Category: Leah’s Blog

Leah’s Blog    –   Shavuot May 2023    Breaking Bread

In this Torah teaching I will attempt to break down what Shavuot and submission (מידת המלכות) have in common- auspicious for this chag.

King David’s Psalm (23:5) “You have prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies” recited by millions never really hit home till ding ding ding like the winner of a pinball game, I scored this week. I take this land personally. Things that happen to us here as we walk down a street with graffiti and rap music resounding in the background are only one layer of your life in it with many layers of time and history embedded and nothing happens just by chance. Shards of different realities hit you, all you need to do is look deeper, look beyond the surface. Although I wear a fancy hat when I go into urban Israel as opposed to my “settler look” scarf, they can pick me out in a second. It must be the air I breathe, the vibe I give off, I don’t know… Two well dressed women attacked me verbally near the mall in Ramat Gan this week. For those of you who have been following this blog for years know this is not the first time.  It was a mere act of baseless hatred, nothing instigated it. You may ask- were you in Skokie Illinois, were you at a Kayne West press conference, were you at the U.N??? No No No to all of those. I even deliberated calling Simon Wiesenthal but quickly recalled Hey! You’re in Israel! After my encounter with this duo telling me gruffly to go back to Huwara, I, on instinct boldly sang the entire song of “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who to the chagrin of my daughter who refused to be a duet with me even though she is the one with the blue eyes (who also received stares of hate despite her blatant look of jeans and no head covering at all. So maybe it wasn’t what we were wearing after all. Hmmmmm…) The new trend – fringe people have made it their mission to barrage and play the offensive to any person or thing that shows Judaism in their persona. Again, I’m telling you I made no effort to do so. After finishing “Behind blue Eyes” one of the pair kind of gave me a kind look, the other rushed away. Maybe shocked that such a woman as myself would and could actually sing a rock song from the seventies. Maybe don’t judge every book by its cover! I’m so happy Moshe wasn’t there- he doesn’t like when I sing in public.

I’ve been thinking about these days. On Pesach we are as thin as matzoh- something about the whole message of being a slave and being in humility. That story starts and ends with Yosef HaTzaddik who submitted to the act of baseless hatred which brought him to Mitzrayim and was taken out from there on the last second of the final plague. Pesach is about humble your self -pride. Shavuot is about the two breads offered in the Temple at the time we commemorate the standing at Sinai “כאיש אחד בלב אחד” Like one man with one heart. Shavuot is one of the only times leavened bread is actually eaten in the Temple (the showbreads were matzohs) Shavuot is the holiday of King David- his birthday and yartziet on this day. It goes way beyond even the time designated to light a candle for him but to remember his story- also one of anguish from the day he was born until the day he passed. (Tehillim 69:2) “For those that hate me for no reason are more numerous than the hairs on my head”. He showed throughout his life compassion to all from the sheep, to Shaul who tried to even kill him, towards all his fellow men. “I was strange to my brothers, alien to my mother’s sons” (Tehillim 69:6) Hashem’s ways are hidden. The veil of darkness covers the light and only when the right time comes is it revealed. Things on an “ordinary” day to day basis seem to mortal man pragmatic- status quo, we like to say. Stuff happens, to them- to us. Yet, underneath these hard stories of Yosef and David- the Kings of Israel- the crowning of sovereignty is just close by. The personas in these stories could have turned back but they persisted in submission because their characters were shaped and molded from difficult life experiences. The maximum strength of Mashiach Ben David illuminates on Shavuot when repair is made in unity. In the Yosef story- his brothers break BREAD with him at a TABLE- there he is revealed. In the David story- a table is set up before the enemies- the table of the eventual Temple where the two breads are offered up in what was once a threshing floor.  The Temple Mount represents a place where the wheat is beat, separated and sifted, like Yosef and David were. Tread upon by their own brothers, yet ultimately having the bread in unity at the table. The ultimate warrior brings sovereignty back to the Land as he submits to baseless hatred of his own family, of his own friends. Holding up a mirror to the two mountains of the Gerizzim and Eval, the double portion- the two breads, the field of the Temple Mount parallels the two Temples that were destroyed because of baseless hatred within our people which ultimately brought Rome to destroy and Edom to rule until such a time. Shavuot has us here in Israel celebrating an agricultural holiday. After two thousand years of banishment from our land, like no other people Shavuot coincides with the great event of eating at our tables the bounty of the Land and the return to her territory. This is a time of great thanksgiving for us, time of miracles and pride. I’m proud of who I am, where I live, and the values the Torah governs me in. Yes, there is squabbling here, even baseless hatred but we are all celebrating Shavuot here in the Land, eating at its table. There is an inner dimension within our families, within our nation. There is an outer dimension in regards to our enemies- Recognize the two loaves! Chag sameyach!

