Israel

Momentos místicos en el tiempo y el espacio

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Por Ariella Casey

Alguien preguntó durante una discusión de la parashá Bmidbar: “¿Por qué YHWH decidió dar los mandamientos en el Sinaí y no en la tierra de Israel?”

Tengo un par de pensamientos sobre esto.

YHWH eligió el Sinaí porque Israel tuvo que abandonar el Egipto idólatra antes de poder tener una atmósfera donde pudieran escuchar la Voz de Dios.

Israel necesitaba recibir los mandamientos antes de entrar a la tierra y aprender a obedecerlos. Si hubieran entrado a la tierra en su estado idólatra, no habrían seguido las instrucciones de exterminar a los habitantes de la tierra; no habrían tenido discernimiento para entender qué era tan malo en sus prácticas y podrían haber elegido unirse a ellos.

Israel necesitaba ser una Nación Santa, necesitaba aprender a caminar con Dios en el desierto antes de poder caminar con Dios en la Tierra. Desafortunadamente, hoy en día no hay desierto en la transición desde la diáspora. Y sí, ha habido muchas tonterías aprendidas por parte de las naciones, tonterías que vienen con el equipaje de la Aliá a Israel.

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Mystical Moments in Time and Space

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When and where was Sinai?

By Ariella Casey

Someone asked during a Parsha Bmidbar discussion: “Why did Hashem choose to give the commandments on Sinai and not in the land of Israel?”

I have a couple of thoughts on this.

YHWH chose Sinai because Israel had to leave idolatrous Egypt before they could have an atmosphere where they could hear the Voice of God. 

Israel needed to receive the commandments before they entered the land and learned to obey. If they had entered the land in their idolatrous state they would not have followed the instruction to wipe out the inhabitants of the land–they would not have had discernment to understand what was so bad about their practices and might have chosen to join them.

Israel needed to be a Holy Nation, they needed to learn to walk with God in the wilderness before they could walk with God in the Land. Unfortunately, there is no desert in the transition from the Diaspora today. And yes, there has been a lot of learned nonsense from the nations–nonsense that comes with the baggage of Aliya to Israel.

The desert of Sinai, a place completely desolate, was a place for learning. No distractions or false teachings. Only the voice of the Eternal could be heard. 

The wilderness represents the idea that these commandments are not location bound. They are for the entire world and, no, I don’t embrace Noahide laws.

Sinai, where the Eternal Covenant was made, was a place beyond time and space. Thus the Eternal Covenant is a Mystical Covenant. The 10 commandments are not limited to several thousand years for a certain people in a certain land. They are Eternal. 

The Covenant people had to be separate from those who were not willing to embrace the covenant. This took 40 years. The Covenant was not to be trusted to those who would not follow it–notwithstanding their Jewish (Hebrew) blood. The same thing goes for today. The idea of being a descendant of the Chosen People has nothing to do with obligational entitlement to blessings. It is mandatory that we spend time at Sinai and “become” the Chosen People. 

Lev 20:26 – “And ye shall be holy unto me; for I YHWH am holy, and have separated you from the peoples to be mine.”

So the Covenant of YHWH is given in a Place outside any nation and in a time that is not time-bound. No one knows the date of the giving of the commandments, other than an approximation.  

The Shavuot holiday also is a little bit mysterious. Each year in Israel we count the Omer rather than basing the Holy Day of Shavuot upon a set calendar. The Holy Days of Pesach and then Shavuot are determined each year after the Barley is seen and the New Moon of the first month opens the door to Pesach. From the day after the Sabbath of Pesach, we count day by day to determine Shavuot. It is a personal counting. And Shavuot occurs only around the time the 10 commandments were given, which are even more mysterious as to time relativity. Shavuot requires us to follow the real signs of the Heavens plus Torah specified math calculation to determine when it falls. There can be no preset calendar. The counting is an individual application, that without it, you would miss some of the mitzvoth of Shavuot. 

Then the day of commandments, which was never specified, happens a few days or weeks later. And that is why! Because it is for all time.

