| Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement. Love Yehuda Lave Join my blog by sending me an email to YehudaLave@gmail.com Breaking news: Israelis traveling to high-risk countries face NIS 5000 fine! And just like that, long-awaited return of tourists pushed off from July 1 to August 1, 2021 Just before the end of his term earlier this month, former Interior
Minister Arye Dery announced that as of July 1, vaccinated tourists –
from countries that had yet to be determined by the Health Ministry –
would be allowed to enter the country subject to a simplified procedure.
Now on the whim of the government, all bets are off and tourists can't return in the busiest time of the year July and who knows if they will rebook for later. Six countries are currently off-limits: Russia, India, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, and Brazil. Following the revelation that thousands of travelers are returning to Israel from countries they are forbidden to visit according to Health Ministry directives, many of them bringing coronavirus back with them, the Ministry is planning stricter enforcement of the rules, Yediot Aharonot reports. According to the report, all those traveling abroad will be required to fill out an online form declaring that they will not be flying to any one of the six countries currently on the banned list (Russia, India, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina) and that their final destination is not one of the six countries. The declaration will also include a short explanatory note warning of the consequences of falsifying information. Despite the ban on visiting countries where the risk of contracting coronavirus is currently considered extremely high, direct flights from Israel to the six locations will continue to take off from Ben Gurion airport. Asked to explain this apparent contradiction, a government official told Yediot Aharonot, "The fact that direct flights will be continuing to these destinations will make it easier for us to monitor the situation and conduct checks on traveler movement." What is being proposed is that passengers will arrive at the airport with their signed declaration in hand, and will be asked to present it to an airport official before boarding their flight. If the official sees that the final destination noted on the form is located in one of the six banned countries, he will summon another official responsible for enforcement of coronavirus regulations, and the traveler will be issued a fine of NIS 5000. Travelers returning from abroad will also be questioned on their country of origin, and those who are found with stamps in their passports from one of the six banned countries will be fined 5,000 shekels. However, not all arrivals will be ordered to state their country of origin – only random checks will be made. Nonetheless, the official cited in the report claimed that even such spot-checks will significantly reduce the number of Israelis visiting countries where the incidence of coronavirus is exceptionally high. Parallel to these proposals, new regulations are set to go into force at Ben Gurion airport within the next few days. Face masks will be required within all areas of the airports' terminals, and with the opening of a new Covid-19 testing site at the airport, another 30 testing stations will become operative within the week. Despite the government's acknowledgment that the Delta mutation is now spreading in Israel, a mutation that is known to be far more contagious than the previous prevalent strain, there are currently no plans to close Ben Gurion airport entirely at any point in the future. "[Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett wants to take immediate and pinpointed steps," the abovementioned official said. "Dr. Sharon Alray-Price, head of Public Health Services, is currently drawing up a plan detailing all the regulations and restrictions as they apply to individual countries, depending on their rates of contagion." On Tuesday, Prime Minister Bennett visited Ben Gurion airport and said that he is viewing the current situation as a "new outbreak" of the coronavirus. "The Delta strain is spreading rapidly around the world," he said, "and its contagion rate is much higher than we first thought. It is around 50% more infectious than the original strain, and we are already seeing it beginning to spread within Israel." Bennett also admitted that the new mutation "also infects people who have been vaccinated," and indeed, Israelis returning from countries with a high contagion rate of Covid-19 are now legally required to self-isolate, even if they have received both Pfizer vaccine doses. "I ask those who do not have to travel abroad not to do so," Bennett added. "The outbreak in Binyamina originated with a family that returned from a vacation in Cyprus." Bennett also announced that the government would be setting up a new coronavirus cabinet to address all Covid-19-related issues.
