Chip, Chip, Chipping Away

30 Shevat 5786
Rosh Chodesh Alef Adar 

The Torah is the only thing that unifies Klal Yisrael.  Only with regard to receiving the Torah were we referred to "like one person with one heart."

The anti-God, anti-Torah forces are aiming straight for the heart - going for broke - chipping away at the life source - the Torah and Mesorah which has kept us alive as a nation until this moment.  Of course, they won't succeed, but only because Hashem raises up among us the giborim who are willing to fight those forces.

Arutz Sheva, the voice of the "religious" Zionists, have reported on an event that ostensibly took place in the Knesset yesterday.  In the wake of the events in Bnei Braq (which ultimately spread to Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh), the session was dedicated to recognizing the value and contributions of the women soldiers.  One of the invited speakers was described as a "religious"  who had never "compromised" her "values" while serving in "her mixed gender service."  She expressed her desire to "send a message" and proceeded (again, according to this report) to assure young women from "religious high schools" that the IDF accommodates their "values" and their decision whether to enlist should not be influenced by "ignorant views."  [Note: I have a policy not to link to that site.]

Of course, Torah and halachah do not come up.  Of course, they want the women - the future mothers who will mold the minds of the next generation.  

Female troops are under assault, and not just in Bnei Brak

...the last several years have seen young women coming from national-religious backgrounds increasingly joining their secular counterparts, rather than signing up for the civilian corps [Sherut Leumi].

According to the data, between the years 2018 and 2025, the rate of women identified as part of the national-religious community enlisting in the IDF rose from 25% to 31%. This upward trend began even earlier, despite aggressive campaigns by conservative rabbis against women serving – especially in combat roles.

Though there is some overlap in belief and practice, the national-religious community is distinct from the ultra-Orthodox community in several key ways. While both are God-fearing, those who count themselves as national religious are usually more willing to engage with secular society, including in education, employment, and culture. As a whole, the community is ardently Zionist and supports the military.

However, if they can't get them this way, they'll get them another way.  

Finally, women like me can take the Rabbinate’s exams in Jewish law

...We filed the petition to ensure that any woman with advanced halakhic knowledge could be examined on her knowledge through officially recognized exams in Israel — not solely through private programs, which resonate within certain social circles but lack official recognition. We knew that certificates from official halakhic exams carry economic significance, and that, without them, women face barriers to accessing state tenders. We also knew that official certification matters for professional standing in the eyes of the public and, truthfully, in the eyes of the learner herself. The petition is a public act. The fact that our personal biographies share common threads reflects a collective portrait of women’s Torah scholarship in Orthodox society.

...Throughout, we held firm to the principle that “separate is not equal” and insisted that we be assessed via exactly the same exams, at the same time, and by the same examining staff as the men candidates.

From the heart of the home (woman) to the home of the Shechinah, they never slack in their efforts to bring down the Torah from its pedestal. 

Will the High Court Approve Mixed Prayer at the Kosel? Chief Rabbis Issue Strong Warning: “This Would Be a Grave Violation”

On the eve of a pivotal Supreme Court hearing regarding petitions over tefillah arrangements at the Kosel, Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rav Dovid Yosef and Rav Kalman Ber, submitted an urgent notice along with a detailed halachic ruling clarifying their uncompromising position on preserving the sanctity of the site.

The High Court of Justice is set to convene Tuesday morning to deliberate on petitions challenging the current prayer framework at the Kosel. In advance of the hearing, the Chief Rabbis released a clear and forceful psak addressing the kedushah of the remnant of the Beis Hamikdash.

This is the War against God and His Torah.  This is the War with the 

Erev Rav, of which the GR"A taught the following... 

...Our chief effort on behalf of the ingathering must be to produce men of faith worthy of being the two Messiahs in the gates of Jerusalem and of restoring the Divine Presence, the aim of complete and true redemption and Kiddush Hashem. According to our master, the Gra, we must come to G-d's aid through men of valor, the two Messiahs, and learn in practical terms everything there is to know about their characteristics and duties.

The general duty of the two messiahs, Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David, together throughout the generations, is defense and war against the three chiefs of impurity - Esau, Ishmael and the erev rav, the "mixed multitude." Mashiach ben Yosef's special duty is confronting Esau, the impurity of the left, that of Mashiach ben David is confronting Ishmael, the impurity on the right, and together they work against Esau and Ishmael, the ox and the donkey of impurity. The mating of Esau and Ishmael comes through Armelius, angelic prince of the erev rav, and it can destroy Israel and the whole world, Heaven help us! The main striving of the erev rav is to mate Esau and Ishmael and separate the two Messiahs, and our own main battle is to shatter and rout the power of the erev rav, the impurity of evil Armelius, from Israel.