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Memorial for Katzrin’s Fallen Soldiers

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The black sky formed a domed canopy above the assembly that gathered in the big square next to the community center in Katzrin. It was a night of remembrance. On the stage stood a flag pole and three soldiers. The Israeli flag fluttered in the mild breeze at half-mast. As residents of the community filed in through several guarded entrances, they were visually checked for weapons and where weapons were found, those who held them were sent to an entrance where licenses must be submitted to the authorities. At this time in Israel, there is danger involved in taking chances in groups of this size. Imagine what could happen, if?… But all ifs dissolved last night, with the armed security and soldiers standing guard. 

Amichai, Fallen Soldier from Katzrin — October 7, ’23

Five hundred plus white plastic chairs awaited the expected crowd. Eager, yet serious, the attendees arrived, and soon row after row of family and friends shuffled into the makeshift auditorium under the stars. Many were Jews from different countries of the world, and perhaps even more were native-born Israelis.

Instructions had been given via every local media outlet that there would be a one-minute siren at exactly 8 pm, honoring the fallen soldiers of the past 7 months and especially those from Katzrin who gave their lives fighting Israel. The audience would stand at attention while the siren lasted. Further instructions were given to prepare the group for the eventuality of a bombing raid during the program. If this was to happen, all were to lay on the ground face down with their hands over their heads. Those who were disabled were to bow as low as possible in their seats and cover their heads in the same way. 

As the siren receded, the audience remained standing as Introductory words and dedications were made, including a memorial Kadesh blessing for Hashem honoring those who died. The three soldiers still stood at stiff attention beside the flagpole on the stage that was illuminated by spotlights of different colors. Not a hand movement nor nod of the head was seen. They stood this way for over an hour, erect and solemn in their military attire. 

Yehezkel Fallen Soldier from Katzrin 10/23

During this time, family members, friends, officials of the town d others brought colorful memorial wreaths and placed them by the flagpole in front of the three soldiers. The names of the fallen soldiers were read and pictures of their lives illuminated the giant screens on either side of the stage. Sadly, the first soldier was killed on October 7, the day the war began.  The second soldier died a few days later that week. The third was much later. 

The service had touching eulogies by the family members, two mothers and a father, honoring the boys. Then a talented soldier sang vocal pieces and accompanied himself on a large keyboard. 

Some of us did not know Hebrew well enough to follow the service literally, but the soul of the Israeli people was apparent and the meaning of it all sank deep into our hearts. We know that Israel is about being One People on the land, no matter what happens. 

The thought has been voiced by many, that at this time when the majority of the world wants to destroy our people, when many so-called Jews, even in government positions in the diaspora are happy to give away our land in exchange for making a name for themselves, we must take the position that we are alone–that we stand for the people of Israel and for this God-given land, whatever comes. 

Omri Fallen Soldier from Katzrin Dec ’23

And as always in the past, a remnant will survive and flourish. This must toughen us, come what may. There is no going back. We must strengthen our resolve to stand and not to fall prey to the lies that continue to fall from the mouths of those who hate us, even though many of them are Jews seeking temporal fame and a moment in the limelight. 

Like one seasoned veteran soldier said today concerning Jews that betray the Jewish people. “They are traitors, … and what do you do with traitors…?”

Let him who thinks he is standing take heed lest he fall…

Ariella

¡Bombas, terror y mi dulce cachorra Simcha!

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Por Binjamin Casey

Son las dos y cuarto de la mañana y el rugido sordo de los F15 que sobrevuelan en constante patrulla me despierta una vez más. Incluso con el suave zumbido del ventilador de ventana que usamos para el “ruido blanco”, la vibración profunda perturba mi sueño y mi cuerpo se tensa por el estrés de “¿Es esto solo otra salida o es algo real?”

El avión se inclina sobre su cabeza y comienza su amplio giro que lo lleva sobre la Cordillera de Hermón, a través del valle del Jordán y luego por la frontera libanesa de regreso al centro de Israel a través del Kinneret o Mar de Galilea.

