Confusion reigns – not much different now than it was during the time of Chanuka. Then, as now, Am Yisrael was faced with an existential threat. Each Jew was faced with the personal challenge to the depths of his soul: join with the Maccabim at the risk of your life or be a bystander in the life-and-death struggle for the soul of Am Yisrael.
One of our grandsons was married this week. Halachic marriage is performed in two stages. The first is called “erusin” which alters the personal status of the couple from “unwed” to “wed”. The second and last stage is “nisu’in” (marriage) when the kalla enters into an area belonging to the chatan or in his possession.
The following is a translation of my message at the ceremony.
Four historical episodes occurred, apart in time and place, but very similar in that Divine Invitations were rejected. What caused the vast difference between Ya’akov’s dreams, and how does that relate to divine justice in our times?
HaShem influences and directs the world’s history by producing a historical, world-wide “battery”. Last week the world’s population passed the 8 billion mark. At the very basic core of history, who is the dominant factor in the way the world revolves?
The United States government has warned Israel to refrain from appointing MK Mr. Betzalel Smotrich as the next Minister of Defense and/or MK Mr. Itamar Ben-Gvir from serving as our Minister of Internal Security, or else…
Memories of Kristallnacht – there is a custom in many synagogues here in Israel to leave the lights burning all this night to proclaim, DON’T FORGET – DON’T FORGIVE. Plus, thoughts on the 5783 Israeli elections and global warming.
