Rather than just post anything parashah-related for Shabbat, I like to make a connection between it and present-day reality. This is what jumped out at me this week...
In the context of his meeting with the new leader of Syria this week, President Trump mentioned the "gruesome" job of returning the dead hostages from Hamas captivity. Despite mispeaking about the families wanting their loved ones' bodies back "more than if [they'd] been living," he nevertheless hits on a truth that may be unique to the Jewish people.
Our parashah opens with a description of the first Jewish death and burial. It's interesting that the President of the United States chose this week to remark on this subject and in doing so, highlighted the care Jews take to bring the dead to proper kevurah.
Stone Edition Chumash Commentary...
The Sidrah shows Jewish respect for the dead and concern for the future. These are essential concepts in Judaism, for we neither reject what has gone before nor neglect what lies ahead. The narrative begins with the death of Sarah and Abraham's intense desire to give her a proper burial in a place worthy of her greatness.
After opening with the demise of our first Matriarch - Sarah Imeinu, this parashah is bookended with the description of the passing of the first Patriarch - Avraham Avinu. The commentary says it was the year 2123 from Creation.
A final observation: it is notable, to me, that a parashah which begins and ends with the deaths of our forebears is named Chayei Sarah, with the emphasis put on her life, which goes on in a different realm of existence.
There are Jews, some of whom should know better, but many who have no clue, that like to use the word "Bible" to refer to the Jewish Tanakh. It's not the same thing and it's not interchangeable. I just wish Jewish people would stop pretending it is, get over it, and stop this horrible practice.
This story has been reported upon every day this week in one form or another and two things stand out: (1) only four were taken into custody "for questioning" but no one has been charged, and (2) not one story has bothered to set forth any reasons for the "rampage." Even Hamas's reasons for Oct. 7th have been endlessly reported however without merit they may be, but not so in the case of "settlers."
How bad were yesterday’s riots by Jewish extremists near the Palestinian town of Tulkarm? Well, it’s a miracle that it ended without fatalities, according to the head of IDF Central Command.
“The reality in which anarchist fringe youth act violently against innocents and against security forces,” he added, “is an intolerable and extremely serious situation that must be dealt with firmly. Dealing with this phenomenon requires the combined efforts of all systems of the State of Israel, education, welfare, enforcement, and punishment.”
Quick recap: yesterday, around 100 Jewish extremists “attacked Palestinians and set fire to property in the area,” according to the IDF. But that’s not all: they even attacked IDF soldiers who responded to the scene. As of writing, only four have been arrested, while Israeli security forces are still searching for others who took part in the violence.
So, settler violence in Judea and Samaria is really out of control isn’t it? It depends who you ask. On one hand, these extremists represent a tiny fraction of Jews living in the area, the overwhelming majority of whom are opposed to such violence.
Nevertheless, that small handful of extremists are succeeding in causing enormous damage to the Palestinians they target, and are simultaneously distracting IDF resources from what they should be focusing on: protecting Israelis from Palestinian terror, not the other way round.
Ok, but why is the situation so severe? For one, in November 2024, Defense Minister Israel Katz scrapped Israel’s administrative detention policy for Israeli settlers.
I’ll explain. Administrative detention is a means for authorities to hold suspected terrorists without charge for up to six months due to the imminent risk that they pose. Until last year, it was used for both Palestinians and Israelis in Judea and Samaria — but since Katz scrapped its use (which the Shin Bet warned against), it’s been harder for the IDF to combat extremist Jewish violence in the area.
And it’s causing frustration in the military’s higher echelons, with senior IDF commanders asking Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to call on the government to reinstate administrative detention for Jewish extremists.
But that’s not all. There’s also an issue totally unrelated to the military: far from stereotypical extremists, most of the Jews committing these violent acts are troubled youth who should be in the care of welfare authorities.
The bottom line: if you’re getting your information on settler violence from the BBC, New York Times and co, you’re not seeing the full picture, to say the least. In fact, once you break down the numbers, it turns out there’s nowhere near as much violence as some would have you think.
I explained why in a December 2023 column for Yedioth Ahronoth:
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A friend with kids recently visited his sister. “Want chocolate milk?” the aunt asked, and of course, the kids shouted yes. “Okay, just so you know,” she quipped, “the powder isn’t chocolate, but rather carob powder. The milk is soy milk, and we drink it without sugar.”
I was reminded of that chocolate-less chocolate milk when I saw the UN data on settler violence — the most important issue in the world’s eyes between the river and the sea before the war broke out. Since the start of the war in Gaza, it holds the honorable second place.