Desde el Black Sabbath de octubre, hace poco más de seis meses, las patrullas aéreas y los ataques a Siria y el Líbano se han convertido en una realidad y en un recordatorio físico constante para aquellos de nosotros en los Altos del Golán de que, efectivamente, estamos en guerra. El ruido debería ser tranquilizador y lógicamente lo es, la mayor parte del tiempo. Durante las horas del día miramos hacia arriba para ver los aviones mientras sobrevuelan. Es algo difícil detectar los aviones porque vuelan tan alto y tan rápido. Tienes que juzgar la elevación por la intensidad del ruido y luego mirar hacia adelante, donde parece estar el sonido. A veces tienes suerte y vislumbras un F15, F16 o F35. Otras veces te dejas engañar porque es posible que un avión haya dado un giro cerrado y esté regresando hacia el sonido.

Pero, como dije antes, por tranquilizador que sea, encuentro que el sonido después de seis meses comienza a desgastarse en mi mente cansada de la guerra. Este es el undécimo conflicto importante en el que he estado involucrado y es el más largo y conflictivo.

Hace unos días, mi mente dañada por el trastorno de estrés postraumático finalmente cedió al sonido y rompí a llorar por el estrés. Mientras estaba sentada en nuestro jardín con la cabeza entre las manos llorando, mi pastora alemana Simcha (alegría en hebreo), de pelo largo, se acercó y puso suavemente su enorme cabeza peluda en mi regazo. Ella me miró con sus grandes ojos tristes y me lamió suavemente. Estallé en un torrente de lágrimas y poco a poco la tensión empezó a disminuir. Cualquier rincón oscuro de mi mente que había permitido que emergieron los fantasmas del pasado, lentamente cerró sus puertas y los demonios retrocedieron.

Estoy seguro de que muchos de nosotros en Israel hemos sentido este dolor abrumador últimamente, pero no todos tenemos una Simjá que nos ayude a superarlo. Sintiendo mi cambio de humor, ahora era su turno de recibir atención. Era hora de vengarse y esta niña de dos años quería jugar en serio a cambio de su afecto.

Los días transcurrieron hasta que una mañana llegó la noticia que esperábamos pero temíamos. Irán, el Estado patrocinador del terrorismo global, finalmente había decidido lanzar un ataque contra Israel. Nos advirtieron que se había lanzado un ataque masivo con misiles y que estábamos situados entre una hora y media y dos horas antes del ataque, dependiendo del tipo de proyectil que se lanzara. Elige tu opción; UAV, misiles balísticos y de crucero, así que mientras esperábamos, nuestros antiguos primos en el Líbano estaban aumentando su cuota de cohetes Quassam y Katyusha de corto alcance.

Mis ojos captaron la vista del valle del Yarden o río Jordán, que era como siempre hermoso. Debajo del enorme montículo del Monte Canaán, las luces de Rosh Piná y Hazor Hagalil brillaban en la oscuridad de la noche mientras la corona de la montaña estaba iluminada por las luces de Birya. Hazor, que es donde el profeta Josué, el protegido de Moisés, libró su batalla final después de entrar en la tierra hace unos 3500 años, después de los años de exilio en Egipto y luego de la saga del Éxodo. Esta zona estaba a punto de presenciar otro ataque contra los hijos de Israel.

Las luces continuaron parpadeando tranquilizadoramente y había una tranquilidad inusual en la noche, como si todo el campo estuviera conteniendo la respiración con anticipación. O los aviones habían regresado a la base para rearmarse y abastecerse de combustible o se dirigían hacia el este a través de Siria para hacer frente al ataque que se avecinaba.

El ataque en sí no fue del todo inesperado, ya que el ruido de sables se había prolongado durante días, si no semanas. Sin embargo, lo que sí me sorprendió fue una avalancha de mensajes de amigos en Gran Bretaña e incluso en Estados Unidos preguntando si todo estaba bien y asegurándonos que estábamos en sus pensamientos y oraciones.

Como había pasado la mayor parte de la noche despierto por la adrenalina esperando lo que fuera que nos ocurriera, no había mucho que hacer más que esperar. Entonces, como haría cualquier buen británico en una crisis, fui a prepararme una taza de té y me tranquilicé mientras esperaba.