Happy Shavuot and Shabbat shalom, Leah

Leah’s Blog  – Bamidbar   2023 – Jerusalem Day and counting

I was just four years old when our nation held their breaths and counted to six. Six days it took, in heavy fighting with the Arab armies that came upon little Israel. Our enemies stood from all borders, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan armed with a mighty arsenal of weapons of destruction proclaiming- “We will attack from the north, the south, and the east and drive the Jews into the sea!” What succeeded was a miracle. I grew up to Jerusalem of Gold- an album of songs by Naomi Shemer that my parents bought and played, reviewing the miracle of Divine Providence declaring victory over the besieging enemy armies, and too- the capturing of vast territories of our heartland. In self- defense, the twenty eighth of Iyar is marked as the day the eternal City of Jerusalem was reunited as well as the most precious heritage sites of our people, Shechem, Chevron, Shilo –all coming under our wing; the natural inheritors returning to the core places of our identities. Listening to the songs in that album as a child had me longing to be there, counting just some more years until I made it to Israel’s heartland. It stood vast and empty. I contemplated how almost two decades had passed yet Israel did little to settle it. Why? Even now Israel’s heartland still has layers of spiritual cobwebs entangled by the same enemy force that desires to pull us from it. That late May of 1967 had the world seeing miracles. Did we pick up from there and bring restoration? It was and is a battle on all realms, still. Now, far from empty as it was when I arrived- the very land under our feet is being encroached upon with little governance. It is dire as the policy of even friendly countries toward us negate the union of the Jewish people to their ancestral lands. All the more so, as I’ve testified- I bear witness to it being completely barren in 1985. The miracle of the six day war was followed by a marginal group of die- hard people that brought this land back to life after no nation and no people did, EVER. It blooms now, rapidly responding to our touch, yet the enemy persists in increasing its intensity to rev up defiance. The sands in the hour glass are almost on empty. This is the order of the hour.

Israel now has nine million people living in it. It is filling up quickly. How many skyscrapers can it build? Soon many more of our people will join us here. I’m counting on them to come.

Counting has always had an element of dichotomy in Judaism. We’ve been counting days now leading up to Shavuot. We count our blessings. We have a half shekel count as we read in earlier Torah portions. But there is a biblical prohibition in counting people. King Saul counted a census in sheep, instructing each person to take one sheep from the royal herd- they were enumerated that way, a later time people were counted by stones which they held. Moshe Rabbeinu had us counted in coins. Largely we don’t want an “evil eye” on our numbers, so we count objects. The duality of counting is like anything else in the Torah- bless and be bless, curse and be cursed. Good and evil. Use anything you do for the good but it can go either way- it’s up to you. Counting can be dehumanizing like the numbers tattooed unto the arms of our people in the holocaust. We are not cattle! We are not objects. Interestingly we read about the census at this time coinciding with Jerusalem Day, before Shavuot. The notion that we are over half a million people living in Israel’s heartland today has raised judgement. Hashem counts each one of us as a King counts his money, as a grandparent counts grandchildren, as something you have affection for. Counting can be good or bad depending on if the focus is on each and every one of us being part of the bigger picture, like stars shining in a constellation as promised to Abraham on this very land.

You count. Make yourself count. Instead of watching this story unfold participate in the body of this. We can take responsibility because we matter. Each one of us shine. Happy Jerusalem Day to our dear friends! Thank you AFSI for coming to visit!

