Because of the ongoing political-military-religious fireworks our concentration becomes distorted, and we are often oblivious to that factor which is closest to us, namely – ourselves. It’s important to take time out to think.

In the minds of most observers, the Arab – Israeli “conflict” is perceived to be a manifestation of an unresolved political conflict over land, resources, security, and national identity, marked by periods of conventional warfare and ongoing asymmetric violence. They are wrong!

First names often play a dominant role in shaping our identities, relationships, and interactions with the world. This week’s topics are the spiritual aspect of naming a child, and love.

Did the Jews readily accept the Torah, or did HaShem have to coerce our ancestors to do so?

Today, the 29th of Iyar, we descend from yesterday’s spiritual Olympus marking the 58-year anniversary of Am Yisrael’s restored sovereignty over the Temple Mount, the Kotel and old city of Yerushalayim, and return to the complex realities facing the Jewish nation here and in the galut.

There is an undeniable increase in global natural disasters, particularly those related to weather and climate.

Key Trends: Increased Frequency, Intensity and severity especially floods, storms, heatwaves, and wildfires.

HaShem who has chosen us over all other nations and has presented us with His Torah, yet they have eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear!

Why do Chareidim prohibit their youth from serving in the IDF? Why do some of their leaders oppose making aliyah? What is their view of current State of Yisrael?

May HaShem bless all Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael with good health, peace and prosperity. And bless our brothers and sisters in the galut with the need, desire, courage and vitality to be free from foreign physical and spiritual bonds and come home to fulfill the most inclusive and challenging mitzva – yishuv Eretz Yisrael.

Israel has within it the greatest potential for sanctity. The land and the very air we breathe abound with kedusha, and yet there is a war waging over the soul of our nation.

A while back, I shared my thoughts regarding where HaShem is taking us at this juncture in our long and circuitous history. With the fighting resumed, it is even more imminent than before to discuss where it is leading.

Where in our parasha is the one pasuk, actually the one word, that embodies the essence of HaShem’s relationship with Am Yisrael as a distinct and independent entity unrelated to any other nation or race and what is its parallel in Megillat Esther?