Rav Shmuel Eliyahu on the Geula Situation - Part 1 of 2

The following is my translation of Rav Shmuel Eliyahu's essay in the Kol Tzofayich newsletter for Beha'alotecha 5772. Many things that he says have been mentioned on my blog before and in the words of Rav Fish, but it's nice to have it in one place. Plus, there are many things that I have not seen before. I will try to translate this to the best of my ability.

The obligation to contemplate the Redemption

The Hafetz Hayim wrote that whoever does not contemplate the process of the Redemption is similar to a man who received the Torah from Sinai but did not learn it:

Any spiritual matter - its value cannot be recognized and its taste cannot be felt - except to one who contemplates it. For example, knowledge of Torah for those who learn and those who busy themselves with it. Exactly like this will be the coming of Mashiah which is the revelation of the Shechina in the entire world, and whoever does not contemplate the coming of Mashiah will not feel it at all.

Similarly wrote Rav Elchanan Wasserman HY"D (Kovetz Ma'amarim Ve'Igrot, vol. 1, p. 329):

One must openly publicize to all that we are currently in the period of Ikveta Dimshiha - this matter is clear as the sun. And I am making that which has entered my mind known for many days because it is very fitting to gather from the holy writings and words of Raza"l all the writings and essays that deal with our period and to explain the meanings of the matters... to show how the matters have been fulfilled and are being fulfilled right before our eyes.

And really, this contemplation gives great power toward service of Hashem, for prayer, and for love of Hashem Yitbarach.

Our teacher and rabbi Abba [YY - Rav Mordechai Eliyahu] ZTVK"L would say about Ribbi Yitzhak Alfieh ZTVK"L that he was one of the 36 hidden Tzaddikim. In the year 5688, Rav Alfieh wrote an extremely wonderful essay that is called by the name "Sod HaGeula". In it, he reveals a hidden secret about the date of the Redemption. Ribbi Yitzhak Alfieh ZTVK"L begins his words with the words (Kuntras Hayehieli 96):

I saw it necessary to inform when Hashem will grace the remnant of the nation of His pasture, Israel whom He chose for Himself for His inheritance, and will sanctify His name in public, to serve Him as one portion and the impure spirit, He will remove from the land, and His kingdom will be revealed and seen - may His name be blessed. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall the LORD be One, and His name one. For Hashem is G-d in the heavens above and on the earth below - there is no other

And we will bring quotes from his words soon.

Secrets of Hashem are to those who fear Him - from the six days of Creation

The foundation of his words are brought in the gemara in Mesechet Sanhedrin (97a). The gemara says there:

Just as the Shemita year causes the land to lay fallow one year ever seven years, similarly, the world lays fallow 1000 years out of 7000 years, as it says "and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day." And it says "A Psalm, a Song. For the sabbath day." - the day that is all Sabbath. And it says "For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past". It was learned in the house of Eliyahu: the world has 6000 years - 2000 of nothingness, 2000 of Torah, and 2000 of the days of Mashiah, but in our numerous sins, whatever has already passed has already passed.

Today, we are currently in the year 5772, which is after the middle of the sixth day. The implication of this date is great and its source is in the words of the Rishonim, this Zohar, and the holy Ar"i.

Such wrote the Ramban (Bereishit 2:3) that the six days of Creation is a lesson for all the days of the world:

Behold, in the first 2 days, the world was all water and nothing was completed. They hint to the first 2000 years, wherein no one called in Hashem's name, and such is what Haza"l said: 2000 years of nothingness. ... On the sixth day in the morning, animals were created, as it says "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind." Afterwards, man was created in G-d's image. This is the sixth millennium because in the beginning, the animals - i.e. the kingdoms that don't know Hashem - will rule, and then, the Redeemer will come. He is Mashiah Ben David, who was made in the image of G-d.

The Ramban lived close to the beginning of sixth millennium. In his days were the Crusader campaigns and expulsion of Jews. He saw with the rise of Christianity and its expulsions - the creation of animals of prey who were created before the creation of man. He thought "that in the beginning of the sixth millennium, an awesome and very powerful ruling kingdom will be renewed - and will be closer to the truth than the earlier ones." And this is Christianity which was closer to Judaism, but still murderous idolatry remained.

The responsa of the Hatam Sofer (vol. 6, Likutim - Siman 61) [YY - see this post] wrote about this Ramban that his main calculation is correct, but "from his great strength and desire for the coming of Mashiah, he brought his calculation closer to be close to his time." This is because the Ramban calculated the beginning of the sixth millennium as the beginning of the sixth day, but really, the day follows the night, as it says "And there was evening and there was morning." It comes out that the first 500 years of the sixth millennium have the aspect of the night of the sixth day of Creation, and only afterwards were the animals created. If so, everything the Ramban said was correct, but it starts after the year 550 in the sixth millennium.

The calculation that the Ramban and the Hatam Sofer are revealing to us is found in the holy Zohar and in the words of the Ariza"l and many of the Gedolim of Israel bring it down - among them, the holy Or Hahayim, the Gr"a, and more. And it is extremely important, as we will see soon.

The Aliya of Rav Yosef Karo and the Ari - After midnight of the sixth millennium

If we look at the sixth millennium as one long day, close to the beginning, we find that the Rambam and the Ramban made Aliya as individuals to the Land of Israel. After them, one can see the Golden Age of Tzefat with Maran Ribbi Yosef Karo, who was born in the year 5248 and died in the year 5335, and also the Ariza"l. These years fit will for the period of midnight of the sixth day and afterward.

Their actions were the beginning of the awakening for Redemption through a complete community. Ribbi Shelomo Alkabetz ZYA"A, the author of the Lecha Dodi hymn, told the story of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot that changed the life of Ribbi Yosef Karo, and in its wake, it appears, also our lives. Following that, the Shulhan Aruch was written to unify Israel. Ribbi Yosef Karo merited to have a kind of prophecy or Ru'ah Hakodesh. There, it was told to him to make Aliya to the Land of Israel. "For he already said (Shir Hashirim 2:12) 'the time of singing is come' and not all times are equal." This was the time for the redemption of Israel.

At that event, it was said to him that since the time of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, there was never a revelation of the Shechina such as this. "And he said: Behold, Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking like you? ask thy father, and he will declare unto thee, thine elders, and they will tell thee if for many hundreds of years, they heard or saw something like this. And you have merited."

