Author: Ariella Golani גולני

Whose is the Land Anyway?

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Why the Forever Trouble with Gaza?

The Test of Abraham

Recently I was blown out of the water when I heard a different explanation to the Genesis account of the sacrifice of Isaac. For years I have contemplated this story. What was the sacrifice about anyway? Christians say it prefigured the death of Jesus. Some say it was just a test. Or was it given to show God’s hatred of child sacrifice–idolatry? Let’s step outside the box for a moment and go to the context in Genesis.

Abimelech was not a friend of Abraham’s. If we remember, Abimelech took Sarah to be his wife earlier, and then in a later encounter, Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant over a well in Beersheba–a peace treaty if you will.

Let’s go there and see what this was all about. In chapter 20 Abraham loses Sarah to Abimelech. This king was actually doing what was natural for him to take a beautiful woman as his wife. Abraham showed a lot of cowardice in this situation, and in the dream that God spoke to Abimelech he was justified because he didn’t know, however he was not necessarily a God Fearer. But if we think about this for a moment, it was only God’s voice that forced him to return Sarah to Abraham. He very likely would have killed Abraham if he had not been intimidated by the Divine Voice. From what we see he was not really all that righteous. Abraham was called to be the father of a great nation, the Chosen nation. So we see faults on both sides. Abraham’s lack of faith in the eternal and Abimelech’s desire to have whatever he wanted at anyone else’s expense.

We also realized that Abimelech is later mentioned taking Isaac’s wife with some of the similar consequences. Obviously Isaac also had fault in this case. But was this the same Abimelech  or was this perhaps the son of Abimelech? Even so, it shows that ultimate power corrupts and these guys had enough power to take whatever they wanted from anyone no matter how sacred the relationship might be. So again Hashem intervened. Let’s not justify this enemy because he excuses himself as being innocent. He was obviously double-tongued.

Let’s take a look at Genesis 21, we see that Abimelech claims that Abraham is only a sojourner in the land and that it basically belongs to him and his people. At this point Deuteronomy seems to express this thought except that the land has already been promised to Abraham as an inheritance.

“Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the wealth that they had amassed, and the persons that they had acquired in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, at the terebinth of Moreh. The Canaanites were then in the land.
וַיֵּרָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וַיִּ֤בֶן שָׁם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַיהֹוָ֖ה הַנִּרְאֶ֥ה אֵלָֽיו׃
יהוה appeared to Abram and said, ‘I will assign (give) this land to your offspring.’ And he built an altar there to יהוה who had appeared to him.” Genesis.12:5-7

If we look closely at the above passage we can see that the land was already promised to his offspring and that Abraham didn’t take advantage of it. It is true that maybe he did not have title to it yet, but you can see that Abimelech was very anxious to establish that the land belonged to him and Abraham was only a visitor.

“And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleases thee.” Gen 20:15

Was it possible that Abraham didn’t really believe what God had said? And afterwards we see him making a covenant and promise with Abimelech and he should never have done that. The Covenant that was made was actually a peace treaty if you look at it in all its details. Abraham had to promise Abimelech that he would not do anything against him or his people. Abraham paid for the well with cattle which he should not have had to do. So what do we see from this and what ongoing problem did this create in the history of Israel?

Let’s go to the chapter just preceding the story of the Isaac sacrifice:

“‭22 ‭At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. ‭23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” ‭24 Abraham said, “I swear it.” ‭25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized. ‭26 But Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.” ‭27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a covenant. ‭28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, ‭29 and Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?” ‭30 He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.” ‭31 So that place was called Beersheba,  because the two men swore an oath there.  Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines.”
(Ge 21:22-32)

Where is the land of the Philistines? If we look at an ancient map we will find that it coincides with Gaza and a little more. That is where Israel has always had trouble with the Philistines and now others in that place. We know that God takes oaths seriously and when Abraham signed away his right to the land making a covenant with a Philistine King, he opened the door for serious problems in the future inheritance of Israel. Think of David and Goliath. Think of Samson. And today.

If we look quickly at Genesis 22, we will see how the chapter begins:

וַיְהִ֗י אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים נִסָּ֖ה אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי׃
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Avraham, and said to him, Avraham: and he said, Here I am!” Genesis.22.1

It says “after these things” signifying that all that had happened before, including the Covenant with Abimelech was now being worked out with Abraham.

