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Tradition! It IS just a bit of fun, isn’t it?

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The Holiday of Purim is here again, and costumes, parties and fun are sprouting everywhere. Fun is the name of the game. Is there anything wrong with that? I admit that I love to see people smile and all the children and adults dressed up and clowning around! I am not keen on kids eating a lot of candy, partly because I know the health problems that go along with too much sugar, but then that is a personal issue. 

I want to examine, and I don’t claim to be right or wrong, a few things I am uncomfortable with:

  • I know that God’s Eternal Name, YHVH, is important in all of Tenakh, but why is he not mentioned in any form in the entire book? People tell me that it is because He had to stay hidden. That does not make sense. When is it right to hide the God whom we worship from stories that we write about our lives? If anything in a story was done by the Eternal, then why is the emphasis placed on the clever Mordecai and his beautiful niece, Esther, who found herself lined up to become queen of Persia? Why not mention that the Hand of God was involved? Why take credit for the Jews being so clever and smart and leave God completely out of it? Was this because they knew they were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Were they indeed under persecution at this time?
  • If they were not suffering persecution, then what else may have been the reason for hiding one’s ethnicity?
  • Is it possible that the story about justifying life for the Chosen People among the nations? No need for a a temple? No need for a Covenant with the Land and the God of the Land?
  • Why were the majority of the Jews still in Persia many years after they were commissioned to return to the Land sixty years after the decree of Cyrus the Great? 
  • Why did Hadassah become Esther naming herself after the pagan goddess Ishtar? And why did Mordecai take that name since it is also a variation of Marduk, a pagan deity worshiped in Babylon and ancient Mesopotamia? According to Torah it is wrong to pronounce the name of a pagan god, but these went so far as to rename themselves after these idols..
  • Perhaps choosing these names was a political move to be able to work and live among the Persians. But the question looms large, why do they want to stay in the Galut? Is it because they are now permeated with the culture? Do they love the customs of the Gentiles more than their own?
  • And what else might be the motive to hide at this time before Haman had the decree to kill all the Jews signed by the king? Would Haman have declared the Jews as public enemy number one, if he had known that the queen was Jewish? The story does not say that they were being persecuted. If so, then why not move back to the land? 
  • The entire plot of the story of Esther seems to justify working subversively to overthrow the powers that be. When is it right to clearly hide one’s identity to be able to climb the political ladder with the intent of having someone at the top? Were Jews ever commanded to do such things? There is plenty of evidence of this happening throughout history. We see Joseph shaving to appear acceptable to Pharaoh when he was brought before him, but he apparently didn’t hide his parentage, because later in the Joseph story, the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews. He apparently was known as a Hebrew even since Potiphar put him in jail. 
  • Maybe there are other reasons, but to me, it seems that the Jews who stayed in Persia enjoyed the Persian lifestyle and culture and did what they did to justify living in the Galut 60 or 70 years after Cyrus opened the way for them to leave. (Note that the decree of Cyrus took place in 539 and the events in the book of Esther were between 483 and 473. (See here and here). These dates are estimates. 

I don’t have answers, on this, and I have to admit that I have gone along with things many times so that I don’t make waves. What should we do about this? Is there anybody else out there who is concerned?

So “Happy Purim” and please think deeply when you drink so much you can’t discern Haman from Mordecai!

Ariella

Power of Distraction

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Is there Anything Real out There?

The world has been spinning out of control in mad chaos that no one really understands. Trump was inaugurated. He accomplished some encouraging things during his first hours in office. Everything sounds good. But is it really? Some of us are burned out from worrying about what comes next. Is Trump telling us the truth? Or is this propaganda?… again? Another big show to gain power and money? Is Donald Trump actually bringing about globalist control? The world was weakened under the past regime. So now, with our confidence destroyed, We embrace a leader that goes beyond the duties of a President of the United States? 

No, you can’t really blame us for pondering that what we see is really not what we get! And how did we come to be this way? Those of us who ask these questions obviously took the red pill, which makes us suspicious of everything. But does God factor in somewhere? Can we believe that the Eternal, all powerful Master of the Universe is still in control? Does He really raise up kings and put down kings? (Daniel 2:21), or are the promises we have relied on in the past null and void of fulfillment? 