Shabbat shalom, leah

Leah’s Blog Bahar – Bechookotay – Operation shield and arrow

It was in 1985 – summer. We were twenty one and crazy about an idea. Leaving New York for Itamar, a place as far away from the world as you can imagine, for all we were concerned it looked and felt like a barren moor but something about it enchanted us. Promising to turn it into a cascading vineyard, some set out to settle it according to the spiritual clock of the world (as prophesied). It was just then that the heartland of Israel was awakening from a long deep sleep. Even before the first grape appeared as a compliment to the destiny of Israel, people emerged here, although the turn- out was not great. Into this zone we landed; yes it was far from the world and our little village sat upon an ancient one, time moved slowly then. It’s hard to believe this is the testimony of my life. We tossed and turned the earth which miraculously found favor with us. Suddenly daffodils grew and trees were planted turning the place over the years into a green meadow. Israel was waking up and we became a part of it.

This is an age old place, the remains of stone structures from days gone by still stand crumbling with erosion. All evidence points to the Kingdom of Israel. But like Abraham- we were tested. Big time. Soon the braying of a donkey, the call of the minaret, still in the distance at that time. As the blessings grew so did the challenges. Lawlessness unrest and one disturbance after the next caused our little life to be deeply impacted by chaos that was enabled to the enemies of Israel. Just down the road in every direction, enclaves of terrorism became cities of refuge, deals were made with world renowned terrorists. Once you were in the Itamar zone which covers a huge expanse of organic farms, the calmness returned, the harmony and peacefulness restored but just five minutes out of it made you risk your life. How did it come to this?

Over the years even the safe bastion of home would not insure safety as people were even murdered in their homes here. How long can the integrity of Israel be compromised? How long can they chisel away at our heritage sites? How long can they burn garbage in over a hundred illegal sites throughout Judea and Samaria and not be punished. Operation shield and arrow is a good start yet it happened late. Eight thousand people were thrown out of their homes in Gush Katif for only Hamas to take it over and launch missiles into Tel Aviv. It was made public by all officials that if even one rocket is fired into Israel the plan will be retracted. That has not happened. The terror has affected the entire country by drive by shootings and attacks that cost the lives of many –  this is without mentioning missiles being produced in Jenin. Now the international flights fly over my house here in the heart of the Shomron, just down the block from Huwara. Why you may ask? This is the only place, on top of the mountain missiles will not reach.

Bahar – Bechookotay reminds us of all the sabbatical years we had to pay for that we did not keep when we were in the Land. We were exiled for two thousand years paying the price in being ripped from it. Now is the time to fix the atrocity we have brought upon this G-d given land. A shield and arrow here, a cease fire there will not rectify. Bless this Land and it will bless you. Curse it and it will curse you. The land speaks to us.

Shabbat Shalom dearest friends! Leah

No despair – you too can be part of the mission

FRIENDS OF ITAMAR

Yom Haatzmaut-   Eretz Canaan- Eretz Yisrael

These days winds of change are blowing in Israel. The future is breathing in the wind. The mood- like a storm is brewing. The bygone sagging stone walls of the past remind us of history- an ancient land that saw and now sees its bride, Israel. Lord knows what these stones have seen. No better description of Israel is the field of wheat stalks that blow in this wind. Ahh the colors, the scents, the sky, the sun. This is a magical journey to know and feel the wonder of this earth coming back to life. The bride is in a relationship. Spring is a time world- wide for renewal, nature awakens. Here in Israel, the body of our nation awakens as well. Our likeness in not only this time of year but in this time of redemption of end times. The source of the energy of the world comes from right here. Everything is covered in green. Of course blue and white take the center stage on this day- the color of our flag likened to tzitzit. In pride the flag flaps in this wind, from every doorpost, from every field.

