Shabbat morning, October 7, my husband and I arrived at the Kotel to pray when we saw numerous people looking into the heavens. It was a small explosion overhead. I had a feeling that it was a rocket stopped by the Iron Dome, but we asked a gentleman nearby to confirm our suspicions and sadly we were right. We proceeded to our places to pray, David on the men’s side and me on the women’s side. About 15 minutes later, more bombs exploded overhead and the attendants of the Kotel were trying to usher everyone inside. Most left, but there were a few, including me, huddled near the mechitza (partition) that continued to pray.

The verse from Psalm 91:7 came to mind, “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it won’t come near you.” I felt the Lord strengthening me to continue in prayer. I wasn’t afraid at all, but it was clear that some were. It was supposed to be Simchat Torah that morning, but the men had removed all the Torah’s by the third barrage of exploded bombs overhead. It was supposed to be a time of unimaginable joy to conclude the time of our rejoicing on Sukkot, however, like a deflated balloon, you could almost feel the air leave the lungs of the hopeful. 

The next few days, the Kotel was sparse with people, some 500,000 visitors that had come to the Kotel over the holiday week, the largest pilgrimage Jerusalem has ever seen, now numbered in the dozens! It was empty, just a few brave souls.

A few days later, after we realized that our flights were canceled, we decided we needed to do laundry since we weren’t sure how long we would be trapped in Israel with no way out. We went to a laundromat near Mea She’arim, the Orthodox section of Jerusalem. While waiting for our laundry to dry, the sirens blared telling us it was time to go inside, bombs were coming. Two teenage American girls came to check on their laundry, too. The youngest became very afraid talking to her mother on the phone, saying to us over and over frantically, “Can we get back? Do we have time to go back?” They didn’t want to be apart from their family. I can understand the sentiment and before I could respond that God is with you, they hurriedly dashed off. Once again, David and I were unphased by the goings on. 

Right now, Thursday evening, October 12, we are sitting in our Airbnb apartment on Chabad street in the Old City, a five minute walk from the Kotel (an apartment we probably would never have been able to acquire had it not been for the mass exodus from here). We have heard reports that the Palestinians are calling on all the people to attack Israeli soldiers, etc., in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque tomorrow, Friday. In case you are unfamiliar with Israel’s topography, that is close to where we are. After watching a video in the Hurva (a famous Jewish synagogue in the Old City) about how the soldiers lost the skirmish to protect their people here, I must admit I was a little anxious today. I had said to David that when I was a young girl, I had always had a strange feeling that I should know all the streets in Jerusalem in case of emergency. This war is a sobering reminder.

Well Friday came and went without incident. The militant Muslims had called for a “flood,” but there was none. There was ample security. More security at the Kotel than I have seen times 5! It came to mind the Bible verse that says, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19). We praise God that the standard of our Messiah, the flag of the Kingdom that will never end, still waves over Israel.

Shabbat morning, October 14 there were more people than we had seen in the previous week at the Kotel. Still seemed barren though, maybe about 100 total between the men and women’s sides. That evening, we went to the wall again to see them do Havdalah which was nice. After which we went to one of the few open restaurants here. Jerusalem has been pretty shut down, even the stores and restaurants that are open are open with limited hours and a truncated menu.

We witnessed at the restaurant near us an altercation between two Israelis. Not sure what caused it, but a guy was punched, thrown over the tables by what appeared to be a worker in an apron. The worker then held a chair over his head like he was going to smash him over the head, screaming and yelling. The police, out in full force, came and broke it up as people tried to calm the worker down.

This would have seemed like an isolated incident, but the next morning, David and I went to our favorite bagel place to get frappuccinos. While eating peacefully next to a large group of Americans with half a dozen kids between them an American lady arrived to pick up her previously ordered bagels. The girl at the counter had no idea what she was talking about and apparently told her that she couldn’t give her the bagels as there was a limited supply due to the war. The Jewish American lady became irate! She yelled obscenities about Israelis, cursed the business and Israel, accused them of discrimination, etc.

The girl behind the counter who I had met the day earlier, had a really good English accent. I said, “Are you American?” She told me, “No, her parents are American, she is Israeli.” All that to say, she understood full well all of the curses being laid against her personally, her country, and her people. David tried to get involved and reason with the crazy American Jew, saying, “Is it worth all of this for a dozen bagels?” She then cursed him too obscenely and then one of the Americans said, “Listen, there are children around.” In the midst of this yelling match, the young Israeli worker lashed out to attack the American saying, “I have a brother on the front lines, and a friend wounded in the hospital…” Her sentiment was as clear as David’s logic, but no matter how many people tried to talk to this lady she wouldn’t listen. She said, “The Israelis are worse than the Arabs,” etc. It was surreal. The Israeli girl was crying, clearly traumatized. I went over and hugged her and spoke a blessing on her family. David did so as well to the other worker, a young gentleman. 