The erev rav is our greatest enemy. It is what separates between the two Messiahs. Its impurity operates only via indirect deception. Hence, the war against the erev rav is the hardest and most bitter, and we must gird ourselves with our last strength toward this end. Whoever does not actively take part in the war against the erev rav automatically becomes a partner to its impurity, and whoever he is, he is better off not having been born. The main strength of the erev rav is in the gates of Jerusalem, especially at the entrance to the city on the western dividing line.

The erev rav is that part of the Jewish People intent on war against G-d and against the truth and credibility of His Torah. With them we face an uncompromising battle to the finish, and the Gra emphasized this in his call to holy war against them. When he says that whoever does not actively fight the erev rav becomes their partner and is better off never having been born, he means to warn against the distorted tolerance and groundless love which are the main impediments in this war. (Kol HaTor, Ch. 2, Part 2:2) 

 The Battle has already been engaged.  It only remains for you to pick your side.

“Even the Israelis Will Not Prevail Over the Jews”:
Sharp Editorial in Israeli Yated Takes Aim at
Courts and Military

If Paras Starts It, Then Tonight / If Edom Starts It, Then Tomorrow Night

30 Shevat 5786
Rosh Chodesh Alef Adar

MI'SHE'NICHNAS ADAR / MARBIM B'SIMCHA!

CHODESH TOV UMEVORACH!!

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!!!

We Need Clarification on Chillul Hashem

 29 Shevat 5786
Yom Kippur Katan
Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar

There is a general misunderstanding of what exactly constitutes Chillul Hashem, which is commonly translated into English as "desecration" of God's Name.

Here, for example, is Google's definition:  Chillul Hashem (Hebrew for "desecration of the Name") refers to any action by a Jew—particularly an observant one—that brings disrepute, shame, or dishonor to God, the Torah, or the Jewish people. It is the opposite of Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Name) and is considered a serious transgression, as it causes others to hold a negative view of Jewish moral standards.

I think most Jews, if asked, would agree with that, but it is problematic on several levels.  The Chr*stians, in accordance with their own 'understanding' of our Torah, take our rejection of their Messiah as a Chillul Hashem.  Most Gentiles the world over right now view our just war as a Chillul Hashem.  

When judging whether a Chillul Hashem has taken place, everybody has to be on the same page, so to speak.  When the Erev Rav start foaming at the mouth and pontificating on what is Torah and what is not and what constitutes Chillul Hashem, they cannot be the judges because they are the main haters of Torah and chief instigators of Chillul Hashem.  I would go so far as to add, if you are unsure if a certain action is actually Chillul Hashem, look around and see who is yelling the loudest.  What are the chances that they are on the right side of the issue?

Let's look for some clarity on the real meaning of Chillul Hashem.

Reb. Chaim of Volozin z’tl in the Nefesh HaChaim explains that the word Chillul comes from the word Challal that means “void or vacuum”.  He explains that a Chillul Hashem is when we behave as if Hashem is absent from this existence.  When one publicly violates Hashem’s Will it is considered a Chillul Hashem because the person is conducting himself as if Hashem did not exist (G-d forbid). (Source)

One may argue about tactics and the appropriate means of resistance, but no one can correctly identify engaging the enemy in the war against the Torah in Eretz Yisrael, brought upon us by the Erev Rav, as anything other than a Kiddush Hashem.

The Chareidim are under attack by anti-Torah forces davka because they are seen as the most representative of God in our society.  The anti-Torah forces do not like the Jewish God.  They prefer the gods of their own making.  They want to erase Him and His Name from the world altogether.  Any battle waged to prevent that can only be a Kiddush Hashem.

A line must be drawn somewhere.  "Ad kan and zehu!"  When that line is crossed, the people of the Torah have no other choice but to act.  "Mi l'Hashem elai!!"  

If the persecution and forced imprisonment of Torah students does not constitute the crossing of a line, tell me please, what does??!!

The worst Chillul Hashem committed by the "religious" in this country is the years and years of accommodation made to our enemies and most especially the Erev Rav leadership - both political and religious.  Even the anti-Torah forces were beginning to believe they were well on their way to eliminating the Jewish God from the public arena.  Who was willing to stand up to them for the honor of Hashem's Name?