Ribbi Shelomo Alkabetz wrote the testimony about this in a letter that was sent to various communities on condition that they will walk in their footsteps. The holy Shela"h brings down the content of the letter in his book "Shenei Luhot Haberit". He himself made Aliya to the Land of Israel in the wake of that amazing letter of Ribbi Shelomo Alkabetz ZYA"A.

In the generation of Ribbi Yosef Karo, the following made Aliya with him: the holy Alshich, the Ramak, the Mabit, Ribbi Shelomo Halevi Alkabetz, and afterwards also the Ar"i and his students. Together, they established a community in the Land of Israel - the first since the destruction of the second Beit Hamikdash. After many years, the Shela"h made Aliya from Europe to the Land of Israel. After him, complete communities of Hasidim and students of the Gr"a, the holy Or Hahayim and his students, Ribbi Hayim Abulafia and his community made Aliya. Together, they established the four hold cities: Tzefat, Teveria, Yerushalayim, and Hevron - the only four cities in the Land of Israel where Jewish communities lived in those days.

From the inner meanings of the Torah to the inner meanings of the Redemption

In parallel to the Aliya of Ribbi Yosef Karo, his rabbis, peers, and students to the Land of Israel, also the holy Ar"i made Aliya from Egypt to Tzefat and joined the community of Rabbi Yosef Karo. The Hid"a brings down in the name of the Ariza"l that from the year 5330, the Ariza"l started to reveal the secrets of the Torah, and this revelation was the beginning of the Geula of Be'itah, as the inner meanings of the Redemption is a revelation of the inner meanings of the Torah, which started in this year, and all other processes are a completion of what was started there (Kikar La'aden on Avot deRibbi Natan, ch. 21, p. 245. And in the book Nehora deYosef in essay 84, it is brought down that from the year of Ribbi Shimon bar Yohai's passing in 3959 until the birth of the Ariza"l in the year 5294 was an interval of 1335 years. And it is hinted to in the Keitz of Daniel "Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be; and thou shalt rest, and shalt stand up to thy lot, at the end of the days." And we also find in the Sha'ar Hapesukim by the Ariza"l in Iyov a calcuation of 1335 years that concludes in the year 5335. "Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. You should know that the Keitz of the Redemption that is hinted to here in Daniel is in the year 5335.")

And in the book Leshem Shevo Ve'ahlama to the great Kabbalist Ribbi Shelomo Elyashiv ZYA"A (Igulim Vayosher Anaf 8 Ot 7), he explained that from the generation of the Ariza"l and on, in the inner parts of the worlds, began the blooming of the light of rectification of the days of Mashiah, and it gets closer every day, but only in the inner parts of the worlds. Therefore, even though the outer parts on the surface is currently very bad and each day is more accursed than the previous one, nevertheless, the inner parts are continuously being rectified, and down here, novelties of Torah in its most hidden secrets are constantly being revealed (see all this in the words of Rav Yekutiel Fish in his composition on the time of the Redemption. It can be retrieved via email at 26@bezeqint.net)

The last generation for exile, the first generation for Redemption

The year 5500 - sunrise of the sixth millennium

Every 41[.6666] years that pass in the sixth millennium correspond to an hour in the sixth day. The Or Hahayim (Bemidbar 26:19) writes about the year 5500 that it is the end of the night of the sixth day and the beginning of sixth day. "And we hope that it is the end of our exile and all the listed promises will be fulfilled and the sparks of the revelation of the Redemption will start at the beginning of the coming 500 years for peace." This is similarly brought down in the Or Hahayim on Vayikra 6:2. It is similarly brought down in the book "Kol Hator" which is attributed to the Gr"a [YY - or his student] on the verse (Tehilim 102:19) "This shall be written for the generation to come" - that from the year 5500 until the year 5750, it has the name "Last generation" and afterwards is called the "Generation of the Redemption". (And see what the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZYA"A said many times that the period of his life is the last generation of the exile and the first generation of Redemption.)

This is what pushed - in the year 5500 - the holy Or Hahayim, who made Aliya to the Land of Israel in the year 5501. Also the Ramha"l made Aliya and died in the year 5507 in the Land of Israel. In that period, Ribbi Hayim Abulafia made Aliya to the Land and established the Jewish settlement in Teveria.

In this period, the Baal Shem Tov and the Gr"a lived and acted. Each one of them acted in his own path to awaken the light of Redemption. The Baal Shem Tov did so through the revelation, explanation, and distribution of the words of the Ariza"l in the Torah of Hasidut for [as the Zohar writes about itself] "with this, they will go out of the exile with mercy". In one of the greatest revelations he had, it was said [to him] that "when your springs overflow outside", the King Mashiah will be revealed. Both of them [the Baal Shem Tov and the Gr"a] tried to make Aliya to the Land of Israel, but were unsuccessful. The students of the Baal Shem Tov made Aliya with real self-sacrifice to the four holy cities, and they were the basis of all the settlement that came after it in the Land of Israel with the students of the Gr"a.

In the book Kol Hator, it is brought down that in the year 5500 began the spirit of G-d, the spirit of Mashiah, to visit the Ruah Hakodesh of the great genius Ribbi Eliyah, who is known by his nickname - the Gr"a. After he was unsuccessful to make Aliya to the Land of Israel, he sent his students Ribbi Menachm Mendel of Shklov, Ribbi Sa'adia of Shklov, and Ribbi Yisrael of Shklov in 3 separate waves of Aliya, and they were the basis of the Old Yishuv in the Land of Israel.

Ikveta Dimshiha - the wellsprings of wisdom opened in 5600 - the second hour of the sixth day

The holy Zohar (Vayera 117a) writes:

And in the sixth century of the sixth millennium, the gates of wisdom above and the wellsprings of wisdom below will open, and the world will be rectified in the seventh - like a man who prepares on Friday when the sun starts to set to go into Shabbat, and the sign is "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life ... all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened". And Kenesset Yisrael will rise from the dust and HKB"H will remember it.

This is brought down in the book "Aderet Eliyahu" by the Gr"a (Ha'azinu with the commentary of the Be'er Yitzhak [YY - I couldn't find the source. Perhaps here?]) on the words of the Zohar that the period of Ikveta Dimshiha starts at the year 5600.

And really, it's amazing to see how all the great inventions of the world began from the year 5600: the industrial uses of coal and oil, electricity and all the technology that depends on it, the paving of roads and the invention of cars, motors and airplanes - all this started around the year 5600. All this development which is called the "Industrial Revolution" brought the world out of its ignorance and changed its life. All of it is a preparation for the days of Mashiah, which as is known, will change the face of all of humanity and not just the nation of Israel.