I told David that we need to pray walk around this town. Tensions are high. Americans and others can’t get home. Flights are cancelled, etc. and it is a huge personal expense to be here longer than one has intended. We are in that same boat; however, we know that nothing is coincidental, only God-incidental. So please pray for not just the war effort, victory, protection, etc., but also pray for tender hearts toward each other, a compassionate spirit, and mercy and grace to abound.

I can say that even before arriving in Israel my impression of Israelis is that they are a little rough around the edges. As Americans, we generally expect politeness; it is a part of our culture. Not so much here. It is a take what you can get culture. This is very disheartening to me personally, as we all know that the Spirit of the Mashiach is a welcoming spirit. When Messiah comes again to bring back all the exiles what do you think is going to happen? There will be millions of people in Jerusalem, more than ever before! This attitude cannot be the order of the day. We need to make room in our homes, hearts, minds, spaces, for others. It is the Messianic way, and in this we need to lead the charge. As Messiah said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This cannot be a nice sentiment on a bumper sticker, it must be a life’s pursuit. 

When I was in high school, during a conflict mediation class, I learned something very valuable, a lesson that I have never forgotten. All anger comes from fear, hurt, frustration, and unmet expectations. This is why in Israel right now there are so many eruptions of anger. People are afraid for friends and loved ones. People are hurt at constantly walking down alleyways not sure if the person approaching you is a friend or foe. I have to admit, walking near the Arab quarter has given me some pause, and at times made me uncomfortable. I can only imagine what it is to live this way every day.

Israelis are frustrated that there seems to be no real solution to the wars and rumors of wars, and in truth there isn’t a solution without the One who is the repairer of every breach, Yeshua! The devil is trying to release an angry spirit, a fearful spirit, a stingy spirit over the land of Israel and its people, to sour its heritage and its portion. We must pray against this most of all. War is temporal, but the ground stolen by the enemy, the hearts, and minds of God’s people, is the real prize for the adversary. May HaShem close every open door to the evil one and make all our souls prosper. 

Despite all the goings on, I have been thinking over and over again about Rebbe Nachman’s quote which was turned into a famous Israeli song, “The whole world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing to recall is not to be afraid at all.” The illusion of this life is that we are all walking on a smooth, straight, sturdy, wide bridge until something happens that shakes that illusion. It is in those times that we are reminded of our frailty, that we are but dust.

Oddly enough, the message of Sukkot is exactly that, the shell of this world is nothingness, the only thing that matters is the life lived inside it. Yeshua arrived in that same shell to remind us that our klipa (our shells, our bodies) are but temporary, we need to build a kingdom that will last. Only a spiritual kingdom, the kingdom of our Messiah, will endure. The only way to push forward, to repair the world, to promote peace and love, to build something that will outlast you, is to have no fear! Fear pulls us back when we should push forward. I am encouraging my heart with this truth.

We need to allow the Lord to clean us of any anger that breeds fear, hurt, frustration, etc. so that we can be a pure vessel for His service. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Many seem to need this reminder, too.

So, for those who are praying, interceding, pressing into heaven on behalf of all those who have had their illusions shattered here, let us remember to have no fear in the battles we are facing. God is with us wherever we go. His eyes are always on His people, the apple of His eye. May He answer our prayer spoken only a few days ago, “Hoshia na,” (save now)! 

These are indeed times for reflection and prayer, as well as times for action. 

We all are returning from celebrating Sukkot, a festival which is the backdrop of the war of Armageddon--the last battle before the coming of Yeshua. The parasha this week is called Genesis/B'resheet, meaning: At the origins, which is usually translated as "in the beginning."

Whereas we might not yet be at the "end," since we've rolled the scroll back to the "beginning," in B'resheet, recent events in Israel give us an example of the "end", like the backdrop of a theater. Thus, HaShem, He who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), shows us a sample of what the "end" could look like, that WE might not be taken by surprise.

But you have no need to have anything written to you, brothers, about the times and dates when this will happen; because you yourselves well know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.* When people are saying, "Everything is so peaceful and secure," then destruction will suddenly come upon them, the way labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there is no way they will escape. 

But you, brothers, are not in the dark, so that the Day should take you by surprise like a thief; for you are all people who belong to the light,who belong to the day. We don't belong to the night or to darkness, so let's not be asleep, like the rest are; on the contrary, let us stay alert and sober. People who sleep, sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, let us stay sober, putting on trust and love as a breastplate and the hope of being delivered as a helmet. For God has not intended that we should experience his fury, but that we should gain deliverance through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who died on our behalf so that whether we are alive or dead, we may live along with him. Therefore, encourage each other, and build each other up -- just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 CJB)

*A talmudic idiom for Yom Teruah

As a Shabbat meditation article this week, I chose to reprint an article by Boaz Michael, an article that addresses our reactions to the recent horrific events in Israel as messianic believers. Boaz Michael's own children are at the Israeli frontlines.