A la 1:45 a. m., la alarma de mi teléfono comenzó a sonar advertencias de ataque tras ataque y esto ahora llegó más rápido de lo que podía leer. Hasta ahora, la mayoría de los ataques se produjeron en el sur, en las extensiones vacías del desierto de Negev. De repente, mis ojos captaron el brillo de una esfera roja que se elevaba lentamente hacia el cielo en dirección a Tiberio, la antigua ciudad romana y bíblica en Kinneret. Supe en ese momento que había comenzado. El orbe se eleva hacia el cielo y recuerda los días más felices de hace mucho tiempo, cuando la gente se sentaba y miraba las velas romanas arrojar sus orbes al cielo nocturno el 4 de julio o la Noche de las Hogueras para el deleite de los niños. Esta vez, sin embargo, el propósito era mucho más mortal, como lo indicó un repentino destello brillante. Al menos un misil ahora no alcanzaría su objetivo gracias al asombroso sistema de defensa aérea Cúpula de Hierro que ha salvado tantas vidas desde su primer despliegue en 2011. Se han disparado miles de cohetes contra Israel desde 2007, cuando Hamás tomó el control de Israel. La Franja de Gaza y Hezbollah, el representante iraní en el Líbano, y desde entonces disparan conjuntamente cohetes frecuentes e indiscriminados contra Israel. El costo financiero de detener estos cohetes es escandaloso y, sin embargo, sin la Cúpula de Hierro es sólo una suposición calcular el costo en vidas humanas perdidas.

El sonido de las explosiones empezó a resonar por todo el valle y el fuerte estallido de un cohete derribado por nuestras defensas. La Cúpula de Hierro es capaz de rastrear y calcular la velocidad, la dirección y el probable punto de aterrizaje de los misiles entrantes, por lo que sólo dispara a aquellos que considera que probablemente impactarán en áreas pobladas. Aun así, el coste de cada misil ronda los 60.000 dólares. Millones de dólares que podrían haberse gastado en escuelas, hospitales o utilizados en exploraciones científicas en beneficio de la humanidad, se han utilizado en cambio para derribar cohetes lanzados por ultrarreligiosos. musulmanes fanáticos.

Sorprendentemente, el ataque terminó muy rápidamente y comenzaron a llegar los informes iniciales. La única herida reportada fue la de una joven beduina que había sufrido heridas de metralla y algunos edificios fueron alcanzados en una base aérea. Esta noche se estaba presenciando verdaderamente un milagro, pero aún no sabíamos hasta qué punto.

La noche volvió a su solemnidad, los aviones habían regresado a la base y no se oían más explosiones en el valle. Eché un último vistazo por la ventana, asombrado de que se hubieran causado tan pocos daños o lesiones, y finalmente me dirigí a la comodidad de mi cama para dormir un par de horas.

De repente me despertó la estridente sirena antiaérea que subía y bajaba y nos advertía que teníamos 30 segundos para llegar a nuestra habitación segura. Esta vez nosotros éramos el objetivo, habíamos dormido vestidos sabiendo que esta posibilidad podría suceder así que agarramos una bolsa de emergencia y por supuesto a Simcha, quien pensó que esto era solo un juego divertido. Nos dirigimos a nuestro rincón debajo de las escaleras. Esta vez el sonido de las intercepciones de la Cúpula de Hierro fue mucho más fuerte, como un trueno directamente sobre nuestras cabezas, pero mucho más siniestro cuando comprendimos el peligro que podría causar la metralla de estos cohetes. De nuevo, después de lo que pareció muy poco tiempo, todo terminó, y el silencio repentino me recordó las historias que mi abuelo me había contado acerca de cómo después de un bombardeo de artillería en la Primera Guerra Mundial, el silencio repentino fue casi tan opresivo como el ruido del bombardeo mismo. Todo un infierno durante 15 minutos y luego un silencio como una tumba mientras tus oídos volvían a la normalidad. Más tarde esa mañana descubrimos que un cohete, probablemente un Katushkya, había aterrizado en nuestra ciudad. Sin quitarle ningún crédito a los miembros de las FDI y la IAF que habían hecho un trabajo increíble esa noche, el verdadero crédito tiene que ser para el Todopoderoso, sin el cual nuestro país sería un pedazo de tierra humeante con víctimas incalculables.