Does Israel really have an end-time purpose in this world? Are the glorious promises in the Bible really meant for us today, or did we somehow miss the boat along the way? It’s easy to doubt, and I know it’s not right to think this way. But it’s extremely sad to see so many of our innocents killed, raped, burned, beheaded, and terrified. Even now, though some have been released, what is the chance that any of them who endured the last 16 months will be mentally ill,–that is, if they survive at all? Naturally, we are insecure, and even doubt the reasons for our faith. Sometimes wonder if we will see another tomorrow.

We try to put it out of our minds. Distraction is a game we play and it may be the only way to survive this horrendous war in any semblance of sanity. It’s difficult not to dwell on hostages half buried in dark holes beneath the grime–violated and hated. There is no certainty that any of them are still alive. As humans, we can never be satisfied with not knowing about something so precious as human life. And so we try to avoid thinking of the unthinkable! The long saga of dwelling on the evil fate of these beloved victims–living or perhaps even preferably dead in the tunnels of frozen fright, is pure hell for both them and all of us who have a soul.

So we stop thinking because we must. But let us ask ourselves: where has hope gone? Where is God at a time like this? Are there a few faithful souls who still see good beyond the tragedy of our times? 

The world is being weighed in the balances, with Israel being the centerpiece. It is as if God has drawn a line in the sand. A line separating between those who love His people and those who do not.

To call evil good and good evil seems to be the theme of a world gone mad. I have to believe that Almighty God sees us now. He saw Israel when they labored in the the slime pits of Egypt. Then he called Moses to set His people free.

“And God saw the children of Israel, and God knew…” Exodus 2:25

Can we bank on that now? 

Please share your thoughts. I really would like to hear from you!

Ariella

Israel, Stone of Stumbling

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The Nations are Drinking the Fatal Cup

This morning, the morning of “the deal”  unjust as it seems, even for the hostages held by Hamas, we saw three more Hamas missiles after the supposed deadline for the ceasefire. You just can’t make this stuff up! And nervous as ever, I began to contemplate what the prophets have said about this time. And it suddenly struck me that this war is the way the God of Israel is dividing the nations, either for His Land or against it.  

“1 The burden of the word of YHVH concerning Israel. Thus saith YHVH, who stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem. 3 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it. 

In the war between Israel and all of Iran’s proxies, Hamas, has stolen the limelight for their atrocities against the only democratic country in the Middle East! This war has drawn the attention of every nation in the world. Nations are split down the middle over the opinion of whether Israel is guilty in their participation in this war. Many accuse Israel of committing genocide. The UN has not shown favor to Israel nor has any of their agencies. Israel basically stands alone. It is a nerve wracking time for everyone in the land, Jewish or not. 

Hamas butchered over 1200 of our innocent civilians and kidnapped over 250. The Torah says that kidnapping is a crime worthy of the death sentence. But the world’s liberals and antisemites continue to accuse the Jews as the reason for the world’s woes. And Iran and those who fulfill their plans are aware of this attitude, which they play to their advantage and the outcome is that  Israel again stands alone amid the hatred and accusations of an antisemitic world who will never get over it! And Israel is supposed to stand alone and not be reckoned among the nations? Why do we even try to court their favor? 

“9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, And from the hills I behold him: Lo, it is a people that dwells alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations.  10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel?… ” – Num 23:9-10 ASV

When we read the prophet Zechariah concerning Jerusalem as a cup that makes the world drunk, reeling to and fro, and a burdensome stone, we see exactly what is happening at this time. Yet we still wait for the Eternal God of Israel to rise and fulfill his promises to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is surely there and the world is in the balances of judgment at this time!

Israel has become the hottest topic in the news for the past 16 months. And the people are divided in their support or accusations against Israel. Even among those in Israel, we see division about what the nation should do. 

Many, even Israelis say that we should give Hamas everything they ask in exchange for the Hostages, stop the fighting, stop the killing, make peace with Hamas, give them all of their terrorist prisoners, give them a state…it’s not an equal trade, yet it seems nobody understands that Israel has a right to protect itself and to go to war to defend the nation against the evil intentions of those who desire to destroy everything to take the land for themselves. And by the way, these terror nations have no desire for a part of Israel, they want all or nothing and intend to murder until they get it. If you think I am exaggerating, realize that Hamas is not satisfied to stay in Gaza. Their charter does not recognize the state of Israel. Since 1948, the Arabs were against Israel having a state of it’s own, see link.

