Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

The first commentary of Rashi to the Torah demonstrates that he was a fervent Zionist who unapologetically believed in our Divine right to the land of Israel. Rashi adds to that right with a statement in this week’s Torah reading that by the time Avraham fulfilled God’s directive to leave his ancestral home, the Cana’anites were already in the land. This, Rashi proposes, teaches that the Cana’anites were not always there. Of Noach’s three sons, Yafet settled North, to Eurasia, and Cham went South, to Africa, while Shem lived in the Middle of his two brothers. Cana’an first conquered this land from Shem’s descendants, and when a time would come when we would return to our ancestral home, then not just Cana’an, but all the nations would say, “Listim atem”, you stole the land from the Cana’anites.

History repeats itself. I have included an incredible 6 minute clip (click HERE) that looks as if the speaker was well versed in Rashi, or that he came to his point on his own. Either way, Israel is in dire need of more friends like these, as her enemies are resolute in isolating her and marginalizing her. Please look back to some of my earlier messages, to pressure the Red Cross into performing its job of supporting the hostages, and publicizing their whereabouts. Thank the politicians who have come out on Israel’s behalf, and I have included here, ways to support the hostages in the next few days. Please check the links at the end of the message.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Stay well and healthy.

Rabbi Allen Scwhartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org

Koren Publishers:

• Learn for Israel - click HERE 

Attention all Men Between 17 and 120+. 

• OPERATION ממלא מקום:   We can't babysit for families in need in Israel right now, but we can "Fill the Bais (Midrash)" -  PLEASE join us this Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 PM as we fill the Kotlei Bet Hamidrash VIA ZOOM and cover our Brethren Soldiers/Bogrim that are at war for our people and in need of coverage back at the "Bais (Midrash)".  SHIUR FROM ISRAELI YESHIVAT HESDER SHILO (130 Bogrim and Ramim have emptied the Yeshiva) to be broadcast LIVE (IN HEBREW KAL) ON "PIDYON SHVUYIM IN TIME OF WAR" (Redeeming Hostages in Time of War) - In the zchut of all of our participation and "keeping the benches warm", may all of the Bogrim/Soldiers and all of the Hostages return safely to their homes in Israel and may our Am Live Only in Shalom.  SEE ATTACHED LINK:
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZYpK2_5Jd5kdUbtat-oCdUQwbc3h5ebA/view?usp=drive_link
• PLEASE ONLY RESPOND AT FILLTHEBAIS@GMAIL.COM

Communal Meeting With the Families of the Hostages

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00-8:30 pm

• In Person at Central Synagogue and via livestream

• https://events.blackthorn.io/en/f44KAiM7/communal-meeting-with-the-families-of-the-hostages-3a46Pf3Yz/overview 
• https://www.aid-coalition.org/donate/bringthemhome?utm_source=linktree&utm_medium=linktree&utm_campaign=hostages