A new generation is coming of age and they have the souls of all the Hebrew giborim of history.  They are Mashiach's army and they are not afraid to fight for the Torah and for the honor of Hashem's Name. May they grow from strength to strength!!  And may we all get on the same page together!!

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[Here is an informative update:  How It Began: “The Soldiers Chose to Stay and Escalate the Incident”]

The War Between the Israelis and the Jews

29 Shevat 5786

Yom Kippur Katan

Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar

This war won't end until Mashiach comes.

I just want to say a quick word about what happened in Bnei Braq today.  (If you don't know what I am talking about, you can see here, here, here or here.) 

I'm not going to argue point by point what should or should not be done or condemn who said or did what and why.  Just be aware of the following...

The girls claim they asked their commanders not to send them, but they were sent anyway.  One thought if she wore a skirt over her pants it would be acceptable, one did and one didn't.  It seems more like the concern of the public was more about the initial story, that they were there to hand out draft notices, not that it was women.  Then, the story changed and now the claim was that they were sent to do a welfare check on a fellow soldier.  

Clearly, this was staged with the intent to cause a provocation. and if it could be couched in the guise of hunting down female soldiers, all the better for the optics!  The girls were completely unhurt, by the way, but, of course, that does not prevent the media from telling the public that murder was only inches away.  On the other hand, the same cannot be said for what the border police did to a chareidi woman who lives in Bnei Braq - no explanation available.

Following are several other points of interest that have come out today, some directly related, others not, but still important...

Former PM Naftali Bennett Films Election Video in Bnei Brak Amid Clashes

Former PM Naftali Bennett runs to Bnei Brak to make election video. NOTE: Bennett was only able to form a government by partnering with Arab Jew-haters:

“A significant event occurred in Israel. Here, in the heart of the country in Bnei Brak — not in Ramallah — a violent mob chased after IDF female soldiers, humiliated them and tried to lynch them. Not in Shechem, not in Ramallah — here in Bnei Brak, against our soldiers. [It goes on...]

Humiliation In The IDF: Chareidim Forced To Undress As Punishment, Do Push-ups While Davening

Criticism of IDF Draft Policy: Claims Army Ignores Hundreds of Chareidim Seeking to Enlist While Expanding Arrests

* * *

Israel moves sweets, energy drinks into Gaza ahead of Ramadan 'at Trump’s request' - exclusive

* * *

IDF Braces for Extreme Iranian Retaliation Against U.S. Strike

INTELSKY: "The Calm Before the Storm": U.S. Build-up Concludes, Taliban Joins the Fray in a Middle Eastern Surprise.

* * *

Boy!  Does he have a shock in store!!  What he means is Israel will always be ruled by secular Western norms, NOT TORAH!!  His worst nightmare is about to come true!!!!

"A Love Story"

28 Shevat 5786 

Jews & America: A Love Story?
Rabbi Richter

Where Is the Justice?

26 Shevat 5786
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Mishpatim/Sheqalim - Mevarchim 

This is the question so many people are asking in our days.  Justice is hard to find, but the righteous soul craves it like water in the desert.  

The Midrash ha-Chefetz begins its commentary on Parashat Mishpatim with an exposition on the Jewish concept of mishpat (justice): “Scripture says about justice, ‘Hashem, Master of Legions, will become exalted through justice’ (Isaiah 5:16). Great is justice, which He gave only to Israel who are especially beloved by Him, as it says ‘He tells His word to Jacob, His laws and His justice to Israel (Psalms 147:9). Great is justice, which hastens the redemption, as it says ‘Preserve justice and carry out righteousness, because My salvation is soon to come and My righteousness to be revealed’ (Isaiah 56:1). Great is justice, for which the mashiach is praised, as it says ‘he will judge the destitute with righteousness’ (Isaiah 11:4)”.

...The Lekach Tov continues: “Praised is the Name of the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, that He created His world with justice, and built the foundations of the world on justice, and established His Throne with justice. He judges all and judges alone… And he commanded His servants to judge in righteousness… ‘Hate evil and love good, and at the gate establish justice’ teaches us that one who judges righteously is called good, while one who perverts justice is called bad. ‘Judge in your gates with truth, justice and peace’ (Zechariah 8:16) teaches that the prophets warned Israel about judges… None of the prophets added anything to…or took anything away from the Torah which Hashem our God gave us by the hand of Moshe our Master, and indeed the final prophecy ever was, ‘Remember the Torah of Moshe My servant…’ (Malachi 3:22)”.