So the inheritance of the land and the offspring of Abraham had a lot to do with each other. If there were no offspring there would be no need for a land and if there was no land there would be no place to live for his offspring. So if we think about it, this test should have spoken to Abraham about the importance of the land and it should have spoken to the nation of Israel many years later when we made a peace treaty that should not have been made, giving away places like Gaza and the West Bank in exchange for peace–which by the way, never happened. So the test was really given to show that there was no need for Isaac and descendents if the process of peace for land continued!

Whose is The Land anyway?

Ariella Golani

Who’s on First?

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Parshat Balak

By Ariella Golani

President Trump has been nominated by Netanyahu for the Nobel Peace Prize, hmmm!– but should all the hullabaloo really be about Trump? Is there no God in Israel? Are we courting the nations again? 

For some, Trump holds a position almost as if he is a Messiah. I don’t argue that it was an awesome thing to come alongside and help Israel slow down Iran’s nuclear development, but what else is on the back burner? We hear creeping suggestions of ceasefire and some even voice ideas that a two-state solution might be waiting in the wings, Really? Right when Israel is set to regain sovereignty over the black holes (those places that for time immemorial have fomented hatred for Jews, continually attacking and killing us while chanting “Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea”–the slogan behind pushing us into the Mediterranean!

But lest we get terribly stressed at what is going on in the political world, let’s ask our selves something.  Do we not know what the Bible says? — That YHVH raises up kings to do His will, and when they no longer do that will they fade from view. Let’s take a look at the verse: 

“20 … Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. 21 And he changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding;” Dan 2:20-21.

Are we truly in God’s mind? Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but Inspiration says:  “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psa 121:4.

Maybe we will be surprised if we see things happen that take away some of Trump’s pomposity. King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient history, succeeded until he came to the point of boasting about all that he had done, shortly afterward he was found wandering around eating grass like a beast.

“30 The king spake and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee: 32 and thou shalt be driven from men; and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.” 

Dan 4:30-32. 

In Parshat Balak we have the prophecy of Balaam who endeavors to curse Israel. Balaam’s donkey speaks to him which he strangely doesn’t find odd. Balaam’s was warned by the Angel of YHVH that he must speak only what he is given, and he stubbornly continues on his journey.  He was not able to curse Israel even after three attempts, each time blessing them instead. In his final attempt, the Spirit of God spoke through him about Israel in end times.

“17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth. 18 Edom shall be dispossessed, Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed, while Israel does valiantly. 19 By Jacob shall dominion be exercised, and the survivors of cities be destroyed!” 20 Then he looked on Amalek, and took up his discourse, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, but in the end he shall come to destruction.” Num 24:17-20 

Does the Eternal have a hand in what is going on right now? What are the signs? Has Israel become like a lion, as it says in verses 8- 9:

“8 God brings him out of Egypt; he has as it were the horns of the wild ox, he shall eat up the nations his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down like a lion, and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed be every one who blesses you, and cursed be every one who curses you.” Num 24:8-9.

So, the secret of our strength is not about alliances with Nobel Prize candidates, but in humbling ourselves under the direction of the mighty God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. No man should be held up as Savior of Israel. 

YHVH made Balaam do his will and say what he wanted to be said. The same will happen today. Just let us place our focus where it should be! This is the point of the Parsha, that none can curse or bless Israel unless they are given the power to do so. Our destiny lies in the hands of YHVH, the Eternal God of His people! 

When we are tempted to complain about what’s going on, maybe there is something behind the scenes that will soon come into focus! I have to believe that, for God does not lie, and He keeps covenant with His people even when they fall short. 

Let’s keep hanging on! Despite all the craziness going on, it will all work out in the end!

250 Brass Fire Pans

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A Memorial for All Time?
By Ariella Golani

Take a deep breath and hang on to your seats while we dive into last week’s Parsha (Numbers 16 – 18.)

