Zionism

Zion, the Land of Seeing

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Stop importing the Diaspora!
by Ariella Casey

For nearly 2000 years God’s people were scattered to all nations. We can blame Rome as chiefly the cause of this and much of the subsequent persecution that came about, but why did Hashem apparently walk away? And though this scattering was prophesied and given as a warning (Leviticus 24:14-33), the tragic history continues to sadden the hearts of those who try to return to the path of the righteous. But how will we know the way back? And where is back, anyway? What was it that originally led to this tragic history? Is it that God somehow forgot about us? Did we choose to stop following the light? It seems from reading the Bible that we ‘changed horses in the middle of the stream’, but how and when? And how do we get back to where we need to be? When did rabbis replace prophets? 

For more than 2000 years we have not had a genuine prophet. Some may argue, but when we apply the Biblical standard for prophets (Deut. 18:22), we see that none who have been held up as having the gift of prophecy actually qualify. I would say to anyone who thinks otherwise, show me the evidence that they did not add to nor subtract from the original Torah. Miracles aside, and fulfilled prophecy aside, if they change even one principle of Torah they do not qualify. 

But regardless of the horrific past suffering, there is hope today. But this hope is available only in the land of Israel. How so? Take a look at what Isaiah, one of the latter prophets, says about hope and restoration in the land:

“The wilderness and the arid land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom like the tulip. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of the Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of the Carmel and the Sharon, they shall see the glory of YHVH, and the excellency of our God. 

Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even with a divine recompense; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: the habitation of jackals shall become a pasture for cattle, an enclosure of reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass over it; and he shall be to them a guide, and fools shall not err in it.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up on it, they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of YHVH shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa 35:1-10 Koren Bible)

So is there any hope? There is in Zion. Can there be hope anywhere else? Who will come home to the land? Those who are ransomed by the Almighty YHVH who remembers his covenant with Israel and the Jewish people. Can there be a fulfillment of this promise outside the land? There is only one place of safety for the Jews. 

So in the land of Israel the eyes of the blind will be opened according to Isaiah 35:5. The eyes of the blind? Are we all blind? Most of us are not physically blind, but almost all of us have been spiritually blind. We have thought that God has left us, or that we are not following Halakha closely enough and that once we get it right, we would have a connection to the divine. Little do we know that what we have followed among the nations is not required in the land of Israel. Much of what was followed by Jews in other lands was invented by rabbis to safeguard their congregants from assimilation. But, in creating new laws, they often went too far, far beyond what was specified in the Torah. And that now being irrelevant for Israel, it needs to be laid aside as we learn first-hand from the ONE who is there to instruct us. We may need to have everything stripped away before we can see for the first time. The blindfolds of our former lifestyle must be removed before we will be able to see. 

But what about those who have not yet come to Israel? What about the ten tribes that still float around in the nations? This is not to condemn those who have not yet come. The redeeming process is ongoing. But, one day, all must come if they want to really see. 

But, I must tell you that Israel is not a place of comfort. It is a place of trial, a place of breaking down, or stripping off, of learning dependence upon the Hand that led us here. Do we have even a little bit of trust in the Eternal? 

Israelis who were born in the land probably were offspring of those who fought to establish a home for the Jewish people. Many of these people are not observant in the Orthodox sense. But they are real people. They love the land. They go out of their way to help you when you are down. And they are wild and reckless much of the time. And they may not tolerate your diasporic nonsense. They will borrow your parking place and stop and talk to a friend in the middle of the road when others are impatient to get by. And they will hoot at you or flash their lights if you are merely going the speed limit, and they want to get around. But they are all heart, and that is something many of us have lost while living abroad. How did this culture develop? By fighting for the right to exist. By fighting for the land that was given to the forefathers. Many gave their blood for this land and are unwilling to give up even an inch of what their compatriots gave their blood for. 

The land of Israel is pure light. How so? It is almost as if nothing we do here is hidden, no not from God and not from anyone. Everything comes under Divine scrutiny, and the conscience is quickened as our faults are revealed to us. It is the place of learning to walk, learning to see, learning to hear. Once here for a while, there is no going back. 

But Israel is not for everyone, many have come and do not make it here. Many have tried to live strict Halakha while living in the land and have left. Others want the comforts of their diaspora lifestyle, big games and shows and lovely heated homes and backyards. They soon go back to their communities, to reestablish themselves in the comfort they were accustomed to. And rightly so, Israel is not about that. It is about learning and growing and being the people of the Book. And we all come with a desire for the old and familiar, the leeks and the onions of Egypt. But when we learn that the leeks are much bigger, the fruit is sweeter, and pomegranates and grapefruits less bitter, we realize the taste of the land of milk and honey. 

And others have developed communities in the most “Holy” cities of the land. These places are full of these Diaspora Jews. They have recreated communities for the blind, following that which they feel is the will of God. But many of us stay away from these cities. We somehow do not fit in. 

