Breaking news: 5 Israelis, Including Police Officer, Die in Bnei Brak Terrorist Shooting, Attacker IdentifiedBy Hana Levi Julian and What Does Extending Daylight Saving Time Mean for the Jews? By Menachem Posner and on the way up to Temple Mount on ides of March and before Purim two weeks ago Jerusalem Mayor and Nefesh B’Nefesh Deliver Mishloach Manot to Jerusalem Olim
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.
United Hatzalah paramedics at scene of Bnei Brak terror attack.
Five Israelis were reported murdered Tuesday night in a multi-site terrorist shooting attack near Hashnayim Street in the haredi city of Bnei Brak.
Israel Police said the fifth victim was a 32-year-old police officer from the motorcycle team who responded to the attack, and who neutralized the terrorist.
Police Sergeant Major Amir Khoury of Nof HaGalil, an Israeli Christian Arab who served in the motorcycle division at the Bnei Brak precinct, was initially reported in critical condition and evacuated to nearby Beilinson Medical Center. He lost his fight for life shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Israel Police said notice was given to his family. The hero police officer is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.
Two foreign workers and two residents of Bnei Brak were also killed.
The first attack took place on Bialik Street, where three people were shot. The attacker then continued to fire at people on the street, shooting two more people on Herzl Street, on the corner of Jabotinsky. The terrorist began by shooting at drivers in passing cars.
The terrorist, who was riding a motorcycle and using an assault rifle, was reportedly shot and killed on Megadim Street, in nearby Ramat Gan, by a police officer.
First Terrorist Identified The shooter has been identified as Dia'a Hassan Hamarshi, a convicted 27-year-old terrorist from the Samaria town of Ya'bed, who served six months in an Israeli prison in 2013 for membership in a terrorist organization and weapons trafficking, according to Israel's Channel 13 News.
Dia'a was a member of the Fatah-linked Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades terrorist organization. Fatah, the leading faction in the Palestinian Authority, is headed by PA leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Dia'a was allegedly working illegally in the area. Given his citizenship, he must have received some type of help in crossing the border into Israel.
Hebrew-language media reported a second suspect was arrested at the scene.
The municipalities of Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan instructed all residents to remain at home "until further notice from the police or the municipality."
Medic Confronted by Terrorist United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Akiva Kauffman said he was riding his emergency e-bike when he heard the gunshots. "I rushed over to the scene and began treating one person in critical condition who was then taken to the hospital."
"Our Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit was active at the scene treating multiple people for emotional shock as a result of the shooting incidents," said United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Avi Fishman added.
MDA EMT Menachem Englander who treated the victims of the terror attack, lives on Hashnayim Street, and was at home when the shooting started.
"I immediately went out to the street and saw a terrorist pointing a weapon at me. By a miracle his weapon jammed and he couldn't shoot. I immediately went back in my house, locked my door and reported to the emergency dispatch center.
"Once the police arrived to the scene and cleared it I went back downstairs. Unfortunately, three men in their 30s were unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds, and after medical checks, we were forced to pronounce them deceased."
Tensions Skyrocketing Overall, five people were killed, as well as several others suffering from shock. There are conflicting reports if the terrorist is dead and how many terrorists were involved.
Within the past seven days, including Tuesday night's attack, 11 Israelis have been murdered by Arab terrorists — the largest number of victims since a suicide bomber killed 11 people in a 2006 attack on a bus in Tel Aviv.
Local residents swarmed into the streets at the scenes of the attack, with dozens chanting "Bennett Go Home!" Residents were being asked to remain indoors while police search for additional possible terrorists in the area, but many ignored the directive, gathering to express their outrage.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and others for an emergency security consultation.
The full Israeli Security Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday afternoon.
Land Day on Wednesday The attack comes one day before the so-called "Land Day" commemoration by Arabs in the Palestinian Authority and Gaza, marking the Israeli government expropriation of land in the Galilee on March 30, 1976. Massive riots broke out, leading to the deaths of six Arab citizens by Israeli forces.
Arabs use Land Day to protest not only the government's expropriation of Galilee land, but also to express their rage and hate for the United Nations' designation of land to recreate the Jewish State of Israel. According to the Qatar-based Aljazeera news outlet, "Land Day presents an opportunity not only to mark a past event, but also to think about creative and resilient ways to further resist Israeli land theft."
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins April 2 this year, is an annual trigger for terrorist violence against the Jewish State.
The Three Musketeers at the Kotel
The Three are Rabbi Yehuda Glick, famous temple mount activist, and former Israel Mk, and then Robert Weinger, the world's greatest shofar blower and seller of Shofars, and myself after we had gone to the 12 gates of the Temple Mount in 2020 to blow the shofar to ask G-d to heal the world from the Pandemic. It was a highlight to my experience in living in Israel and I put it on my blog each day to remember.
The articles that I include each day are those that I find interesting, so I feel you will find them interesting as well. I don't always agree with all the points of each article but found them interesting or important to share with you, my readers, and friends. It is cathartic for me to share my thoughts and frustrations with you about life in general and in Israel. As a Rabbi, I try to teach and share the Torah of the G-d of Israel as a modern Orthodox Rabbi. I never intend to offend anyone but sometimes people are offended and I apologize in advance for any mistakes. The most important psychological principle I have learned is that once someone's mind is made up, they don't want to be bothered with the facts, so, like Rabbi Akiva, I drip water (Torah is compared to water) on their made-up minds and hope that some of what I have share sinks in. Love Rabbi Yehuda Lave.
on the way up to Temple Mount on ides of March
Jerusalem Mayor and Nefesh B'Nefesh Deliver Mishloach Manot to Jerusalem Olim
Photo Credit: Netanel Cohen / Nefesh B'Nefesh
(L-R) Director of the Jerusalem Municipality Authority for Aliyah and Absorption, Pini Glinkewitz; Co-Founder & Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass; NBN Olah and new mom, Rochelle Cohen; Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion; New NBN Jerusalem Olim, Leslie and Michael Windman with their new granddaughter, Claire.
