megiddish mother of [former hostage] Ori Megiddish who BARUCH HASHEM was returned home.

A few days before Ori came home there is a video/picture of mother Margalit standing and doing hafrashat challah [ritual before shabbat]. While she is doing the hafrashat challa she is praying to HASHEM, asking Him for mercy and His help, asking Him to bring her child home - which is a normal thing that the ears and eyes are used to. It looks natural and logical; many people pray at such a time [of distress]. But during this prayer, there was a completely spontaneous moment where, suddenly, in tears, in truthful endless sorrow, in the mental tension/anguish of having her child in the hands of Hamas in Gaza - while she prays, suddenly, like an aside, bursting out of her mouth she says: "HASHEM! I love you!"

I saw this and I thought, wow. To keep loving HASHEM at this moment?! You say to HASHEM, from the depths of the soul, from the kishkas [inner core] it came out, with tears, "I love you?" Your daughter is in Gaza held by Hamas. I just couldn't digest it. I couldn't do it. And since then I can't stop thinking about it.

Now, I know, to a lot of people this kind of thing looks primitive, unsophisticated, simple, voodoo, mumbo jumbo, like a woman not absorbing the reality in which she finds herself. But I want to say, that as soon as she said it, I envied her. I envied her unimaginable degree of faith. It's NOT simple. It's NOT primitive. It is spirituality at the highest level, so high and powerful and sophisticated and strong.

I think of all the Zen Buddhists and monks and others who devote their entire lives to spiritual ascension - these people don't scratch the ground on which Margait stood at that moment. Because she understood, deeply, that the divine providence of HASHEM, everything, starts and ends with goodness. And even when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, you shall not fear evil. Because He is with you. And there is some giant metaphysical truth where everything that happens, even if you are in a huge dark pit, a mother worrying for her baby girl who is in the hands of the worst human predators, in the hands of the wildest men - even then she understands deep down in her heart that HASHEM is doing something that is for the benefit of some general good that right now, with her mortal eyes, she cannot see.

I am a believer. I am very much a believer...although I am a dry believer as Speaker of the Knesset...I believe in divine providence and I believe everything is for the best. I believe there is some supernal mathematics in the higher worlds that I can't understand with my mortal eyes. But I believe when I'm safe at home and praying by the Shabbat candle. Not when G-D forbid one of my children is in mortal danger.

I want to say to Margalit, this righteous mother - you are my hero. You are an example for me. You are my role model. I wish I could reach the spiritual heights and the sanctification of HASHEM that you did. Continue to daven, Margalit, for all the other abductees. You have a direct connection to HASHEM. Continue. You, and all of our brave soldiers. The nation of Israel is in amazing synergy with the soldiers, our heroes on the ground. And our women who pray - nothing is better than this.

Thank you very much.”

The Present War

 Is the war presently being fought in Israel the beginning of the Gog and Magog War of Ezekiel 38? I don't think so. I may be wrong, but here is a statement from this chapter that leads me to believe that we are not in the throes of the Ezekiel 38 scenario:  "After many days you [Gog] will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them” (Ezekiel 38:8 emphases added).  Obviously, the two sticks of the previous chapter have not yet been joined together on the mountains of Israel, nor are they restored from the sword, or living securely.  At this point in time only the House of Judah has returned to a small portion of the Promised Land. So, what is the present war all about?  

The prophet/watchman Habakkuk was complaining to the Almighty that all he saw was violence:  "The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 'O YHVH, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, 'Violence!' [chamas] And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law [Torah] is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds" (Habakkuk 1:1-4).

I mentioned Joel chapter three a couple of weeks ago, which describes a war that takes place during the days of Judah and Jerusalem and is fought with the surrounding nations.  I might add that, this war started in the late 1800's when the Jews began to fulfill their national aspirations. "For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land” (Joel 3:1-2). These words echo Ezekiel 36:  "Thus says YHVH Adonai, 'Because the enemy has spoken against you, 'Aha!' and, 'The everlasting heights have become our possession'…  "Surely in the fire of My jealousy, I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who appropriated My land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn of soul, to drive it out for a prey" (Ezekiel 36:2,5).

For well over a hundred years now, the Jewish people have reclaimed parts of the Promised Land and established the State of Israel. At the same time, the gathering of all nations (in the form of the League of Nations and later the United Nations) has also taken place.  All this was and is for the sake of YHVH's people and His inheritance “Israel”, a large portion of whom are still scattered in the nations and as of yet have not been restored to their identity. Additionally, the sections of the land that they are to reclaim are still occupied by the ten-nation confederacy of Psalm 83.  

Zechariah chapter 10 portrays Judah as a mighty army, during the time of the latter rain or end times: “For YHVH of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like His majestic horse in battle” (Zechariah 10:3).  He then assigns them tasks: "From them will come the cornerstone, from them the tent peg, from them the bow of battle, from them every ruler, all of them together. And they will be as mighty men, treading down the enemy in the mire of the streets in battle; and they will fight, for YHVH will be with them” (Zechariah 10:4-5). Judah is seen here as a mighty warrior, which is reminiscent of what is said in Joel 3, regarding the war with the surrounding nations: “Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up!  Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, 'I am a mighty man.'  Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down, O YHVH, Your mighty ones” (Joel 3:9-11 emphases added).  

According to Zechariah 10, while Judah is back in the land with Jerusalem as its capital, YHVH is out in the nations saving the lost sheep of the house of Israel/Joseph.  “And I shall save the house of Joseph, and I shall bring them back because I have had compassion on them; and they will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am YHVH their Elohim, and I will answer them. And Ephraim will be like a mighty man” (Zechariah 10:6-7 emphasis added).  Here we see that Ephraim is also raised up to be a mighty man.  Could these be the same "mighty men" that Joel is speaking about, who come down and fight this battle with the surrounding nations? Isaiah 11 also speaks of the two joining together in this latter-day battle with the surrounding nations:  "And He will lift up a standard for the nations, and will assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.  Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and those who harass Judah will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim.  And they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west [the Gaza Strip?]; Together they will plunder the sons of the east; They will possess Edom and Moab; And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them.  And YHVH will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt” (Isaiah 11:12-15). 

When this regional and well over one century-old war comes to an end, and with the tent pegs stretched, Ephraim will take over Gilead and Lebanon and some of the territory of the other surrounding nations that will have become subjected to Israelite rule.  "I will whistle for them [Ephraim] to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; And they will be as numerous as they were before.  When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in far countries, and they with their children will live and come back.  I will bring them back from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon Until no room can be found for them". (Zechariah 10:8-10).