Please pray for Israel this Shabbat.

FROM BOAZ MICHAEL:

The disciple of Yeshua should recognize and know the times that are upon us and act accordingly. 

Last Shabbat, the reading of Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes coincided with Shemini Atzeret. We heard the words of King Solomon: “A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:7–8). 

Early in the morning that same day, Hamas launched thousands of rockets against Israel from out of the Gaza Strip, where they hold power. Simultaneously, waves of terrorist commandos surged across the border. They caught the nation of Israel off guard. The terrorists slaughtered innocents, took hostages, and left a trail of carnage and savagery behind them.

A Time to Be Silent

King Solomon said, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” This is a time to be silent. There are no words that might be deemed appropriate in the wake of the massacre. In Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says, “Do not attempt to appease your fellow at the time of his anger, and do not console him at the time his dead lies before him.” This is neither the time for appeasement nor the time for consolation. Instead, this is the time for disciples of Yeshua to appeal to Avinu Shebashamayim (Our Father in Heaven) on behalf of the victims, the hostages, the families of the victims and hostages, the soldiers of the IDF, the people of Israel, the government of Israel, and the whole house of Israel—the Jewish people.

A Time to Speak

In another regard, this is also the time to speak. We should not let deception dictate the discourse. Since Saturday, images from the attack and its aftermath have flooded social media platforms. The nations are rightly stunned by those scenes of cold-blooded murder, inhumanity, and terror. However, I feel it’s essential for the world to realize that the barbarism, sadistic savagery, and total disregard for human life on display in those images do not represent some new and unprecedented thing. Hamas has committed all these same atrocities against the citizens of Israel many times before, and they have done so for decades. They have always targeted innocent civilians, carried out brutal murders, taken hostages when they could, and executed prisoners in front of cameras. They consider it a pious thing in service of God, and, in this respect, their efforts are cheered in the mosques. We’ve seen it all before. What makes the situation feel different this time is only the astonishing scope of their success. May Our Father in heaven help us.

Outside of Israel, the shocking attack has created a sharp watershed moment. Many people, politicians, and statesmen who ordinarily express criticism for Israel have spoken out in support of Israel, offered assistance, and condemned the terrorism in unequivocal language. It’s encouraging to see people taking to the streets in a rare show of solidarity with Israel. May God reward them for speaking up on behalf of justice at this critical moment.

At the same time, an astonishing number of voices continue to speak out in support of the terrorists. They excuse the massacre and offer elitist justifications for the atrocity. By defending what cannot be defended, they reveal the depravity of their own hearts. They demonstrate the reversal of values that the modern age has brought.

It’s disheartening to see so many of the young people of this world rushing headlong, ignorant, and unthinking down the old paths of anti-Semitism and baseless hatred while congratulating themselves for their progressive values. In the coming day, they will be called to give an account before God, who judges hearts and motives and weighs everything in the scales of justice. That day comes quickly.

A Time for War

There is a time for peace and a time for war. Israel has declared a state of war against Hamas, as they should. May God grant Israel success, a quick victory, and a lasting peace. But a spiritual war cannot be won with bombs and guns. Those of us who understand the times and how these things play out behind the veil of concealment should take up positions upon the spiritual battlefield, wielding weapons of psalms and prayers on behalf of the nation. (In that endeavor, you will find Psalms 20, 83, 121, 142, and 130 especially potent.) In a time such as this, it’s appropriate to undertake days of fasting as often as you are able in order to heighten your prayers.

A war against Hamas can be understood as a war against violence. The word “Hamas” is an acronym for the Arabic name of the terrorist organization that governs Gaza: “Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamiyya,” meaning the Islamic Resistance Movement. Ironically, the acronym sounds similar to the Hebrew word chamas, which means “violence.” The word appears frequently in the Psalms to describe the wicked. For example, it appears in Psalm 27:12-14.

Do not give me over to my enemies’ desires, for false witnesses stand against me, breathing violence [chamas]. If it were not for my faith to see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in the LORD! Strengthen and fortify your heart and hope in the LORD!

Psalm 27 appeals to God for salvation from our adversaries who are “breathing violence (chamas).” The Jewish community in synagogues around the world recites that psalm twice every day from Elul 1 until Shemini Atzeret for a total of one hundred times. Those one hundred recitations concluded last Shabbat, only hours after the attack of those “breathing violence” had begun.

Finally, if you intend to fight this war with us, remember that the best weapon against baseless hatred is love. Show yourself to be a disciple of Yeshua by adding an additional mitzvah of chesed (an act of lovingkindness) to your daily routine. Show kindness to strangers, treat everyone with dignity, encourage one another to persevere in the faith, and pray also for your enemies. Bless, and do not curse. In this manner, we, too, go to war on behalf of all Israel.