Parsha Korah is about defiance of law and order–Divinely appointed law and order and the historic results. This event, compared to today’s violent protests, seems to bring to the forefront the seed of human dissatisfaction with leadership and for the first time in Biblical history, the description of public efforts to take down a monarchy, a rulership or God forbid, an entire government. But, perhaps modern movements are not necessarily evil, nor, on the other hand, led by holy purposes. And since world governments at this time do not fall under the classification of Divine Order nor Divine Appointment, per se, then they cannot be judged by the same laws that were set up for the People of YHVH at Sinai. Nothing today resembles the Nation of Israel when it was set up through Moses.

The United States was founded on the constitutional principle of “a government by the people and for the people.” Noble and praiseworthy, as it was founded to be, it was never and still is not what was established at Sinai. The Sinai government, although idealistically perfect, also falls short of its ideal when men are no longer connected to the Source of Holiness. And we see the results today. But at the time of Moses and Aaron, things were of a different order.

What happened in Numbers 16 and 17 and why? How was it wrong then for the common people to rise up and take over that government?

It was clear from the start of the Exodus from Egypt that Moses and Aaron were in charge by Divine appointment. As always happens even in modern times, when people become disgruntled about being governed, they rise up, protest, create anarchy, and sometimes succeed in an overthrow.

Klal Israel, while in Egypt, had been under oppressive tyrannical rule, made into slaves, yes-men, if you will, and not given the opportunity to think for themselves. When they were given freedom, they swung to the opposite extreme. Now they became rebellious, complaining was the agenda for anything that went wrong, and blame was placed on anyone who came between them and their comfort zone. And because Moses was the specified leader, he was caught trying to bring order out of chaos, As we well know, this bit of complaining about leadership is a typical human problem. Will humanity ever get it that righteous leadership is not the same as oppressive tyrannical governments?

So they were hungry, or at least didn’t see where they would find food in the near future while camped in the desert! The water was about gone and based on what they could see, they would surely die of thirst! This showed they were not ready to trust God, nor His leadership. A people of slaves, when set free, becomes a narcissistic group of complainers. Do it my way or else! Haven’t we seen this elsewhere in the world? Slaves, who are set free, now demand that their governments do everything for them?

So, in Parsha Korah, we see a disgruntled Levite of the lineage of Kohath, son of Levi, organize a group to defy the authority of Moses and Aaron and perhaps bring about a coup d’etat. He and two Rubenites: Dathan and Abiram, plus 250 leaders of the community join him to question the authority of Moses and Aaron, asserting that since the entire nation is holy, basically then, anyone may serve in the office of priesthood in the Tabernacle. Thus, a seething rebellion against Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s son, Eliezer was fomenting and must be dealt with. 

Moses asked Korah directly if he was seeking the priesthood, since his duties, though set apart as a Levite, were to serve the Tabernacle and minister to the people in a different role. He felt cheated because he was not allowed the highest and holiest order. His narcissistic views led to open rebellion and many lost their lives because of it.

The story goes that the 250 were told to bring fire pans to burn incense and there would be a Divine selection of whom God chose to serve. Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the 250 were to present themselves before the LORD at the Tabernacle the next morning, Korah and his rabble showed up but Dathan and Abiram refused.

The upshot of the story is that the people were to move away from the tents of these three.  The ground opened up and swallowed them their children and all their belongings. The 250 who offered incense in their fire pans were consumed by a fire that came out from YHVH. Then Eliezer, Aaron’s successor, was told to collect the pans and pound them out for a covering for the altar:

“The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before YHVH, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as YHVH said to him by the hand of Moses.” – Num 16:38-40.

But as if this were not enough to get their attention:

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of YHVH. 42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of YHVH appeared.” Num 16:41-42.

You know, it almost seems that the people thought that Moses and Aaron had some kind of magical powers and that they really were not dealing with the God of the Universe. How could they not reverence the Eternal when they had seen His direct leading? When they had witnessed His power and glory?

So then after still maintaining that Moses and Aaron had killed the people of God, we see the miracle of Aaron’s rod budding and the people fearing to even come near to the Tabernacle.

But, there is something important here, the brazen fire pans were pounded out and used to cover the altar, not the golden altar of incense, but the altar of sacrifice, located in the courtyard. This clearly signifies that the courtyard is the place available to the common people for all time. The priests were the only ones allowed in the Holy Places of the Tabernacle. And only the High Priest, a direct descendant of Aaron, was allowed in the Most Holy place.