The year of the beginning of the Holocaust - animals of prey were created - The year 5700

Around the year 5700 was the terrible Holocaust. In the book "Toldot Yaakov Yosef" Parshat Ki Tisa, it appears that the year 5701 is a year of the Keitz. Similarly, it is brought down in the book Sha'arei Rahamim (Siman 377) by the Gaon Rav Hayim Sha'ul Dwek ZT"L, who was one of the great Kabbalists in the previous generation. Something similar to this is brought down also in the book "Beit Lehem Yehuda" (on Saba deMishpatim) by the Gaon Rav Yehuda Fataya ZT"L.

It is similarly brought down in the name of the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir the Gaon Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel ZT"L in the introduction of the book Tomer Devorah that was printed in Shanghai in the year 5705 - that in the year 5700, when the Holocaust broke out, the period of a Be'itah Redemption began. Similar to this is brought down in the name of the Klausenberger Rebbe ZT"L (Betzila deMehemnuta - Tzanz - Emor, 5770), and he writes that the reason for this matter is because really the Redemption should have started in the year 5600, and already in the year 5575 during the Napoleanic Wars, the preparation for the coming of Mashiah should have started. And he wrote on this that:

This matter is as clear as the sun to me, and I am not saying this as a speculation - rather from my knowledge - that this is really true: that then was an auspicious time to be the time of "the remembering", but the time of "the remembering" was delayed another 100 years until the time of 5700.

He also wrote:

I found an old book which is a commentary on Daniel which was authored by Ribbi Yosef ibn Yihya, among those expelled from Spain, and his father was the author of "Shalshelet Hakabala". He writes there in the explanation of the calculation that is hinted to in the verse "And he said unto me: 'Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be victorious,'" that at approximately the end of 5700 years since Creation - maybe a little earlier and maybe a little later - our Keitz will come with Hashem's help. I already pointed out at the time to the Munkatcher Rebbe ZTVK"L that this is unusual to write a Keitz for a date so many years away from his time. This is because generally, all those who calculated Kitzim would normally calculate the Keitz in a way that it will be close to their time and their generation, as we see in Rashi's commentary on Daniel. Behold, this was an extremely clear prediction, so what forced him to write "maybe a little later"? It can only be that Hashem's spirit spoke within him and put the words on his tongue - that it was clear to him that the coming of Mashiah would not come before the year 5700, but only afterwards.

First, Hashem will return and afterwards, He will gather

In connection with this, we need to bring the amazing words of the Gaon Rav Yehonatan Eibeshitz ZT"L in his book "Tiferet Yehonatan" (Parshat Nitzavim) [see also this post] that in Ikveta Dimshiha, the Shechina will return to the Land of Israel before the people of Israel, and he derives this out of the verse "and will return and gather thee" - that first Hashem will return and then He will gather. And because of this, there will not be anyone to protect the Jews in the Diaspora, and troubles will come upon them - Hashem should have mercy - which is why because of them, Haza"l said "Let Mashiah come, but let me not see it".

And here are his words:

"And will return and gather thee from all the peoples" - this is the matter of the birthpangs of Mashiah which will occur close to the Redemption so much so that many wise men of Israel said "Let Mashiah come, but let me not see it." And the reason is because the Shechina is with us in exile - a mother over her children - to guard us, but at the time of the Redemption, the Shechina will not return with us at one time. Rather, the Shechina will return earlier to the Land of Israel and afterwards, we will return there. If so, while we are in exile and Hashem is not among us, there will be harsh troubles because there is no One to protect. And this is the statement of the verse, "And will return" because first, Hashem will return to the Land of Israel, and afterwards, "and gather thee", but it will not be at the same time.

And really, we see in the Land of Israel amazing miracles that cannot be believed, but at the same time, we see as if the Divine Providence has been removed from the Nation of Israel who dwells in the exile. Once, it was during the terrible Holocaust, and afterwards, with the terrible assimilation that consumes the Jewish people who dwell in the exile.

Rav Zilbershtein Shlit"a Decides Aliya Allocation by Lottery

Kikar reports that two Shaharit attendees were vying for the Shelishi Aliya on Thursday morning's Hanetz Hahama Minyan in Bnei Brak.  One was the father of a baby boy having his Berit Milah that day.  The other was the Sandak of a different baby boy having his Berit Milah that day.  The Gabbai was in a quandary as to whom to give the Aliya, so before Keriat Hatorah, he asked Rav Zilbershtein Shlit"a, who is the synagogue's rabbi  as to which person should receive it.

Rav Zilbershtein weighed both sides of the issue:

On the one hand, the father of the baby should have preference over a Sandak, as most Poskim say.
On the other hand, other Poskim say that the Sandak has preference. In addition, the Sandak is a regular at the Minyan while the father of the baby is not.

Rav Zilbershtein decided to use a lottery to decide the issue.  The last name of one was הנדין ("Hendin") and the name of the other was קופרמן (Cooperman).  Rav Zilbershtein asked for a Humash, and said that whatever page he opens to, we look at the first letter of the page on the right side.  If it is a letter from א until כ, then we give the Aliya to Rav Hendin, whose name begins with a ה that is in between those 2 letters.  If it is a letter from ל until ת, then we give it to Rav Cooperman, whose name begins with a ק that is in between those 2 letters.

In the end, the first letter on the page was the letter מ, so Rav Cooperman got the Aliya with Rav Hendin's blessing, while Rav Hendin got Gelilah as a consolation prize.

------

My question is the same as comment #5's question: Since he knew it would be an issue before Keriat Hatorah, why couldn't the Kohanim leave to keep the peace before he called the Kohen and give either Kohen or Levi to one of the Ba'alei Simha?  Unless, perhaps, a Kohen needed an Aliya too...

Post-Election Aliya Talk

I briefly mentioned it, but I've seen a lot more talk lately about making Aliya as things in the U.S. are changing. The U.S. may get more than it bargained for when it voted for "Change".

A commenter on an article about Obama's victory:

Aliyah - Change that We Can Really Believe In
BS"D

Today, America has experienced a fundamental change, and a substantial societal shift in electoral values, that will hopefully, do much to repair past injustices, and create new opportunities.

However, let us - B'nei Yisrael - at this time in history, begin to inaugurate the beginning of the change that will bring permanent tikkun olam, and usher in the era of Ha Mashiach.