But once you break down the numbers on settler violence, it turns out there’s not much violence — and not many settlers.
Dr. Michael Wolfowicz, a criminology researcher from the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, looked at the UN data. On the face of it, it’s horrifying. Between 2016 and 2022, there were no fewer than 5,656 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians. But diving into the details reveals that 1,600 of those happened in Jerusalem, almost all of which were instances of Jewish entry to the Temple Mount or police clashes with Muslims rioting there.
After further filtering, there are another 2,500 events that describe property damage or physical assault — but these include, for example, a terrorist attack carried out by a Palestinian that ended with the terrorist being killed.
On April 8, 2018, Muhammad Abd al-Karim Marshoud attempted to stab Israeli civilians in Ma’ale Adumim. He was injured and died the next day. Astonishingly, in the case of Marshoud, the UN recorded two incidents of violence: On April 8, a Palestinian was shot; on April 9, the Palestinian died.
There’s more. On July 26, 2018, 30-year-old Yotam Ovadia was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist. Here too, according to the UN, the neutralization of the terrorist by Yotam is recorded as settler violence.
The same applies to a stabbing attack in the Hebron Hills; another one in Yitzhar; injuries to Arab rioters from Israeli security forces’ gunfire at Joseph’s Tomb; and entering the Tomb of Joshua.
Even traffic accidents in which settlers hit Palestinians were classified as violence.
In the end, we’re left with about twenty violent incidents per month, most of them mutual, and some reported only by Palestinians, with no verification. Even if all are true, here’s the proper comparison: according to the IDF, between 2019 and 2022 alone, there were 25,257 Palestinian attacks on settlers — a rate of 500 a year. Last year, that number jumped to 763.
The inflation of settler violence from a limited phenomenon to absurd proportions is meant to soothe the world’s conscience by creating a strange kind of symmetry for the support it gives Israel in its war against the murderous Hamas. In Israel, the campaign serves the purpose of expelling settlers and establishing a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria.
This week, the news site HaKol HaYehudi published a policy paper from a think tank funded by the New Israel Fund and a German foundation, whose goal is to vilify settlers and revive the idea of Palestinian independence.
If you will it, it is no dream.
In the simplest possible terms, if it really is "settlers," they are reacting to aggression, not initiating it.
In a milestone with global implications, Israel has begun pumping desalinated seawater into the Kinneret — the first time anywhere in the world that processed ocean water is being used to refill a natural freshwater lake.
The Water Authority inaugurated the system on October 23, marking a turning point in Israel’s decades-long battle against drought and water scarcity, and a vivid illustration of how the country’s high-tech approach to water management has upended old natural limits. (Source)
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LEBANON - Until about two months ago, the factions and parties in Lebanon were having a discourse for or against Hezbollah, today the voices heard from Lebanon are mainly hysteria. Lebanese sources claim (whether a deliberate leak or not) that the decision to attack Lebanon has been made, as ‘leaked’ by senior Americans.
But when? The pope is supposed to visit the Middle East, first visiting Turkey and then coming directly to Lebanon. His visit is planned for the end of November until December 2nd. It is hard to see Israel opening a campaign in Lebanon before the pope leaves Lebanon.
SYRIA - Sources in Israel: Syrian regime leader Juilani has reduced supervision of the border crossings with Lebanon, which will allow Hezbollah to increase weapons restock smuggling. (Israel Realtime)
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THE FIRST RAINS TO ARRIVE IN ISRAEL
WEATHER UPDATE: Starting Thursday, Israel will experience winter weather with heavy rainfall and possible floods in the south and flooding in central cities. This was reported by the Meteorological Service, which added that from the afternoon hours of that day, rain will begin falling in the Eilat area, spreading to the southern Negev, Arava and Dead Sea regions. On Friday, the rain center will move to the northern and central coast. The forecast predicts strong rainfall intensities of dozens of millimeters within just a few hours, leading to flooding in coastal and lowland cities. Rain will continue on Saturday, but intensities will decrease throughout the day. (Israel Meteorological Office)
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BE ON THE LOOK-OUT TONIGHT FOR AURORAS REACHING TO FAR SOUTHERN LATITUDES DUE TO THE GEOMAGNETIC STORMING!!!