...And it is in the merit of justice that we inherit the Land of Israel. As Moshe would tell us forty years later, in his final days: “So now, O Israel, hear the laws and the judgements which I teach you today to do, so that you will live and you will come and inherit the Land which Hashem, God of your fathers, gives you” (Deuteronomy 4:1). And again: “Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you will live and you will inherit the Land which Hashem your God gives you” (ibid.16:20), on which the Midrash says: “If you pursue justice, you will live and inherit the Land; and if not, you will not inherit it” (Tanhuma, Shoftim 8).

[Excerpted from Parashat Mishpatim: By justice we inherit the Land of Israel by Daniel Pinner in 5774.]

~ SHABBAT SHALOM UMEVORACH ~

Now They've Gone and Done It...

25 Shevat 5786 

[FOLLOW UP:  Criticism of IDF Draft Policy: Claims Army Ignores Hundreds of Chareidim Seeking to Enlist While Expanding Arrests]

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I'm pretty sure TIPTB (The Israeli Powers That Be) never saw this one coming. 😊

Dati Leumi Talmidim: “We Want The Same Army Conditions The Chareidim Receive”

Rabbi Dror Aryeh, a Rosh Mesivta in Sderot Yeshiva, said that talmidim at his yeshivah are considering filing a petition to the Supreme Court demanding equality between combat units, with Dati Leumi talmidim receiving strictly gender-segregated units like the Chareidi Chashmonaim Brigade.

The IDF also promised gender-segregated units to Dati Leumi talmidim, but the promise has not been fulfilled, and a “mixed-service agenda” seeped into the battlefield during the recent war in Gaza.

In an interview with Kan Moreshet, Rabbi Aryeh referred to the remarks he made at an emergency conference of Dati Leumi Rabbanim in the wake of the IDF’s intention to advance a pilot program to integrate women into the front-line combat units of the Armored Corps’s tank crews

In his remarks, he said that the implementation of the army’s gender separation regulations was violated during the war, creating situations in which male and female soldiers stayed in close quarters with no gender segregation, contrary to existing directives.

Rabbi Aryeh also addressed proposals for separate combat units, saying that talmidim at Sderot Yeshiva are considering filing a petition to the Supreme Court in the name of equality. “The demand is, ‘What is given to Chashmonaim should be given to us too,” he said.

He clarified that this is a cry stemming from a sense of responsibility and not an attempt to dismantle the army.

He emphasized that the lack of gender separation is not only a halachic issue but a professional one as well. “They take the victims of this agenda and insert them into the combat units, and it also harms the kedushah of the machaneh.” He added that the entry of women into combat units is effectively discriminating against soldiers who are makpid on halacha.

He concluded his remarks by stating that the main demand is a principled one, noting, “We are a Jewish army,” and emphasized the need for Siyata Dishmaya and preserving the kedushah of the machaneh as an inseparable part of the IDF’s ability to meet security challenges.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

The staunch position taken for the honor of the Torah and Hashem's Name is paying unexpected dividends.  Baruch Hashem!! 

The War With Amalek and the Month of Adar

23 Shevat 5786 

Iran/Hezbollah/Hamas/Houthis - these are Amalek, along with all their champions and supporters.  That makes this pending war - the one hanging over our heads -  The War with Amalek, which is necessary to bring in the messianic age. Here is a reminder...

Rambam taught (Hilchot Melachim 1:1): Three mitzvot were commanded to Israel on their entering the Land: to appoint a king, as it says "You must appoint a king" (Deut. 17:15); to annihilate Amalek's descendants... and to build the Temple.

1. Establishment of a True Jewish Government

2. Elimination of the Threat of Internal Enemies

3. Reconstruction of the Beit Hamikdash

[This is a logical conclusion based upon the fact that the second cannot be accomplished without benefit of the first and the third cannot be accomplished without benefit of the first two.]

Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook is quoted in Torat Eretz Israel, p. 283:

When people approach me with this proposition [to rebuild the Temple], I say: ...Just as there is a precept to build the Temple, there is a sequence to its fulfillment.  The Gemara says, "Israel was commanded with three precepts when they entered the Land:  To appoint a King; to annihilate the seed of Amalek; and to build Hashem's chosen house.  And the Gemara continues, And how do I know which comes first?  You have to say raise up a King.  And how do I know whether to build the Temple first, or to annihilate the seed of Amalek?  You have to say first annihilate the seed of Amalek.  The Gemara is speaking of the initial entry into the Land and of the construction of the first temple, but the Rambam decides that this is generally true.  'Israel was commanded with three precepts upon entering the Land...the King's appointment precedes the war with Amalek, and the annihilation of Amalek precedes the building of the Temple.'  This is a clear order not a haphazard arrangement."