My fellow Yehudim, living in exile, let this be our time to come home - and join our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael - so that we can work together to enact the ultimate change that the entire world can believe in - and needs so very very much.

Baruch HaShem, yes we can!

Shirat Devorah

Friends tell me that some American Jews are already packing their bags, selling up and making aliya...

Joel Gallis and Dr. Robert Wolf

They predict that the economy will soon spiral down in the USA and guess who will be blamed? Jews must make preparations now to make aliyah.

The most interesting one is this statement from Rabbi Lazer Brody:

"Those who don't come to Israel while they still can may be lucky to escape from the USA with a plastic bag and a pair of pajamas." Rabbi Shalom Arush made this devastating statement in his public lecture in Hebrew several hours ago. His source is impeccable - 2 of the leading Kabbalists of this generation, whose previous predictions have been right on target. Rabbi Shalom is neither partisan nor does he care about politics, whether in Israel or overseas. Yet, he said, "The near eight[y] percent of America's Jews who voted for Obama will soon be called upon to suffer the consequence of their choice."

Wow! Very powerful stuff.

Obama and the financial crisis are not the only reasons either. A commenter on an article about the U.S. Kosher meat shortage:

Yet another call to our fellow Jews to pack up and come move to Israel...You can have meat for shabbos, AND you can be here in the King's palace for Mashiach's (be"H!) imminent arrival!

And Nava is someone who doesn't just talk the talk - she walks the walk - she's making aliya. Hatzlaha Rabba to her.

Something to think about.

Aliya Stuff

In honor of my parents' plans to fulfil their life-long dream, which is to BE"H make Aliya next month, here are some recent posts and articles I saw about Aliya:

Aish.com: Why Make Aliya?

Artzeinu: 100 Tips for Succesful Aliyah & Klita

Tamar Yonah Blog: History Won't Wait For You - Sell & Get Out Now

Tomer Devorah: Aliyah

---

On the other hand, here's a post that makes very valid points:

Jewish End of Days: Dangerous Overconfidence

---

Comments are welcome, but comments that ask "Nu, when are you coming?" will not be replied to. My family will come when the time is right.

Making Aliya Me'Ahava vs. Aliya Miyir'ah

Much has been written about the benefits of making Aliya in times of peace over fleeing to Israel as a refugee from unfriendly governments around the world.

Wise people have been warning that the latter scenario could happen in the United States one day, while there are always nay-sayers who say it could never happen.

What do the nay-sayers say after reading this story?

Report Advises Jews To Avoid UC Irvine

(IsraelNN.com) A local task force has advised Jewish students not to enroll at the University of California's Irvine campus "until tangible changes are made" to combat growing anti-Semitism. The Newport Beach and Costa Mesa Daily Pilot reported that a community task force stated, "The acts of anti-Semitism are real and well documented. Hate speech has been unrelenting. There is no indication that the university is at all concerned about the disconnect between campus values and the values of the greater society."

The State Department issued a report two months ago that the university does not discriminate against Jews, but the task force's report, based on interviews with faculty, students and local residents, asserts that "Jewish students have been harassed" and that faculty members cannot speak out against anti-Israel speakers because of the pressure to be "politically correct."

Here's the original article.

Can you even imagine in our day and age saying "Don't go to that school - they're anti-semitic."? Well, it's happening.
Is it limited to college campuses? So far, pretty much. Can this anti-Jewish sentiment be stopped in its tracks? We hope so, but we'll have to wait and see.
However, we cannot trust in America. As much as I have Hakarat Hatov to America, I cannot trust it. Even the US Dollar says "In G-d We Trust".

אין לנו על מי להשען אלא על אבינו שבשמים

Making Aliya

There are quite a few Aliya blogs out there, but here is one from a friend of mine.
Check out his first post on why he's making Aliya. Hatzlaha Rabba to him and his family!

Aliya Impetus

The convergence of several things lately including A7 news items are prompting me to once again consider Aliya.

From the pure Yir'a side:

US to Take in 1,350 Palestinian Refugees

(IsraelNN.com) The U.S. agreed Tuesday to accept 1,350 Palestinian refugees from Iraq and resettle them in southern California, according to the Christian Science Monitor. The refugees, who Saddam Hussein took in and used to attack Israeli policies, have been treated miserably by Iraqis since Hussein’s fall in 2003.

“This is politically a real hot potato,” said Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington. “America has become a dumping ground for the State Departmnet’s problems – they’re tossing their problems over their head into Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or Omaha, Nebraska.

From a mixture of Yir'a and Ahava:

Israeli Economy a Draw for North American Immigrants
by Rachel Abrams


(IsraelNN.com)
The ideological bottom line may remain the same, but those looking to Aliyah may finally have large financial incentives to cross the ocean.

"For the first time in history, the Israeli economy is looking better than the American economy", says Danny Oberman, executive vice president of operations at Nefesh B'Nefesh. A leading organization which finds and assists Jews wishing to make Aliyah [immigration to Israel], the group has reported an average of 25 new inquiries each day from people looking to begin the application process. "We are seeing an unprecedented level of interest from North America," says Oberman, "and it's not just people who have lost their jobs but people who don't see a serious upside in the near future."

Click here to hear interview with Oberman.

For young singles and couples, the advantages afforded by Israel's current economic edge are especially appealing. The job market is wider for recent university graduates, and families with young children can find more affordable Jewish or college education in Israel than back in the U.S. and Canada. Israeli health insurance, free for between the first six to 12 months for new arrivals and amounting to $50 to $100 a month after that, is also a cheaper option than many health insurance plans in the U.S.

Immigrants also are given a discount on car purchases and are eligible for free education if they are under the age of 27. For those generating income from overseas, no taxes are taken for the first 10 years of residence. These lower costs, combined with an overly burdened and strained American economy, are enticing more North American Jews than ever to emigrate.

In 2008, Nefesh B'Nefesh reported that 3,000 immigrants to Israel were from North America. This year, the organization is expecting upwards of 4,000.

"What we're seeing is…people who had considered Aliyah, people who had visited Israel in the past, people who had a connection, but who stayed in North America because they were doing well; they were comfortable," says Oberman. Now, however, with Israel faring considerably better in the global economic crisis, families are in a better position than before to line up their ideological and fiduciary concerns.

"Anybody who has visited here has seen that the opportunities here, and the ways kids are brought up and the social environment is different than North America. It's a healthy environment… For anyone who's looking for a different set of values, Israel's definitely an option."