Is it any different now? If and when we build a third temple, will religious leaders be smitten before YHVH for pretending to have the right to serve as priests, when their qualification for religious leadership comes from certificated Yeshiva education? Are they Levites by blood? And even if they are Levites, are they truly Kohanim? (Descendants of Aaron)?

Have things changed with Heaven’s order for the worship of the Temple just because we live in modern times and do not follow the Torah’s clear instructions in this regard? Is it really true that scholastic institutions can train students to think like Moses and guarantee the mantle of Heaven? Maybe this needs a hard look in light of where we are today.

If we no longer hear a Voice from Heaven, how can we get back on track?

Mourning for Tammuz? The Three weeks and the 9th of AV.

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Rabbinic Holy Days and the Observance of Times (Astrology):

In the world of astrology the position of the stars and constellations on certain dates are connected to good and bad karma. Though a widely accepted practice throughout the world, the Bible forbids this approach which is the basis of astrology. Is it possible that the attention to special worship, mourning, abstaining, finding a mate, etc. on days that coincide with pagan holy days is actually observing that forbidden custom? Let us look a little closer.

Why was it necessary to gather and compile several historical happenings that happened around the same time of year to confirm the observance of the 17th of Tammuz, the following three weeks, the 9th and the 15th of Av (Tu Bishvat)? What is there about the low time that occurs during these 3 weeks?

This time of mourning in Jewish tradition, though basically unknown today, corresponds to the ancient death customs of the Babylonians for Tammuz (a fertility god) condemned by the Creator through the prophet Ezekiel (8:6-15).1

See my last article here.2

Tisha b’Av: The Day God Cursed, The Day Jews Cry…”Starting at sundown …is the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av (the name literally means the 9th of the Jewish month of Av). Since the time of Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, through modern times, horrible things have happened to the Jewish people on or around the 9th day of Av.” lidblog.com3

During the 3 weeks prior the the fast of the 9th of Av (5th Jewish month) — the day of mourning for the destruction of Herod’s Temple (CE 70) and the claimed destruction of Solomon’s Temple, abstinence from several things is required of Orthodox Jews:

Chabad in reference to the three weeks: “During this period, we lessen the extent of our rejoicing. We don’t: Conduct weddings. Play musical instruments or listen to music. Recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. Thus, we do not wear new clothing or eat fruit which we have not yet eaten this season so that we will not be required to recite Shehecheyanu. Take a haircut or shave…”4

The following is a list of events that purportedly took place on the 9th of Av: (perhaps a good fact checking is needed.)