Abraham was 75 years old when he left his hometown to fulfill his mission to “the land that I will show you.” Significant, this is Israel’s 75 year anniversary. Abraham had so many questions he wanted to ask, mystified by barriers placed before him and brought to his knees as even the land suffered famine. Covered in shrouds at times, this can appear as Eretz Canaan- where we submit. Only in blind faith can we fulfill our mission here. Abraham could have easily remained in Iraq and taught the world from there about Hashem- one G-d but no, Hashem had him coming HERE. This land remained fallow and grey all through the last two thousand years of history. Through that time nations mocked us saying, “where is your G-d??”. Rebranding this very land is not a new concept because Eretz Canaan goes back to Abraham. Tried and tested again and again Abraham sought the true bride in Eretz Yisrael and found it, the foundation stone, – here in the center of the globe.

Succumbing to our return, the land wears bridal trousseau- green lushness that brings to life the passuk- “”המוציא לחם מין הארץ “taking bread from the land”. The basis of life, the land answers now as it has never done since we were banished from it shamefully. Grass does grow on a rolling stone now, the earth answers us because we care for her. The state of Israel is a historical miracle. Eretz Canaan tries with all its might to show a shroud. Even here in Israel, as the plump organic cherry tomatoes are served in Café’s in Tel Aviv, more mindfulness is needed in knowing that they come from the heartland- from right here in ITAMAR . Here our vineyards make prophecy come true. We are counting the omer now. As earthly and material as that sounds, a call to healing begins now. We contemplate on this being the physical freedom from exile in leaving Egypt, and work towards the spiritual freedom on Shavuot. Keeping in mind Abraham who only began his mission at the age of 75- Israel will now morph into teaching the world about G-d and His Land. Bless it- it will bless you- curse it and it will curse you. I’d like to invite all our friends to come and breathe in the beautiful farm lands here on Itamar and to bless each and every one of you with a Yom Haatzmaut Sameyahch ! Blessings from the land, Leah

Holocaust Memorial Day – DON’T REACT – ACT! April 17,2023

For children of holocaust survivors, every day is holocaust memorial day. You can’t put us into the same category because each one of us feels uniquely affected by it, each of us react differently. Seared into my memory is my father Z”L, a strong good looking man that took me with him on his lectures to different forums to give his eye witness testimony about being the sole survivor of his large vibrant family in Poland. From his position at the microphone I felt him springboard into action and influence. It did something to me even as a little girl in Brooklyn, I admired his guts. When he went to Israel to a large convention designated to find loved ones (which he did- the only other survivor of his town) he seemed to leave the black and white world that surrounded the ambience of his mission, he began feeling and projecting color. Gratitude poured out of him as he shared with us the sun and the beauty, the miracles he had in the land. Planting trees in the forests of the righteous gentiles in Kesalon: He declared the land had come to life. In those days there were Kodak still photos of everything you did, and we eagerly passed them around in wonder of seeing dad actually at the Kotel, planting trees and meeting even old friends. This evoked in me a profound impact that way surpassed saluting to the Israeli flag that stood in the auditorium of our school. My father projected a light that fascinated me and called me to come home.

Our interest in history usually streams from our position of now in time. We live our lives on a day to day basis, but cannot be cut off from the threads that tie us to the past. There was an occurrence- we interpret it- we can feel despair, anger, sorrow empathy or excitement, concern and many feelings at once-; these should all lead to our response. In the seat of the situation, the response to the holocaust is urgent. What is your vision for the future as you live now? What are the threads that tie you to the future? What are your dreams- your waking moment dreams for the future as you look back even now as you live in the present moment. My response, I inherited from inspiration. Suddenly the way my father’s life was viewed as the “old world” made me realize this place I was born into as much as I loved it and it held nostalgia good times and home like perception also became a black and white “old world” for me.  For thousands of years we place the cup of Eliyahu on the table because we wait for him to be the precursor. We set up a seat for him because we know that these bones can live. Baruch Hashem we were born into the generation that straddles the holocaust and the redemption simultaneously. Today, holocaust memorial day, is a distinct day that arouses bleak sorrow and horror but not discouragement. We are wavering on the fence. Some seek to assimilate into the abyss thinking maybe they are safer there, identities embedded as holocaust second generation- that’s how they view their Judaism. Others (like me) lean towards rebirth.  Our spirit can never assimilate because we are a distinct people and have a distinct land. There is a frame around our story and the picture in it is Eretz Yisrael. We were like dreamers. Our great love for the gift of returning home soothes our wounds as new life springs up here. Another road is paved, another playground put in for the children laughing in the sun. Seventy seven years have passed since the holocaust ended. We can see history as we make history here. Greater than life, the vineyards bud, the barren hills are now green with wheat.

