Ais Melchama- A Time for War

There is a time for everything- a time to sow, and a time to reap. A time for sorrow and a time for rejoicing. There is a time for peace, and even a time for war.

We all would like war not to come to our fair land. We would prefer that our boys stay home, safe and well, that our innocent children not be bombed out of their homes and into shelters. But if Hashem sends war- there is a time for that as well.

All things are in G-d's hands- there is even a pasuk, "Lev Melachim B'Yad Hashem"- the hearts of kings are in the hands of Hashem. We can't control it sometimes- sometimes, the only thing we can do is daven, and pray for our people.

A long time ago (I can't believe we're about to finish Sefer Bereshis, but this week is Parshas Vayechi- there is a time to start and a time to finish as well.) we read Parshas Vayishlach.

There is a Medresh that states that there is a complaint against Yaakov that he didn’t have enough bitachon (trust) in Hashem, and he sent messengers to Aisav before Aisav even approached him. One would think that would be planning ahead, worrying about the future, and acting appropriately. Yet Yaakov is criticized for it.

The Aitz Yosef states that Yaakov should have had further bitachon in his heart. He shouldn’t have worried about Aisav and the threat that Aisav could bring. On Yaakov's level ,(and again, we are talking about Yaakov Avinu, patriarch of our people) he could have just ignored Aisav and continued on in his life, rather than preempting him.

This seems again, like a tough concept to absorb. How to know when to do something- when is extra efforts alright, and when should we relax. When should we try for peace, and when should we head for war.

The Ramban states one reason that we are now in Galus Edom (the Roman exile that the Jews are in from the time of the 2nd Temple until the coming of Mashiach). The Jews in the time of the 2nd Temple sent messengers to Rome trying to make peace.

This seems to be a similar way of handling things, with a similar problem. They might have been able to have further bitachon in Hashem- further trust in Hashem, rather than preempting themselves and the countries around them by running to Edom.

So how do we know when to choose peace and when to choose war? How do we know when to make peace and when to fight for our lives? How do we know when we have enough bitachon- trust in G-d?

I for sure can't answer that question. But it is interesting on how this plays out again and again in our history.

In Israel, sometimes there are two factions in politics: those that believe that we should do whatever other countries say, especially for peace- like giving away land, creating ceasefires, stopping to bomb even when bombs are hurling down on our children's heads.

And the other side says: "Kain anachnu yecholim!" (for all who don't recognize it- that's the Shas slogan) We believe in Hashem, we trust in Him, and we can do it- don’t need help from other parts of the globe. We don't need to listen to the PR, or to the countries that say we should just put up with the bombing, or stop the "occupation", or other such things.

Efshar L’Haamin- we can believe….
Build in ourselves- bitachon, have trust- rely on Hashem. Daven. Daven because Hashem has put us in a situation where there is a time of war. And as such- we have only one place to turn to- our Father in Heaven. Sometimes- we have to fight, and ignore the naysayers. And, the most important- realize it's all in Hashem's hands.

(Credit due to Mr. NMF as well- for the excellent take on politics and chumash.)
This should be a zechus for Eldad ben Rivka- the chayal who I'm davening/learning for.
To get a name, or submit a name- call 02-581-9111.

Maturity

The Gaza (by the way, does anyone know why it is referred to in English as Gaza if it is spelled "Aza"? ) War has been going on now for over a week. Bloggers like the Muqata, and A Soldier's Mother have been keeping me posted on the actual facts and emotional side of the war.
As for me- who am I to speak?

I'm newly married, and planning to live here permanently. I feel myself to have a certain lack of maturity with regards to this situation. Who am I to comment when such brave and noble Jewish soldiers fall in battle protecting this beautiful land and its people?

I don't have sons in the army, or brothers. (Cousins, yes.)
I don't live in the communities down south, but I have friends there.
So who am I to speak?

I speak from an outsider who cares. From someone who is shocked and appalled at how the PR handles the situation. I care about our soldiers out there- davening for them, and instituting a separate learning program just for them. I care about the people down south, worry about them, and pray for their well being.

Yet, I feel I lack a certain maturity to be able to discuss it in detail, and with knowledge and assurance. Those soldiers have been in the army since they were 18 years old. They are the mature ones.
The mothers who daven for their children at home- they handle terror and war with aplomb.

And I? I can only try. I hope one day to be able to look back at this and say that I tried to do something, something that I could do myself. And that's maturity to me. Maturity to try to do the right thing, even though sometimes I don't know what that is.
I think it takes bravery and maturity just to live in Israel. Whether or not it's the natural thing to do for you, or something else pulled you here- it took maturity. And that's something to me.

What Can We Do?

Everyone seems to be asking this question- what can we do? We're not out there, we aren't in danger- how can we be "Nosen B'Ol Chaveiro" (help carry our friend's burden) like R' Elyashiv suggested?
Well, here's something. The Yeshiva World reported this in that R' Kook and the Bostoner Rebbe have set up a sort of partnership, in which everyone can participate in davening and learning for a soldier in the army. R' Chaim Kanievsky said that this is an old tradition- dating back to David HaMelech's times, where every soldier had someone who was not fighting learning Torah and praying for them.
Here's the text of the letter, sent to me by email.

