SHABBAT READING
The Angel of YHWH: Dr. Daniel O. McClellan, The Torah.com, Mar. 29, 2023 — Several biblical narratives conflate מַלְאַךְ יְ־הוָה—usually translated as “the angel of YHWH,” but more accurately rendered as “the messenger of YHWH”—with God or YHWH.
1. The Akedah
After Abraham binds Isaac on the altar, the messenger of YHWH calls out to Abraham from heaven to stop him from sacrificing his son:
בראשׁית כב:יא וַיִּקְרָא אֵלָיו מַלְאַךְ יְ־הוָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּנִי.
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LOTS OF QUESTIONS
It Wasn’t a Deal – It Was a Crime: Alan M. Dershowitz, Gatestone Institute, Jan. 17, 2025 — The decision by the Israeli government to make significant concessions to the Hamas kidnappers should never be called a “deal.” It was an extortion.
WATCH: Ceasefire: Has Trump Adopted Biden’s Failed Israel Policy?: Caroline B. Glick, JNS, Jan. 15, 2025 — The latest ceasefire deal with Hamas leaves Israel supporters with lots of questions about what to expect from the second Trump administration. Has President-elect Donald Trump changed course and adopted the failed policies of President Joe Biden?
Why did President Trump Pressure Israel to Make a Deal With Hamas?: Avi Abelow, Arutz Sheva, Jan. 16, 2025 — It seems that the deal brokered under pressure from incoming President Trump is done, forcing Israel to release terrorists and essentially withdraw from Gaza in exchange for freeing some hostages.
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Real Challenge Begins After the Hostage Deal: Amnon Lord, Israel Hayom, Jan. 16, 2025
Dealing With the Devil: Melanie Phillips, JNS, Jan. 16, 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza: Andrew Fox, Substack, Jan. 15, 2025
Has Israel Ended the Multifront Threat in the Middle East? – Analysis: Yonah Jeremy Bob, Jerusalem Post, Jan. 16, 2025
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For Further Reference:
What’s Left of Hamas After 15 Months of War?: Shachar Kleiman, Israel Hayom, Jan. 16, 2025 — With a ceasefire agreement and hostage release negotiations underway, attention turns to the current state of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza following approximately 15 months of war.
Iran Says Gaza Ceasefire Is A ‘Victory’ For Palestinian Resistance: Reuters, Jan. 16, 2025 — The ceasefire in Gaza represents a “great victory” for the Palestinian resistance, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, warning against any possible breach by Israel.
We Must Never Forget the Evil That is Hamas: Danny Cohen, The Telegraph, Jan. 14, 2025 –The imminent release of up to 34 hostages from Gaza is a time of both immense relief and aching sadness.
Biden Confirms Hostage Deal, Scoffs at Idea Trump Deserves Credit: Andrew Bernard, JNS, Jan. 15, 2025 — U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a breakthrough deal that would see the phased release of hostages whom Hamas holds in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
A Soldier’s Perspective on the Ceasefire: Seth Mandel, Commentary, Jan. 16, 2025 — Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have fought in the war against Hamas since October 2003, yet the perspective of the Israeli soldier is often missing from the discussions of the conflict.