And in case people did not know, Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, who, among others instigated the October 7 attack, was released from prison in Israel in exchange for Gilad Shalit who was kidnapped and held hostage for 5 years by the Palestinians. No good came of this other than the return of our soldier. But the cost of so many more due to the release of Sinwar, is mind boggling!

Hamas certainly knows how to bait Israel by taking innocent children and family members! Jews are all family and will give anything to get back their people. And yet, at this time, can we wisely endanger the lives of all the rest of us by releasing thousands of murderous terrorists whose ultimate goal is to continue to massacre more and more of us? It’s an impossible question, and perhaps only solvable by choosing the lesser of two dangers. And, who can say which is better?

If we look at the broad spectrum of the effect of this war on the world, we see a huge division taking place among the nations. We see people of truth choosing to stand with Israel, and those who love the lies of the media and those who go along to get along, screaming “apartheid” and “genocide”. Israel is accused of starving the poor Gazans, among other things. How can 600 trucks of humanitarian aid daily cause people to starve? But it doesn’t matter, people who choose to hate Israel, don’t listen to reason. 

But the good news is that people from all nations are waking up. And this is why I quote the verse from Zechariah of old.

Chapter 12:3 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.”

And this is what we see just now. The land of Israel is being used to weigh the peoples of the nations. And the promise and the curse are standing ready to be poured out! 

“10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of YHVH, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” – Zec 4:10 ASV

It is the prophetic day of the plummet going throughout the entire world. Israel is the burdensome stone!

Please follow, share, and comment!

Still shuddering….

Ariella 

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When the Moon Shows Up

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“He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.” – Psa 104:19 

Last week I took a photo of the crescent moon as we returned from the final lighting of a large Hanukkiah in our town in Northern Israel. It was January first, just after sunset. Of course, that would actually be January 2 according to the Biblical understanding that the day begins at sunset. I posted it in several places and this caused a bit of a stir with a few people because the standard Jewish calendar calculates the months of the entire year ahead of time, these are mathematical figures, not based on any actually siting, but upon predetermined dates which allow a better flow of the Holy Days and allow people to plan for their times off from work, etc. Yet, a question looms large for me. Who established the times and seasons? And are they adjustable?

In Genesis, we see that the seasons were set up by the Creator on the 4th day and are determined by the sun and moon. 

Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.‘

The 14th verse in Hebrew mentions Moedim (which is commonly translated seasons. Yet that same word is used for the appointed gatherings for the Holy Days. 

 וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים׃

(14. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years)

The frequent use of “New Moon” as the starting point to count up to a Holy Day or festival throughout Tenakh, makes this verse significant. A new moon uses the same word as month. Hodesh. Moon is also called yreakh. Again psalms 104 says:

“He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.” – Psa 104:19.

עָשָׂה יָרֵחַ לְמוֹעֲדִים שֶׁמֶשׁ יָדַע מְבוֹאוֹ׃

Again we see the word Moedim in this verse. So if the moon was established for determining the festivals and months of the year, then this says something significant. 

So, this past year the visual observance of the New Moon was always from one to two days later than the observance celebrated by the rabbinic calendar. Some have pointed out that this calendar is based on the astronomical new moon, which is determined to be during the night before the visible new moon. Yet, how was this done in ancient times? And when did Jews establish their fixed calendar?

“Hillel II, a Palestinian patriarch, introduced a fixed and continuous calendar in 359 ce. A summary of the regulations governing the present calendar is provided by Maimonides, the great medieval philosopher and legist, in his Code: Sanctification of the New Moon, chapters 6–10.”

Modern astronomy has produced a scientific explanation for when the new moon occurs.

“The astronomical new moon occurs by definition at the moment of conjunction in elliptical longitude with the Sun, when the Moon is invisible from the Earth.” Wikipedia

But how would anyone have known in Bible days if the moon was not visible and there were no telescopes to ascertain that it was in conjunction?

Ok, so we could say that modern man has an improved way to establish the beginning of the month, but can we say we now are actually new and improved over the example of former times which was based on a naked eye siting of the moon?  

So which is right and is there a leniency in God’s timetable? Or is it really the scientific calendar and not the Biblical one?

Psalms tells us:

Psa 81:3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival; (If there were no telescopes, would anyone know when to sound the shofar?)

This festival begins Nissan 14th at evening (the 15th is the holy day) Pesach, and the next week-long festival comes on the 15th of Tishrei, the beginning of Sukkot, so both are on the full moon which is the 15th of the month.

