Who would have thought that the targeted assassination of Muhammad Deif would be eclipsed by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump?

It is our hope that Deif has, indeed, been eliminated and that the world has been cleansed of this evil. Trump has only suffered a light injury, baruch Hashem, but the attempt has thrown American politics into turmoil. 

When you feel that the world is going mad, it is important to return to our sources. This week’s Torah portion, Balak, reminds us that what we are experiencing today has occurred before. We read how Balak, king of Moav, hires the prophet Bilaam to curse the Jewish people. Bilaam tries again and again to curse them, but each time only blessings emerge from his mouth.

The narrative provides many profound insights, but here are some thoughts that relate also to current events: 

• There is a never-ending battle between good and evil, as reflected both in the actual events that we can see as well as those in the concealed, spiritual realm.   
• Our enemies consistently try to destroy us instead of attempting to better their own situation.
• Our prayres, blessings, speech, and even ordinary words carry weight. The king of Moav practically pleads with Bilaam to pronounce evil words against us; he knows that words are impactful.
• What is most amazing is that this entire drama takes place without Am Yisrael being aware of it. In fact, we are very often oblivious to the harm from which God rescues us in our day-to-day lives. This parashah shows us that we have no idea what is taking place behind the scenes — what was planned, what was destroyed, what could have happened, and what almost happened. It’s also an opportunity for us to acknowledge the efforts of those who, unbeknownst to us, toil to eradicate our enemies.

May we see the fulfillment of Bilaam’s beautiful blessings: “Those who curse you will be cursed, and those who bless you will be blessed.” Our world is divided between light and darkness; we are on the side of the light. 

And finally, may we see the fulfillment of Bilaam’s famous words regarding our own communities: ”Ma Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov, Mishkenotecha Yisrael”- “How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel,” with blessings showered upon our homes, families, shuls, Torah study and daily lives, especially during this summer of political unrest and world instability.

A New Torah Scroll Finds a Home

Two years ago, Ashira Landau commissioned a sofer sta”m to write a Torah scroll in the merit of singles who are waiting to find their marriage partner. In the midst of fundraising for this project, she discovered thousands who, like her, were feeling the urgency of their unfulfilled desire to start a family and build a home. Together with the contributions Ashira took their names, and each morning the scribe prayed for them before inking more letters in the Torah scroll.

When the war broke out just around the time that the Torah scroll was ready, it became clear to Ashira that there was a connection between the two events. “The war was being fought to protect our existing homes, and this sefer Torah was being written in order to establish more homes in the future. This is our answer to the enemy’s attacks,” she said.

It was decided to welcome the new Torah scroll into the Ma’ahal HaGevurah (Tent of Heroism) synagogue, located in the central Jerusalem and established by bereaved families who lost loved ones in this war. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone: the Torah scroll was dedicated by those waiting to establish their own homes, and many of the fallen soldiers had not yet established a home of their own. The bereaved parents accompanied the singles in prayer as the Torah scroll was welcomed into its new home. At the same time, they also prayed for the speedy return of the hostages and evacuees to their homes; and finally, for God Himself, Who has been longing to return to His home for two thousand years.

At the dedication ceremony for the new Torah scroll, Ashira prepared bags of candy as a “reframing experience” for the kids who didn’t receive the traditional bags of candy on Simchat Torah. And while Ashira didn’t realize this when planning the event, it turned out that the day the Torah scroll was dedicated, 7/10, was the reverse of the tragic date of the attack, 10/7.

The Foundation of the Nation

Gal Gueta lost her husband, Amit, a soldier in the Maglan commando unit, on Simchat Torah. Last Shabbat was their first wedding anniversary.

“When Amit would come home from the army, we would cut ourselves off from everything and focus on ourselves. This came from an understanding of the value of the time we spent together, which contributed to the connection between us.  

“In honor of my wedding anniversary, I suggest that all married couples who read these words should spend an hour together with one another — to sit, talk, study together — to just connect. This time can also be spent with a friend, a relative, or anyone else. The main thing is to increase goodness among the nation of Israel. It is the goodness to which Amit aspired and succeeded in living every day.״

What’s In a Name

What names are being given to babies these days, and why? Mohel Rabbi Hillel Maisels shared his insights:

"Amid the backdrop of nine months of war and the ongoing captivity of hostages, these same nine months also marked the pregnancies of four britot I had the honor of performing this week, each on consecutive days. Each ceremony left me imbued with hope. I encountered parents who brought life and light into the world during a period overshadowed by loss and darkness.

At the first bris, the baby was named Kfir (a lion cub) Amiad (eternal nation) - a name imbued with strength. At the next one, the baby was named Neta Reuven, honoring his grandfather Reuven, steadfastly rooted (the meaning of “Neta”) in the land. The third baby was named Peleg (stream), evoking the words from Tehillim, 'like a tree planted by streams of water’, and the fourth was Chaggai, named after the prophet Chaggai, a beacon of hope and comfort, who prophesied the return of Am Yisrael to their homeland.

These names are emblematic of the many meaningful names being bestowed in these times. Best wishes, and as it is said at the bris: 'B’damayich chayi, In your blood is my life.'"

A mohel

Hachnasas Sefer Torah at Ma'ahal HaGevurah

The new sefer Torah