Author: David Mark

David Mark is the founder and editor of Israel Rising. Besides Israel Rising, he heads up outreach for Ateret Cohanim in Jerusalem's Old City and acts as the Managing Director for Pulse of Israel. On the side he teaches classes that blend minimalism, mindfulness, and ecology with the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.
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The Sacrifice at the End of Days

The prophet Zechariah tells us famously that the Messiah will be “Poor and Riding on a Donkey.”

We are at the precipice of a new world as we witness the confusion and chaos of the world we live in now seemingly overtake us, but this is part of the End Times where the norm must be washed away to make way for a different world. The world that is coming will not be filled with baseless yearnings or pathways that lead nowhere, but rather a world where humanity desires to reconnect with its Creator.

Why does the prophet tell us the Messiah will be “poor?”  What does poor have to do with leadership?

The End of Days is not some sort of Hollywood thriller or apocalyptic movie, but rather it is the bridge between two worlds and the Messiah is a necessary part of this transition.

There are many sacrificial offerings listed when someone brings a personal sacrifice to the Temple in Jerusalem. Despite all that are listed only one rises above them all as the most preferred by the Creator.  This is the Mincha offering.  Consisting of flour, water, and oil, the Mincha is the most simple offering and yet Rashi, the famous medieval commentator quotes the Talmud indicating that the one who brings this offering is poor. The Almighty cherishes this offering the most, because he is poor, yet still willing to bring the most minimal sacrifice. His humility is cherished above all.

Our generation has nothing left.  The world is filled  with endless noise, distractions, and base desires pulling all of us in every direction.  The Almighty is hidden from us, seemingly far away.

Reb Noson, Rebbe Nachman’s chief student teaches that the Mincha offering is connected to the Messiah because both involve an intense level of humility.  This humility is the underlying point of connection to the poor person.  All of us can reach this level and ultimately as Reb Noson teaches, this level of humility is the necessary ingredient to be fully connected to the Creator.

At the End of Days, we have nothing left, but our yearning for the truth.  It is this pure and simple faith in the Almighty and the truth that he is right here with us that will usher in the Messiah and the world we have been striving for. If we achieve this level, there is no other sacrifice we need to bring, except for the words that we are meant to offer to the one true source of all of Creation.

When all is revealed at the end and the Holy Temple is rebuilt, Rebbe Nachman teaches that the only sacrifice we are meant to offer if one of thanks.  The Mincha offering is prepares us for an age of simplicity, humility, and gratefulness.

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A Space for Creation

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In this short clip I discuss the idea that G-D allowed a space for creation to exist. Although there is a perception of a lack of G-Dliness, this space does not negate G-D’s existence but rather allows a covering.  Why did the Creator pull back.  Essentially, he did so out of living kindness.  How else would we his most beloved and cherished creations have the capacity for free choice? Once again our free choice does not mean G-D is not around. On the contrary, he is right here with us every moment of the day. If we choose to carry a thought, speech, or action that increases holiness in the world then his presence will be revealed, but if we choose the opposite, the Creator then pulls back more increasing the perception of his lacking.

Our mission is to uncover the divine hidden within the creation and reveal G-D’s presence from within the very space that he appears to have retreated from.

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The Old Yemenite Village is in Our Hands Again

After nearly 80 years of having Arab squatters live within its walls as well as severe vandalism and desecration, the Old Yemenite Synagogue had a rededication ceremony yesterday.  Built in the 1880s by Yemenite Jews who walked to Israel on foot, it quickly became the central focus of the growing Jewish community outside of the Old City walls.

The Yemenite Village was built upon a barren hillside across from the City of David and stood their until consecutive Arab pogroms chased the Jews out. By 1948 the whole neighborhood was taken over by Arabs that had moved from outside of Jerusalem as well as Jordanian forces.  This village was renamed Silwan.

