It was on this day, in the year 636, that Arab army wrested control of the Holy Land from the Byzantines. It’s interesting that all three monotheistic religions have lost control of the Holy Land in the Hebrew month called Av. Judaism lost control on the 9th of Av. Christianity lost control on the 14th […]
If you’re like me, the troubling news in this present world leads you to conclude that we are in the midst of great spiritual darkness. There is darkness descending upon the earth, so dense, that can almost be felt. There is no doubt that we are living in perilous times. And while I can observe […]
It was on this day, in 1263, that a famous discussion occurred between the noted Rabbi Maimonides and a Jew who had converted to Christianity by the name of Pablo Christiani. Christiani had taken it upon himself to challenge Judaism and its views on writings other than Scripture, such as the Talmud, and, of course, […]
It was on this day, in 1948, that Arab forces blew up a pumping station that supplied water to the city of Jerusalem. This occurred just months after the state of Israel had become a reality. By cutting off Jerusalem’s water supply, the enemies of Israel tried to isolate them so that the dream of […]
According to tradition, it was on this day that the son of Jacob, Issachar, was born. One of the most notable verses about Issachar and the sons of Issachar is found in 1 Chronicles 12: “And of the children of Issachar which were men that had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel […]
It was on this day that the scouts returned with their evil report. Ten of twelve notable men were convinced that the conquest of Canaan was impossible; only Joshua and Caleb were ready to go into the land. Upon hearing the report, the Exodus generation, responded with cries and murmuring in their tents, spreading fear […]
It was on this day in the year 66 that civil war broke out in Jerusalem between activists and the so-called “Peace Party” – those who wanted to sue for peace with the Romans – demonstrating that, when judgment comes, it isn’t necessarily administered by an external force. To the contrary, it is quite common […]
It was on this day, in 586 B.C., that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, occupied Solomon’s Temple. As we’ve stated in previous installments, Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon epitomize everything that God’s people are to avoid and resist. Babylon manifests everything we are not supposed to be and, yet, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to occupy and […]
Horace Greeley, writing for the New York Tribune, once told his readers: “Go West, young man. Go West and grow up with the country.” At that time the country was, indeed, growing and expanding westward with the belief that it was mandated by heaven. The history books call that belief, “Manifest Destiny.” Migrating westward was […]
It was on this day, in 1970, that one of many ceasefires that have occurred during the many wars Israel has fought with her enemies went into effect along the Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese border. Like many more to follow, this cease-fire did not produce a permanent resolution to the conflict Israel has with her […]
It was on this day, in 444 B.C., that Nehemiah began to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. Previously, Nehemiah had been in Persia serving the king as his cupbearer. When he heard that the city of Jerusalem lay in ruins, he lamented, and he cried out to the Lord to restore His people and […]
It was on this day, in 1881, that the first shipload of Russian Jewish immigrants landed in New York City. The significance of this is that it marked the beginning of a mass immigration of Eastern European Jews to America. They brought with them a strong commitment to be true to their Jewish heritage and […]
