Scripture Reading for December 15, 2018
Torah: Genesis 44:18-17:27, “Vayigash” (and he drew near … ) Haftorah: Ezekiel 37:15-20 New Testament: Ephesians 2:1-10 Gospel: Matthew 24:29-31, “Acari Zarai” (After the tribulation … )
Qumranology: What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is not one of the biblical feasts or festivals that is prescribed in the Torah, like Sukkot, Shavuot, or Passover. It is a tradition started by the sages. The story of Hanukkah actually comes from the First Book of Maccabees. That is not part of the Hebrew Cannon, just like it is not part…
Netanyahu: Hezbollah will get ‘unimaginable blow’ if it attacks
By Herb Keinon, JPost— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the north Tuesday for the second time in less than a week, said that the uncovering of the third Hezbollah attack tunnel is part of the process of “systematically dismantling” these weapons. Netanyahu said that Hezbollah will “make a big mistake” if it tries to…
‘Settling the score’ with terrorists won’t prevent subsequent attack
By Alex Traiman, JNS— On the last night of Hanukkah, a Palestinian terrorist wounded seven in a drive-by shooting at a bus stop outside the large Jewish community in Ofra, Samaria. Injured in the attack were Shira Ish-Ran, a 21-year-old and 30-week pregnant woman, and her husband, Amichai, both of whom suffered multiple gunshot wounds.…
The latest poll on anti-Semitism in Europe looks bad. Trust me: It’s true
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ, TIMES OF ISRAEL— The last time that a stranger directed an anti-Semitic insult at me, I was carrying supplies for my son’s birthday party. It was on a Sunday afternoon on Dam Square. Carrying Star of David party decorations in a see-through bag, I paused to snap some pictures on my cellphone…
Building Up Israel is Preparation for Messiah
By Dr. Rivkah Lambert, Breaking Israel News— In a Torah class, sponsored by Yiboneh and delivered in Jerusalem earlier this week, Orthodox scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz explained that there are alternative scenarios for the messianic figure known in Judaism as Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah, son of Joseph). Quoting the Vilna Gaon, who was among the…
Israel’s New Strategy in the War Against Iran
By Yochanan Visser, Israel Today— With “Operation Northern Shield” entering its second week and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) working to destroy a third Hezbollah attack tunnel underneath the border with Lebanon it has become increasingly clear Israel is waging a psychological war against Iran and its proxies. This is done by using cutting edge technology,…
Netanyahu Doesn’t Rule Out Taking Battle Inside Iran
By Herb Keinon, JPost— Israel does not rule out acting militarily inside Iran’s border if it feels that is necessary for its security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday. Asked at an annual appearance before the foreign press if Israel would act inside Iran’s borders, Netanyahu said, “Our redline is our survival. We do…