Today, the Yemenite Village is being rebuilt through acquisitions in Silwan facilitated by Ateret Cohanim.  With 21 families and 8o children it appears that the Yemenite Village now hidden within the Arab occupation of the hillside is set to grow. With all the positive events in the neighborhood over the last few years, yesterday’s dedication was by far the most impactful and emotional.

The Yemenite synagogue is a three domed structure.  The Arab squatters encouraged by EU funded organizations held onto 2/3 of the building, with the first domed room having been bought a few years earlier.  The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the squatters had to leave. Now a few years later and some basic renovations, a full renovation is being prepared.

Ministers Zeev Elkin and Miri Regev spoke at the ceremony yesterday and Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas was in attendance.

Watch Daniel Luria of Ateret Cohanim speak about the importance of the Synagogue below.

 

Danny Moskowitz (Ateret Cohanim photographer Matanya Ofir)
Mike Huckabee (Ateret Cohanim photographer Matanya Ofir)
Yemenite Beit Knesset (Ateret Cohanim photographer Matanya Ofir)
Rav Amar (Ateret Cohanim photographer Matanya Ofir)
Ministers Zeev Elkin and Miri Regev (Ateret Cohanim photographer Matanya Ofir)
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Dan Crenshaw, the Biblical Warrior for Congress

“The American-Israeli bond runs deep, born out of mutually held values of democratic norms, rule of law, and freedoms of religion and opportunity. As a long-time supporter of Israel, I will ensure that our alliance does not waver, and that America continues to support Israeli security, advocate for her on the international stage, and contain the threat from Iran and terrorism across the region.”

The above quote is taken from Dan Crenshaw’s website.  With his runoff victory in the Republican primaries in Houston’s congressional district on May 22nd, Crenshaw is set to face the Democratic challenger.  This race for congressman already sees Crenshaw out to a large lead.

There is no doubt that both Republican candidates are staunch supporters of Israel, but Crenshaw’s unwavering tone on his support and his personal connection to people in areas “Palestinians” want for their state put him on a different level.

Yet, Dan Crenshaw appears to get the idea that the USA and Israel have a natural bond that goes beyond security necessities.  This bond is Biblical.  The USA has always saw itself as a facilitator for the Jewish return to Zion.  As far back as the founding fathers in whom there was a real debate on making the official language of the USA Hebrew to Abraham Lincoln’s desire to help the Jewish people return to their ancient homeland, the USA has taken the mantle as an extension of Israel.

Dan Crenshaw was nearly killed in his third tour of duty in the Middle East.  He spent days in a coma and lost his eye.  He has been blessed to continue and assuming he will be victorious this November, his blessings will continue. Blessings are drawn when one makes it a point in doing the Creator’s will by standing up for truth and justice. Crenshaw certainly has continued in that path and despite the fact that Washington D.C. is a swamp, with Biblical values, Dan Crenshaw will do just fine.



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ISRAEL-TURKEY CONFRONTATION: Is Cyprus Ground Zero for War?

Since 1974 Turkey has occupied 40% of Cyprus, constituting in what the international community holds is an illegal occupation. In that time Turkey has driven out the Greek Cypriots from the Turkish enclave in the northern part of the island, where the ethnic Greeks had made up more than 80% of the populace.

As Turkey has swung further and further towards an Islamist style republic, with an increasingly autocratic president in Erdogan, Israel and Cyprus along with Greece have begun to form various economic alliances as a buffer to Turkey’s expansion. While Cypriot animosity to their Turkish occupiers cannot be overstated, Israel’s increasingly strong economic position and regional leadership capabilities in the technology and military arenas is both attractive and reassuring.

Greece, Cyprus, and Israel have jointly developed an East Med gas pipeline that will take their gas to Europe.  This has given them the need to also create a joint task force in dealing with threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and Turkey to both Cyprus’ and Israel’s gas and oil fields.

With Turkey trying to establish itself as the leader of the Islamic world, it has grown more and more antagonistic to Israel. Yet, behoind its stated infuriation over Israel’s self-defense from a potential Gaza stampede, the real thing bothering Erdogan is Israel’s alignment with Greece and Cyprus.