So, here is the answer to why this war keeps being delayed.  The Erev Rav regime does not have the spiritual strength to pull this off.  Deep down, they know this is going to be the end of them.  Same goes for Eisav/Edom.  No wonder Trump is "in no rush."   But, HKB"H has a set time for it...

The complete obliteration of Amalek will occur at the time of the final redemption, immediately preceding the month of Nisan.  (Book of Our Heritage, p. 394)

I find it fascinating that Rav Kitov says "the complete obliteration" and those are the same words used by Trump to describe the "victory" of the "12-Day War".  Not!

Eisav can't do it and neither can the Erev Rav, so if this is really to be the final war that decides the fate of Amalek,  Mashiach must arise as a King of Israel between now and the end of the month of Adar - the traditional month of War with Amalek!!

It's also the reason Iran will have to start the attack sequence.  ("And Paras will go and destroy the world," meaning the Old World Order - the World of Lies.)  Neither Eisav/Edom nor the Erev Rav regime ruling in Eretz Yisrael have the spiritual power to do this.  But, like the bee that dies after it stings a perceived threat, Iran will also fall.  

This year, significantly, Ramadan coincides with Adar and remarkably, so does Lent!  

Rosh Chodesh Adar is two days and while the Hebrew, as well as the Islamic, calendar begins the evening before, the Gregorian (Chr*stian) calendar does not.  Therefore, the date that all three share in common is Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The month of Adar culminates with Rosh Chodesh Nissan on March 19, 2026, as does Ramadan.  But while Nissan raises us up to a yet higher level of spirituality and kedusha, the same does not exist in Islam.  

The high point of our month of Adar is reached at the full moon on Purim while the holiest day of Ramadan occurs on an "odd-numbered night" during the final ten-day period.  It is known as Laylat al-Qadr - the Night of Power.  It commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.  This year, in Iran, it is expected to be observed on March 16, 2026, the 27th day of Ramadan.

The Lenten Season also begins for Chr*stians.  "It is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter."  (Wikipedia)

It's as if each of the three so-called Abrahamic faiths will be making separate offerings to God at the exact same time.  But, rather than gain merit from their fasting and abstentions, they incur more Divine wrath as this service is being offered to a false god, not to the Master of the World.  

In contrast, our joy increases and we celebrate with noise and laughter, feasting and sweet treats.  We thereby demonstrate our steadfast confidence in HKB"H, that the promised redemption will come at its most appropriate time.

Interesting side note:  "If the ...[12-Day War] had developed into WW3, we would have been fighting in Tammuz and possibly Av, but Trump ended it on Erev Rosh Chodesh Tammuz.  Now it is going to happen in Adar. Our Heritage says if a Jew has a court case, he shouldn’t have it in Av but should have it in Adar."

Second interesting side note:  "The combat phase of the first Gulf War lasted from January 17, 1991 to February 28, 1991 (2 Shevat - 14 Adar).  ...The combat phase of the second Gulf War took up where the first one left off - March 20, 2003 to April 9, 2003 (16 Adar Bet - 7 Nissan).

Are these two of the three wars at the End of Days?  And is the War between the US and Iran to be the third?  Will it also be in Adar?  And since it is connected to Jerusalem, will it be on the 15th of Adar - the Jerusalem Purim?   

The children of Ishmael will cause great wars in the world and the children of Edom will gather against them and wage war against them, one on the sea, one on the dry land, and one near Jerusalem.  And they [the children of Edom] will rule over them [the children of Ishmael], but the Holy Land will not be given over to the children of Edom. [The children of Edom is the Christian West, for Edom is Rome (see Num. 24:19, Rashi) and Rome signifies Greece-Rome and the Roman Catholic Church, the foundations of Western Civilization.]

At that time, a nation from the end of the earth will be aroused against evil Rome and wage war against it for three months.  Nations will gather there, and [Rome] will fall into their hands, until all the children of Edom will gather against it [that nation] from all the corners of the world. Then G‑d will be roused against them. This is the meaning of: "For G‑d has a sacrifice in Botzrah". (Isaiah 34:6) And afterwards, it is written: "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth..." (Job 38:13) He will destroy the descendants of Ishmael from the land, and break all the powers of [all the nations' guardian angels] Above. There will not remain any power of any people on earth, except the power of Israel alone. This is the meaning of "G‑d is your shade upon your right hand". (Psalms 121:5)

May we merit to see it all and survive it all!!!!