THE YOREH

The Yoreh (pronounced yor-ay) is the Hebrew word for the Early Rain, or the first rain of the winter rainy season. On Thursday night the eagerly-awaited Yoreh arrived here in Israel. After 6-8 months during which no rain falls in Israel, all its inhabitants, human, animal and plant, long for the thirst-quenching, cleansing rain. In an earlier, less sophisticated time, Israelis used to go out in the streets and dance for joy when the Yoreh arrived. Today I didn't dance but instead I took a walk in the forest and rejoiced in breathing the freshly scrubbed air, the blue, truly blue sky, and the green, really green trees. I don't know if trees have feelings but if they did, I can imagine how happy they would be to have all the dust washed from their leaves and fresh rainwater to drink. 

From Har Hauniversita - my forest walk today

The Yoreh also breaks the back of the summer heat. In Israel there are really only two seasons, the 6-8 month long summer and the short winter rainy season. I have lived nearly 40 years in Israel and every year I am still amazed afresh by how the seasons can switch in just a day, especially when the Yoreh comes. On Thursday the temperature here was still around 30 degrees Celsius but on Friday it was only 13 degrees. It won't stay that cool of course, and we will still get some very hot days, but the main heat of summer is now broken and from this point it will grow cooler and cooler.  

In the Bible, the timely arrival of the Yoreh and the Malkosh (the latter or spring rains) is linked with the blessing of God. We see it first spoken of in the Book of Deuteronomy where it is described as the provision given by God, for agricultural abundance in the Promised Land, conditional upon the keeping of his commandments by the people of Israel,

 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’

Deuteronomy 11: 13-15

The prophet Joel also spoke of the early (or former) and latter rains, saying 

Be glad then, you children of Zion,And rejoice in the Lord your God;For He has given you the former rain faithfully,And He will cause the rain to come down for you—The former rain,And the latter rain in the first month.

Joel 2:23 

This passage is difficult to translate and interpret for in Hebrew the word here translated in the version quoted (NKJV), as former rain is not 'yoreh'  but 'moreh' in Hebrew. 'Moreh' comes from the same root but in this form it actually means 'teacher'  and it could be translated as " for He has given you the teacher of  (or for) righteousness, and he will cause the rain to come down for you, the teacher and the latter rain in the first month ". Some see this as speaking prophetically of the coming of the Messiah, the Teacher of Righteousness"  at the time of the latter rain or Malkosh. 

The coming of the Yoreh is a time of blessing but it can also be a time of danger. The first rains can be very heavy and the ground, baked like concrete over the summer, is impermeable leading to rapid runoff and often flooding, especially in the mountain and desert areas. On Thursday a 4-year-old Bedouin boy was swept away and drowned by a flash flood near Arad in the Negev, and 9 hikers had to be rescued when floods cut them off. On the other side of the Dead Sea, in Jordan, some 44 people, mostly middle school children on a school trip, were swept away by a flash flood. The death toll stands at 18 but this may yet rise as some are still missing. Jordan called upon Israel to help and our elite military rescue unit flew in and helped with the search during the night. 

In the South, in and around the Gaza Strip, there has also been a different kind of rain this weekend. The word 'Yoreh' has a second meaning in Hebrew, namely the verb 'to shoot'. The southern Israeli towns around the Strip were hit with 34 rockets over the last 24 hours, and the IDF responded by striking some 87 Hamas and 8 Islamic Jihad military targets in the Gaza Strip, including the building used by Hamas as its Security Headquarters. In this volley of rockets, seven Israelis were lightly injured, mostly suffering from shock. There has been no rocket fire from Gaza now for about 8 hours but we are still on high alert and residents in the south are under Rear Command orders to remain close to their bomb shelters. 

Yesterday, Friday, there were reports that Israel and Hamas had with the help of Egyptian intervention reached a ceasefire agreement. As part of this agreement Hamas had undertaken to stop the weekly border protests and the incendiary attacks completely in return for the reopening of the border crossings and other concessions by Israel.  In spite of these reports,  some 16,000 'demonstrators' gathered at the border fence yesterday, burning tires, throwing grenades, Molotov cocktails and rocks at IDF positions, attempting to break through the border fence and releasing incendiary balloons.  As a result, 3 Palestinians were killed as Israeli troops fired on them. Two others were killed during riots in the West Bank. 