With positive relationships having been developed over the years in tourism between the three countries and now with a combination of economic, technological, and energy cooperation, Israel has become the stable anchor and friend both Cyprus and its big brother Greece have sought.



Turkey has grown very cool to the idea of energy collaboration between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. In a recent visit to London Turkey’s Erdogan said that the “Eastern Mediterranean faces a security threat should Cyprus continue its unilateral operations of offshore oil and gas exploration in the region.”

Earlier this year, Turkish Navy vessels threatened to sink a drilling ship hired by Eni to explore for oil and gas off Cyprus’s shore.  Weeks before that, Turkey’s Navy had blocked the drilling vessel that Eni had hired.

Turkey claims that the drilling operations are ‘unilateral’ and claims that part of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus is under Turkish jurisdiction.

These sorts of events and declarations have pushed Greece, Cyprus, and Israel closer together.  With the latest row between Turkey and Israel heightening tensions between the two, the frontlines of any potential conflict between the two may end up being Cyprus who has begun to rely on Israel for help with maritime security training.

With tensions mounting between Turkey and the three East Mediterranean allies,  Jonathan Cohen, US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs said the following in hopes of calming the situation: “If confirmed, I will continue to support longstanding US policy recognizing the Republic of Cyprus’s right to develop its resources in its EEZ. The island’s oil and gas resources, like all of its resources, should be equitably shared between both communities on the island in the context of an overall settlement.”

Cohen backed by the US government appears to be placating both the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government along with Turkey’s assertion that it deserves some of the access to Cyrus’ resources.  The problem with this approach is it rewards Turkey for it malevolent behavior at a time when it is actively engaged in wrecking havoc in several geographic areas in the region.

With the continued cooperation between Israel, Cyprus, and Greece in the offing, expect tensions to only increase with Turkey. Will there be war in the eastern Mediterranean? Perhaps not tomorrow, but with a falling Lira and an expansionist leader in Ankara, the threat is only increasing.

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BIBI NETANYAHU TO ERDOGAN: “Don’t Preach to Us About Morality”

Turkey’s islamist and autocratic ruler President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken the lead in the current international onslaught against Israel for its defense from Hamas terrorists.

“Israel is wreaking state terror. Israel is a terror state,” Erdogan told Turkish students in London. “What Israel has done is a genocide. I condemn this humanitarian drama, the genocide, from whichever side it comes, Israel or America.”

In response to Israel’s defense on the Gaza border, Turkey has recalled its ambassadors from both Israel and the United States.

In response to Erdogan’s comments Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by stating: “Erdogan is among Hamas’s biggest supporters and there is no doubt that he well understands terrorism and slaughter. I suggest that he not preach morality to us.”

Beyond supporting Hamas, it was Erdogan’s Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) that not only overran the Kurdish majority Afrin canton in Syria over a month ago, but killed thousands of what he called Kurdish terrorists.  Most reports indicated that many of those killed were civilians.  Of course as I noted in an article at the time, Erdogan selectively uses the word terrorist interchangeably when referring to groups of people he doesn’t like.




Netanyahu had said something similar in response to another outrageous Erdogan comment back in April: “Erdogan is not used to people responding to him, but he should start getting used to it. Anyone who occupies northern Cyprus, invades the Kurdish strip and slaughters citizens in Afrin, should not lecture us about values and ethics.”

I wrote the following in connection to the Prime Minister’s response: “The continuing realignment in the Middle East has begun to create chaos with a number of actors scrambling to pick sides. Donald Trump has clearly decided to pull the USA out of the mess, but that has only created more of a mess. Bibi’s statement about the Kurds and Cyprus is a hint of the role that Israel appears ready and willing to take on. This of course pits the Jewish state on a collision course with Turkey who has delusions of returning to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire.”