During the time of the flood when Noah was still on the ark with his family:

Gen 8: 5 “And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth [month], on the first [day] of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.”

How was this day determined? Nobody on that vessel had calendars as far as I know. It had to be that somehow they spotted the new moon and began to count down until they saw the mountains on the tenth day.  

Big questions arise and remain about many things, like who gave us the right to change what Elohim established, even by a day or two? But if this question is not legitimate, then what was the former practice of the Jews, and can we draw any truth from it?

As we saw in Genesis 1:14, the lights in the heavens were given to separate the day from the night (the greater light) and as signs to us and for determining the dates of the moedim or festivals (the lesser light). It is interesting that the “lights” were given to determine things, not the darkness.

According to historical data quoted in Wikipedia:
“Originally, the beginning of each month was determined based on physical observation of a new moon, while the decision of whether to add the leap month was based on observation of natural agriculture-related events in ancient Israel.[1] Between the years 70 and 1178, these empirical criteria were gradually replaced with a set of mathematical rules. Month length now follows a fixed schedule which is adjusted based on the molad interval (a mathematical approximation of the mean time between new moons) and several other rules”

This all sounds well and good to a point, but there is the fact that the lights of the heavens were given to announce things, given as signs and portents as ways for the Creator to speak to us. The question arises: Then if we already have set times and calendars, how will we know when Hashem is speaking to us? (Link).

Evidence from the Mishnah: Rosh Hashanah 2:5-6

“There was a large courtyard in Jerusalem, which was called Beit Ya’zek. And there all the witnesses coming to testify about the new moon would gather, and the court of seventy-one judges would examine them there. And they would prepare great feasts for them, so that they would be willing and accustomed to coming and submitting their testimony.”

“How do they examine the witnesses who come to testify about the new moon? They deal with them in order, as the pair of witnesses that arrives first they examine first. They bring in the greater of the two witnesses, and they say to him: Say how you saw the moon. Was it in front of the sun or behind the sun? To its north or to its south? How high was the moon over the horizon, and in which direction did it tilt?”(link)

From the abstract of the book: Calendar and Community by Sacha Stern: (Link)

“The month in Jewish lunar calendars usually began when the new moon crescent was first sighted, as evident from Philo, Josephus, and other literary and epigraphic sources.”

So, we can see that there is evidence for the visible siting of the new moon as a historical pattern for establishing the first of a new month. The question we need to parley is, whether man was given the right to reinvent the dates of the calendar based on supportive scientific evidence or if we must follow the historic and biblical pattern set before us. And if scientific evidence which shows the conjunction of the moon when it is in its dark phase just before it becomes visible in the first crescent is what the Eternal Time Maker really intended. 

In Summary, Here are my thoughts: 

In the beginning, before anything else was created, God created light and blessed it…
“And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:3, 5.(We know the world was already in chaos before the first day of creation as stated in verses 2-3) 

For those that argue that the darkness preceded the light, according to verse 2 the darkness was the condition of the earth before the first act of creation. 

When there is a new moon sighting, it always precedes the nightfall. So “the evening and the morning” which is the time set up for the Creator’s day and in the case of the first day of the month, it follows the pattern of a small light of illumination before the darkness. 

If the moon was made to mark the seasons or festivals given by Elohim, then how do you mark something if there is no visible sign? 

And is there anything about darkness that is worthy of marking time?

Darkness seems pretty nebulous if you ask me, especially when there can be 3 days of darkness before the appearance of the moon.

“11 Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee:  12 To deliver thee from the way of evil, From the men that speak perverse things;  13 Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;”  Pro 2:11-13

“13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.” – Ecc 2:13

Could it be that the sight of the New Moon gives a glimmer of hope for a new month before the darkness of the first night? Is truth based on darkness or light?

