Your Favorite Things About Israel

[Sixties Fan]

​

The Fulfillment of God's Ancient Promise

FEATURED PHOTO: Thousands of tourists flock to Israel every year to explore sights, both Biblical and modern. Here, tourists walk through the marketplace in Jaffa (Shutterstock).

All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed My command
Genesis 22:18 (The Israel Bible™)

Hear the verse in Hebrew

v’-hit-ba-r’-KHU v’-zar-a-KHA KOL go-YAY ha-A-retz AY-kev a-SHER sha-MA-ta b’-ko-LEE

In this verse, the Lord repeats His original promise to Avraham and assures him that all the nations of the world will be blessed through him. When we look at the many contributions that the State of Israel makes to the entire world even beyond its spiritual message – such as its technological, agricultural and humanitarian innovations – we see that the State of Israel is a fulfillment of this biblical promise.

 

[Sixties Fan]

Israel no. 19 of 63 countries in ability to develop, attract and retain workers

 

[Sixties Fan]

Sunrise over the Mountain of Blessings
Photo Credit: Anita Stensland

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised."
Psalms 113:3

 

[Mindful]

Noam Zilberberg/City of David
Archaeologists have unearthed a 2,000-year-old bronze ring with a solitaire gemstone in what could be a former ritual bath, or mikveh, in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem.

A Jewish penitent might have misplaced the ring after undergoing a ritual purification and before he embarked on a 2,000-foot climb toward the Temple Mount.

“The ring was found by Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists in what appears to be an ancient mikvah (Jewish ritual bath) on the Pilgrimage Road, which dates back to the time of the second Temple period,” reported the Jewish News Syndicate.

2000-yr-old Bronze Ring with Remarkable Gemstone Found in Jerusalem

 

[Mindful]

Sunrise over the Mountain of Blessings
Photo Credit: Anita Stensland

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised."
Psalms 113:3

The Mountain of Blessings.

A lovely description.

 

[Sixties Fan]

 

[Sixties Fan]

 

[Sixties Fan]

​

Measuring One's Worth

FEATURED PHOTO: Gold, silver, and jewels for sale at a Judaica store in the Old City of Jerusalem (Shutterstock).
What a rare find is a capable wife!
Her worth is far beyond that of rubies
Proverbs 31:10 (The Israel Bible™)

Hear the verse in Hebrew

AY-shet KHA-yil MEE yim-TZA v’-ra-KHOK mi-p’-nee-NEEM mikh-RAH

This chapter of Proverbs contains an extended poem in praise of the eishet chayil, translated here as ‘capable wife,’ but generally referred to as the ‘woman of valor’. She provides for her family in all ways, both materially and spiritually, and her endeavors and accomplishments are praised by the members of her household and by others. This poem is sung by Jews around the world on Friday nights, as they begin the first Shabbat meal. It is often understood as a praise for the Jewish woman who works hard to care for her family and for others, and to prepare for the Shabbat each week.

 

[Sixties Fan]

​

The Blessings To our Forefathers

FEATURED PHOTO: The cemetery in Jerusalem's Mount of Olives (Shutterstock).

Reside in this land, and I will be with you and bless you;
I will assign all these lands to you and to your heirs,
fulfilling the oath that I swore to your father Avraham
Genesis 26:3 (The Israel Bible™)

Hear the verse in Hebrew

GUR ba-A-retz ha-ZOT v’-eh-YEH i-m’-KHA va-a-va-r’-KHE-ka kee l’-KHA ul-zar-a-KHA
e-TAYN et kol ha-a-ra-TZOT ha-AYL va-ha-ki-mo-TEE et ha-sh’-vu-AH a-SHER
nish-BA-tee l’-av-ra-HAM a-VEE-kha

Isaac was warned that despite that famine in the Land of Israel he was not do escape to Egypt. Though Abraham went down to Egypt when a plague hit the land, and Jacob likewise descended to Egypt towards the end of his life, od told Isaac not to leave the Land of Israel. Due to the unique spiritual status he acquired on the later, Isaac was the only one of the three forefathers to never step foot outside the Land of Israel.