| | | | | The Three Musketeers at the Kotel | | | | | What Happened to the Clouds of Glory? By Yossi Ives | | | | | Throughout the Israelites' long sojourn in the harsh desert, all their physical needs were miraculously supplied. Manna came down from heaven each morning, while water flowed from a rock. The Israelites were also surrounded by special protective clouds, which served a multitude of purposes, from clearing away dangerous pests, to sheltering them from the scorching desert sun, flattening the ground and guiding them on their way. The Talmudic sages1 teach that water was provided in the merit of Miriam the Prophetess, the older sister of Moses. They deduce this from the fact that immediately after the Torah informs us of Miriam's passing, it states, "The congregation had no water; so they assembled against Moses and Aaron."2 The people complained bitterly: "Why have you brought the congregation of the L‑rd to this desert so that we and our livestock should die there?" This led to the infamous incident of Moses striking the rock, even though he had been instructed to speak to it to restore the water supply to the Israelites.3 Likewise, the rabbis taught that the "clouds of glory" were provided in the merit of Aaron, Moses' older brother. They derive this from the fact that the Torah4 informs us of an attack by one of the Canaanite kings immediately after we are told about Aaron's passing.5 As Rashi explains, "He heard that Aaron had died and the clouds of glory had departed. "This knowledge emboldened the king to launch an attack on the Israelites, as he surmised that they were now unprotected. Eventually, the Israelites successfully counterattacked and beat the Canaanites back. According to some traditions, the clouds were restored in the merit of Moses.6 Why No Backlash? We read about a massive backlash when the water stopped upon Miriam's death, and we also are told how it was restored by Moses. In the case of the clouds disappearing upon Aaron's death, however, we do not hear of any protest, nor are we told in which way they returned. The clouds that accompanied the Israelites fulfilled indispensable functions that made their stay in the desert possible; how then could there have been not a single complaint about their absence? Perhaps there were indeed no complaints, because by the time of Aaron's death the Israelites were on the border of the Promised Land and didn't need them anymore? This is clearly impossible, as the Israelites took several further journeys after Aaron's passing, including going backwards into the desert,7 and would have still required the services provided by the clouds – protecting them from the perils of the wild wastelands. More than One Kind of Cloud To shed light on this perplexing problem, the Rebbe offers insight into the role of the clouds, with attention to the minutest detail. Perusing the Midrashic texts and Rashi's commentary to the Torah, one will see that sometimes the term "clouds of glory" is used,8 while at other times it simply refers to "clouds."9 Why is this? Is there any difference between the two? The Rebbe explains that according to Rashi and those Midrashic sources, there is indeed an important distinction. "Clouds of glory" refers to those clouds whose entire purpose was to honor the Israelites with a visible manifestation of the Divine Presence. They were, as their name implies, intended to bring glory to the Children of Israel. But when the term "clouds" is used alone, it refers to the many practical services they provided, such as shielding the Israelites from the harsh desert climate and protecting them from violent attacks. Those functions of the clouds were not for glory, but were key to their ability to survive in the wilderness. What Happened When the Clouds Disappeared Now we understand what happened when Aaron passed away: "the clouds of glory departed," and those honorific clouds indeed never came back, according to many. The other clouds – the ones that protected and assisted them in the desert – those never left, which is why there was no outcry or complaint about their absence upon Aaron's passing. We now also understand what happened during the attack by the Canaanite king. As Rashi explained, "He heard that Aaron had died and the clouds of glory had departed, so he thought he had permission to wage war on the Israelites." Rashi does not say that the king judged that he was better able to wage war, but rather that he was permitted to do so. The utilitarian clouds were still in place, so the prospects of winning a war were no better, but he took the fact that the clouds of glory had departed as an indication that the Almighty was fine with him having a go at His people. It is in part to commemorate those clouds of glory – that had no practical purpose, but were intended purely as a mark of honor and affection – that we observe the festival of Sukkot each year. Rashi explains that the verse "for in booths I had you dwell when I led you out of Egypt"10 refers to the clouds of glory. The regular clouds were provided to ensure their survival, and thus G‑d was "obligated," as it were, to provide those, since He had led them into the danger zone in the first place. The additional clouds of glory were entirely extra and a symbol of unbounding Divine love. In recognition of that special gesture, we observe a festival in which we enter a Sukkah which represents the embrace of our loving Creator and Protector. The same applies to the relationships we have with one another: the mundane acts of kindness we do for each other are important, but they are separate from the acts of affection that have no practical benefit and are intended to convey our love. The practical acts of service are no substitute for overt acts of devotion, just as sentimental gestures are not a replacement for down-to-earth support. Adapted from Likutei Sichot, vol. 18, Parshat Chukat III. | FOOTNOTES | | 1. | Talmud Taanit 9a. | | 2. | Numbers 21:2. | | 3. | Because Moses hit the rock and spoke
angrily, he was prevented from entering the Holy Land. | | 4. | Numbers 22:1. | | 5. | Numbers 20:29 | | 6. | Talmud Taanit 9a. | | 7. | Numbers 21:5-7. | | 8. | Tanchuma Beshalach 3, Behaalotecha 12; Tosefta Sota 4:1; Rashi to
Leviticus 23:43; Numbers 20:29, 21:1, 26:15, 33:40; Deuteronomy 8:4, 10:6. | | 9. | Mechilta Exodus 13:21; Sifri Numbers 10:34, Tanchuma Bamidbar 2;
Rashi to Exodus 17:9, 19:4, Numbers 20:22, 25:4, 10:34. | | 10. | Leviticus 23:43. | | | | | Every Best Actress Oscar Winner Every Academy Award Best Actress In A Leading Role Oscar winner from 1927's Janet Gaynor to 2019's Renée Zellweger. | | | | | Caesarea National Park one of two 060621 On June 6, 2021, with still no tourists in Israel, the Shalom Pollock gang goes to discover one of the most important sites in Israel history, Caesarea National Park.
