Articles
 The Upper Room Discourse 79
 The Upper Room Discourse 78
 The Upper Room Discourse 77
 The Upper Room Discourse 76
 The Upper Room Discourse 75
 The Upper Room Discourse 74
 The Upper Room Discourse 73
 The Upper Room Discourse 72
 The Upper Room Discourse 71
 The Upper Room Discourse 70

Series [All]
 Daniel Juster (61)
 Fruit of the Spirit (8)
 Guy Cohen (56)
 Introduction to Messianic Judaism (24)
 Juster summer trip
 Mark Rantz (2)
 The Mitzvah Book (93)
 Tikkun Articles (5)
 Torah Thoughts
 Zion's Glory (3)

Archive


 

Wednesday, 8 May 2019
Yom HaZikaron

Today is Yom HaZikaron on the Jewish calendar. It is a celebrated (although in a somber way) modern (non-biblical) holiday. Zachor (Zayin-Kaf-Resh) means "remember". This is the Israeli memorial day. It is always celebrated on the 4th of Iyyar, the day before Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. It is the day we remember the 23,000 (appx) who have died in defense of Israel and at the hands of terrorists.

(One long) Rabbi Trail: Last night I was blessed to attend a banquet at which Yehuda Glick (former member of the Knesset) was a featured speaker (more on this at a later date). By a miracle of God we are not memorializing him on this day. Four and a half years ago, on October 29th, 2014 Rabbi Glick survived a terrorist attack. As he emerged from his synagogue, after morning prayers, Rabbi Glick was approached by a member of the Islamic Jihad Palestinian terrorist organization, who shot him in the chest 4 times at point blank range. Miraculously he not only survived, but as far as I could tell, has completely recovered.

Why would Rabbi Glick be singled out for such an attack? (I'm glad you asked ...) He stands alone, above all others, as the foremost advocate for building the Third Temple.

Rabbi Trail (continued): I want to express my personal position on the Third Temple. We have to approach this expectation with a full understanding of the revelation of Scripture. It is necessary that Third Temple worship will be instituted before the return of the Messiah. However; some pretty bad stuff goes along with it.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 "Let no one deceive you in any way, for the Day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the one destined to be destroyed. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in the Temple of God, proclaiming himself that he is God."

So we proceed with caution ... End RT.

One who dies in service to God is said to have died Al Kiddush HaShem meaning "for the sanctification of the name." This is a high honor in Judaism. Yet we must answer the question, "Is that all there is?" Of course, we answer, "No."

Still, we must give thanks for each one who paid the ultimate price. Today we enjoy the blessing and benefit of God's eternal plan for His people, Israel. For thousands of years Jewish people have prayed with expectation that we would be returned to the land. For the last 71 years we are that chosen generation. Chosen to live in that reality.

There is the physical body which has a beginning and an end, but there is a life-giving spiritual force from God that never dies. The question that will be answered in eternity is paradise or torment. Yet the more immediate question is not how will we die, but how will we live? Life is a gift from God. Don't tell Him "thank you," but rather show Him "thank you" with a life well lived.

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 10:03am Comment Comments: 0