If you too feel distress on this day- you can not only react- you can act. There is still so much more we need to do. Friends of Itamar https://friendsofitamar.com/donate/ is focusing on developing and turning the heart of Israel into a safe secure and flourishing anchor for making true powerful colorful promises of restoration. Help us shine the light. Besorot tovot- Leah

April 2023

“כי הארץ אשר אתה בא שמה לרשתה לא כארץ מצרים היא אשר יצאתם משם אשר תזרע את זרעך והשקית ברגלך כגן ירק והארץ אשר אתם עוברים שמה לרשתה ארץ הרים ובקעות- למטר השמים תשתה מים –ארץ אשר ה^ אלוהך דורש אותה- תמיד עיני ה^ אלהיך בה מראשית השנה ועד אחרית שנה

“Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the Land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, and so that you may live long in the Land the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them and their descendants, a Land flowing with milk and honey. The Land you are entering to take over is not like the Land of Egypt from which you had come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot (in the overflowing Nile) But the Land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a Land of mountains and valleys that drinks from the rain from heaven. It is a Land the Lord your G-d cares for, the eyes of the Lord your G-d are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” (Dvarim 11)

This year on Seder night I was particularly drawn to the breaking of the afikoman. Unlike the little kids whose glee had us all smiling while Moshe tried to find a hiding place; I am not a gloomy person as you probably know, but the crack of it in two had me thinking about the schism here, the division so pronounced these days, the heart hurts. The gap in us here has created a toxicity that runs back to the ancient days of the kingdom of Judah and Yisrael when we cracked. No, it even happened way before that when Yosef’s brothers acted in baseless hatred. The division so definite, has caused a lightning and thunder effect on us here in Israel. Israel is a land but it feels things, unlike any other place in the world. Eretz Yisrael is a physical yet meta physical place, it’s heart hurts as well. Reality has many dimensions here. Do the right thing and it will rain and you will have bounty. Do the wrong thing and someone will pay: at times with their life. You reap what you sow.

Now that Pesach is over (sadly), we begin to count the Omer. A time for introspection, a time to increase working on our middot, a time for fixing the breach between us. This is a time known for extra compassion, standing together. The rift is illustrated in a very superficial way but it runs very deep. It goes way beyond public diplomacy- this is a spiritual concern. The solution is to know we are unbreakable. When we are weak the Land is vulnerable. When we unite, the Land stands whole. I am feeling peace facing the mountains sweeping east, a vast panorama of still empty grey green hills. Not a soul in sight for miles and miles, yet, I know calmly that fast approaching as I sway on this rusty swing here in the wide wilderness, calamity is looming just over the brink. Not far off now I hear shots. You can have sensible logic and absoluteness about dry facts with real world realism – but- they have guns and they are close by! The snake slithers in the garden, now, multiple snakes. On one hand, the vastness interprets secure, nature reserve ecological delight- on the other, it all flakes away when you take a deeper look at the frightening encroachment of the enemy. This IS the Land of milk and honey- something now is swinging in the air, vibrating and ready to explode. Here, your mind plays tricks on you, or does it? Can these mountains be sleeping giants? Should we run and hide or should we take command: NOT be like grasshoppers.

The angel of Hashem came to Joshua, sword in hand and commanded him: “Remove the shoes from your feet- the place on which you stand is holy!” This is the HOLY LAND!

Hashem created a code that ensures milk honey safety and absoluteness. Stand as one man with one heart. Picking up the pieces, we must change reality, from death to life, from broken to fixed.

