October 7

Frozen Skies, Israel’s Fate?

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Freezing rain has come after blasting heat and drought. The cold is blown in by hurricane like winds. It is so cold it cuts right through us! The only place of comfort is to tuck myself in bed under a heavy comforter and an electric blanket. That is how I feel this winter after complaining of the constant heat and dry weather that shriveled most of the grape vines and even some of the fruit trees. Will they revive? Better yet, will we survive? Seems like an odd question for one who lives in a closed house with heat and air conditioning, yet somehow this cold cuts through even when the heater runs all day. Maybe this is not just about weather…

Maybe what is spelled out by the weather reveals the situation in the Middle East. The tight fisted wind and cold speaks of hopelessness, people who may be fighting to survive. I am not speaking of those who preempted this war. No! They should feel the full bite of the cold and misery but some are fighting for freedom and nobody seems to care. Thousands have died and all hands are slack. Seems they are giving up. And why shouldn’t they, except–it may be better to die at the cruel hands of the regime than live without freedom. What is freedom anyway? 

Will God help these people when America and all of Europe close their eyes to the suffering. But why was so much ado made over Gaza? Shall we speculate? Does Gaza offer something that the other nations want to control? Is Iran somehow not significant at this time? 

America usually has not fought for the causes of justice and righteousness, that is…not without a rich dividend and Gaza is a rich dividend. How so? Several things. 

  • A centralized footprint in the Middle East
  • An ideal port in the Mediteranean 
  • Israel’s Natural gas discovery off the coast of Gaza.

Maybe more deals are in the offing… 

But why trust America as someone who is going to haul us out of a jam? Is there no faith in the God of Israel anymore? 

Or is it that Israelis have allowed leadership to take over that has their own interests in mind? 

Why are we looking to the nations to protect and provide for us while we smuggly  refuse to help others in distress–Iran, Sudan…anybody else? Is it that we are as guilty as the other nations? Are Israel’s leaders trading off the divine principle of justice in exchange for whatever material and military benefits may be offered? And what about power and absolute power? What may become of us if we refuse to do what is right and good? 

May I ask again, why nobody did anything for several hours on October 7 when it was announced beforehand by several sources? What may have been the game that was being played? Do we have to get permission from America to defend our people?

May I continue to ask, even to an empty sky, why Israel did not go in and finish the job in Gaza right after the attack on October 7? Whom did we need to get permission from? Have we sold out so fully to Big Brother America that we cannot even protect our own children? Like the Bible says…”they have sold the righteous for silver and the poor for a pair of shoes.” Amos 2:6-8.

So is there any hope for those of us who see these things? Should Jews really look to Israel as a safe place when the government turns around and taxes what we struggle to earn to pad their own pockets, using the excuse of buying better military equipment and  fancier jets?

What is the Almighty God of the Universe going to say to these leaders? Most of them deny His existence, whether by their actions in uniting with the nations for support or outright atheism. 

It is true that the world is not a safe place for Jews right now. And many are choosing the impossible dream of making Aliyah with the hope that they will at last find safety, but is this only a Pipe dream? 

And what of the prayers of the righteous? Do they go anywhere or perhaps are those righteous being separated by the Master of the Universe–Separated to save for a coming king who will set things right? But is this a Pipe Dream as well, or can we count on it. Sometimes it seems like the line from Shakespear’s famous Sonnet 29: 

 “And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope…”

But then, this is not what I believe, but I admit that I am tempted to feel this way. Where is Heaven at this time when so many have left all to come to the promised land? 

Ariella Casey

Exile Prayers — Does God Hear Them?

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A young hostage, locked in a tunnel in Gaza did not know or remember the daily prayers required for all good Jews. He started talking directly to God as to a friend. He soon felt he was surrounded by light and warmth even in the darkness. When he was rescued, what happened? He was brought into the company of religious Jews and “shown the way.” But was this really “the way” when he had  already felt the presence of the Eternal personally? I wonder if he will still feel the warm arms of the Eternal about him?

Did the repetition of pre-written, daily prayers save Jews during the Holocaust?
Did the increase in numbers of attendance at synagogues, where prayers are the main subject actually bring an end to the ongoing October 7 war?

Perhaps the more one feels the persecution of Antisemites, the more he or she prays! But what are these prayers anyway?  Do memorizing the frequently repeated prayers actually bring Heaven to the rescue? Maybe, maybe not. What seems to happen is that praying together unites Jews to a common cause, but is the strength merely the strength of the community or is it God-given strength and blessing? And where did this all start? I call these Exile prayers.

What is prayer? Do we think that a cleverly and beautifully written prayer will somehow impress the Eternal when all He wants is the expression of the humble and contrite heart? Go ahead! Read someone else’s poems to me to impress me. Will this win my heart?

Psa 51: “17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

Isa 66: “2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

But what about memorized prayers? Do we have examples in the Bible of those who read memorized prayers and were actually heard? I don’t find any!

What  did the forefathers and the prophets say to God when they prayed? Didn’t they simply ask God for wisdom or to help them? Where in the Bible is there an example of the poetic memorized prayers that are used in today’s religions? There aren’t any. What did Moses say to YHVH when he was afraid to return to Egypt?

When Moses was told to go and speak to Pharaoh, he complained that he was a man of slow speech. He pleaded to get out of the mission. Exo. 4:10

When Elijah felt he was the only one left in the land who didn’t worship the Baals, what did he say? “Even I only am left…” 1 Kings 19:10.

I don’t find anywhere a prayer where someone in the Bible quoted the prayers of another person.

Is prayer about real communication with the Creator or is it about flattering God to get what we want? Are we somehow doing our duty when we repeat the nicely-worded prayers thrice daily? Does it even matter?  Was anyone ever chosen by God who relied on the communication of someone else?

In rereading what I have said it appears that  I condemn all the communal prayers. Let me say, to the contrary,  I believe that the Almighty hears the individual cry behind these prayers. He feels the need of the heart that drives people together. But should not our individual prayers be more about the expression of our own needs and thoughts rather than the thoughts of others? And if we prayed more in this way, would not our public gatherings see more of the blessing of Heaven?

I am not saying that it is wrong to use Psalms and other Bible verses to frame our worship and Shabbat meals. These verses set a framework around the special family time of coming together to enjoy that special time of welcoming of the Shabbat. We read the 23rd Psalm, Exodus 31, Exodus 20 and parts of Isaiah 56. It is even better if you understand the Hebrew so that the words mean something to you. Yet, how much beyond this do we need to go? When does private prayer lose it’s significance? Is God really impressed by our knowledge of how to read a prayer in a foreign tongue? Or would he rather hear us a loving parent hears their children speak to them?

Does the the victim mentality of many Jews perhaps come from not knowing the Almighty on a personal level? Why were we destined to Exile for 2000 years? When we got caught up in following paganism we were not listening on an individual level to the Eternal, so He sent us out of our land. Did we ever learn otherwise than to follow someone else’s ways and teachings? Can we learn to be thinkers rather than mere reflectors of what our great leaders have said?”

Do we know God only vicariously through the words of sages and others or is God a God that is available to all of us? Is he merely there when we are under the authority of wise men and sages? Will He indeed hear the prayer of the contrite and humble heart? Do we have that kind of Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust) that clings to the Eternal in the darkness, not willing to let go until we find the blessing.

Jacob clung to the one who fought with him just before dawn when he realized it was a divine being, He said: “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Can we have that kind of Hutzpah with Hashem?

Pray until the light shines. It will happen!

Yours…

Ariella

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!

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!

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Still shuddering….

Ariella 

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