The Park extends from the Roman theatre in the South to the Crusader city in the North.
It includes the Byzantine square, the Herodian amphitheater and Promontory palace bathhouse and more. | | | | | Israel Opens First Underwater National Park Amidst Ancient Roman Ruins
The new Israeli national park will let scuba divers swim through 2,000-year-old historic ruins. By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel. After years of preparation, Israel opened its first underwater national park amidst the Ruins By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel After years of preparation, Israel opened its first underwater national park amidst the ancient Roman ruins under the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of the ancient Israeli port city of Caesarea. The first marine national park in Israel is now open to snorkelers and scuba divers. The Nature and Parks Authority, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the local Caesarea Development Authority joined forces to make it happen. The three different bodies had the monumental task of preserving and restoring antiquities sites, making them accessible to the public, and creating a park to attract visitors for leisure, recreation and sports activities. Planning and construction took years, but the efforts succeeded in turning the site into a marine gem. "We want to develop diving tourism and tourism in the country," the head of the Antiquities Authority marine archaeology division, Kobi Sharvit, told Channel 13 news over the weekend. "We expect that divers who see something will report it to us," Sharvit said. "For the most part, a small discovery by divers can lead to a very large and impressive discovery and change our entire understanding of the place." With a rich history as an important ancient port, the waters of the park are known to hold ancient ruins and well as hiding ancient treasures that have included hoards of gold coins and sunken trading ships with the cargo still aboard. The land-based portion of Caesarea National Park is one of Israel's top tourist attractions, with a palace and large Roman theater that hosts concerts, opera performances and a jazz festival. Built 2,000 years ago by the Roman-appointed king of Judea, Herod the Great, the port was a major hub, even after it was destroyed, perhaps by a giant tsunami. Much of the port ruins is now underwater, including Roman vessels, coin treasures, ancient harbor walls, a sunken breakwater and other archeological finds. According to the Parks Authority, a significant part of the history and archaeology of the place today is currently found under the waves and the new park will allow tourists who love exploring the sea a unique, new adventure. The site is also home to a rich variety of sea life including different kinds of fish, stingrays, octopuses and corals. | | | | | Shalom Pollock on Acco
Always seeking to increase our knowledge of Israel's tourist sites, tour guides take refresher tours from time to time.
Recently I joined a group of my colleagues for an in depth tour of the famous ancient port city of Acco on Israel's northern coast. Acco is a gem of history, archeology and folklore, from the ancient Egyptians, to the Maccabees, Maimonides, Richard Lion Heart, Napoleon, the Jewish underground fighters break out from the British "Bastille" and the victorious Israeli army of 1948.
Acco has seen them all and its winding old street and alleys and picturesque fishing port seem eager to tell their story.
Before I go any further, let me highly recommend a visit to the former Turkish/British prison – fortress where the Jewish underground fighters of the Irgun and the Lechi were imprisoned and nine of them hanged by the British occupation museum now offers a state of the art series of presentations that, using the backdrop of the actual prison locations offer a wonderful dramatic, reenactment and explanation of the events and the "zeit geist"
A handful of determined young men and women defeated the British empire and won their people's independence for the first time in two thousand years. Not a bad storyline. If you are a movie goer you may remember how in "Cast a giant shadow", Paul Newman ran along the roofs as he blew a hole in the prison walls
But our story does not begin with Hollywood. Archeology has uncovered remains from the times of Alexander the Great as he used Acco port to dislodge the Persians, Yonatan the Maccabee was murdered by his treacherous Greek hosts and buried near the "Land Gate" of Acco. Roman remains of their Legions when they entered the land through Acco on their way to suppressing the great Jewish revolt; eventually destroying the Temple in Jerusalem
Jewish slaves were shipped to Rome from this port.