Shabbat Shalom dearest friends, Leah

Vayikra – How is Tefillin used as armory- March 2023

You’ve probably seen pictures of the rift in public spirit these days in Israel. Lots of flag wavers and passion for the allegiance to a Jewish and Democratic state. Do these ideas conflict? There are those that call all nationalists chauvinists and the other side sees the dire need for reform in order to not be ruled over by a thin atheistic capital of power dictating here. Especially if they do not even know the first thing about being Jewish- we DID say- Israel- a Democratic and JEWISH state. Israel is experiencing growing pains. If you’ve ever been here you’ve seen the palatial glass skyscrapers of Ramat Gan and the modernized systems of highways and supermarkets bulging with KOL TUV. It’s been some time now we’ve surpassed many modern nations in the foreground. So, zehoo? We’ve reached GEULAH? Not yet. WE have a dire need to preserve our Jewish heritage before it crumbles away.

Just over the hill, (literally) a vast and ancient legacy that runs through the middle of Israel from the north to the south- the LAND COVENANT PLACES of the foundation of the Jewish people – from Shechem in the north to Chevron in the south with Jerusalem smack in the middle on the mountains- a place still underdeveloped and sadly neglected. THE HEART OF ISRAEL. There are heroes that live here that do not consider their own comfort or honor. Their courage is breathtaking- I am blessed to know some. David and Rachel Stern are a couple who came with ideals to live a life of valor on a barren hilltop- their goal- to bring it back to life. Dave, an ex -Marine wraps his Tefillin on his right arm over his old tatoos – he is a lefty- and dons a knitted kippah, the scraggily kind, the color of earth- the earth he so loves and tills on their farm. Rachel, a tiny powerhouse is always making me thank G-d she came into my life; an incredible person of sense and fortitude. Rachel for all I know is the gilgool of Rachel immeinu- a beauty coming with the sheep. You have to love her.

These two in their names alone tell you how the story goes- regal and connected to their Judaism. It is their memory that caused each one to leave the place they were born and come here. They did not forget the promise to return home and their journey here is a story of overcoming obstacles. Parshat Vayikra is all about sacrifice. I have written on this blog about the Fogel massacre on this very parsha of the horrific nightmare of human sacrifice when a whole family were murdered in the beds here in Itamar. But we are shifting in the spheres now. The LIVING sacrifice of strength in the face of audacity, of endurance in the face of chilling determination to murder us was met by Dave and Rachel at the terror traffic circle in Huwara this week. Bullets entered Dave’s scalp and shoulder -bullets met bullets in Dave’s swift response of JEWISH PRIDE and STRENGTH- he fought back. Rachel told me she dreamt about hyenas biting her just nights before. Our minds are overflowing here while the wind howls on the mountain, your imagination doesn’t trick you because these are real things. Out of our way jackals, hyenas. Keep the wild orcs out of our path! Don’t let them run in our direction! Our arms are ready to perform – wearing tefillin as armor.

Patriotism is a strong force. It can make you do strange and heroic things. Dave and Rachel introduce us into a new story. The theme of it- when times are unpredictable and you need to “travel through the dark woods of Huwara”, you know it’s only one aspect of the story. Underneath it- a rich history of legacy- they are paving the path to it! We are certain we will arrive at the deeper level of why we are here in this country- Israel- Eretz Yisrael- what we have been praying for- for our past- for our future. This story of Rachel and Dave is the symbol of the shift in this present time. They are not endangering their lives by being here- they are enabling all of us to live freely in our land.