If I have anything to stress in this publication, it is the emphasis that Zion is not just any country. It is a magical land that hugs its children but spews out those that do not belong here. That the war of October 7 was a response from the dark to block the call for the Jews to return to the land. Many have made their way to Israel during this time. The fear of war did not drive them away. This was one of our many tests. People came anyway. I say Kol HaKavod! Many read the handwriting on the wall that the nations would come against them if they did not come home. 

It is indeed time to come home, my friends! The land awaits us like a mother with outstretched arms.

Will you come?

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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

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

Please like, share, comment and follow if you like any of my articles! 

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

Please like, share, comment and follow if you like any of my articles! 

Follow Take Hold the Tzitzit on WordPress.com

Gaza, Ramadan, Hezbollah… and We should Make Peace?

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Hundreds of Hezbollah rockets are pounding the Northern part of the State of Israel and Ramadan is just around the corner, in fact just a few hours from now! None of us knows whether our towns in the North will be still standing tomorrow. 

I am a Zionist and I hope you are, even if you are not Jewish. But what is the concept of Zionism all about? 

“Zionism is the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel.” ADL

If I did not believe that Zion (the land of Israel) belongs to the Jews, I would not be here. And when I hear sympathetic Jews in this land expressing a desire to make peace with those who want to murder, rape and burn the Jews and take away their G-d given home, I want to send these people packing back to the nations where they were once exiled. If they love the idea that there will ever be peace coming out of Gaza as long as Gazan’s live there, then, go on back, kiss the feet of Biden, and like-minded leaders of other nations! Perhaps they will welcome another Jew back to where political groups want to string them up while chanting “from the River to the Sea.” (Frankly not many of those who march in these groups even know which river they are talking about!)

Peace activists who lived in some of the kibbutzim near Gaza learned a fatal lesson. For some it was too late to change their minds. The following clip is from Times of Israel (to read the entire article, click here.)

“In the wake of October 7, Lahav and other Israelis who had supported and campaigned for territorial compromises with the Palestinians as a pathway to peace now say they are being forced to reconsider their views. “‘I used to think Palestinians were good people, like you and me. That Hamas were thugs who got in the way of the population’s desire for a good life: a pretty home, a good car, a good job, a nice yard; good schools for the children.’ Lahav said from the temporary home she shares with her daughter Lotus, a new three-bedroom apartment on the fifth floor of a residential project in Kiryat Gat where many Nir Oz survivors have relocated to. ‘After October 7, I realized I was wrong. Just as the Israeli government represents Israelis, Hamas represents the people of Gaza.’”

This is only one testimony. There are many. The idea of Jews making peace with those who have a religious conviction that Jews are blood sucking vampires who have falsely claimed a land that belongs to them (the Palestinian Arabs) makes no logical sense. 

But how will the Jews rise to become a light to the nations? Can they ever become a light when they are bowing their own knees to America and giving away that which belongs to the Creator of the Universe to those who have no respect for that One who made His Covenant with Israel and His People? Why do we keep trying to please the nations? Is there no faith in the G-d of Israel anymore? Have our politicians no respect for the promises made to our forefathers? We keep selling out to those who have no respect for us over and over again.

We gave away the Temple Mount which belongs to our G-d. How did we dare? And we will pay with blood to get it back. We gave away Gaza, which was not ours to give and look at what has happened? Perhaps we could calculate the cost in lives and money over the years, let alone the fact that the Gazans took that paradise that we turned over to them in 2005 and turned it into a garbage heap run by slum lords named Hamas. Now what do we expect will happen with Judea and Samaria? How in Heaven’s Name did anybody let those crooked politicians give our land away? And now, only by G-d’s coming alongside will we ever get it back, let alone have a nation of our own. And how will we get Heaven to listen to us now? Does G-d even believe us anymore?

No, it boils my blood to listen to long-time Israelis and Jews from America and England spout off with their liberal rant about learning to be more peace loving, about helping the poor hungry Gazans. Better they get out of Dodge!–Better they leave before the same thing that happened to Be’eri happens to the towns in the North. After all, Hezbollah has a lot more rockets than Hamas in Gaza ever dreamed of having. 

One thing is clear, this war is separating between those who believe in Israel as the land of the Jewish people and those who do not. There are a lot of other issues that are revealing who is who, if you will, separating the “sheep from the wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

There is one way only to gain the respect of the nations and to become a light to the world. The world stands in awe of power. When they see a warrior who is invincible they applaud. When they see that people cannot “mess with Texas”, so to speak, they respect. Now may Israel rise to “the brightness of our calling”, there should be no weakness shown in dealing with murderers and rapists. There is no room to accommodate those who support those who are bent on doing evil. 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isa 60:1-3 

עם הנצח ינצח

May we see a better day for the Land of Israel! Standing together we will win. 

Ariella Golani

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