From the pure Ahava side:

Flight of 230 North American Immigrants Arrives in Israel
(IsraelNN.com) The first chartered Aliyah flight of 2009 arrived at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two hundred and thirty-two olim (new immigrants) from the United States and Canada were aboard the flight.

The immigrants are the first of 3,000 olim from North America and the United Kingdom to arrive this summer, on the first of 15 chartered Aliyah flights sponsored by the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization and the Jewish Agency.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky and Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver were present to greet the new Israelis.

Flight to Include Gilad Shalit's Namesake
One of the new arrivals was three-year-old Gilad Zuller, who was traveling with parents Yehuda and Aviva and his three older siblings. Gilad was named for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped one week before his birth.

After Gilad Zuller was given his name, Yehuda wrote to Noam Shalit and expressed hope that their two sons would meet in the near future. During Yehuda's next trip to Israel, in which he distributed donations during the Second Lebanon War, Noam Shalit drove to Kiryat Shemona to meet him.

The Zuller family has met with Shalit's parents Noam and Aviva several times since then, in both Israel and New York. The Shalit family planned to greet the Zullers on their arrival in Israel.

The Zuller family will settle in Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem.

Olim Include Children, Soldiers, One Cat
Forty percent of the new arrivals are children, the youngest a mere seven weeks old. Tuesday's flight also included 60 singles.

Twenty-two of the new arrivals plan to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces. Others will begin jobs in fields ranging from advertising to photography to medicine.

Seven dogs and one cat were on board the Nefesh B'Nefesh flight, heading for their new home in Israel.

Among the 232 arrivals are those hailing from 19 American states and the Canadian city of Quebec. The immigrants are heading for new homes throughout Israel, from the village of Chispin in the Golan Heights to kibbutzim (cooperative communities) in the south.

See the videos there too. I happened to watch the video live, and I felt like I want to be one of those people too! Persuading people like me was obviously the purpose of publicizing the videos and I'm admittedly one of those who got persuaded, despite the ceremony being 95% secular. (And no, NBN did not pay me to say this.)

Of course, it should happen at the right time. I'm not sure when the right time is - there are some personal obstacles that need to be cleared first.

An additional impetus of Ahava is the upcoming Aliya of my parents BE"H. But more on that in a future post BL"N.

(Other reasons not discussed in this post are Mitzvat Yishuv Ha'aretz and how world events seem to be soon culminating into our Ge'ula, BB"A.)

Rav Shteinman Shlit"a Tells Sheli'ah in Panama: Tell Your Family to Make Aliya Before Sukkot

From Kooker (h/t Sod1820) - my translation:

A surprising ruling: In recent months, a number of statements were recorded that awakened many reverberations regarding the matter of the coming of Mashiah with the conclusion of the Shemitta year, as is brought in the words of Haza"l.

The lecturer Rav Aryeh Landau Hakohen revealed on his Facebook page a conversation that took place with a G-d-fearing Jew who served in special Shelihut for the past 6 years in Panama.

That Jew, so describes the lecturer, went up to the home of Maran Haga'on Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlit"a to ask if he should continue his Shelihut there for the Jewish community. Maran Haga'on Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib said, "You have nothing to return to there for... Do not leave Israel!"

Maran the Rosh Yeshiva continued with the words that amazed the Sheli'ah in Panama: "You should inform your family that remains there to make Aliya to Israel immediately before Sukkot."  Maran Haga'on Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib instructed to relay this message to the entire community.

The lecturer, Rav Aryeh Landau Hakohen, verified the details to Kooker and revealed that in the wake of Haga'on Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib's ruling, that Jew left his Shelihut in Panama and returned to Israel.

"We don't calculate the End Times," the lecturer said to us, "but if Maran Haga'on Rav Chaim Kanievsky repeated 7 times this year and said that 'The Mashiah is at the doorstep', it is a sign to us that great things are happening behind the curtains. The Arab world is fighting between themselves, revolutions are occurring in the world, and we as Jews believe that the defining moment of the coming of Mashiah is closer than ever."

Interesting Recent Links - Va'era 5775 II

Geula-Related

The Jewish Way to ‘Shake It Off’

Funerals for Kedoshim and ZAKA

Details of the Levaya for the 4 Paris Kedoshim HY”D

הלו"ז המלא: כך תתנהל הלווית קדושי פריז

הרב מזוז לציבור: השתתפו בלווית קדושי פריז הי"ד

דרכם האחרונה: לקראת הלוויה: ארונותיהם של הנרצחים נחתו בישראל

Bodies Of Paris Kosher Mart Victims Arrive In Eretz Yisroel for Kevurah

Israel’s ZAKA Volunteers Join Paris Colleagues at Terror Site

תיעוד: מאות בהלווית הקדוש יואב חטב הי"ד שנרצח בצרפת

Eulogies for the Martyrs, Hy"d

Israel burials for Jewish terror victims. Homage for French police

Levaya for Paris Kedoshim

צפו: הגר"י יוסף והגר"ש עמאר בהלווית הנרצחים

מיוחד: ההספדים של הנשיא ריבלין ורה"מ נתניהו בהלוויית הנרצחים

‘Brokenhearted’ Nation Buries French Terror Victims in Jerusalem, Netanyahu Assails Islamists as ‘Enemies of Humanity’
Eulogy by President Rivlin at the Levaya for Paris Kedoshim HY”D
WATCH: PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at The Funeral of The Four Victims of the Paris Terrorist Attack
At Levaya, Netanyahu Says Paris Supermarket Victims ‘Killed Solely For Being Jews’

MK Danny Danon at the Levaya for Paris Kedoshim HY”D

תיעוד דומע: ארבעת הקדושים הובאו למנוחות

CNN: "West Jerusalem." Where's That?

Paris Rally Attendance

White House: Our Faux Pas on Paris Rally

Don’t Be Fooled: Paris Terror Rally Offers Cover to Terrorist Allies

Hamas-Supporting Erdogan Blasts Netanyahu For Attending Paris Anti-Terror Rally

Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories Re: Paris

Islamist Terrorism in France Accompanied by Anti-Israel Conspiracy Theories

Turkish President Erdoğan Launches Bitter Attack on Netanyahu, Hints at Conspiracy Theory Over Charlie Hebdo Attack

‘Mossad Inflames Islamophobia by Causing Such Incidents:’ Anti-Semitic Ankara Mayor Blames Paris Terror on Israel

To Some French Muslims, ‘Magical Jews’ Masterminded Paris Terror Spree

French Terrorism and Anti-Semitism

Yoav Hattab, 21, Murdered in the Attack in Paris

Paris Terror Attack Victim’s Grieving Widow: ‘They Have Taken My Other Half’

Israeli Minister Lauds ‘Heroic’ Yohan Cohen, Paris Terror Victim Slain Trying to Rescue Toddler (VIDEO)

Are You Guilty of Feeling Hatred for the Paris Murderers?

