Approaching the Month of Teshuvah

28 Menachem Av 5775

Rosh Chodesh Elul, the month that begins the forty days of repentance, arrives with Shabbat Kodesh, Parshat Re'eh...

"See, this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin upon you this day; and curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn away from the path that I enjoin upon you this day and follow other gods, whom you have not experienced."

Mankind has brought down curses upon itself. Perhaps the fear generated from them will drive us all to complete repentance at this most auspicious time...

Yuan Drops for the Third Day

If China really is trying to drive down its currency in any meaningful way to gain trade advantage, the world faces an extremely dangerous moment. Such desperate behaviour would send a deflationary shock through a global economy already reeling from near recession earlier this year, and would risk a repeat of East Asia's currency crisis in 1998 on a larger planetary scale. (Source)

Russia and Nato 'actively preparing for war'

Russia and Nato are actively preparing for war with one another amid the greatest build up of military tension in Europe since the end of the Cold War, a new report says. Rival exercises by the Russian armed forces and Nato have led to several near-miss incidents that could result in confrontation between the two sides, and leaders need to consider a new arms control treaty to avert the possibility of heightened tensions spilling into war.(Source)

US launches first air strike from Turkey over Syria

The first US F-16 fighter jets based in Turkey’s Incerlik air base Thursday struck Islamic State targets in Syria. No details were provided of the number, types or locations of the targets struck, except to disclose that one or more had been hit.(Source)

Pro-Islamic State Hacking Group Issues Chilling Warning to America

...“the brothers don’t need to attack them in military bases or secured buildings,” the hacking group member added. “they can now turn up in their houses. in their homes. this is war, what did you expect? u think u can bomb the islamic state and we don’t do nothing back? soon, very soon you will see.” When asked exactly what could be expected to be seen “soon,” the member replied, “you will see when US military and government personnel start getting beheaded in their homes.” (Source)

Dozens of cars, homes tagged with anti-Semitic graffiti in San Antonio Jewish community

A Jewish community on the North Side woke to widespread anti-Semitic vandalism Wednesday morning that included spray-painted swastikas, “KKK” lettering and other hateful slurs. (Source)

Here is a reminder of the simple pleasure in Hashem's creation that He intended us to enjoy along with His blessing. When Mashiach comes, peace will follow and such a tranquil scene will be our everyday reality.