Islamic Jihad is saying that last night's rocket attacks were in retaliation for these deaths. If this represents a new policy on both sides then the situation is bound to continue to escalate over the coming weeks. Here in Israel there is growing anger and frustration about the situation, especially amongst residents of the south. It seems clear that life in the south is becoming intolerable that this situation cannot continue much longer, but the alternative, all-out war against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, also seems unthinkable. Such a war would cause many casualties and much suffering on both sides of the fence, and it is unclear what would be the end result. Would it trigger a wider conflict involving Hezbollah, Syria and Iran? Even if that did not happen and Israel conquers Gaza again, there is no way we want to occupy the Strip or have the responsibility of ruling the population there. 

As I write news is coming in of another incident of 'yoreh' (shooting), this time in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA. The shooter (yoreh) shouted 'All  the Jews must die' as he opened fire in the synagogue during Shabbat prayers, killing 11 people, including 3 police responders, and injuring many others.

I am reminded of the passage in Jeremiah 16 which speaks of the time when God will send hunters to hunt out the children of Israel and cause them to flee to the Land.  

"Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’  but, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers. “Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. 

Jeremiah 16: 14-16

In recent years we have seen an upsurge in immigration, especially from the USA and Europe, motivated by fear of the increasing AntiSemitism worldwide. In former years many 'fishermen' went out around the world to convince Jews to return to the Land and many responded, but many did not, especially those Jews living comfortably in the Americas and Europe.  With the rise of AntiSemitism and the 'hunters' becoming active, more and more are fearing for their safety and seeking to come to Israel. 

When I wrote my last blog update I spoke about the missile strike which destroyed a house in Beer Sheva (Beersheba). Another missile was also fired at the same time but it fell in the sea. At that time it was believed that Islamic Jihad had been responsible for firing those rockets, but both Hamas and the IJ denied any responsibility. Later they claimed that lightning had set off the missiles. It seemed a bit far-fetched but there were several lightning strikes in the area at the time,  and eventually the IDF came to accept this explanation. It however begs the question, why were the two missiles primed and aimed at Israel in the first place? Lightning could not trigger a firing if the missiles were not already armed and primed. No one is asking that question, it seems. 

Earlier this week, on Wednesday night, three rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza strip. It was a little harder to blame lightning in that case, although no one claimed responsibility. In contrast, after just the first volley of rockets on Friday night, Islamic Jihad quickly claimed responsibility. IDF sources believe that Hamas was against this rocket fire and that Islamic Jihad had been instructed to carry out this attack by Iran and Syria, in order to sabotage the ceasefire. In spite of this, Israel holds Hamas, as the reigning entity, responsible for all attacks emanating from the Strip.

Prayer points:

1. Pray for the recovery of the wounded in the synagogue attack in the USA and for those who have lost loved ones. 
2. Pray for the people of southern Israel who are living under intolerable conditions with the constant threat of rocket fire and incendiary balloons. Pray especially for the children, almost all of whom suffer from trauma symptoms. 
3. Pray for the people of Gaza who are suffering greatly because their leaders do not care about their welfare. Pray for the revelation of Truth and Yeshua (Jesus) in their midst. 
4. Pray for wisdom for our leaders and that they will act according to God's will.
5. Pray too for the local elections coming up this week, on Tuesday, especially for the crucial appointment of a new mayor in Jerusalem. 
6. Pray that the people of Israel will love the LORD their God with all their hearts and serve Him, so that we will all enjoy an abundance of rain this winter, ending the 5-year drought.  

ONE STEP CLOSER

Three forty AM yesterday morning the sirens blared over the city of Beersheva. As around 200,000 residents ran to their safe rooms (bomb shelters), one mother gathered her 3 children and ran to theirs. A moment after she closed the door a missile, carrying 20 kg of explosives, punched through the roof and exploded in the upstairs bedroom of one of the children.  The four were unhurt physically but were treated for shock. The house was totally destroyed. Another woman elsewhere was lightly injured as she fell while running to her bomb shelter. 

The results of a rocket strike on a home in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on October 17, 2018. (Israel Defense Forces) https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-bombs-targets-in-gaza-after-rocket-hits-beersheba/

At around the same time, another missile was fired in the direction of one of the coastal cities in the Tel Aviv area but it landed in the sea. 

This incident could have ended with many more casualties but nevertheless it represents a serious escalation in the tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied involvement and it is thought that a rogue terror organization carried out the attack in an effort to derail the ceasefire talks being mediated by Egypt. 

Israel has a policy of holding Hamas, as the governing entity, responsible for all such attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip, even if Hamas itself did not carry out the attack. Consequently, the IDF attacked some 20 military targets belonging to Hamas during the day yesterday. In addition, a terror cell, caught in the act of firing a rocket, was also attacked. Reports are that one Palestinian was killed and some 25 injured. 