  • The evil report of 10 of 12 spies is claimed to have taken place on the 9th of Av 1313 BCE and as a result the Israelites wandered 40 years. (Now try to make this add up for the 9th of AV using Numbers where the story is told. Start with chapter 10 and add all the details until chapter 14, I count no earlier than the 12th day of the 5th month–12th of AV).
  • Solomon’s Temple, claimed to be destroyed 9th of Av 587 BC after which Judah was exiled to Babylon for 70 years. But if we take the Bible as a credible source, we find: “The Book of Jeremiah (39:2, 52:6–7) states that the walls of Jerusalem during the First Temple were breached on the 9th of Tammuz. “the Babylonian Talmud dates the third tragedy (breach of Jerusalem’s walls) to the Second Temple period. However, the Jerusalem Talmud (Taanit IV, 5) states that in both eras the walls were breached on 17th Tammuz, and that the text in Jeremiah 39 is explained by stating that the Biblical record was “distorted”, apparently due to the troubled times.5” So what source do we believe? Is there an apparent agenda to make it fit the picture? Is it possible that the 9th was chosen to commemorate several Jewish disasters over the millennia? But is there something about that date that ties to anything that might have been believed by the nations at that time?
  • What about the second temple? According to the Jewish Virtual Library:6 “The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E, on the 10th of Av, according to the historian Josephus (Wars, 6:249–50). This day is still observed as a day of mourning by the Karaites. The Talmud (Ta’an. 29a), however, gives the date as the 9th of Av, which became accepted as the anniversary of both destructions.” Why move the day? Josephus says one thing and the Talmud says another? Why?
  • Defeat at the Kochba Rebellion 9th of Av 133 CE when the Jewish rebellion was finally put down, some 100,000 to 500,000 died. Since the dates for this revolt stretch CE 132 to CE 136, it is difficult to find a particular day when it ended. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia:7 “the actual struggle for Bethar; after the fall of that city, which, according to the tradition, took place on the Ninth of Ab, 135.” Again we see the hand of tradition playing a role. Again, why was it so important to attach this event to the 9th of AV?
  • Herod’s Temple destroyed 9th of Av 70 CE when the final dispersion of the Jews began on a global scale for the next 2000 years.
  • Jews expelled from England 18 July 1290 CE, claimed to be 9th of Av 1290 CE. Jews lose land & property and are forced into exile. (According to the Hebrew Date Converter, the actual day may be the 2nd of AV, However, owing to the change of the calendar in by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 which corrected the Calendar by 10 days, it is difficult to know the actual date other than to follow rabbinic sources.
  • Jews expelled from Spain 9th of Av 1492 CE lose land & property, forced exile, Columbus sails next day. 26th of Tamuz according to Hebrew Calendar Converter. Adjusts up to 10 days (even adding 10 days, it does not come to the 9th of Av)
  • Jews expelled from France 9th of Av 1306 CE when they were also forced into exile. July 22, 1306 converts to 2 Av 5066 (In this case the Gregorian Calendar adjustment of up to 10 days could fit).
  • Jews expelled from Germany 9th of Av 1933 CE forced exile, Jewish Holocaust – 6 million Jews killed (The restrictions and expulsion of Jews in Germany started April 8,1933 and over the years during the Holocaust continued, nothing of great import happened on the 9th of Av).
  • Kristalnacht, often stated as having occurred the 9th of Av actually took place on November 9-10,1938.
  • Jews expelled from Gaza Strip 9th of Av 2005 CE forced exile from land (The Jewish settlers were driven out of Gaza by their own government during the period of August 2005-September 2005). This can hardly be blamed on the persecution of the nations if indeed it was an act of self sabotage!

“…What do you make of all this? Jews see this as another confirmation of the deeply held conviction that history isn’t haphazard; events – even terrible ones – are part of a Divine plan and have spiritual meaning. The message of time is that everything has a rational purpose, even though we don’t understand it.” From Chabad in reference to the ninth of AV.8

Jewish Virtual Library:9 “The Talmud justifies the 9th of Av as the major day of mourning because a series of calamities occurred on this day throughout Jewish history. The Mishnah (Ta’an. 4:6) enumerates five disasters: (1) on the 9th of Av it was decreed that the Children of Israel, after the Exodus from Egypt, should not enter the Promised Land; (2) the First and (3) the Second Temples were destroyed; (4) Bethar, the last stronghold of the leaders of the *Bar Kokhba war, was captured in 135 C.E.; and (5) one year later, in 136, the Roman emperor Hadrian established a heathen temple on the site of the Temple and rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city which was renamed Aelia Capitolina and which the Jews were forbidden to enter.

The expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 is said also to have occurred on the 9th of Av.

The 9th of Av thus became a symbol for all the persecutions and misfortunes of the Jewish people, for the loss of national independence and the sufferings in exile. The massacres of whole communities during the Crusades intensified this association.”

We see that at least some of the events that are claimed for the 9th of AV are not correctly dated. Why the effort to accumulate tragedies to fit a certain day? Does this have anything to do with the belief in Astrological dates (times of high and low energy related to the lining up of the constellations in the universe) a soul choosing to be born at that time with all the related challenges and tendencies from which one can elevate himself through the use of the methods of rectification suggested in the Kabbalah?

Is it possible that the real reason the temple was destroyed was because of idolatrous practices including the use of Astrology which had so permeated the thinking of the Jewish people that they did not know what they were observing nor whom they were worshiping?