Since April Israel has strengthened its eastern Mediteranean alliance with both Cyprus and Greece with a direct visit to Cyprus by Bibi to strengthen Israel’s partnership on building the EastMed Pipeline last week.

The event was not lost on Erdogan, who stands to lose big on enhanced ties between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. In fact Erdogan cited an east Meditereanean security threat due to Cyprus’ activities in the eastern Meditereanean.  Like anything else Erdogan doesn’t like, it becomes a dangerous security threat or essentially a false pretext to pick a fight.

Israel must continue to take the mantle of leadership it has been given and lead and remain undaunted in the face of faux moralists who twist the truth to suit their geopolitical needs. This is why Prime Minister Netanyahu quoted the prophet Zecharia at the embassy opening: “Jerusalem is the City of Truth.”

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JERUSALEM EMBASSY OPENING: Ezra, Nechemia, and Our Present Day Return from Babylon

Today’s opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem is far more than just a simple political act, being carried out by a unique president attempting to show he keeps his promises.  It is a recognition that something is happening. This something is the march to a global Redemption, a rectification on international, national, and intranational levels.

No other embassy opening would elicit such a delegation as this one, because whether one is a believer or not in a G-D centered reality, it is unmistakable that we are once again living in momentous times. Redemption does not happen in miracles that are completely revealed, rather through the historical movements and radical decisions of kings and leaders of nations inspired to G-D’s will.  We see this most clearly in the books of Ezra and Nechemia, where it took successive rulers such as Kings Koresh, Daryavesh, and Achashverosh (Cyrus, Darius, and  Xerxes) and so on to aid in G-D’s plan in bringing the Jews back home.  The Temple was not built in an instant, but rather building started and stopped multiple times over the 150 years of the return.

While the Jews often times fell short of their promises to G-D to guard the covenant, it was surprisingly the non-Jewish rulers who exhorted the Jewish leaders to teach their people the ways of G-D.

Today’s embassy opening is an expression of the counterintuitive nature of the Redemption.  We often long for it to happen in an almost other worldly way, but fail to recognize that we are actually living in it at the moment. The Talmud teaches that after the third redemption there will be no other exile and it appears we are already at that moment.  In fact, if the paradigm is played in a parallel manner as the return from Babylon, we have been riding the redemptive wave for quite some time.

It was after all King Artaxerxes of Persia who supported Nechemia in his desire to rebuild Jerusalem. Nechemia, then travelled from Persia, with an armed contingent of Persian soldiers who entered Jerusalem. Despite opposition to the endeavor from the non-Jewish occupiers, Nechemia stood strong and took control of Jerusalem, eventually rebuilding its walls.

Nechemia 6:16: “And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard thereof, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.”

Along side Nechemia, was Ezra the Scribe who led the redaction of the Bible and returned the Jewish people to the ways of G-D.

Nechemia 8:2: “And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.”

Nechemia 8:3: “And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the Law.”

Nechemia 8:5: “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people–for he was above all the people–and when he opened it, all the people stood up.”

Nechemia 8:6: “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered: ‘Amen, Amen’, with the lifting up of their hands; and they bowed their heads, and fell down before the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

Despite the clear return of the Jewish people to Israel, the world has questioned, pushed back, and attempted to uproot our presense in the Land of our forefathers until “G-D inspired another world leader” to end the doubt. Is it any wonder why the “Palestinians” have no desire to discuss peace?  They like the antagonists to Ezra and Nechemia 2,500 years ago know it is all about Jerusalem. A nation that has come home to fulfill the words of the prophets cannot be uprooted.

Redemption is not a singular event, but rather a Divine flow revealed in clear moments in history.  Trump’s embassy move is a signal that the next stage of the Redemption is now unfolding. To be sure, our antagonists are not going anywhere any time soon, but by declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Trump administration has weakened the ability of today’s “Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian” from scoffing at our return.

Nechemia said the following to them:  ‘The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.‘ [Nechemia 2:20]”

Our enemies are beginning to understand that we are living in a similar situation.  We have many challenges ahead, and yet by understanding the greatness of our current time period we can meet them with the same success as we are finding today.