Moshe Lion, and Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, delivered Mishloach Manot (traditional Purim gift baskets) to a three-generation family of new Olim in Jerusalem. The Mishloach Manot consisted entirely of products made by various Jerusalem-based Olim businesses.
The gifts were given to Leslie (59) and Michael (61) Windman, who made Aliyah two months ago from Coconut Creek, Florida to Jerusalem. There, they reunited with their daughter, Rochelle, who made Aliyah as a lone soldier in 2015, as part of the Nefesh B'Nefesh – FIDF Lone Soldiers Program. She fulfilled her military service as a combat engineering instructor, where she met her Israeli born husband, Yehonatan. The couple welcomed their first child, Claire Shoshana, last month.
The Mishloach Manot contained a beer package from BeerBazaar, established by Avi Moskowitz, who made Aliyah from the United States; Hamantaschen from Tzomet HaCupcake, a boutique bakery owned by Ro Oranim, also originally from the United States and fresh ground coffee packages from Power Coffeeworks, founded by Brandon and Stephanie Trigger, originally from South Africa. The products were served on a hand-made ceramic platter from Hadara's Clay Studio, owned by Hadara Rabinowitz who made Aliyah from the United States, and the package was accompanied by festive clown shaped balloons from Jerusalem Balloons, a balloon company for personalized gifts and special occasions, owned by Kate Salasnik, a newcomer from London, UK.
"I was delighted to meet Leslie and Michael Windman, a Jerusalem-based couple, who have quickly adapted to our great city thanks to the support and love that has enveloped them since their arrival. It was extremely exciting for me to meet a three-generation family of Zionists who immigrated to Israel and settled in Jerusalem," said Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Moshe Lion. He added that "Last year, 1,322 people immigrated to Israel and settled in Jerusalem, and for that I would like to congratulate all those who work tirelessly to encourage Aliyah, and sincerely hope that at the end of the year we will see even more immigration to the Capital."
"It is extremely fulfilling to meet, together with our dear friend and partner, Mayor Moshe Lion, three generations of Olim who have established their homes in Jerusalem. We are continuously inspired by the dedication of all Olim to the Jewish State and the impact they make daily in every facet of life in Israel, especially in its capital," said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh. "It is a true pleasure to meet and offer our appreciation to this inspiring family of Olim and pray together for all Jews worldwide to merit a joyous and peaceful holiday."
Nefesh B'Nefesh, in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA, reports that in 2021, 1,322 new Olim from North America moved to Jerusalem. This is the highest annual figure the organization has recorded in the last three years, in comparison to 877 newcomers in 2019 and 885 in 2020. Jerusalem currently stands as the number one destination for Olim from North America, with the following leading professions: medicine, education, law, sales, and social work.
The Windmans responded to the surprise visit: "It is a pleasure to host and meet in person the Mayor and Rabbi Fass, and we are grateful to both of them for the exciting Purim surprise." They added: "We have always been Zionists and had a strong Jewish home. When we came on a visit to Israel for the first time in 2006, our daughter fell in love with the country and knew she wanted to live here. It was after her service as a lone soldier and our many visits over the years that inspired us to want to live in Jerusalem alongside her. Only after our Aliyah application was in, did we find out she was pregnant. The timing was impeccable and now we feel so blessed to live down the street from our first grandchild in the country's capital."
What Does Extending Daylight Saving Time Mean for the Jews?
On March 12 most of the United States resumed Daylight Saving Time, moving ahead one hour, with plans to resume standard time in November 2022.
The US Senate just voted to extend Daylight Saving Time right through the winter (to take effect in 2023, if it is ratified into law). What does this mean to Jewish people, whose religious routine is linked to the sun (which does not take orders from the Senate)?
The Good News: Shabbat
Well, for many Jews, the greatest challenge is trying to get home from work on Friday afternoons before Shabbat begins, 18 minutes before Sunset.
Until now, at the depth of the winter, this can sometimes be before 4:00 p.m., which was very challenging, especially for those with commutes.
With DST, however, this will be shifted one hour later, so that even on the darkest day of winter, Jews will have one more hour to prepare for Shabbat.
Jews pray three times a day, morning, afternoon and evening. The Amidah (silent prayer) of the morning services should (ideally) be said after the sun has risen.
In January in Detroit, for example, sunrise can be after 8 a.m., which has been challenging for people rushing to get to work, but manageable.
With sunrise now being "delayed" to 9 a.m., Detroit Jews will either need to significantly rearrange their schedules, or rely on halachic leniencies in order to pray earlier. And even those leniencies can only allow them to pray around 7:30 a.m., for example, which will still be challenging for many.
(A minor inconvenience is that the wintertime fast days, which until now have ended before dinner time for many, will now end an hour later).
By Menachem Posner Rabbi Menachem Posner serves as staff editor at Chabad.org, the world's largest Jewish informational website. He has been writing, researching, and editing for Chabad.org since 2006, when he received his rabbinic degree from Central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch. He resides in Chicago, Ill., with his family