El cohete que había caído en la ciudad había impactado a unos dos metros de un muro de hormigón y roca coronado por una valla de hierro en la única zona de tierra blanda de los alrededores. La pared de roca dirigió la explosión lejos de las casas al otro lado de la calle y arrojó pequeños terrones de tierra y piedras pequeñas a unas dos cuadras de distancia. En el terreno había varios árboles frutales y se pudo ver cómo las raíces de los árboles también ayudaron a contener la explosión y alejarla de las casas a unos diez o quince metros de distancia. Alrededor del punto de impacto había viviendas de varios pisos que fácilmente podrían haber sido impactadas y destruidas. Si el cohete hubiera aterrizado al otro lado de la pared de ladrillos, se habría enterrado en un camino adoquinado hecho con ladrillos de tres kilos. Cada uno de esos ladrillos podría haberse convertido en misiles y el daño que habrían causado no es difícil de imaginar. Sin embargo, los únicos daños, aunque leves, fueron los de un coche cercano, la barandilla de la parte superior de la pared y varios paneles solares dañados por los terrones de tierra lanzados al aire por el impacto.

Desde esa noche se ha confirmado que en aquella ocasión se dispararon unos trescientos proyectiles contra Israel. La gran mayoría fueron derribados por las fuerzas armadas de Israel y la Cúpula de Hierro y posiblemente por algunos de nuestros supuestos aliados, mientras que a otros se les permitió caer en áreas abiertas.

Gracias al Creador, esa noche solo ocurrió una lesión grave y oramos para que se recupere rápidamente y recupere su plena salud.

Considerándolo todo, el ataque fue un completo y miserable fracaso en lo que respecta a Irán. Con el mayor ataque con misiles de la historia lanzado contra nosotros, nuestras defensas resistieron la prueba y humillaron al agresor.

En los días siguientes, los aviones han reanudado sus patrullas y ataques contra objetivos dentro del Líbano, pero el ruido de su paso todavía me irrita los nervios.

Aunque conozco el compromiso de nuestros valientes soldados y pilotos, su habilidad, dedicación y compromiso continuamente me sorprenden pero sobre todo doy gracias al Eterno por su misericordia y guía.

También agradezco a mi esposa Ariella y a mis queridos amigos por su aliento y apoyo. Por último, mi dulce cachorrito Simcha, sé que es hora de jugar… ¡otra vez!

A Second Exodus–What does this War have to do with It?

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Difficult times are here for us. Jews and Bible believers everywhere are holding their breath unsure of what is going on in terms of their beliefs and what the Bible says about end time events–especially events that are even now spiraling out of control in the Holy Land! But what is it all about? 

Israel has broken into a catastrophic war just at the time when Jews are returning to the land en masse. It is almost like a second Exodus and this time Pharoah seems to be IN THE LAND as well as on the borders trying to destroy anyone who wants to return. Now it is not only Egypt, but all the bordering nations who have joined in on the daily attacks to steal the land of Israel and kill its inhabitants. Why now?

Ok so Jews have celebrated the first day of Pesach of 2024, and at most seders the question is at least contemplated if not discussed as to why Jews seem to suffer eternally, as if it is our destiny to suffer. This year the celebration of our freedom is questionable. How can we celebrate freedom when the nations want to wipe us out, again! — this time from our own G-d given land? Surely Hashem must not be watching! Why is this happening? We thought the end times was about returning to the land, ending the exile and welcoming the Messiah! Maybe there is something else that we  have not seen. Maybe God’s people need a transformation! Maybe returning to the Land is a test!

Perhaps we can draw strength from the negative things that are happening. Let’s look behind the reality of what is going on.

According to a Times of Israel article dated December 23, 2023, more than 2600 people moved to Israel between October 7 and the date of the article. According to the Jewish Chronicle, over 6500 Jews emigrated to Israel by February 14 and many applications for aliyah have been made.