B’shalom בשלום
 
Ariella  אריאלה  

 

Sion: Tierra de Visión

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¡Qué no importemos la diáspora!
Por Ariella Casey

Durante casi 2000 años el pueblo de Dios estuvo esparcido por todas las naciones. Podemos culpar a Roma como la causa principal de esto y de gran parte de la persecución posterior que se produjo, pero ¿por qué aparentemente YHVH se alejó de nosotros? Y aunque esta dispersión fue profetizada y dada como advertencia (Levítico 24:14-33), la trágica historia continúa entristeciendo los corazones de quienes intentan regresar al camino de los justos. Pero ¿cómo sabremos el camino de regreso? ¿Y dónde está este camino de todos modos? ¿Qué fue lo que condujo originalmente a esta trágica historia? ¿Será que Dios de alguna manera se olvidó de nosotros? ¿Elegimos dejar de seguir la luz? Al leer la Biblia parece que ‘cambiamos de caballo en medio del arroyo’, pero ¿cómo y cuándo? ¿Y cómo volvemos a donde necesitamos estar? ¿Cuándo reemplazaron los rabinos a los profetas? 

Durante más de 2000 años no hemos tenido un profeta genuino. Algunos pueden argumentar, pero cuando aplicamos el estándar bíblico para los profetas (Deuteronomio 18:22), vemos que ninguno de los que han sido considerados como poseedores del don de profecía en realidad califica. Yo le diría a cualquiera que piense lo contrario, que me muestre la evidencia de que no agregaron ni restaron a la Torá original. Dejando a un lado los milagros y las profecías cumplidas, si cambian aún un solo principio de la Torá, no califican. 

Pero a pesar del horrible sufrimiento pasado, hoy hay esperanza. Pero esta esperanza solo está disponible en la tierra de Israel. ¿Cómo es eso? Eche un vistazo a lo que Isaías, uno de los últimos profetas, dice sobre la esperanza y la restauración en la tierra:

“El desierto y la tierra árida se alegrarán; y el desierto se alegrará, y florecerá como el tulipán. Florecerá abundantemente, y se regocijará con alegría y canto: le será dada la gloria del Líbano, la excelencia del Carmelo y el Sarón, verán la gloria de YHVH y la excelencia de nuestro Dios. 

Fortalece las manos débiles y fortalece las rodillas débiles. Di a los de corazón temeroso: Esforzaos, no temáis: he aquí, vuestro Dios vendrá con venganza, con recompensa divina; él vendrá y os salvará.

Entonces se abrirán los ojos de los ciegos y se abrirán los oídos de los sordos.

Entonces el cojo saltará como un ciervo, y la lengua del mudo cantará; porque en el desierto brotarán aguas, y arroyos en la soledad.

Y la tierra seca se convertirá en estanque, y la tierra sedienta en manantiales de agua; la habitación de los chacales se convertirá en pasto para ganado, en recinto de juncos y juncos.

Y habrá allí calzada y camino, y será llamado Camino Santísimo; el inmundo no pasará por él; y él será para ellos un guía, y los necios no se equivocarán en ello.

No habrá allí león, ni bestia rapaz subirá sobre ella, no se hallarán allí; pero los redimidos caminarán allí; y los redimidos de YHVH volverán, y vendrán a Sión con cánticos y gozo eterno sobre sus cabezas: tendrán gozo y alegría, y la tristeza y el gemido huirán.” (Isaías 35:1- 10 Biblia Koren)

¿Hay entonces alguna esperanza? Si hay en Sion. ¿Puede haber esperanza en algún otro lugar? ¿Quién regresará a la Tierra Santa? Los que son rescatados por el Todopoderoso YHVH que se acuerda de su alianza con Israel y el pueblo judío. ¿Puede haber cumplimiento de esta promesa fuera de la tierra? Solo hay un lugar seguro para los judíos. 

Así en la tierra de Israel se abrirán los ojos de los ciegos, según Isaías 35:5. ¿Los ojos de los ciegos? ¿Somos todos ciegos? La mayoría de nosotros no estamos físicamente ciegos, pero casi todos hemos estado en condición de la ceguera  espiritual. Hemos pensado que Dios nos ha dejado, o que no estamos siguiendo la Halajá (las reglas inventadas por los sabios) correctamente y que una vez que lo hagamos bien, tendremos una conexión con lo divino. Pocos sabemos que lo que hemos seguido entre las naciones no es requerido para vivir en la tierra de Israel. Gran parte de lo que siguieron los judíos en otros países fue inventado por los rabinos para proteger a sus feligreses de la asimilación. Pero al crear nuevas leyes, a menudo cambiaron las leyes mucho más allá de lo especificado en la Torá. Y eso, que ahora no es necesario para los que vienen a Israel, debe ser dejado a un lado mientras aprendemos de la Mano de Aquel que sigue presente para instruirnos. Es posible que necesitemos que nos despojen de todas nuestras ideas antes de poder ver por primera vez. Las vendas de nuestra vista espiritual sobre el estilo de vida deben ser quitadas antes de que podamos ver. 

