Why?

Why did some Jews vote for Mamdani despite his anti-Israel rhetoric? How can they support BDS? What causes them to believe the hateful Hamas propaganda? Being that I have not lived in America for almost forty years I can’t really answer those questions, but I do have my theory. Growing up, I attended a Reform Temple and celebrated my thirteenth birthday by reading from the Torah. My parshe was Vayera, the portion we read yesterday. However, I did not read the whole parshe, only a seventh of it as was the custom then and I assume it is still the practice today. In other words, a Jew attending a Reform Temple miss 6/7 of the Torah. And if he or she are unaffiliated and not exposed to Torah readings at all, most probably the only things they know about Judaism are some catch phrases like "Be a light unto the nations" or "Love your neighbor as yourself". These are wonderful guidelines but not all there is to Judaism. These precepts do not explain the Jews tie to the land of Israel. Nor do they include the commandments between man and G-d. If they are not exposed to Torah readings, they most certainly know nothing about the Talmud teaching in Sanhedrin: If someone comes to kill you, arise and kill him first. Nor do they understand that when the Jewish nation left Egypt we were attacked by Amalek for no reason and hence given the directive to destroy that nation. In addition, their lessons in Jewish history are probably sorely lacking and they do not know Israel was a thriving Jewish country two thousand years ago and there have been Jews living here for centuries. Their ignorance combined with a sincere desire to improve the world makes it's very easy to fall into the misconception that Jews are not the victims and decide the best way to cure all the evils of mankind is to Free Palestine. How sad they know so little about their own, precious heritage.

It's Big

Today I took down this picture that graced the wall where I light my Shabbat candles.

Every week for two years my husband lit an extra candle with the prayer and hope Avinatan and the others would come home. It's big that he won't be lighting that candle today.. But not everyone is home.

Ron Goali"s picture has hung next to my front door since last Chanukah when pictures of hostages were distributed in Shilo. His body lies somewhere in the Gaza hellhole. We have not stopped praying. Hamas, send them home!!!!

Good and Evil

Two years ago according to the Hebrew calendar, I sent out a family letter on Facebook describing how our world had been turned upside down on Simchat Torah. I requested prayers for all of us and reported that among the kidnapped was Avinatan Ben Ditza Tirza who had grown up in Shilo and was a good friend of my son-in-law and daughter. For two years, Avinatan’s name, along with the others, had been on my lips several times a day. As each group of hostages was released though, my head began to wonder. Still my heart refused to stop praying. Many of those prayers were said with tears, all were recited with hope. And then it happened. Right before Simchat Torah Avinatan and nineteen others finally left their hell in Gaza and came home to rejoicing, thankful, and relieved family, friends, and strangers. So many of the Simchat Torah prayers seemed as if they’d been written specifically for this year. The one that truly hit me was recited after the Ark was opened and the Torah scrolls taken out for dancing. And say on this day behold, here is our G-d, we had hoped for Him that He would save us. Yet, to our sorrow, many were not saved and will never come home. Hamas continues to wage psychological warfare with the returning of our murdered victims. Avinatan and the other twenty hostages lost 738 days of their lives. All the hostages, the soldiers, the bereaved, the injured, the evacuees, and their families, all of us, will need healing. Despite that, during Hallel, the songs of praise said on our holidays I was able to recite with a full heart Give thanks to HaShem for He is good; His kindness endures forever. Our Sages teach that we should bless the bad as we bless the good but in actuality, we do not do that. Only in the time of Redemption will we be able to finally understand that what we thought was bad was truly good. Yesterday, when my son-in-law posted this picture of Avinatan standing on his feet, towering over some of his Shilo buddies, I saw only good. I pray the day will come soon when all we have labeled evil will turn positive as we welcome the Moshiach.

Confused

I’m trying to keep my news watching at a minimum, but I did see something positive yesterday. The EU was flying our flag in solidarity with Israel. Excerpt from my diary on the second day of war, 2023 Now the UNRWA and other UN organizations are nominated for the Noble Peace Prize… I’m horrified, but then the world seems to have lost its moral compass. Excerpt from my dairy a year ago The world gets more confused with each passing day. And so do I, especially with the “peace” plan. One minute I’m thrilled at the thought of my neighbor’s son and my children’s friend being released from the Gaza hell. The next I’m horrified that we’re letting convicted terrorists who want me dead out of jail. I’m not naïve. Although I pray I’m wrong, I don’t think the “peace” plan will bring true peace. It is probably a glorified ceasefire that might last a long time and might not. Still, the thought of our exhausted children having a break from the army is intoxicating. Yes, we will still need our soldiers but there’s a big difference from being on safety patrol and fighting in combat. As confused as I am there is one thing I know. I am not in charge. We are now in the middle of Sukkot. Every day I hold the four species in my hands and sing Hallel, praises to the Almighty. I raise my lulav and etrog to the heavens as I plead, beg, and scream Please HaShem, Save Us Now!! I have to do my part. Not by playing the blame game and wishing I could turn back the clock. Rather by doing more acts of kindness, caring speech, and sincere prayers. If we all try to improve the world just a little bit perhaps HaShem will truly save all of us.

The Past is Never Past

  The Past is Never Past This is the novel you’ll want to take with you into the chagim. When ninety-year-old Pearl King arrives in Israel with a bundle of old German letters, she sets a summer of discovery in motion for her granddaughter, Ilana. Nursing a difficult breakup, Ilana throws herself into translating the letters—only to uncover family stories of courage, survival, and love. As the past comes alive through Pearl’s memories of wartime Europe, the present erupts with turmoil: the kidnapping of three yeshiva boys, the outbreak of war, and the reappearance of Ilana’s potential fiancé under tragic circumstances. The Past Is Never Past by Ester Katz Silvers is a sweeping intergenerational novel that moves between history and contemporary struggle, weaving together themes of faith, family, heartbreak, and resilience. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page, reminding us that the past is never truly gone—it continues to shape the way we love, forgive, and hope. For the chagim, when family and memory take center stage, this novel makes the perfect companion. It offers not only a gripping narrative but also a chance to reflect on legacy, healing, and the enduring power of connection. The Past Is Never Past is more than a book you’ll read. It’s a book you’ll savor—and share.

Peace Plan?

Some of it sounds so appealing- Avinatan and the other hostages home. My sons not returning to battle. But releasing hundreds of terrorists with blood on their hands? Stopping without complete victory over evil? Will we be doing this all over again in a few years? The answers are with the Almighty and if I'm a believing Jew I must trust He has a plan even if I can't understand it. May we all be sealed for good this coming year.

Why???

Irish President suggests UN should exclude Israel and allies Spain PM calls to ban Israel from sports Eurovision organizers said to recommend Israel withdraw or perform without flag So many vile headlines from around the world this past week. And then this yesterday: Humanitarian aid truck driver murders two IDF soldiers at Allenby Crossing Why can’t the world see the truth? Why can’t they understand the Gaza War was begun by Hamas? Why don’t they care about the civilian hostages? Why aren’t they worried about the attempted terrorist takeover of the world? Why does the Jew Hatred blind them? It would be so easy to be overcome by the loathing, but I don’t let it depress me. Why? Because I know The Almighty loves us. Otherwise, we would have disappeared from the face of the earth, as so many want us to do now, centuries ago. We’re here to stay! Am Yisroel Chai!