Free Love!

As we “go to press” (publish our weekly words of Torah), a de facto ceasefire has taken hold in Gaza.  We have not heard that Israel officially accepts this “truce,” that was literally forced upon it by the “OK duo” of Obama and Kerry, but it is nevertheless in force.  We hope that Israel manages to destroy all the tunnels that Hamas burrowed under Israeli territory in order to kill and terrorize the Israeli population.  In the meantime, we turn our attention to other matters – today is Rosh Hodesh Av, the first day of the Jewish month of Av.  On this day, Aharon the high priest died, and the timing is no coincidence.  Aharon embodied the concept of Ahavat Yisrael – love of a fellow Jew, regardless of his status, abilities or views.  Love of our fellow, and especially of our Jewish brothers and sisters, is a very important component of bringing the ultimate redemption of all of mankind.  The Temple was destroyed precisely because of lack of love, and it will be rebuilt as the result of “free love” among Jew, and among all peoples.  For the next nine days or so, it is a very serious time of introspection and minimizing of ourselves and our egos.  Let it be for the good and result in good news for all of us…for something on the weekly Torah portion, go to http://jerusalemconnection.org/weekly  To delve more deeply into the subject of prayer and meditation, go to www.jewishspiritualbooks.com, and finally for a bit of history and color on Chabad in Jerusalem, go to www.chabadjeruslaem.org 

And don’t forget to have a look at www.rootsofprayer.blogspot.co.il, as well as www.neirot.com.  A little something for everyone!