Yesterday was Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day).  The following words spoken by Prime Minister Netanyahu at the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva connect to our national realization that we are in fact home in our capital:

“We promise every day that Jerusalem will not return to the status it had 51 years ago, no longer a torn city, but one connected, united city, not a city with barbed wire and minefields. Not a city with enemy crosses on its walls, but a vibrant city, a faithful vision,” said Netanyahu, who received a standing ovation.

“We are guarding the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, as well as the other sanctuaries of Israel that returned to us in the miraculous Six Day War, headed by Rachel’s Tomb and the Tomb of the Patriarchs. These places are our roots, they contain the point of truth of our right to live as a free nation in its homeland,” he continued.

“What is Jerusalem for us? It’s not just a physical and tangible place. Jerusalem is the source of the faith and hope that strengthened us in difficult times. In the shadow of the Inquisition, the pogroms, the ghettos, in the camps we said one sentence: Next year in Jerusalem.

“We returned to Jerusalem and we are building it, all of it, and even when there was no progress on the horizon, we stuck to the dream, and today the IDF soldiers are standing at the foot of the Western Wall, declaring allegiance to our army and our country. We returned home and we are determined to keep our home forever.”

It is important to note that today is Hebron Day, commemorating the liberation of Hebron one day after Israel returned to Jerusalem. Our Patriarchs and Matriarchs lie “slumbering” in the Ma’arat HaMachpela.  Our roots are the key to our future. It is our connection to our past that enabled us to recognize that our return is not just a mere product historical outcomes, but rather a Divine decree now being carried out in reality.

As the days of the Mashiach draw near, our understanding that we are living in moments that are unforgettable can never be forgotten. President Trump’s embassy move is a recognition that we are now experiencing the words of the prophets spoken over 2,500 years ago.

 

 

 

 

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Will This Week Change The World As We Know It?

There are moments when we feel something pivotal about to begin. Since September 11th, 2001 when we saw the attack that destroyed the Twin Towers in New York City, the world has increasingly been moving towards an unmanageble level of chaos. Standard geopolitical structures appear to be collapsing, morals crumbling, and the once uni-polar post cold war world order has been rendered no more.

So why this week?

First let me make it clear, that I have never been someone who believes or espouses a Redemption process, which is immediate, but rather I have constantly striven to explain that the events of the End of Days are meant to occur over a period of time. The word “day” in the Bible can also be explained as a block of time as it is often used allegorically.  End of Days is plural on purpose. This connotes an actual process of time.

With this being said, the pressures within the world have now reached the point of explosion and this week appears to be the moment where all things erupt.

Make no mistake, I can be wrong and I hope I am, because the Final Redemption can come in many forms, but the next seven days appear to be setting up a war which many assumed would come eventually, but always hoped it would be sometime when they could better process its fallout.

So now let’s take a look at this week:

Today at 2pm eastern standard time, President Trump will announce his final decision on whether the US recertifies the JCPOA or better known as the Iran nuclear agreement or not. Most observers assume the President will not recertify the deal, thus reestablishing sanctions on Iran’s fragile economy.

May 10th begins the 51st commemoration according to the Hebrew calendar of the Six Day War.

May 12th is Jerusalem Day and it is also the official final day that the US has to recertify the Iran deal.

May 14th is the dedication of the new US embassy in Jerusalem.  The Arab street has promised to hold violent protests.

May 15th is Nakba day, which is the day the “Palestinians” protest over the establishment of the third Jewish Commonwealth of Israel.

While these events are going on, the Iranians are moving troops and missiles into their newest colony of Lebanon and strengthening their hold over southern Syria. Russia has also delivered more weapons to the Assad regime and warned Israel not to harm Russian interests even if there is a conflict with Iran.