Pero ¿qué pasa con aquellos que aún no han venido a Israel? ¿Qué pasa con las diez tribus que todavía flotan entre las naciones? Esto no es para condenar a los que aún no han venido. El proceso de canje está en curso. Pero, un día, todos los que son de Israel tendrán que venir si quieren ver de verdad. 

Pero debo decirles que Israel no es un lugar de consuelo. Es un lugar de prueba, un lugar para romper las cadenas, o despojarnos de ellas, de aprender a depender de la Mano que nos trajo hasta aquí. ¿Tenemos siquiera un poquito de confianza en el Eterno? 

Los israelíes que nacieron en esa tierra probablemente eran descendientes de quienes lucharon por establecer un hogar para el pueblo judío. Muchas de estas personas no cumplen estricta obediencia a las reglas de los rabinos. Pero son personas reales. Aman la tierra. Hacen todo lo posible para ayudarte cuando estás deprimido. Y son impulsivos e imprudentes mucho del tiempo. Y es posible que no toleren las tonterías diásporas. Hacen cosas no ordinarias como tomar prestado su lugar de estacionamiento y se detendrán y hablarán con un amigo en medio de la carretera cuando otros estén impacientes por pasar. Y piten o encienden las luces si simplemente vas al límite de velocidad para que ellos pueden rebasar. Pero todo es corazón, y eso es algo que muchos de nosotros hemos perdido mientras vivíamos en el extranjero. ¿Cómo se desarrolló esta cultura? Fue al luchar por el derecho de existir. Lucharse por la tierra que les fue entregada por Dios a nuestros antepasados. Muchos dieron su sangre por esta tierra y no están dispuestos a renunciar ni un centímetro de aquello para lo cual sus compatriotas dieron su sangre. 

La tierra de Israel es pura luz. ¿Cómo es eso? Es casi como si nada de lo que hacemos aquí estuviera oculto, ni de Dios ni de nadie. Todo queda bajo el escrutinio divino y la conciencia se aviva cuando se nos revelan nuestras faltas. Es el lugar de aprender a caminar, aprender a ver, aprender a oír. Una vez aquí, por un tiempo, no hay vuelta atrás. 

Pero Israel no es para todos, muchos han venido y no pueden acomodarse. Muchos han tratado de vivir una halajá estricta mientras vivían en la tierra y se han ido. Otros quieren las comodidades del estilo de vida de su diáspora, grandes juegos y espectáculos y hermosas casas y patios traseros. Pronto regresan a sus comunidades para restablecerse en el confort al que estaban acostumbrados. Y con razón, Israel no se trata de eso. Se trata de aprender, crecer y ser el pueblo de Dios. Y todos venimos con el deseo de lo viejo y familiar, los comestibles que acostumbramos en Egipto, simbólicamente. Pero cuando aprendemos que las vegetales y frutas son mucho más grandes, más dulces y las granadas y pomelos menos amargos, nos damos cuenta del sabor de la tierra de leche y miel. 

Algunos, para sentirse en casa, han desarrollado comunidades en las ciudades más “santas” del país. Estos lugares están llenos de judíos de la diáspora. Han recreado comunidades para los que observan las reglas religiosas más estrictas, siguiendo lo que consideran la voluntad de Dios. Pero muchos de nosotros nos mantenemos alejados de estas ciudades. De alguna manera no encajamos. 

Si tengo algo que destacar en esta publicación es el énfasis de que Sion no es un país cualquiera. Es una tierra mágica que abraza a sus hijos, pero vomita a los que no pertenecen aquí. A mí, me parece que la guerra del 7 de octubre fue una respuesta de la oscuridad para bloquear el llamado a los judíos a regresar a su legítima tierra. Muchos han llegado a Israel durante este tiempo. El miedo a la guerra no los ahuyentó. Esta fue una de nuestras muchas pruebas. La gente vino de todos modos. ¡Yo digo “Kol HaKavod” (bien hecho)! Muchos perciben el peligro que les espera y la urgencia de venir antes de que las naciones vendrían contra ellos. 

¡De hecho, es hora de volver a casa, hermanos míos! La tierra nos espera como una madre con los brazos abiertos.

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