What can be deducted from this? As of the time of the statement in Times of Israel (12/23) not a lot of anti-Israel protests had taken place around the world– at least not like there have been recently.. So what motivated those who came? Guilt for not being in the land to support it? A feeling of wanting to stand together, come what may? Or is there something else?

During the seder at some friends’ house here in the Golan Heights, we met some new people who had just moved from the United States. They still have not established residency but they claim that Israel is the only place for Jews. They sold everything and high-tailed it over here, with or without aliyah benefits! This is definitely not the first time I have heard people claim this! 

Is Israel really the safest place for Jews as the above article suggests? It may well be, but it does not feel like it at the moment. Feelings aside, what is Hashem’s plan for Israel? Is there a plan? Are Jews going to be forever persecuted and targeted? Is it because they are the Covenant People? Is it because they somehow went astray way back thousands of years ago? Well, maybe, but I don’t see a loving and gracious G-d eternally punishing a people with persecution when they have no idea why. I am sure there is something else involved in the overwhelming drive to return to the land of our forefathers. Why are we here, indeed? 

Another thing, why do Christian organizations, especially evangelicals, believe that the Jews must return to the land?
According to the the Zionist Christian statement in Wikipedia:
“God the Father, Almighty, chose the ancient nation and people of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to reveal His plan of redemption for the world. They remain elect of God, and without the Jewish nation His redemptive purposes for the world will not be completed.”
Of course underlying this statement is the premise that the Christian Messiah (Jesus) must return to Jerusalem and as some have stated, “convince the Jews of his “divine mission and Messiahship.”  

Be that false as most of us claim, the outcome is that many Jews are being helped to return. Shall we condemn their good will and refuse to accept their gifts, even though they are motivated by wrong reasoning? Do we throw the baby out with the bath water? I am not so sure. Hashem has worked with nations to bring about his will over the millennia  and I don’t see Him changing plans now. So what could be His purpose in bringing Jews to experience a horrible war against Israel at what many of us believe to be the end times? Are we to see something spectacular?

Some see this war as being completely controlled by a secular government that is not directed by YHVH. Some have stated that G-d is not in our midst and cannot work with this government? Wait!

Did G-d work with Cyrus of Babylon to send the Jews back to the land. Does that not mean that all is in the Hands of the Eternal Architect of History? 

Another thing, besides the attack on October 7 (see my article Dancing with the Devil here), there have been many missiles, drones, rockets, and bombs fired at Israel from all sides. Besides many of our dear soldiers being killed in the fight with Hamas, Hezbollah and other proxies of Iran, there have been very few civilian casualties. Like for example what happened on Saturday night April 13 when over 300 projectiles were fired at Israel from Iran and nobody was hurt except one bedouin girl who was injured. One missile landed in our town between a couple of apartment buildings and left a 10 foot hole in the yard and some structural damage. But curiously, it did not hurt anyone! Is the secret in the strength of our defense forces and our Iron dome? Or is it possible that Somebody Up There is watching out for us? It is true that our government for the most part looks to themselves as the sole protection of Israel. Evil as that may be, is Hashem there working behind the scenes? Is it possible that He alone is guiding the movements of the war? Can you tell me He is not? He can uproot kings whenever He wants to. It just happens that He is working alongside and bringing about what He wants?

Some of us still question the apparent stupidity of our government for being surprised at the October 7 attack, or even ignoring it until it was too late. Did G-d have a purpose in  allowing it? Did He have a message for us? Did He use it somehow to begin a bigger scale attack on Israel that would play out to show His Mighty Hand at the last? And now, what about our 133 hostages which many of us believe are mostly dead by now? I cannot fathom the reason for their torture and death, but I will not allow my faith in YHVH to fail. I have prayed for them over and over and it is time to leave them with the Almighty who protects the innocent. Does He or does He not? Some say He clearly has not protected any of them. So what do we do? Throw out our faith? Could there be a reason for all of this? I say there is, but I cannot tell you what it is. Shall we place the blame on the government, or is the government just a puppet in Hashem’s hands? 