 

[Mindful]

A love affair.
Cheshvan 23, 5780 · November 21, 2019
Fifth Reading: Genesis 24:53


Translated and Adapted by Moshe Wisnefsky

Eliezer set out with Rebecca back to Canaan to meet Isaac. After Isaac and Rebecca married, Rebecca assumed Sarah’s place as the family matriarch.

Lighting up the World.

Eliezer set out with Rebecca back to Canaan to meet Isaac. After Isaac and Rebecca married, Rebecca assumed Sarah’s place as the family matriarch. Genesis 24:67
Although Abraham lit the Sabbath candles after Sarah’s passing (for he observed all the Torah’s commandments), his candles did not remain lit throughout the week, as Sarah’s had. But when Rebecca began kindling the Sabbath lights, her candles continued to burn miraculously the whole week.

This demonstrates the unique ability of Jewish women and girls – who are all “daughters” of Sarah and Rebecca – to influence the spiritual character of the home, illuminating it with the holiness of the Sabbath throughout the ensuing mundane week. Although the illumination provided by their candles might be physically visible for only a limited time, their spiritual illumination continues throughout the entire week.


Chabad.

 

[Sixties Fan]

​

Star Light, Star Bright

FEAURED PHOTO: Stars can be seen from the Shivta Ruins in the Negev Desert (Shutterstock).

 

[Sixties Fan]

​

A Reason To Celebrate

FEATURED PHOTO: No celebration in Israel is complete without falafel and the Israeli flag! (Shutterstock)

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice, ever jubilant as You shelter them; and let those who love Your name exult in You
Psalms 5:12 (The Israel Bible™)

Hear the verse in Hebrew

v’-yis-m’-KHU khol KHO-say VAKH l’-o-LAM y’-ra-NAY-nu v’-ta-SAYKH
a-LAY-mo v’-ya-l’-TZU v’-KHA o-ha-VAY sh’-ME-kha

Despite all the dangerous threats surrounding the modern Jewish State, Israeli citizens consistently rate extremely high in global surveys measuring quality of life and happiness. While their sense of purpose in helping to reclaim the land of their forefathers certainly contributes to Israelis’ high levels of satisfaction, the key to happiness in life is found in this verse: “all who take refuge in You rejoice.” Israelis have no choice but to rely on the salvation of Hashem. By placing their trust in the Lord, they achieve true happiness and set an example for the rest of the world.

 

[Sixties Fan]

 

[Sixties Fan]

 

[Sixties Fan]

​

The Ancient Method of Reconciling Righteousness and Evil

FEATURED PHOTO: While God is the ultimate enforcer of justice, IDF soldiers do their best to help out where they can (LIBI).

Before the thorns grow into a bramble, may He whirl them awayalive in fury
Psalms 58:10 (The Israel Bible™)

Hear the verse in Hebrew

b’-TE-rem ya-VEE-nu see-ro-tay-KHEM a-TAD k’-mo KHAI k’-MO kha-RON yis-a-RE-nu

Throughout his psalms, David struggles with the reality that righteous people sometimes suffer while the wicked thrive. Psalm 58 is directed at the wicked, chastising them for their corruption and deceit. David warns that Hashem will bring retribution upon them for their sins, and he invokes several metaphors from nature to express his sentiment. The wicked might prick like the boxthorn and seem invincible, but David tells them that before they mature into a large, strong bramble, God will hurl them away and destroy them.

 

[rylah]

Yonatan Razael - Tikkun HaGeshem (Rain Prayer)

 

[rylah]

Sruli and Netanel - Bein Kodesh LeHol (Between holy and mundane)

 

[rylah]

Amir Benayoun - Lechol Adam Yesh Halom (Everyone Has a Dream)

 

[rylah]

Hayim Ifergan - Lecha Eli

 

[Sixties Fan]

https://www.jewishpress.com/news/ar...d-in-roman-period-golan-synagogue/2019/12/02/