It is true there has been a Jerusalem Day every year since 1968 and there have been “Nakba” rallies ever since the “Palestinians” decided they were some sort of people, but the mix of Iranian expansion, Trump’s decision on the JCPOA, and the embassy move has the region and the world on edge.

These times are filled both with wonder and chaos as we approach that moment when a more perfect world order is ushered in.  Until then we have no one to hold responsible on how these events affect us other than ourselves.  Our actions can elicit divine mercy, creating a smooth transition to a better world or one which causes the chaos that already abounds to increase to terrifying levels. This week will be remembered forever, but how events play out is in each of our hands.

The choice is ours.

 

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ISRAEL AFTER 70: From National to Global Rectification

“When the Lord returned the captives of Zion, we were like people in a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter,​ and our tongue with exultatio​n: then said they among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; so we rejoiced!​ Bring back our captives,​ O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he goes on his way weeping, bearing the store of seed, he shall come back with joy, bearing his sheaves. ” – Psalm 126

We have come home.

After 70 years since the British left the Land of Israel (which they sinisterly called Palestine) with their tails between their legs, the State of Israel has risen from the dreams and hopes of the Jewish people around the world to become a global leader in so many areas.

Against all odds and in a miraculous fashion the State of Israel has become a beacon to so many around the world. The number 70 is a transitional number.  It represents the end of one era and an entry to another.  After all the first exile of the Jewish people lasted 70 years exactly as prophesied. King David lived 70 years, which is seen as a paradigm for the concept of the years of kingship. 70 is also the number of root nations in the world as well as being the numerical value of Gog uMagog. The sages taught that there are 70 faces of Torah.

So What’s Next?

The Nation of Israel is meant to lead the world to a new era.  We of course are not quite there yet, but the feeling that we are heading to something incredible is all around us.  The challenge for Israel is that transitioning from a country at siege yet extremely successful to one which takes its success and transforms the world may result in altering Israel as we know it.

Anyone with eyes wide open can see that the world as we know it is collapsing.  The paradox of new advances that are literally changing how people live to the chaos across the globe with super powers preparing to destroy each other can be overwhelming.

Despite the potential carnage, there is light and hope.

It is at this juncture that Israel is meant to lead. The broken world we live in is only broken because we have yet to fix it.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said the following: “If you believe that you can destroy, believe that you can build.” 

Israel has all the ingredients to lead the world from its darkness to a state of light, yet something is holding us back, keeping us from transforming the chaotic storm winds into a new order. For 70 years the State of Israel and the Zionist movement has been rooted in classic Western nationalism. But that in its core can only take the Jewish people in Israel so far.  Our job is to bring a new, rectified order to the world. One that merges the physical and spiritual together.

Achievements in technology cannot be divorced from the traditions of the Torah.  These advances are part of a holistic redemptive process that sees an Israeli experience as one that blends multiple forces together. If we think of advances in technology as only a “tikkun olam”  (rectification of the world) in a physical sense then we are lacking a wider perspective.   Technology is a tool or vessel for the spirit or will of the Creator.

The State of Israel as an entity is a tool for a global redemption.  It is at one hand the vessel which was formed to allow the reconstitution of the people of Israel in their ancient ancestral land as prophesied more than 2,500 years ago.  This has happened in miraculous fashion, but the State of Israel is far more than that.  It is now transitioning into the activated tool for the will of “Knesset Yisrael” the mystical concept which expresses the rectified Israeli Collective, whose mission it is to ultimately repair the broken world, which still awaits its full rectification and direction.

Rebbe Nachman teaches in Likutey Moharan that the Jewish people’s role is to repair the “supernal altar” of the nations.  This means that we are to turn them away from worshipping a false notion of spiritual connection and recalibrate their yearning for a divine relationship to one which is an authentic personal relationship to the one above or better expressed, the one within. We can only do this by example.

The vessels to spread the light of the Creator have been built in the first 70 years of the State of Israel.  It is now time for Israel to rise to the occasion and steer the world out of the darkness and chaos it finds itself in.