If we read the prophecies of Ezekiel 37-39, it is pretty clear that something corresponds with what is going on. 

I know I am arguing to save G-d’s reputation. Some may claim that I am a religious fanatic. I may be. But a couple of things are clear to me.

  1. This war is necessary to fulfill the Divine Plan and is hinted at in the Bible.
  2. People have always suffered, especially the Covenant People.
  3. The Bible promises to bring back those who have died (hostages?) in the resurrection. (See Isaiah 26, Daniel 12, Ezek 37).
  4. The Land of Israel belongs to YHVH and He promises to wipe out Edom (Isaiah 63). He says he will do it alone (Isaiah 63:3).
  5. There is to be a separation between the righteous and the wicked. (Wickedness is showing its face especially now. This war is revealing people’s attitudes and secret motivations. Some Jews are hanging onto their money as the most important thing they have. Some are selling everything and moving to Israel, whatever the cost. Many non-Jews are lining up to help, while others are covering their ears so that they do not hear. Some are searching the ancestry of their parents and doing DNA searches  to see if they may be Jewish or from the 10 lost tribes. 

So, yes, there is a lot to contemplate and the best thing we can do is trust G-d to work out His will. He alone is in charge no matter what governments and organizations are doing. Let’s not get in His way!

My hope is for a greater faith while we see mountains crumble and towers fall. May we be faithful through it all!

Ariella

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A Second Exodus–What does this War have to do with It?

Difficult times are here for us. Jews and Bible believers everywhere are holding their breath unsure of what is going on in terms of their beliefs and what the Bible says about end time events. Especially events that are even now spiraling out of control in the Holy Land! But what is it all about? 

Israel has broken into a catastrophic war just at the time when Jews are returning to the land en masse. It is almost like a second Exodus and this time Pharoah seems to be IN THE LAND as well as on the borders trying to destroy anyone who wants to return. Now it is not only Egypt, but all the bordering nations who have joined in on the daily attacks to steal the land of Israel and kill its inhabitants. Why now?

Ok so Jews have celebrated the first day of Pesach of 2024, and at most seders the question is at least contemplated if not discussed as to why Jews seem to suffer eternally, as if it is our destiny to suffer. This year the celebration of our freedom is questionable. How can we celebrate freedom when the nations want to wipe us out, again! — this time from our own G-d given land? Surely Hashem must not be watching! Why is this happening? We thought the end times was about returning to the land, ending the exile and welcoming the Messiah! Maybe there is something else that we  have not seen. Maybe God’s people need a transformation!

Perhaps we can draw strength from the negative things that are happening. Let’s look behind the reality of what is going on.

According to a Times of Israel article dated December 23, 2023, more than 2600 people moved to Israel between October 7 and the date of the article. According to the Jewish Chronicle, over 6500 Jews emigrated to Israel by February 14 and many applications for aliyah have been made.

What can be deducted from this? As of the time of the statement in Times of Israel (12/23) not a lot of anti-Israel protests had taken place around the world– at least not like there have been recently.. So what motivated them? Guilt for not being in the land to support it? A feeling of wanting to stand together, come what may? Or is there something else?

During the seder at some friends’ house here in the Golan Heights, we met some new people who had just moved from the United States. They still have not established residency but they claim that Israel is the only place for Jews. They sold everything and high-tailed it over here, with or without aliyah benefits! This is definitely not the first time I have heard people claim this! 

Is Israel really the safest place for Jews as the above article suggests? It may well be, but it does not feel like it at the moment. Feelings aside, what is Hashem’s plan for Israel? Is there a plan? Are Jews going to be forever persecuted and targeted? Is it because they are the Covenant People? Is it because they somehow went astray way back thousands of years ago? Well, maybe, but I don’t see a loving and gracious G-d eternally punishing a people with persecution when they have no idea why. I am sure there is something else involved in the overwhelming drive to return to the land of our forefathers. Why are we here, indeed? 

Another thing, why do Christian organizations, especially evangelicals, believe that the Jews must return to the land?