אחינו בית ישראל באיזורים רבים של ארץ הקודש מצוים בצרה ובשביהולעת כזאת חובתנו לחוש את אחדות כלל ישראל בלב ובנפש להרבות בתפילה ובכל הענינים, כי עת צרה היא ליעקב וכו' ובעהי"ת ממנה יושע.ובאנו לעורר, ולבקש, ולהוסיף ענין של זיכוי הרבים ביותר.תוה"ק מעידה כי במלחמת מדין נצטוו להחלץ "אלף למטה" "אלף למטה"
.ואיתא במד"ר ובילקוט שמעוני ד"וימסרו" היינו עוד אלף למטה, פירוש שהיו נמסרין זוגות זוגות, כדי שיהיו מתפללים איש על רעהו.ואכן במלחמת מדין נאמר "ולא נפקד ממנו איש". ובודאי העובדה שניצלו כולם היתה בגלל תפילת כלל ישראלוהבאנו דבר זה לפני מרן הגאון רבי חיים קניבסקי שליט"א, שמח בדבר, והוסיף ואמר כי גם כך נהג דוד המלך ע"ה שלכל אחד שיצא להילחם, הכינו יהודי נוסף, שתפקידו היה, להתפלל עבור היוצא, ויש א"כ הסכמת דוד המלך ע"ה לתפילות אלו
.לזאת, אנו פונים בזה לכל חייל החפץ שיתפללו בעדו בעהי"ת להתקשר לטלפון 02 581 1911 ולמסור את שמו ושם אמו ואין צורך בשמות המשפחה.( אי מייל maortlmo@gmail.com או פקס 08-9450027) ונעביר בעהי"ת את שמו למתפלל שיכון בתוספות תורתו ותפילתו לזכותו ולשמרו.וכן קוראים אנו לכל א' המצוי ח"ו בגלל המלחמה במצוקה או בחרדה, במקלט ובכל אתר לפנות להנ"ל ובעהי"ת נעביר גם שמו למי שקיבל על עצמו להוסיף בתפילתו ובתלמוד תורה עבור המבקש.ובעזהשי"ת נזכה מן השמים גם אנו לנאמר "ולא נפקד ממנו איש".ובזה אנו קוראים גם לכל מי שרוצה לקיים דברי חכמים ולהוסיף בתורה ותפילה, להצטרף ולהיכנס לפיתקא של תפילות , להתקשר למספ' הנ"ל ולקבל שם של חייל או אחר לכוון את תוספות תורתו ותפלתו לזכות חבירו .גם נשים צדקניות יכולות לקבל ע"ע להתפלל עבור חברה השרויה במצוקה עקב המלחמה.ה'
בברכת כהנים באהבה המצפה לישועתכ"ק אדמו"ר מבוסטון שליט"א הרב הראשי של רחובות

An open letter to all Achenu Bene Yisroel

After learning about the heart rendering appeal of the Gedolay Torah to intensify our Tefilos and Torah learning during this very trying time for Klal Yisroel, we have undertaken to join and aid them in their prayers.
The Medrash Rabah and the Yalkut relate that during the war against Midyon, for every one that went out to battle there was a designated person whose task it was to pray and learn for him.
The Great Gaon and Sage Rebbe Chaim Kanievsky shlitah when asked about this tradition pointed out that Dovid Hemelech, as well continued and instituted the practice, that for every individual who was in combat, there was another person selected for the specific task of praying and learning for him.
Therefore in order to continue and accomplish this Minhag, we ask soldiers and/or their relatives who would want a "partner" in Torah and Tefillah to email maortlmo@gmail.com or fax 011 9728 9450027 and give their Hebrew name and mothers Hebrew name without any other particulars such as family name or other identifying factors, so that we may disseminate them among those who heed the call to add Torah and Tefiloh for the sake of those who find themselves in jeopardy ח"ו.
Anyone who finds himself or herself ח"ו in danger or in shelters because of the war may also feel free to call or email to the above.To bond with us and receive a name of your "partner" please email or fax the above.May Klal Yisroel in the merit of joining together, speedily see a successful end to this trial and campaign as quoted in the Parsha "without loss of life".

Today

Today- I feel worried.
I'm worried for our ground troops out there, for our soldiers, our precious Jewish boys, out there, trying to protect our land and people.
10,000 troops. That's 10,000 Jewish neshamos.
I hope for their safety. I hope that this war will bring with it some peace for our people.
What can I do here? In my little apartment in Yerushalayim- life seems to continue as normal. Yet all of us are obsessively checking our computers, calling our friends in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Sederot....we're scared for them. We worry. Underneath the facade of normalcy- we are praying. Praying hard.
I love this land and this people. I love waking up to Israeli sunshine, to the view of the hills surrounding Yerushalyim, to the buildings and apartments inhabited by so many Jews. Yet in communities down south, their very existance is threatened. Their lives are threatened every day, every hour. If 60 bombs fall in a day, that's more than 2 an hour. And our soldiers who are in Gaza itself, trying to catch the terrorists hiding in the maternity wards of hospitals, trying to get rid of the mosques holding caches of explosives.
I'm worried today. And I hope and pray that all our people will be safe and well. Please G-d. Let them be safe and well.
"Protect them from harm and help them in all their endeavors."

