For those of you who tried using the link I gave for providing needed gear to the soldiers, here is a correct and direct link:

Causematch.com/bc

Gia came over to thank us for the gear and had John put the vest on. He was elated. Gia patrols the Northern border between Israel and Samaria (aka West Bank). It’s more than dangerous with hidden roadside IEDs and armed militants.

What more can I add? We pray the Psalms mostly in addition tomorrow other prayers. I listen to what in America would be called worship songs, mostly in Hebrew. Everything is packed for our trip. All the laundry is done. The house is fairly clean. The saferoom ready to go. This morning I gave John a haircut. Watered the garden. Made tuna salad. Made egg salad to last through until Sunday. We will be eating our Shabbat dinner earlier than usual tonight.

After three days of mourning all the terrorists that were taken down, Friday night marks the intense waiting period. Iran, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and possibly Turkey have vowed combined and punishing retribution. It could come as soon as tonight. Israel stands as ready as she will ever be. More communities were evacuated from places close to the Lebanese border. Whole cities. Small kibbutzim. Factories using hazardous materials were ordered to shutter and secure by noon yesterday. Citizens have been told to stay close to shelters and be familiar with surroundings. No panic. No fear. Just be aware.

We were told to not use cell phones to film UAVs. I have had two friends in the States tell me to “never trust the government. By not photographing, they are trying to cover up something.” I have spoken with three tech people here in Israel. All have said the new UAV technology hones in on GPS signaling. By using a cell phone to take photos, your whereabouts could be tracked. Use caution. You don’t want to invite a surprise guest to your home.

We have not talked with our children. Our son is in camp. Our daughters do not listen to the news. We don’t want to worry them unnecessarily. Our plans to board a plane Sunday night for the States have not changed. We have planned this family reunion for six months now. It will be the first time the whole family has been really together with quiet, quality time, in almost 15 years. We have weddings, anniversaries and births to celebrate. We will be there….

We pray for angelic protection for all the troops as well as for all the citizens of Israel. We pray for a Divine shield of protection to fill in any gaps not supplied by Iron Dome, David’s Sling or the Arrow. We pray that the Spirit of G-d will be within and upon every single troop and all the members of our government. We pray that every stronghold of the enemy will be torn down. We pray that there will be no fear for the L-rd of Hosts goes before us.

As one of my favorite rabbis, Rabbi Michael Barclay of Ner Simcha in Westlake Village, CA (do we miss you now, Rabbi Michael!!!), the darkness might seem impenetrable, but there is Light and Light always defeats and follows the darkness. A new day is dawning. Just hold fast, hold onto HaShem and wait for that glorious Light which always appears. It’s just over the horizon. Day always follows night.

In the meantime I leave you with this update…. It is full of news you might not get in your country.

https://youtu.be/4i0AYZS6OEE?si=7NqtWV3t2w7OshVY

What I am listening to: (it is customary not to listen to music during the three week period leading up to Tisha b’Av on 13 August, but these are special times and I pray best with music….no apologies)

https://youtu.be/npNAjsobcao?si=B3TNIVQ2a5kiMO5o. (Psalm 121)

https://youtu.be/SEVRSKH54fs?si=rYRdUFT3FmqgBAWo. (Gen 32:10,11)

https://youtu.be/XWyKCgZusJY?si=VP-N2Z3rqBSSQbJn. (Master of the Universe, Lord of All…my father’s favorite song)

https://youtu.be/YHFAkmfodDs?si=cb04O7sgWjUyc9IJ. )I give thanks – to G-d with my whole body and heart for his love, the day, my spirit, the food, clothes, family, Day of Rest…)

https://youtu.be/P3uvhlcfliE?si=rcSHuQJTVSMF-SQZ. (A variation of the Shemah prayer)

https://youtu.be/Iq2vAldw8os?si=lerhQdNKg9XzC2CE (spread your shelter of peace over us and protect us….we sing this at the Shabbat table)

I also love the song “Oceans” but I don’t know the girl that sings it-

https://youtu.be/IIibg6xuu9Y?si=4OQ1Jo2alqE2V2y7

Lastly:

https://youtu.be/7dxk9kUTApg?si=KX3avc4mFw2zoCqx Prayer for the Soldiers of the IDF. See below)

I will try to give updates in the near future. In the meantime, May it be a not terribly exciting weekend.