Tensions have been rising over the last couple of weeks and there are many voices in Israel saying "enough", including that of  Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman who said that Israel is “not prepared to accept the level of violence that we see week after week…We have exhausted all the options, all the possibilities, and now the time has come to make decisions." He then added, “We must strike Hamas hard, and this is the only way to bring the situation back to normal and lower the violence threshold to 0 or almost 0, or to the level of March 29”(1). 

Earlier in the week the Security Cabinet met to discuss further action in the Strip but decided to wait to see what would happen over the coming weekend. Until now the government has exercised extreme restraint and showed great reluctance to go to war with Gaza again, but it seems that we are sliding, step by step, closer to that inevitability. No one wants war but Gazan militants are constantly increasing the provocation, and on Tuesday, Leiberman warned that the military was gearing up for a major strike on Gaza to stop the ongoing violence, saying  “I’ve held a series of meetings with the head of the Southern Command, the head of the [Gaza] Division, the brigade commanders, the battalion commanders, also with soldiers. My impression is that they all have reached the understanding that the situation as it is today cannot continue” (2). Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting " if these attacks do not stop – we will stop them". Yesterday he said "I want to tell you today as well – Israel will take very strong action" (2).   This morning (18/10) the Security Cabinet met to decide what action it will take but Cabinet members have been instructed not to reveal to the media the content of the discussions which lasted 5 1/2 hours (3).  

Last night passed quietly and life in the south residents has returned to 'normality'. After being closed yesterday, schools in Beer Sheva and the southern region have reopened. There are reports that the IDF is still 'heavy on the ground' in the border region and civilian defenses in Beer Sheva and other communities are being strengthened. Questions are being asked why the Iron Dome Missile Defense System failed to shoot down the missile that hit Beer Sheva, and an additional battery has been moved to the city.

Over the last two or three weeks, tensions on the border have been escalating.  Rioting, the burning of tires, the attempts to break through the border fence, the throwing of Molotov cocktails and grenades at IDF soldiers and the sending of incendiary and explosive devices across the border into Israel has been a daily event for some 25 weeks now, with violence tending to peak each Friday after Muslim prayers in the morning.  The violence this past Friday was the worst for some time as some 15,000 or more Gazan's participated in the riots at various places along the fence. It is not too late for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire truce, but tomorrow is Friday and we are all waiting to see what will happen at the border. The next 48 hours will be crucial. 

If you want to see what Hell looks like - take a look at these  amazing photos of the Gaza riots (warning- some of the photos are disturbing)

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/09/photos-25-fridays-of-protest-in-gaza/570889/

Balloons
This morning I walked out into my garden and there on the roadway lay a balloon. My heart skipped a beat. I went to investigate it and was relieved to find no incendiary or explosive device attached. It may have just been an escaped birthday balloon, or NOT! 

What a sad state our world has come to that we must fear balloons and teach our children to stay away from them. For several months now the Palestinians of Gaza have been sending kites, balloons and inflated condoms across the border into Israel with incendiary devices or explosives attached. Recently, with the upswing in violence along the border, they have become more creative in their efforts. This past Friday a terror group in Gaza claimed it launched the first ever terror 'blimp' against Israel. On its side is written in both Arabic and Hebrew the words, " If our fate is to be doomed to suffer, then we will not suffer alone" (4). It is not clear if the blimp crossed the border or caused any damage. 
The balloons are often brightly colored with hearts on them and some have flashing lights or toys attached to entice children to pick up these explosive devices (5). 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/gaza-group-unveils-first-ever-incendiary-blimp-bound-for-israel/

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been an increasing number of incendiary balloons found in Jerusalem suburbs, in the towns of Modiin, Rishon LeZion, Bat Yam, Lod, Beit Shemesh and even in the town of Yafit in the Jordan Valley. Last Saturday several such balloons were found in Ein Kerem which is just across the heavily forested valley from my home. It seems unlikely to me that these have blown in from Gaza as the wind almost always blows from the northwest, opposite the direction the balloons would have to fly to reach here. Jerusalem is some 97 km from the Gaza border. If the balloons are not coming from Gaza it means that terror groups in Judea and Samaria are now getting 'in on the game'. This is of great concern as it would be almost impossible to stop. Their potential for causing huge environmental and agricultural damage especially as the pine and cedar forested hills around this area are still tinder dry. 