הרב דוד לאו באיגרת ליהודי צרפת: "לא להיחלש או לחשוש"

Chief Rabbi Urges French Jews: Don’t Abandon Your Faith

המתקפה בפריז: בולגריה עצרה חשוד בקשר למחבלים

Bulgaria Nabs Frenchman With Hebdo Tie

Pope Francis Channels Rav Wolbe

Egypt’s Grand Mufti Warns Charlie Hebdo Against Publishing Mohammed Cartoon
Egypt Clerics Warn French Journal Over Planned Cartoon

תיעוד חדש נחשף: המחבלים רגע לאחר הרצח ב"שארלי הבדו"

WATCH: New Video Of Paris Gunmen During Charlie Hebdo Attack
Video: New Clip of Paris Gunmen During Charlie Hebdo Terror Attack

French Security for Jewish Institutions

France Hunts For Attack Accomplices, Deploys 10,000 Troops

הבוקר שאחרי: אבטחה כבדה במוסדות יהודיים בפריז

France Deploying Thousands Of Security Personnel To Protect Jewish Sites

Pro-French Aliya

The Martyrs Come Home

Anti-French Aliya

סוגיית העלייה לישראל: הגראי"ל הביע חשש: יהודי צרפת "יתקלקלו" בישראל

Rav Shteinman on where French Jews should immigrate to

ראש ממשלת צרפת ליהודים: אל תהגרו, אנחנו במלחמה

Terrorism and Anti-Semitism

Two Women Injured in Rock-Throwing Attack Near Shilo

Sentencing of Israeli Teens’ Murderer is Ludicrous

חשבון הטוויטר של צבא ארה"ב נפרץ על ידי דאעש

U.S. Military Command Hacked by ‘ISIS’
Islamic State Hacks US Central Command Twitter, YouTube Accounts

שיפור נוסף: הילדה איילה שפירא החלה לדבר

After 11 Years, NY Trial Starts For Israel Attacks’ Victims

Jimmy Carter: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ‘One of the Origins’ of Islamic Terrorism
Jimmy Carter Says Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ‘One Of The Origins’ Of Islamic Terrorism

קנצלרית גרמניה אנגלה מרקל צעדה למען האיסלאם

ISIS Enters Afghanistan

Rav Hillel Zaks ZT"L

אבל בעולם התורה: הגאון רבי הלל זקס זצ"ל ראש ישיבת 'כנסת הגדולה'

BD"H Hagaon Rav Hillel Zaks ZT'L Rosh yeshiva knesses hagedolah, grandson of the Chofetz Chaim
Rav Hillel Zaks zt”l

Levaya Of Hagon HaRav Hillel Zaks ZATZAL; Rosh HaYeshiva Knesses HaGedolah
VIDEO: Levayah of Hagon HaRav Hillel Zaks ZATZAL

ירושה טבעית: הממשיך: הגאון הרב יצחק זאב זקס מונה במקום אביו

American Aguda Moetzet News

הפילוג הליטאי בארה"ב: מדוע הגר"א שכטר מאיים לפרוש מהמועצת?

Rav Aaron Shechter shlita hands in resignation from Moetzes gedolei haTorah of Agudath Yisrael in America

Election Stuff

אלי ישי ויוני שטבון נגד הבית היהודי: "מתנצלת על התורה"

לקראת ריצה משותפת? בן ארי ומרזל נפגשו עם הרב מזוז

New Panels Poll: Eli Yishai Still Out of Knesset

Miscellaneous

Kobi Peretz Becomes a Baal Teshuva

העתירו: הידרדרות במצבו של הגאון רבי נסים קרליץ

Crocodile bile

גלריה: אירוסי בת הרב יהודה דרעי עם נכד הרב שלמה בן שמעון

Historic Aircraft Used to Rescue Iraqi Jews to be Brought to Israel

Court: Mubarak Should Be Freed

Erdogan welcomes Abbas in Ottoman Empire style ceremony

ברוך דיין האמת: האדמו"ר מזלאטשוב זצ"ל

Rav Uri Zohar Quotes Gedolim on Mashiah

In a Kikar article that is taken from the Israeli Yated, Rav Uri Zohar was interviewed for Lev Le'achim and tells us what Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit"a and Rav Shteinman Shlit"a said about Mashiah.

I'll translate a couple sections. In the first section, Rav Zohar mentioned that in the coming year, there will be more than half of the State's children in a religious school. He was then asked about the 2 conflicting progressions: that of the government enacting laws that contradict religion and that of the great amount of Ba'alei Teshuva returning. Here's his answer:

As always, and at every moment, HKB"H controls the world. It says in Daniel "Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined." These are the 3 processes of "Birur" [filtration], and this is not only among our far-away brothers - this is also among ourselves. We are asked to withstand the test of faith to Hashem and to His Torah and to Gedolei Yisrael. This is the "Birur" of before the Geula.

My friend R' Natan Heifetz and I went in to Maran Sar HaTorah Hagaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit"a and we asked about a family from the United States whose sons are in need of Shidduchim, and they want to know what they can do to have a salvation.

Maran Shlit"a [Rav Kanievsky] answered: "They should make Aliya to Eretz Yisrael."

We continued and asked, "And if it's hard for them to leave the land in which they were born and to make Aliya to Israel?"

Maran Shlit"a answered, "What's so hard for them? Either way, Mashiah Tzidkenu is coming in a little bit and they will go up to Zion with joy..."

When we returned to our homes, we thought to ourselves, "Did the words of Maran Shlit"a - about Mashiah Tzidkeinu coming - have a special meaning or were they just as a prayer and a hope?"

We turned to his loyal trustee Harav Yeshaya Epstein Shlit"a to ask Maran Shlit"a what was hidden in this expression. He answered our request and asked Maran Shlit"a as he specified the entire contents of the question and the answer and our wanting to know about the wording of the answer. Maran Shlit"a answered and said, "Indeed, all the signs that are written about Ikveta Dimshiha are being fulfilled one by one, and especially, Haza"l's statement that in Ikveta Dimshiha, Hutzpa will increase..." The intent is also among us - one needs to know what is the authority of Gedolei Yisrael!