"So said the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, Gog,...I shall unbridle you, and I shall put hooks into your jaws and bring you forth and all your army,...." (Yechezkel 38.3-4)
...Security sources told Shomrim that the move represents a major shift in U.S. engagement. “It’s hard to overstate the significance of building such a base,” one official said. “Since the Six-Day War, Israel has sought to minimize international involvement in the territories. The establishment of an American base on Israeli soil shows just how determined Washington is to be involved in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
...The planned base would mark a significant escalation of U.S. activity in Israel and comes amid moves that have already curtailed Israel’s operational autonomy in Gaza — particularly regarding the coordination of humanitarian aid deliveries. Israeli officials said the CMCC in Kiryat Gat is expected to take full control of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, relegating Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to a marginal role. (Source)
Another ominous sign! Is this White House welcome to Turkish involvement in Syria the payback for Israel's objections to Turkey's playing any part in the administration of Gaza?
Turkish foreign minister meets with White House officials: 'We also discussed developments in Gaza'
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who participated in the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, said that during his talks with officials in Washington, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip, among other topics. Fidan told Turkish media that he also met with his Syrian counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Whitcoff and the US envoy to Lebanon and Syria Tom Burke. According to him, "The US understands the need for Syria to remain united." (Reuters)
"מה כבש זה בין שבעים זאבים — כך ישראל בין אומות העולם."
"Just as a lamb is surrounded by seventy wolves, so is Israel surrounded by the nations of the world. If the Holy One, Blessed be He, were not protecting it, they would devour it immediately."
From this we can extrapolate that antisemitism is in the nature of the "wolf" and it is not the hand of God that inspires it at certain historical moments. It is the removal of that restraining hand that allows nature to take its course.
Every self-identified "Jew" who builds an interfaith bridge to "humanity" is in essence inviting wolves inside the sheep pen. The fence of halachah meant to protect us from them is breached and we are then defenseless unless HKB"H intervenes.
Can you see how ridiculous this idea is? That we can all be buddies? There is no risk to the wolf from the lamb but the lamb stands in mortal danger as long as he is in proximity to the wolf.
There is a kernel of antisemitism lurking in the heart of every non-Jew. A few can overcome it, but the vast majority are outright antisemities-in-waiting. As long as the wolves are kept at a distance - out of sight of the sheep - the danger is mitigated. But if they are brought close and begin to mix with the sheep, that blood lust will be ignited and then sheep start falling one by one until a full-on attack nearly wipes out the flock.
I'm here asking that the breaches be sealed up and the gathering wolves be banished far into the distance. I'm here calling on all true Jews to be on the look-out for those among us who insist on putting the entire flock at risk. Call them out or better yet kick them out if they refuse to come to their senses. Let them go live with the wolves if they can't get on without their "friendship." Allow them no further access to the tender flock. The enemy within is the most dangerous of all!
...and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying, or is himself deceived, and is only delaying the inevitable.
Erev Rav With A Kippah
They are the ones pushing universal Judaism, teaching Torah to practitioners of avodah zarah, encouraging them to "keep Shabbat," etc. They are the ones pushing the concept that we share a "Judeo-Chr*stian" culture with the West and it is our duty to save it. They are the ones pushing the idea of kinship with avodah zarah in the name of the man who stood on one side against, and separated from, the rest of the world in his rejection of it - Avaham Avinu!!
Eisav and Yishmael, with the help of the Erev Rav, are still trying to claim an inheritance which is not theirs.
If you have not already seen this internet "rabbi," allow me to introduce you to Pinchas Taylor...
"Welcome to The Ark, the place where humanity comes together."
The Ark is an ongoing Torah learning program focused on hashkafa, Jewish thought and worldview. It is open to all who want to better their lives through in-depth learning in Torah guiding philosophy. The novelty is that this group is open and encouraged for Jews, non-Jews, and everyone in between. Whatever your religious background may be, members of the Ark can help further shape their spiritual identity through study and our virtual community. (Source: The Ark website)
...Rabbi Pinchas Taylor is the Director of the American Faith Coalition. He is an American rabbi, a best-selling author and lecturer, and has spoken across the globe in a wide variety of venues. His books ... are remarkable works of insight and scholarship that delve into the spiritual realm.
Rabbi Taylor has been called the “Celebrity Life Coach” for his work with actors, athletes, and other public figures, and founded “The Ark,” a successful faith-based study and coaching program for people of all backgrounds. Currently, Rabbi Taylor is Director of the American Faith Coalition and a frequent contributor to national news outlets. (Source: Youtube Channel)
...The American Faith Coalition is an organization led by Rabbi Pinchas Taylor that promotes biblical truth and Christian values, with a strong emphasis on supporting Israel and combating antisemitism. It's not to be confused with other faith-based advocacy groups like the Faith & Freedom Coalition or TPUSA Faith, though they share similar goals of activating religious communities in politics and defending perceived foundational American virtues rooted in Judeo-Christian principles. (Google)
Judeo-Chr*stian (Western) Civilization
Is NOTJewish!!