Palestinians claim that this is their land, but they show little or no care for it, wreaking widespread environmental damage, not only destroying agricultural resources but also wilderness areas by fire but also polluting the air with the toxic smoke from burning tires. As of the 10th of this month, some 11,920 dunams (about 3000 acres) of farmland and woodland has been burned by incendiary devices, and the forests around the Gaza border area have seen some 1053 fires. The Beeri forest has seen 452 fires,  the Kissufim forest 353, the Shokeda Forest 75, the Hannun Forest 31 and the HaBesor Stream Forest 29 (6). Mature trees and other vegetation along with hundreds of wild animals have been destroyed. It is only when the rains come will we have any idea how much of this can be rehabilitated but it is clear it will take many years to restore the area. Plants grow only slowly in the arid desert areas. The World Jewish Congress submitted a petition with more than 22,000 signatures to the UN condemning Hamas' environmental crimes in southern Israel (7). 

Environmental crimes are not confined only to the southern region. Earlier this month terrorists in the north burned 50,000 chickens alive in an arson attack on a moshav in the Galilee region (8).

This callous disregard and downright cruelty to animal life contrasts strongly with Israel's efforts to protect the environment. Israel is the only country in the world which has increased the number of trees in the last 100 years. Trees are so 'sacred' here that roads must go around them.  It is almost impossible to get permission to cut down a tree. Near the place our congregation meets in central Jerusalem, there is a street with a huge eucalyptus tree right in the middle of it. The cars have to go around it.  A few years ago, snow snapped off its top, but it still thrives and has grown a new top. 

Last week I visited a place set aside for the protection of migrating pelicans. Israel is on the main migration route between Europe and Asia, and Africa,  and every year an estimated 500 million birds pass overhead. In surrounding countries these birds are often hunted and killed and everywhere their habitat is being threatened.  Thousands of pelicans are among these migrating birds. As they pass through they used to create a major problem for the fish farms along the coast, devouring a large quantity of their profits. A pelican can eat up to 2 kg of fish per day!!!  The farmers tried everything to scare the pelicans away but to no avail. The solution?  A large wastewater recycling reservoir nearby was converted to a pelican feeding station. Thousands of pelicans visit this station now and enjoy tractor loads of fish brought in for them each day during the migration season. Many other birds also benefit, especially herons, egrets, and cormorants. The sides of the reservoir also sport ranks of solar panels which feed electricity into the national grid.  Here are some photos I took. 

A pelican coming in to land in the reservoir

Pelicans settling in for the night

The solar panels

A grey heron enjoys the easy pickings too

Waiting for dinner

Now for some happier news:

The Jerusalem Stone

It always blows me away when people claim that there is no archaeological evidence to support the Bible or the Jews' claim to the Land of Israel. As Bibi Netanyahu said yesterday at the Christian Media Conference, you just have to get a spade and dig into the soil anywhere in Israel and you will come up with loads of evidence. 

Last week a very interesting pillar of stone was uncovered at an excavation taking place in Jerusalem. It dates from the Herodian period, 2000 years ago, and reads in clearly discernable Hebrew text " From  Hananya Bar Dudolos from Jerusalem". This is the earliest example that has been found with Jerusalem written and spelled exactly as we write it today (Yerusalayim ירושליים). Earlier examples were written as Yerushalem or as Shalem in Hebrew (9). 

(photo credit: ESTI DESIOVOV/TPS) https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/2000-year-old-Roman-find-reveals-usage-of-the-name-Jerusalem-in-Hebrew-568973

O Death where is thy sting?

Here in Jerusalem two much-loved sisters in the LORD died recently, and in the same week, two civilians were murdered by terrorists in the West Bank. I could not help but contrast the funerals of these people. I attended the memorial service for one of the sisters who had died under very tragic circumstances. We grieved and tears were shed for our loss but there was also much joy, for we knew she had now passed on to something better, everlasting life with the Lord, Yeshua.  On the other hand, I witnessed on TV the funeral for one of those killed by the terrorists. The depth of grief and wailing was horrible to see. There was no joy there, no hope, just deep, unspeakable pain and searing loss. 

I thank God that In Yeshua, Death has truly lost its sting. Yes there is always the pain of separation from our loved ones and we feel grief, but it is always undergirded by the joy of the knowledge of eternal life to all who will accept Him.  We, who are in Yeshua, have the certainty of salvation because it is not something we have to earn, but a free gift given by God to all who will receive it. In other religions there is no certainty of eternal life, for such a salvation must be earned by deeds, and who can ever know if they have done enough. 

