SHABBAT READING
The Opening Of Devarim: A Recounting or Different Version of the Wilderness Experience?: Dr. Rabbi Zev Farber, The Torah.com, July 1, 2013 — Where does the book of Deuteronomy begin? This may seem like a simple question—surely a book starts at chapter 1 verse 1! But Deuteronomy turns out to be more complicated than most books. The Mishneh Torah—Deuteronomy proper—where Moses will repeat the laws of God, begins only in chapter 5 and opens with the famous verse, recited when the Torah is lifted in synagogue services:
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PERILOUS SITUATION
WATCH: View from the Homefront: A Briefing with Brigadier General (Res.) Amir Avivi: Emetonline, Aug.7, 2024 — As I write these words, Israelis are busy preparing their bomb shelters and sealed rooms for war. The assassination of Hamas chief political leader Ismael Haniyah in Tehran, of Hamas military leader Mohammad Deif in Khan Younis Gaza, of Hezbollah commander Faud Shakr, as well as the air strikes over the Houthi stronghold, the Yemeni port city of Hodeida, have put Israel in a perilous position. Every Israeli I have spoken to is proud of their intelligence and military apparatus but is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
LISTEN: The Conflict in the Middle East Is About One Thing: Iran: Bari Weiss, The Free Press, July 30, 2024 — On Saturday afternoon, a Hezbollah rocket fired from southern Lebanon struck a soccer field in the village of Majdal Shams in Israel’s north, killing 12 children.
Perception Warfare as Both Threat and Opportunity in Israel’s Post-October 7 Existential War: Dr. Dan Dyker, Jerusalem Center for Public Policy, Aug. 8, 2024
A Shift in Strategy: How Israel’s Recent Strikes Mark Its Military Emancipation: David M. Weinberg, MSN, Aug. 3, 2024
Tracing the Roots of Israel’s Gaza War Strategy: James M. Dorsey, Times of Israel, July 21, 2024
Israeli Deterrence and the October 7 Attack: Amir Lupovici, INSS Research Forum, July 2024
For Further Reference:
Hezbollah’s Deadly Rockets Aren’t the Most Serious Threat to Israel’s Northern Border: Matthew Levitt, Washington Institute, Aug 6, 2024 — After nearly 10 months of constant rocket and drone attacks across the Israel-Lebanon border, Israel and Hezbollah stand at the brink of full-scale war for the first time since 2006.
How an Addiction to the Iron Dome Doctrine Has Eroded Israel’s Deterrence – Analysis: Seth J. Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, July 11, 2024 — Over the past decade Israel’s air defense, particularly Iron Dome, provided Israel the time and protection to avoid a major war in Gaza. That all changed on October 7, 2023 when Hamas invaded Israel, massacred and kidnapped more than 1,200 people using a human wave invasion that easily penetrated Israel’s hi-tech defenses.
Brace for Impact: Gutsy Precision Assassinations Restore Israeli Deterrence: Shlomo Zwickler, Times of Israel, Aug. 5, 2024 — It’s hard not to notice that the entire country, perhaps indeed the world at large, is bracing for the impact of an impending multi-prong Iranian attack against Israel.
Iran’s Frightening New Playbook for War: The Economist, Aug. 8, 2024 — THE SUBURBS south of Beirut are emptying as residents flee to the mountains.