In a recent video, Mr. Taylor explains his version of current events and it has just enough truth in it to be dangerous because his ultimate conclusions are the opposite of truth.
...First and foremost, my main message is that the war isn't over. ...I am referring to the civilizational battle against Islamism. ...Now, this is the war that we face, and I think this is the war that we should now be focusing on. Our war against Hamas was only part of a bigger conflict of a bigger war. October 7 was a trigger that unleashed dormant and sometimes camouflaged forces and powers. It boosted the Muslim Brotherhood and their satellite organizations.... They say that they want to dominate and take control of Western countries and that they're not shy in achieving it. ...They're already in control of various American cities and local councils, and
they're on the rise, including in New York City.
...in the same way that the victory of Hanukkah had two victories contained in one, there were two battles that were going on. There was the physical war.... But there was also a spiritual element...an ideological element. And that's really the element that's celebrated every single year on Hanukkah when we light the candle. The candle symbolizes light over darkness, Jerusalem over Athens, meaning the ideology of the supernatural god-given Torah over the naturalistic, paganistic view of Greece. And the ideological war was the one that we celebrate on a yearly basis. There is nothing that we do that really commemorates the physical war that was won. The more significant aspect of the war was the spiritual war.
You have a similar thing going on in our world today. You have a physical war that is going on...there's also an ideological war and an ideological war that has been going on long before October 7th,....
...this is not a religious battle. Jews or Christians or Muslims versus each other. This is an ideological war of civilization versus barbarism.
...recognizing that the goal is the elimination of our civilization of the so-called Judeo-Christian civilization, Western civilization, and supplanting it with a form of radical Islam. (Source)
In fact, it is very much a religious battle - Torah versus avodah zarah (i.e., everything outside of the bounds of Torah).
The Erev Rav are primarily identified either with Eisav or with Yishmael. Ultimately, despite their claims, they are not aligned with Torah values. This is the second reference I've seen this week which seeks to frame this ideological battle (which it is) within the context of Hanukkah even though the Greeks were the forbears of Rome which has already won in the hearts and minds of those who really believe that Western Civilization is compatible with Torah Judaism.
This other article claimed that Hanukkah is the time for Jewish unity and yet Hanukkah is precisely the holiday that emphasizes the need for Jews to separate - those loyal to Hashem from those who claim kinship with avodah zarah. Back then they were called Hellenists, today they call themselves Judeo-Chr*stians.
The enemies of God who wish to remove Him from the world that He created think that this can be accomplished when the people of God - the Jews - are destroyed. They tried to murder us all, but found that to be impossible, so their hopes are now centered on mass assimiliation - or "UNITY" - and this is where the Erev Rav are crucial to their plans.
They make themselves out to be rabbis and "faith leaders" and purposely mislead the ignorant and uninformed. They are the ones leading the charge to "unite" with avodah zarah.
Basically, any Jew who refuses to abandon Torah and conform to the new unity religion is to be labeled an "extremist" - no different than the "Islamists."
THE REAL IDEOLOGICAL BATTLE IS TO REMAIN SEPARATE FROM THE NATIONS.
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Israeli President Herzog on "X" today...
"We stand today at a critical juncture, facing immense challenges. We must never allow ourselves to be dragged into an internal war of all against all. We must not waste our strength on delegitimizing one another, instead we must fight the delegitimization directed at us all. We must stand strong and continue presenting the justice of our path, grounded in the Jewish and democratic values at the heart of Zionism and the State of Israel."
But the labeling of Torah Jews as "extremists" is the most popular and fully approved form of delegitimization there is. That one is ok. The Torah has no connection to the "Jewish" State.
With regard to the anti-Torah so-called Jews, it is they who have separated from us not the other way around. The only way for us to meet them 'in the middle' is to compromise the Torah itself.
We are constrained by the mitzvot and halachah. They are unconstrained. They do whatever their hearts desire. With them, "unity" is just a buzzword meant to control and manipulate us. When/if they become serious about it, it will be up to them to reconnect with us, to take up the yoke of Torah and be bound to the terms of the covenant with HKB"H.
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A final word concerning today's scheduled vote in the Knesset mandating the death penalty for "terrorists" - I am opposed. There is no way they won't use it against Torah Jews whom they already label as "terrorists" for defending themselves. And we can only expect that definition to expand over time. Forget the false cries from the Religious Zionist right-wing about how anyone opposed to this law loves the Arabs. Even the Sanhedrin refrained from imposing the death penalty after it was exiled from the Chamber of Hewn Stone and removed from Har Habayit.