According to the the Zionist Christian statement in Wikipedia::

“God the Father, Almighty, chose the ancient nation and people of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to reveal His plan of redemption for the world. They remain elect of God, and without the Jewish nation His redemptive purposes for the world will not be completed.”

Of course underlying this statement is the premise that the Christian Messiah (Jesus) must return to Jerusalem and as some have stated, “convince the Jews of his divine mission and Messiahship.”  

Be that false as most of us claim, the outcome is that many Jews are being helped to return. Shall we condemn their good will and refuse to accept their gifts, even though they are motivated by wrong reasoning? Do we throw the baby out with the bath water? I am not so sure. Hashem has worked with nations to bring about his will over the millennia  and I don’t see Him changing plans now. So what could be His purpose in bringing Jews to experience a horrible war against Israel at what many of us believe to be the end times? Are we to see something spectacular?

Some see this war as being completely controlled by a secular government that is not directed by YHVH. Some have stated that G-d is not in our midst and cannot work with this government? Wait!

Did G-d work with Cyrus of Babylon to send the Jews back to the land. Does that not mean that all is in the Hands of the Eternal Architect of History? 

Another thing, besides the attack on October 7 (see my article Dancing with the Devil here), there have been many missiles, drones, rockets, and bombs fired at Israel from all sides. Besides many of our dear soldiers being killed in the fight with Hamas, Hezbollah and all the proxies of Iran, there have been very few civilian casualties. Like for example what happened on Saturday night April 13 when over 300 projectiles were fired at Israel from Iran and nobody was hurt except one bedouin girl who was injured. Is it the strength of our Iron dome? Or is it possible that Somebody Up There is watching out for us? It is true that our government for the most part looks to themselves as the sole protection of Israel. Evil as that may be, is Hashem there working behind the scenes? Can you tell me He is not? He can uproot kings whenever He wants to. It just happens that He is working alongside and bringing about what He wants?

Some of us still question the lame stupidity of our government for being surprised at the October 7 attack, or even ignoring it until it was too late. Did G-d have a purpose in  allowing it? Did He have a message for us? Did He use it somehow to begin a bigger scale attack on Israel that would play out to show His Mighty Hand at the last? And now, what about our 133 hostages which many of us believe are mostly dead by now? I cannot fathom the reason for their torture and death, but I will not allow my faith in YHVH to fail. I have prayed for them over and over and it is time to leave them with the Almighty who protects the innocent. Does He or does He not? Some say He clearly has not protected any of them. So what do we do? Throw out our faith? Could there be a reason for all of this? I say there is, but I cannot tell you what it is. Shall we place the blame on the government, or is the government just a puppet in Hashem’s hands? 

If we read the prophecies of Ezekiel 37-39, it is pretty clear that something corresponds with what is going on. 

I know I am arguing to save G_d’s reputation. Some may claim that I am a religious fanatic. I may be. But a couple of things are clear to me.

  1. This war is necessary to fulfill the Divine Plan and is hinted at in the Bible.
  2. People have always suffered, especially the Covenant People.
  3. The Bible promises to bring back those who have died (hostages?) in the resurrection. (See Isaiah 26, Daniel 12, Ezek 37).
  4. The Land of Israel belongs to YHVH and He promises to wipe out Edom (Isaiah 63). He says he will do it alone (Isaiah 63:3).
  5. There is to be a separation between the righteous and the wicked. (Wickedness is showing its face especially now. This war is revealing people’s attitudes and secret motivations. Some Jews are hanging onto their money as the most important thing they have. Some are selling everything and moving to Israel, whatever the cost. Many non-Jews are lining up to help, while others are covering their ears so that they do not hear. Some are searching the ancestry of their parents and doing DNA searches  to see if they may be Jewish or from the 10 lost tribes. 

So, yes, there is a lot to contemplate and the best thing we can do is trust G-d to work out His will. He alone is in charge no matter what governments and organizations are doing. Let’s not get in His way!

My hope is for a greater faith while we see mountains crumble and towers fall. May we be faithful through it all!

Ariella

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