In his Drasha this past Shabbos, Rabbi Shmuel Blech, the Rov of Kehillas Anshei Sfard, noted that the miracles happening today in Eretz Yisroel far outnumber those Klal Yisroel experienced in the 1991 Gulf War. At that time, B’ezras Hashem, 39 SCUD missiles landed without incident. But, he said, the spiritual impressions from then have been long forgotten.
The Rav said, that with over 1500 missiles landing in the last few weeks BE”H with little incident, we need to, this time, find a way to concretize in our minds and hearts the realization and gratitude that Hashem is with us so that it will remain with us always.
Rabbi Blech suggested and urged each person in his Kehillah to concentrate especially on one of the Brachos in Shemonei Esrei, and to make that a permanent commitment. This will achieve two goals, says the Rav. First, since Klal Yisroel’s strength and success in any war is through Hakol Kol Yaakov, the result of our Achdus here in America will be sending up a complete Shemonei Esrei to Hashem and will be our contribution to the physical war effort in solidarity with our troops in Eretz Yisroel. And, B’ezras Hashem once the war is over, our concentration on our special Bracha will be a constant reminder to us of the Chasdei Hashem.
One of the Shul members was appointed the gabbai of this project, since an expressed word is much stronger and lasting commitment. If you are interested in being part of this effort, write your choice of Bracha to [email protected], or appoint a gabbai in your own Shul to do the same.
[TLS]
What a wonderful idea! I will pass it on to others.
Someone sent me an email written by a soldier to someone. I hope that that anonymous soldier does not mind I am sharing it with the readers here.
Today at 3:11 AM
This is incredible:
A soldier on the border writes:
What’s happening here in the staging area [area where soldiers prepare to enter Gaza] is beyond comprehension, not rationally, not emotionally and beggars the imagination.
Almost every hour a car shows up overflowing with food, snacks, cold drinks, socks, underwear, undershirts, hygiene supplies, wipes, cigarettes, backgammon and more. They’re coming from the North and the Center, from manufacturers, from companies and private businesses, from prisons, Chareidim and Settlers, from Tel Aviv and even Saviyon.
Every intersection on they way down here we get stopped, not by the police, but be residents giving out food. What is amazing is that the entire situation wasn’t organized and everyone is coming on their own without coordination between the folks coming.
They’re writing letters and blessings, how they’re thinking of us all the time. There are those who spent hours making sandwiches, so they’re as perfect and comforting as possible.
Of course representatives of Chabad are here to help soldiers put on Tefillin and distributing Cha’Ta’Ts (Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya) for every troop transport and Breslov are showing up to the border and dancing with the soldiers with great joy.
The Chareidim are coming from their yeshivot to ask the names of the soldiers with their mothers’ names so that the whole yeshiva can pray for them. It should be mentioned that all of this is done under the threat of the terrorist tunnels and rockets in the area.
Soroka Hospital (in Be’er Sheva) today looks like a 5 star hotel. A wounded friend who was recently discharged told us how the MasterChef truck is parked outside and is preparing food for the wounded.
It goes without saying the amount of prayer services that are going on. On the religious front as well, there are lectures and Torah classes, all the food is obviously Kosher. Shachrit, Mincha, and Maariv with Sifrei Torah. They’re giving out tzitzit and Tehilim by the hundreds. It’s become the new fashion! The Rabbi of Maglan [Special Forces unit] told me that almost the entire unit has started wearing them, because the Army Rabbinate has been giving out tzitzit that wick away sweat. They’re gaining both a Mitzva and a high quality undershirt. We’ve started calling them “Shachpatzitzti” (a portmanteau of the Hebrew term for body armor and tzitzit). We’re having deep conversations late into the night without arguments, without fights and we find ourselves agreeing on most stuff.
We’re making lots of jokes at Hamas’s expensive and without politics. There’s lots more to add but my battery is running low and the staff has been requesting someone give a class on Likutei MoharaN (Breslov).
How happy is the nation that is like this
God bless.
What is the function of the Gabai for this kabbolo?
in answer to “Question says”, when you actually give your name and it is put on a list (even if that list is never publicized) it makes for a much stronger and lasting commitment.
Achdus plus mitzvos = nissim. Baruch Hash-m.