Israel Dreams

I am so often taken aback when the weekly Scripture reading parallels our own lives or the current news stream. It happens regularly here. To explain, in Judaism as well as many traditional forms of Christianity (Eastern/Greek/Russian Orthodox, Byzantine, Latin Catholic, Episcopal/Church of England/Anglican, Lutheran), there are pre-set readings and a set liturgy for each week of the year. This week’s readings in the synagogue are called ‘Korach’ found in Numbers chapters 16-18.

In the story, there is a national crisis within the camp of the Children of Israel. They are poised to enter into the Promised Land, ‘a Land flowing with milk and honey,’ when ten of the twelve spies sent out return with a bad report. It is at this time of weakness, when the people are disheartened, that Korach attempts a coup against their leader, Moses. Korach, speaking to the general assembly of the Jewish camp, plays upon any resentment already existing. He loudly and brazenly tries to make Moses and Aaron look ridiculously incompetent in the eyes of the people. Seeking the perfect time to challenge Moses and wrest the power for himself, he legitimizes the crisis but twists the truth for his own devious purposes.

Turning the truth on its head, he divides the Children of Israel and foments rebellion. He gets another, Dathan, to accuse Moses loudly, “You seek to dominate us!” Fake news is then served up, causing doubt about the leadership in peoples’ minds and panic to rise up and finally a coup to occur. National unity is destroyed and anarchy is the result.

The people have taken G-d out of the picture, despite His leadings, His show of the shekinah, or Divine Glory, and also His judgements and provision on behalf of the Children of Israel. Korach and his small band have run a well-calculated campaign. It’s like modern day communism. They tell the Jewish people, “We are all holy. We can all be leaders, not just Moses…” The fear of the people has turned to outright rage against the government. They are caught in a nightmare of their own making. The sinful are quickly wiped out by the L-rd Himself and a plague comes upon the people. They are also sentenced to wandering in the desert for forty years.

Yesterday we took someone to the airport , which was followed by a medical appointment in the Tel Aviv area. It seemed that over the weekend, the signs and banners had appeared overnight. I’m not trying to play sides politically. I do not agree with everything our current administration in Israel has done or are doing. I am not in favor of some of the recent decisions made regarding how the war is being conducted. That said, we are in the middle of trying to fight the war. Yes, everyone wants all the captives returned, alive and deceased. We all want a more, peaceful, just land, free from terrorism.

This is most certainly not the time for dissolution of a government or foment a coup. This is not the time for large demonstrations or disruptions Ike those we witnessed in Tel Aviv yesterday. Our wartime national slogan has been “United (together) we will win.” We were attacked during a time of perceived weakness last October. When we are united as a nation, we are strong. Our enemies are watching us and our reactions. If through propaganda or psy-ops, they can turn the heads of some Israeli citizens, they can sow the seeds of dissent.

Israel has been engaged in seemingly endless talks and negotiations to free the hostages in Gaza. Thus far, Hamas has refused. It’s been 19 times already. There is a faction, I believe a very vocal minority, who is saying that Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to resign at once. That new elections need to be held immediately. They are accusing him of delaying the end of a war in order to hold onto control of the government. That he is a dictator. That he is the devil incarnate (truly: there are graffiti slogans with Bibi=666 in prominent locations). And that he had advance knowledge of 7 October and is culpable.

In the meantime, aid has been pouring into Gaza from Jordan from Israel. Israel has filled warehouses in the Gaza Envelope with palettes of apricots, peaches, bananas, cherries, plums, corn, tomatoes, onions, watermelon, cucumbers and avocados from the Galilee, Golan and Hula and Jezreel Valleys. Dry and canned goods from Europe are all waiting on semis to be trucked into Gaza. The problem is hiring drivers to drive the truckloads across the border and risk having their lives taken and the shipments hijacked by Hamas terrorists and by opportunists.

In the United States, the White House is supporting Israel’s right to self defense. However they no longer see Hamas as a threat but an ideology which cannot be extinguished. Shipments of armaments and ammunition which have been ordered by Israel and have been paid for are not being delivered. According to Rep. Michael McCauley chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the White House has delayed the shipment of seven weapons systems. These were signed off on and approved by Congress. Iran is still openly supplying the Houthis in Yemen, rebels in Syria and Hizbulla in Lebanon with weapons.

The Biden administration is advising the IDF generals not to open a second front against Hizbulla in Lebanon. Iran is sending in thousands of IRGC reinforcements to Syria and Lebanon, as well as smuggling Afghani (Taliban) and Pakistani mercenaries into the areas North and East of Israel. Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defense Minister held meetings with US Cabinet officials last week in which dialogue, cooperation, and red lines were discussed. The US and members of NATO are hoping to stave off a full blown war in the North with Hizbulla…at least for now.

Iran is currently holding elections for President. There are three choices, all backed by the ayatollah, as a replacement for the one recently killed when his helicopter crashed. So far, only 19% of Iranians have cast their ballots. Iran is currently capable of producing nuclear tipped ICBMs with the uranium enrichment program that was restarted three years ago. They are now saying that if Israel goes after Hizbulla in Lebanon, they will enter the war in a most unwelcome way. We shall see-

Since the founding of Israel, the ultra Orthodox Haredi men have enjoyed military exemption. While all the other young Jewish men ages 18-21 are serving cumpulsory service, if an Orthodox man aged 18-30 is enrolled in a Yeshiva (Torah/Talmud study) he not eligible for conscription. Last week the Supreme Court ruled that they, too, must serve in some way (there are plenty of openings for non-militants which would also lead to future job training for them). It has always been a hot button among Israelis. Much of Netanyahu’s coalition government is made up of these ultra-orthodox. Many have said they will refuse to comply with the new law. Quite a few are already in the service. Much depends on the rabbis, who hold a lot of sway among their communities. There are already squadrons of Haredi fighters active in Gaza at this time.

In the meantime, to answer a few of your inquiries, I am currently working on a list of places to donate to help the families of soldiers;the families of those who have lost a husband or father who was the primary breadwinner; and to help meet the needs of the soldiers themselves. I occasionally hear of old supplies being used (protective gear) that are in need of being updated for increased safety. I hope to have that blogpost out next week.

In the meantime, it was a fairly quiet weekend for us. We pray for peace on all fronts, but also for evil to be vanquished and for the captives to be rele@ed or found. Please, G-d- and please bring our country into complete unity so we can go forward victorious under G-d.