From Jothishi:10 “According to the Jewish views on astrology, the Rabbis of the Second Temple taught that astrology does not apply to Jewish People. This doctrine is based on spiritual law. This law states that each person chooses the most appropriate time and place of birth so that they can achieve their Tikune (Correction) in this lifetime. The astrological influences affect each and every human being and help them to attain situations and conditions that can be used to achieve his or her Tikune. But when astrological judgments are pessimistic and are not supportive of our potentials, then you can use the Kabbalistic tool called Restriction and rise above the influence of these Astrological influences.

Judaism claims that by rising above the Astrological influence you can challenge your constellations and you have the ability to change the movie of your Life’s Karma.”

If this is true, is there not a heavenly voice telling us to leave these things and come away and cleanse ourselves from all of this idolatry which has even the names of those idols mentioned on the traditional Jewish calendar and in our prayer services? Whom are we worshiping and how did we get mixed up in defining our life’s agenda by astrological times?

Regardless of historical world events that appear to have happened at a certain time that may coincide with the pagan dates of Astrology, we are called to recognize Hashem’s Holy days and these days were established from time immemorial. When we look at traditional designated “holy” days, we must ask ourselves why we do what we do, especially when these happen to fall on days that coincide with ancient pagan observance, or rituals of remembering the dead! The Bible has a lot to say about Hashem’s Holy Days:

Leviticus 23:2, 4:

“Speak to the children of Yisra᾽el, and say to them, The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy gatherings, these are My feasts. (That chapter defines those feasts).

…These are the feasts of the Lord, holy gatherings, which you shall proclaim in their seasons.”

What about the command that we not observe times (astrology)? The practice of remembering historic events and commemorating them, especially during times of pagan observance, be something that is outside the boundaries of what Hashem commanded? Would making a day have a certain good or bad karma such as TU B’AV (a day when special powers for romance are available) actually be observance of times? Am I taking this too far afield? Perhaps a close look at ancient practices and how they came to be attached to our religious observance would be in order.

Many customs have come from a long tradition in Judaism—Astrology, which Hashem strictly forbade is much in use. Though most deny it, communication with holy rabbis long since passed from this life is a practice among many observant Jews.

And back to the first statement about 17th of Tammuz and the 3 weeks period following up until the 9th of AV—why do they fall during the exact time of the ancient pagan festival, mourning the death of Tammuz? (And why do we keep calling the month by that name?) There is clearly an influence that led Israel to adopt this time of mourning and compile its own events to make it of import to the Jewish people!

Deuteronomy 18:10;14: “For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.”

Joshua 1:7: “But you must be very strong and resolute to observe faithfully all the Teaching that My servant Moses enjoined upon you. Do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Deuteronomy 13:1: “Be careful to observe only that which I enjoin upon you: neither add to it nor take away from it.”

Deuteronomy 28:13-14: “The LORD will make you the head, not the tail; you will always be at the top and never at the bottom—if only you obey and faithfully observe the commandments of the LORD your God that I enjoin upon you this day, and do not deviate to the right or to the left from any of the commandments that I enjoin upon you this day and turn to (go after) the worship of other gods.”

So it seems that after all, we have allowed the names of pagan gods to be mentioned in our tradition. We have celebrated or mourned during the times of pagan tradition things that we brought with us out of exile, remodeling them to form a part of our own religious observance. Time to wake up, arise, oh daughter of Zion! Shake off the dust of paganism from these traditions and seek true teshuva. Then we can expect to pray and have our prayers answered. Too many bad things have happened to Jews over the centuries! If only we would turn from our sins and realize the desire of the Creator to gather us back to His original plan and to recognize us as His People!

2 Chronicles 7:14 Tells us what we must do so that Hashem will be open to our prayers once again:

“If I shut up the heaven so that there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. Now my eyes shall be open and my ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.”

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1https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.8.6?lang=en&p2=Ezekiel.8.6-15&ven2=The_Koren_Jerusalem_Bible&lang2=en

2https://wordpress.com/post/ariellat.wordpress.com/142

3https://lidblog.com/tisha-bav-cursed/

4https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144573/jewish/The-Three-Weeks.htm

5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeenth_of_Tammuz

6https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-ninth-of-av

7https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2471-bar-kokba-and-bar-kokba-war

8https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/946703/jewish/What-Happened-on-the-Ninth-of-Av.htm

9https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-ninth-of-av

10https://jothishi.com/jewish-views-on-astrology/

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