[It's interesting to note that this statement is consistent with a few other statements Rav Kanievsky Shlit"a made recently.]

Later in the interview, Rav Uri Zohar was asked to give stories that made him cry. Here's one:

A 4-year-old girl in Yokne'am was a daughter of completely secular parents. The father took her a few times on Saturday nights to her grandfather's house to say "Shavu'a Tov". Once, they got there early and she saw her grandfather making Havdala. The girl was very interested. "What is this?" she asked her father. He stuttered a little.

The grandfather heard and asked his son, "You never brought her to the synagogue?"

"No," answered the father.

The girl didn't let go. "Abba, I want you to take me to the synagogue."

The father decided to bet on something that would ensure his standing. He stipulated with her, "If you will stop sucking your finger, I'll take you."

He was sure that the condition would never be met. However, the girl paid the price. The first night, she didn't sleep, but she didn't suck her finger. She wanted the right to go to the synagogue. The second night, the same thing. On the third day, the daycare teacher called, "What happened with your daughter? She is sleeping in the middle of daycare." The mother was embarrassed to tell her.

On the sixth day, the mother already decided that the payment must be paid... She informed the father that he must take the girl to the synagogue, "and if not, you're not going to just deal with the girl, but with me!"

And he took her!! The story goes on that the mother started lighting Shabbat candles, and this family in Yokne'am today is getting others to become Ba'alei Teshuva all around them.

I was moved to tears when I heard this story. The soul of a Jewish girl.

And when they told over this story to Maran the Rosh Yeshiva Hagaon Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlit"a, he was amazed and declared, "This is the light of Mashiah!!"

He mentions some other Geula concepts in the interview. If you know Hebrew, check it out.

Interesting Recent Links - Vayakhel/Pekudei 5781 - Day 4

These are the interesting links from the past 24 hours:

Geula-Related
by Devash via TOMER DEVORAH READY OR NOT ...

Iran
by Erfan Fard via Algemeiner.com Israeli Intelligence Cooperation with Arab Allies Thwarts Iranian Terrorism
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Iran Offers Phased Return To Nuclear Deal
by Sara Marcus via Hamodia Biden Administration Ready for Nuclear Talks Only After Iran Complies
by JNS.org via Algemeiner.com Bipartisan Letter Urges Biden to Back ‘Comprehensive’ Agreement with Tehran
by JNS.org via Algemeiner.com Report: Returning to Original 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal Would be ‘Nearly Impossible’
by JNS.org via Algemeiner.com Blinken Urges Iran to Release Answers on Death of Former FBI Agent Robert Levinson
by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff via Algemeiner.com US State Dept Blacklists Two Iranian Officials Over Human Rights Violations
by Devash via TOMER DEVORAH READY OR NOT ...
by Hamodia via Hamodia Iran Denies It Attacked Israeli-Owned Ship in Gulf
by Yoni Wilkenfeld via Algemeiner.com YouGov Poll: Two-Thirds of Americans Name Israel ‘Ally’ or ‘Friendly’ Nation, With North Korea and Iran Most-Cited Foes

Asian-Australian Terrorism and Anti-Semitism
by Algemeiner Staff via Algemeiner.com Hamas Sympathizer Detained in Singapore for Allegedly Planning Knife Attack on Synagogue
by Yoni Wilkenfeld via Algemeiner.com YouGov Poll: Two-Thirds of Americans Name Israel ‘Ally’ or ‘Friendly’ Nation, With North Korea and Iran Most-Cited Foes

European Terrorism and Anti-Semitism
by Aliya Rosenthal via Algemeiner.com An Urgent Crisis: Holocaust Education Is Fading in America
by Ben Cohen via Algemeiner.com Israeli Envoy in Ukraine Slams Naming of Soccer Stadium in Honor of Nazi Ally Roman Shukhevych
by CJV via Coalition for Jewish Values Rabbis praise Administration stance on Israel and Anti-Semitism
by Benjamin Kerstein via Algemeiner.com Palestinian Prime Minister: PA Will Aid ICC War Crimes Investigation Against Israel

Mideast Terrorism and Anti-Semitism
על ידי חיים גולדברג via כיכר השבת יישלח לבדיקה: הוארך מעצרו של הערבי שהתחפש לחרדי וגנב
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia Agudah Submits Brief in Support of Terrorism Financing Case
by Benjamin Kerstein via Algemeiner.com Palestinian Prime Minister: PA Will Aid ICC War Crimes Investigation Against Israel
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת נעצר בבני ברק: ערבי התחפש לאברך חרדי וגנב רכבים; צפו

North American Terrorism and Anti-Semitism
by Ian Haworth via Daily Wire Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard Apologizes For Using Anti-Semitic Slur On Twitch, Will Be ‘Away From The Team Indefinitely’
by Ian Haworth via Daily Wire When Judging Anti-Semitism, Should We Accept Ignorance As An Excuse?
by Aliya Rosenthal via Algemeiner.com An Urgent Crisis: Holocaust Education Is Fading in America
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Utah Becomes Latest US State To Pass Anti-BDS Legislation
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Video: FBI Releases New Footage Of Suspect Who Placed Bombs At RNC, DNC
by Shiryn Ghermezian via Algemeiner.com Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters Urges Stevie Wonder to Turn Down Israel’s Wolf Prize
by Algemeiner Staff via Algemeiner.com Arab-American Comedian Roundly Condemned After Posting Video Showing Him Harassing Jewish Shoppers at Kosher Market
by Stephen M. Flatow / JNS.org via Algemeiner.com New York Times Covers Up for a Terrorist — and Smears Golda for Good Measure

Prayers for Those in Need
by דוד הכהן via כיכר השבת "גל קשה ומורכב": התפוסה במחלקת קורונה עלתה בגל השלישי ב-270%
by Algemeiner Staff via Algemeiner.com US Jewish Organizations Condemn NBA Player Meyers Leonard’s Use of Vicious Antisemitic Slur During Livestream
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva Call For Joint Tefilas Yom Kippur Koton Thursday
by Editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry HORRIFYING: They Had To Flee Their Home And Put Their Children Into Hiding
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת 282 נדבקים חדשים: הקורונה במגזר החרדי: שיעור הבדיקות החיוביות ירד ל-5%
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת לפנות בוקר: האופנוע והרכב בערו, ארבעה דיירים נפצעו
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת אבד עימם הקשר: חיפושים בנחל אוג אחר שני מטיילים חרדים
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת שריפה בעמנואל: תיעוד: מבנה של עמותה לנזקקים עלה באש