Erev Shabbos #9- Gaza Shabbos

I can't help it. Despite me putting the schnitzel up, and doing all the routine and mundane tasks of life, my head still swarms with the news from Sederot and Gaza.
How can I be enjoying a Shabbos in relative safety, when those who live in Sederot have 15 seconds to head to a bomb shelter?



I hope to try to do something to help, as do we all. My neighbor and I are talking about trying to open our homes to some of those in the South- we'll see if something actually works out.
Till then, a Gut Shabbos- and may all our brethren be safe and well!

Chanukah War #4

Uh Oh. The dreaded news we all have been praying would not happen- did. According to Jameel, here , Gaza now has rockets that can reach 60 km. 60 km. That is a scary number.

Here's part of the post:

2:04 PM IDF Homefront Command starts to distribute emergency directions for Rocket Attacks...in Tel Aviv. (source, see below for scanned copy)With Hamas Rocket ranges now reaching 60 kilometers (as reported here at the Muqata, from Israel Radio), the IDF Homefront command has started preparing for the eventuality that Hamas rockets will reach the Tel Aviv area. Also included is the Beit Shemesh area, Modi'in, Ramla, Lod, Bnei Brak, Rechovot, Holon, Givaatayim, Petach Tikva...

And the list of cities: Alon Shvut, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Bat Yam, Beer Sheva, Beit Shemesh, Ben Gurion Airport, Elazar, Holon, Lod, Modi'in, Nof Ayalon, Ramat Beit Shemesh, Ramla, Rechovot, Rishon LTzion, Sederot, Tel Aviv, Yad Binyamin, Yavneh

That's right- Tel Aviv, RBS, Ben Gurion Airport....yikes.
We need everyone's tefillos now, even more than ever.
Our prayers are with our soldiers out there- and with our nation and Klal.

Morbidly Funny But Still Cute

Just thought this was an interesting tidbit from a NY Times article today (No End in Sight was the title.)

In Ashdod on Tuesday, residents were coming to terms with the new bombardment from Gaza. Shops were open but schools were closed as the authorities extended a school holiday, and most people were staying off the streets. The attacks were unpredictable but people appeared to remain disciplined and were listening to the sporadic early warning sirens. Children gathered around the scene of Monday’s rocket attack, still a novelty in Ashdod, and tried to collect items of shrapnel.

Typical Israeli children. I can just hear the conversation. "Hey, look what I found!" "Yeah, but I found more than you!" "Children, stop playing with the pieces of bomb and come inside for supper."

Chanukah War #3

I'm too inexperienced to really know how to ascertain the situation.
Rockets hit today targets that seemed too far away- Ofakim, Yavneh, Ashdod...
And a stabbing took place in Kiryat Sefer, and a bomb was thrown at Hadassah Har Hatzofim Hospital in Jerusalem.
People are evacuated, and tanks were used for the first time (with our precious soldiers inside).
Some people say this will take months. Others- days.
Just keep davening and praying that all of us will hear good news.
Oh- and keep checking Jameel's blog if you'd like actual and further updates.

UPDATE: SuperRaizy has compiled an absolutely awesome list of things that people can do to help in Israel. I say- head on over there, and check it out!! (We all know how much IDF soldiers appreciate a hot pie of pizza :)

Chanukah War #2

Jameel is still posting (follow the post below's link for more information) and as always, he is more accurate than the papers.

What about me? Well, I'm here in Yerushalayim, which doesn't seem much changed. Yet I know, there is a war going on out there, and 6,500 of our boys- our Jewish soldiers- are out there by the border. I walk into a taxi, and he says hello to me- and asks if I have heard any news about Gaza. Friends of mine from Har Nof say that some reservists and Hesder Yeshiva boys were also called up, ready to defend this country from further missile attacks.

And I? How can I even attempt to know or truly feel what is going on? I'm a newcomer to this land, to this strong and determined people. I have some relatives in the army, and I hope they are alright. But I have not faced tragedy. I have not donned a gas mask, or hid in my sealed room. How can I even say that I sympathize (let alone empathize)?

I just pray. Pray that our boys will be safe, pray that our people will survive, passing the indomitable test of time.
And I know that we will survive- for Hashem- Shomer Yisroel, the protector of Israel, is watching out for us.

Chanukah War

For all who want updates- well, Jameel at the Muqata would be the place to go.
I'm here in Yerushalayim- so we don't really feel any action going on (besides for the random rock throwing), but it is our Jewish brethren out there. Daven for our brothers out there- may they come home safely, and may we hear besuros tovos (good news) soon!
Here's the link- and thank you Jameel for all the news!