Leah Goldsmith

Itamar Israel

Leah’s blog   -Ki Tissa -The Golden Calf of Huwara – March 2023

My Huwara Testimony

About Huwara and my life in it, we have to go back to the beginning. When Itamar was just being set up on the empty barren lands, as one Arab put it when talking with Gilad Zar (HY”D) who scouted the region before the inception of settlement out here, – “the hills of death”, he termed it. He said nothing grew here and it would be a waste of time and effort. That was close to forty years ago and today Itamar is a thriving agricultural community focusing on organic horticulture and agronomy. The culture of the pioneers that live here is one of kind to the earth and livestock methods which have been proven to be par excellence upholding the strictest laws of clean environment and kindness. The topography here has changed from grey to green in kind to ecology methods being applied… But getting back to how the trucks of produce leave the farms and return back home to Itamar- the only road is through the bottleneck of Huwara, as do all the population of the four communities of Itamar, Yitzhar, Elon Moreh and Har Bracha. When we first moved out here, Huwara was a tiny little speck on a dirt road with two and half stores of artifacts and a small kiosk. Our first trauma there happened not long after settling, in- the murder of Tirtzah Porat (HY”D), a beautiful fourteen year old girl that went on a hike with a group from nearby Elon Moreh. At the Beita village, just down the road off Huwara even then the hate and venom of the locals was in full gear. An angry mob pummeled the hikers for walking freely in the heart of Israel only because of one thing- they were Jewish.

We have to drive here and we are the ones with the rock proof cars. This doesn’t prevent hundreds of terror attacks on us weekly. The Israeli government has been working on a bypass road I like to call heart bypass surgery. This is the heart and the heart is broken right now. I have watched this little shanty town grow in leaps and bounds with the generous hand -outs of the E.U. and U.S. aid. At the traffic circle there is a large sign thanking them for it. Stores were built in scores and buildings popped up like mushrooms, even high risers. Those are especially efficient in throwing boulders on to Jewish vehicles. Pictures of Shaheeds (martyrs) decorate from flag poles, the venomous glances from some strolling in the street here reminds you that you are in a war now. This is not a peace process. Once you enter the gates of Itamar the contrast from the meat markets where freshly slaughtered cows and sheep are displayed in your face as they hang from poles in the street melting in the sun and the whiplashed donkeys wobbling through the skeletons of cars piled up in lots is astounding. The peace and tranquility of the Jewish held areas- the only arteries open to the heart- is compelling. Our own friends have been lynched in Huwara, as well as attacked with knives. There have been countless miracles as terrorists have fired upon Israeli vehicles numerous times. We’ve had blood thrown at us, eggs and obscene gestures are the norm in Huwara. You may ask- how can you be normal in the face of this bull?

This last November, on the anniversary of Yaasir Arafat arch terrorist and peace partner of the Clintons, a ceremony was held for the public of Huwara. A panel of municipal leaders as well as the mayors of Huwara and Shechem all raised their voices in support of terrorism. This was matched by the Education Department of the Palestinian Authority – an event that hundreds of children attended, all carrying toy pistols and pictures of murdering terrorists. Israeli News correspondent, Yishai Friedman showed his documentary of Huwara kindergartens where they learn about terrorists and their acts of “heroism” and use props of Israeli settlers for target practice. These and many horrific barbaric “educational programs” all spearheaded by the Palestinian authority as well as of course blackening out the cities of Jaffa, Akko, and Netanya and writing PALESTINE over them on maps in geography classes. You see, the story is not JUST about Huwara, and it’s not just against pioneers- but all of Israel.

The littered streets of Huwara can and should be cleaned up. The terror programs in Huwara must be stopped. When I hear how some Rabbis and others when relating to the violence done in Huwara described it as a “pogrom” – let’s get serious! I can’t help thinking that this is the new Golden Calf they serve. This is the time to reassess who we are and why we are here. The far majority of those living in Judea and Samaria are peaceful law-abiding citizens that strongly oppose any violence. Arabs are not afraid to drive through our towns and shop in our supermarkets. They don’t have to worry about armoring their cars with protective glass against rock and Molotov cocktail attacks.  When a pile of old relics of VEHICLES are set afire by a small minority of frustrated youth that just buried their two angelic friends.  May I remind those that gave sermons in their shules what “pogroms” are: Look into the history of Chevron in 1929- way before a “green line” was ever created, way before 1948: Jewish women were raped, parents were murdered next to their children, homes were burnt to the ground BECAUSE THEY WERE JEWISH. I warn you! Do not equate this atrocity to the burning of old cars as terrorist are being paid to slay. In full denial of the Taylor force act.  The murderers of the Yaniv boys (HY”D) used the escape corridor of Huwara into Shechem- the city of refuge for many terrorists. Whole swaths of the integrity of the heart of this country were given to terror cells! The road from Shechem to Jenin has been declared Judenrein. You want to talk to me about a pogrom?! If you don’t have mercy on your fellow Jews, have on the livestock of Huwara for G-d’s sake!