Deaths
by Y.W. Editor via Yeshiva World News MAILBAG: Thoughts By a Hatzolah Member Following Passing Of Two Paramedics
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia BD’E — Mrs. Ayala Rottenberg, A”h
על ידי שימי שפר via כיכר השבת מזקני בעלזא: משגיח הכשרות הרה"ח רבי שלמה אליאס ז"ל

Great Rabbis
על ידי חנני ברייטקופף via כיכר השבת "מסע חיזוקים": לאחר התקיפה: ראש הישיבה מסר שיעור • תיעוד
על ידי איציק אוחנה via כיכר השבת תיעוד בלעדי: השחקנים המפורסמים הגיעו לביקור אצל הרב ארוש
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Rabbanim, Roshei Yeshiva Call For Joint Tefilas Yom Kippur Koton Thursday
על ידי חנני ברייטקופף via כיכר השבת הרקע לא ברור: ראש הישיבה חזר מהשיעור בישיבה והותקף
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia Chief Rabbi Harav Yosef to Mandelblit: Freeze the Ruling to Allow Chametz in Hospitals on Pesach
by ישי כהן via כיכר השבת בבקשה מבית המשפט: הראש"ל ליועמ"ש: הקפא את פסק דין הכנסת החמץ בפסח
על ידי חנני ברייטקופף via כיכר השבת למחלימים ומחוסנים: אחרי יותר משנה: ראש הישיבה מסר שיחה בישיבה • צפו
על ידי שימי שפר via כיכר השבת מזקני בעלזא: משגיח הכשרות הרה"ח רבי שלמה אליאס ז"ל

Miracles
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת סוף שמח וטוב: מרגש: הייתה במצב קריטי הבריאה וילדה בן
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת 282 נדבקים חדשים: הקורונה במגזר החרדי: שיעור הבדיקות החיוביות ירד ל-5%
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת לאחר לילה ארוך: נחל אוג: שני המטיילים החרדים חולצו בשלום
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת "זה לא כזה רע": עשרה ימים אחרי פורים: נתוני התחלואה מפתיעים לטובה

Kiddush Hashem
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia NGO Brings Vaccine Know-How to Eswatini
by Y.W. Editor via Yeshiva World News NYC Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams Visits Boro Park Yeshiva: “I Was Really Impressed By What I Saw”

Judaism
על ידי איציק אוחנה via כיכר השבת בתכנית הבידור. צפו: הזמר ליאור נרקיס: "התחלתי לשמור שבת"
by Cosmic X via ****** Cosmic X in Jerusalem ****** How is Living in the Diaspora Idolatry? (Vayakhel 2021)
על ידי בחגוי הסלע via כי לה' המלוכה הבטחת הרשב”י- הרב חן שאולוב שליט”א
על ידי בחגוי הסלע via כי לה' המלוכה ” נשמה בתוך כד ” גלגול נשמות בחצר הבית- המקובל הרב יצחק בצרי
על ידי יוסי נכטיגל via כיכר השבת שוויץ: החרם על הבורקה: היהודים בעד המוסלמים
by Sarare via Yeshiva World News Gulf Opens Door To Public Jewish Life Amid Israel Ties
by Hamodia via Hamodia Destruction by Definition
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia Chief Rabbi Harav Yosef to Mandelblit: Freeze the Ruling to Allow Chametz in Hospitals on Pesach
by ישי כהן via כיכר השבת בבקשה מבית המשפט: הראש"ל ליועמ"ש: הקפא את פסק דין הכנסת החמץ בפסח
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת המאבק בגזענות, הדו"ח השנתי: שיא במספר התלונות על גזענות והפליה נגד המגזר החרדי
by Daniel Mann via Hirhurim – Musings Adding a Shabbat Candle after Forgetting
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia Netanyahu Warns Against “Fake Conversions”
by Gavriel Meir via Hamodia Conversion Travesty
על ידי איציק אוחנה via כיכר השבת "אין עוד מלבדו": שחקני מכבי תל אביב עלו לציון האר"י הקדוש
by Harry Maryles via Emes Ve-Emunah Avoiding the Battle Scars of Divorce
by Rafi G. via Life in Israel Facebook Status of the Day

Election Stuff
על ידי רפאל כהן via כיכר השבת סחרור בחירות: פדיחה: 'תקווה חדשה' הודיעו על קבלת תמיכה 'עלה ירוק' - שהכחישו
by Shmuel Smith via Hamodia Netanyahu Willing to Debate Lapid—On Condition
by Sara Marcus via Hamodia Corey Johnson Announces Run for City Comptroller
by Hamodia via Hamodia Hamas’ Gaza Leader Sinwar Re-elected
על ידי כיכר בשיתוף הציונות הדתית via כיכר השבת מגיב להתקפות: מרזל: "חרדי שלא רוצה להצביע כלל, תצביע לנו"
by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff via Algemeiner.com Sinwar Re-Elected as Hamas Chief in Gaza
על ידי ב. ניסני via כיכר השבת בסבב הרביעי: דיווח: סינוואר ניצח את הקרב הצמוד בעזה
by Israel Hayom / JNS.org via Algemeiner.com Israeli Diplomats Abroad Kick Off Voting for 24th Knesset
על ידי רפאל כהן via כיכר השבת לקראת הבחירות: סער הודיע: שוקל לתמוך בחוק שימנע מנתניהו לכהן כרה"מ
by Yoni Weiss via Hamodia Voting to Begin in Israeli Diplomatic Missions Abroad
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת בחירות 2021: הפתקים להצבעה בבחירות - כבר מוכנים; צפו
by Yisrael Price via Hamodia 2 Weeks Before Election, Most Israelis Don’t Expect Conclusive Outcome
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Entire Staff Of Nevada Democratic Party Quits After Socialist Slate Won Every Seat
על ידי כיכר השבת via כיכר השבת לאחר שלושה סבבים: קרב צמוד על הנהגת החמאס ברצועת עזה
by Hamodia Staff via Hamodia Report: Hamas Wants Recount in Gaza Governor’s Defeat
by editor via Matzav.com - The Online Voice of Torah Jewry Report: Hamas Gaza Chief Sinwar Defeated In Internal Election
by Y.W. Editor via Yeshiva World News NYC Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams Visits Boro Park Yeshiva: “I Was Really Impressed By What I Saw”