Precisely when everything seems lost, in Joseph’s pit, in the rebels’ caves, or in an alienating exile, the seed of our redemption is sown. On the Hasmoneans and the difference between religious freedom and political independence, on Jonathan the forgotten hero, and on how the story of Joseph and Judah illuminates the storms of our present lives.
While Jews have historically been the first targets, we know that what begins with our community will never remain confined to it. The persistence of violence against Jews is a warning to all, and the way the world responds by calling out and taking strong measures against terrorism will determine whether hatred is allowed to spread unchecked.
Israel traded energy for leverage, binding Cairo to its gas while securing strategic calm despite unresolved violations in Sinai.
Khamenei, the elderly Iranian leader, may find himself there in the minority against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members, eager to receive budgets to rehabilitate the nuclear program, alongside missile and terror programs.
Israel must make every effort to convince Trump that backing Israel to complete the mission serves his interests as well.
Trump's envoy Barrack was presented with data and intelligence showing Syrian President al-Sharaa could not be trusted and that the Lebanese were not sufficiently determined to disarm Hezbollah and that the IDF, therefore, needs to conduct strikes on sites where the Lebanese army cannot or does not want to operate.
The elimination of Ra'ad Sa'ad, a senior commander in Hamas' military wing in the Gaza Strip, was a necessary step for Israel. Israel's clarifications were intended to appease the Trump administration and assuage criticism from mediating countries, as it needs good reasons (or excuses) to justify such eliminations.
Across the Arab world, in China and in Russia, there is an iron fist against radical Islam. In the liberal West, violence is running rampant without restraint. Jews are paying first, but as always in history, they will not be the last.
As Jewish communities worldwide face the gravest threat since the Holocaust, Israel remains preoccupied with the attorney general and neighborhood inaugurations. The "eighth front" demands urgent national attention, before it is too late.
During Hanukkah, it is important to recall a simple truth that is too often forgotten: we do not rely on miracles. A miracle is a last resort, not a work plan. We must build an international Jewish security network, adapted to the threats of the 21st century.