The most extensive unearthing are by far those of the Crusader kingdom. The horde of French and Italians suddenly appeared on the horizon it was were too much for the Muslim defenders. Acco was stormed by the knights of the Crusades in 1096 as Muslims and Jews fought and fell before the Pope's swords, liberating the Holy Land for Christendom. In 1099 Jerusalem was sacked in a horrid blood bath; one of the darker chapters of Jewish history.
When Saladin finally captured Jerusalem , Richard the Lion Heart was able to hang on to the port city of Acco for another fifty years until the last Crusader turned for home.
It is this Crusader city that is still being excavated in a truly impressive way. As later Mamluk and Ottoman masters built upon the Crusader ruins, the latter slept in the dust of time undisturbed until very recently
Hall after hall, secret escape tunnels, Knights grand dining rooms - all as they looked when the swords and shields were gashing and pounding
With Saladin's ultimate victory over the western invaders, famous Jewish luminaries came from the corners of the diaspora to make Acco their home. Rabbi Yechial of Paris and a few hundred of the great "ba'ale tosafot" set up a yeshiva in Acco. Eventually the great Ramban – Nachmanadies became the head of the torah school there
Maimonides entered into the land of Israel through Acco port and the spot where he set foot is named after him
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov actually found himself in Acco at not quite the very best time. He had visited the Holy land and Jerusalem and was ready to depart from Acco when Napoleon just began his famous siege of the city. He escaped on a Muslim was ship and was given a gun to help in the battle against the French.
When Napoleon made his bid for Mid East conquest he tried to sway the Turkish governor's key Jewish adviser to join him. He issued the French"Balfour Declaration" in which he acknowledged the Jewish longing for their land and he agreed to restore it to them after their longing to come home. Napoleon promised to make it happen if he won. Chaim Farchi, the Pasha's (Al Jazir -" the Butcher") adviser, would not betray his master. Napoleon lost the battle and Chaim Farchi was eventually executed by the Pasha's heir. So much for loyalty. What if Napoleon had indeed won..?
The Ramchal and the Ohr Hachaim, two very famous Jewish scholars, made Acco their home in the eighteenth century. The synagogue named after the Ramchal is a lone Jewish outpost in the otherwise Arab Old city today. His original synagogue was turned into a mosque and to this day, religious - Jewish looking visitors are denied entrance
In 1936 the Arabs launched one of their rounds of pogroms as the British looked on. Acco's Jews fled , not to return until 1948 when it was liberated by the Israeli army. Many Arabs fled the fighting. Jews forced to flee their homes in Arab lands. Some of the wiser Arabs stayed and were granted Israeli citizenship. They are the envy of the rest of the Arab world.
In recent years the Arab population has been expanding into former Jewish neighborhoods accompanied by frequent Arab riots and intimidation.A group of idealistic young Jewish families moved in around the Hesder Yeshiva in an attempt to stem the tide of Jewish flight from the city that is a treasury of Jewish history and martyrdom.
On our tour, our Acco city employee told us that the forty artistic signs placed above Jewish land marks in the old city were torn down by the "Muslim Movement of the North"(Raam" pary) They were replaced with verses of the Koran, undisturbed to this day.. Our guide explained in a hushed voice ,carefully looking to every side, "what can you do, at least they are not rioting.."
The latest battle for the city is being fought on another front. I had occasion to look at a number of buildings in the "changing", formerly solid Jewish areas. These Jews fled Arab mobs in the old country and came home to Israel.They are doing the same in their own "new country" . It was an eerie site to see many apartments with the mezuzah torn off the door posts and pictures of Mecca in its place. This is the latest battle for Acco. No storming of the walls or cannon fire. It is in the real estate offices where the silent victory or defeat is determined. I was told by agents that Jews sell to any one in his desire to flee the "changing neighborhood". Arabs never sell to Jews. They know the consequences of such a betrayal.
Where to, Acco?Where to, Israel?
Shalom Pollack is a tour guide , filmmaker and writer in Jerusalem. He is writing a book,"Despite ourselves, I was there"
shalompolack613@gmail.com
| | | | | See you tomorrow bli neder We need Moshiach now! Love Yehuda Lave | | | | |