Have you ever even been to Huwara? The one road that gets me in and out- it’s the road that leads from heaven to hell and out and again. This is my testimony. It was concertedly built to be a choke point. It was strategically commanded to be hard hitting for anyone that wanted to reach the central point of Eretz Yisrael. Everyone has a right to a safe passage, even me.

I AM ASKING MY DEAR FRIENDS TO PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG BECAUSE MASSES OF PEOPLE ARE BEING BRAINWASHED BY FALSE LIP SERVICE AND FAKE NEWS!

Shabbat shalom! Leah

Leah’s Blog Parashat Tetzaveh      February 28, 2023 – The Treasures of Mount Gerizim and Eval

First, look at the map of Israel and see where it is. What historical way passed through and on its feet. The entire land surrounding it is the Yesod foundation holding up Am Yisrael through time. There were blessings here, there were curses. Ancient writings discovered on the altar of Joshua found just in time as the Palestinian Authority bulldozed down the tired stones from old. In Shechem, an ancient grave in the field our father Yaakov purchased to bury his son Yosef. “We are brothers!”, Yosef called, but his brothers threw him in a pit. It has been burnt down time and time again by the marauding haters of Israel. Why do the echoes of the mountain of the curse drown out all truth, unity and sanity? We begged them “Don’t give them guns!”, while General Keith Dayton trained them in Philadelphia to have an army against whom exactly?- with your tax payer dollars! The bluff- the Aqaba panel- ensuring we kneel in servitude and humility. The EU is building up area C but G-d forbid if I add a room on to our house.

THIS IS ANTISEMITISM.

The Fogel massacre that happened down my block – the memory does not ebb away, the pain of the pair of brothers ripped from this world from Har Bracha tears into old wounds that bleed afresh. “Are you afraid”, people have been asking me from time immemorial- because hundreds and thousands of our people have been slaughtered here since the guise of the “peace plan”.  I want to say “Don’t believe the lie”- a quote from the vampire movie- This IS a vampire movie. It sucks the truth out of anything pure and holy. Our sons and all sons here serve in the IDF. Don’t distort the image I want to scream but the voices that come up from all throats tell lies. They tell of curses and a turned upside down reality out of arrogance greed and evil. How long can Hashem’s face wear a covering! No I do not fear for my own life- I fear for truth.

THIS IS ANTISEMITISM.

At this time of Adar you don’t know if what you hear is firecrackers or shooting. It should be a happy time- a time of a reality turned upside down- but our reality IS turned upside down. I bend down to pick up a beautiful fresh flower that popped up on the Tel here, a Tel I might have lived on in a previous life. How can heaven and hell reside so closely? The blessing and the curse- it’s the vibe here. The peace is one you have never felt- the curse crushes you. You are grappling with so many outside forces here on the mountain as you see restoration happening at the same time. To withhold us from our legacy- that is the evil objective. We must conquer it! About Huwara- just a word from someone who has to go through it since 1985- There is a traffic circle right near the corner of Ainaboos- it has a plaque that says: U.S. AID. Last week there were A HUNDRED rock attacks on our people there, including children hit and injured. Our son in law was attacked there as well. Is there a word from the world condemning this attack?

THIS IS ANTISEMITISM!

The parable of Yotam from the book of Judges has me seeing the olive, fig and grapevine now. It happened here. They have all sprung to life. Every view is one of mine. In the name of Hallel Yaniv “- ה’ יקום דמו- “It’s not what happens to you that’s the story- It’s what you do with what happens to you”.  WHAT DO WE DO IN THE FACE OF THIS BLATANT ANTISEMITISM?! We settle – we restore- we make Adar what Adar should be. We rise -not in arrogance but in noble strides towards reformation. Amends need to made now as YOU clarify where your allegiance stands- to the blessing or the curse- you decide.     HASHEM YIKOM DAMAM!

Leah