The Bible tells us that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Genesis 8:21, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 2: 23). I think of the righteousness of God as a perfectly white page. We may consider ourselves to be relatively sinless but even the smallest black dot on a pure white page will cause that page to become impure. God cannot become impure so no sin can survive His presence. For this reason, we cannot come into the presence of God, or look upon His face, and live, except through Yeshua who has made a way. The Torah Law was given so that we would know that we are sinners but the Law cannot save us, since we can never keep it perfectly.  Salvation can only be found in Yeshua who covers our sin with His pure, sinless blood and therefore makes a way for us to enter into the presence of God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3: 20-23

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins

Ecclesiastes 7:20

When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

Genesis 8:21

 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Thessalonians 4: 13-17

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Please pray for the situation with Gaza. It is always difficult to know how to pray about military things, but please pray that our leaders will act righteously, ethically and morally, and according to the Will of God (even if they don't know Him). Pray for the protection of our borders and our citizens, and especially for our military and emergency services personnel, who are daily risking their lives for us. Pray especially for those young believers who are serving in the armed forces, often in very dangerous situations. 

2. Pray for the leaders of Hamas and others influential people in Gaza that they will have a change of heart and begin to really care about the welfare of the people. May they start to make decisions that will improve the dire situation there rather than make it worse. Pray too for all the believers in Gaza for their protection and encouragement, and also that their physical needs will also be met. 

2. Pray for the Body of believers in Yeshua here in the land. We serve at the very epicenter of the spiritual war that is approaching its final battle. The Enemy is hell-bent on destroying God's people and in the process some are getting injured and even dying. Pray that we can stand and continue to shine our light even as the days grow ever darker. 

3. Pray for the local congregations in the Land.  Millions of dollars pour into various ministries in the Land, often run by non-Israeli organizations and staff, which do great work, but the local Body is often overlooked.  Congregations struggle to pay rents and salaries. Individuals who work and live here in the Israeli economy struggle to make ends meet and some are even in dire need. The original founders of the congregations, my generation, are now reaching old age and find themselves unable to work and unable to survive on the meagre pension provided by our National Insurance Fund. Few of us were able to buy our own homes,  to save or pay into a private pension fund. Rents and the cost of food are skyrocketing. 

4. Pray for strength for the local believers that we can not only stand in these dark days but continue to shine our light. Above all, pray that the gospel will go out more and more as we try to touch lives that otherwise have no hope. 

5. Pray for good rains this winter. The first rains have not yet arrived, but temperatures have at last begun to decrease. 

6. Finally, give thanks for what the Lord has done and is doing, for the supernatural protection of Israel and her citizens, and the coming redemption and salvation of 'all Israel', and all who will accept Yeshua as Lord and Saviour worldwide.


REFERENCES:
1. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253347
2. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-threatens-forceful-response-to-gaza-violence-as/
3. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253431
4. https://www.timesofisrael.com/gaza-group-unveils-first-ever-incendiary-blimp-bound-for-israel/
5. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/252680
6. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5367283,00.html
7. https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/World-Jewish-Congress-urges-UN-to-condemn-Hamas-for-environmental-crimes-568935
8. https://www.timesofisrael.com/50000-chickens-burned-alive-in-suspected-arson-attack/

9. https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/2000-year-old-Roman-find-reveals-usage-of-the-name-Jerusalem-in-Hebrew-568973
https://watchjerusalem.co.il/450-the-jerusalem-stone

MALICIOUS NEIGHBORS

‘No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’”

Ezekiel 28: 24-26  NIV

This week we here in Israel are celebrating the last of the annual cycle of Feasts, the Feast of Succot or Tabernacles ( Leviticus 23:33-43). This is a 7-8 day feast. The first and last day are 'sacred assemblies' on which 'customary work' is forbidden. During this holiday all who are Israelites are commanded to live in booths  (succot) or tabernacles to remind us that for 40 years our ancestors lived in booths as they wandered the desert after God had brought them out of Egypt. Today few people actually live in succot, but most will eat at least one meal in a succah, and it is customary to invite friends and family to eat in one's succah. 

 This festival is also a celebration of the autumn harvest and a time to thank God for the good and fruitful land which He has given us. It is customary to wave an etrog (a kind of citrus fruit), and fronds of the date palm, myrtle and willow trees (which together are called the lulav). 

http://orachchayim.blogspot.com/2013/09/sukkot-huts-four-species.html

All of Israel's feasts are closely linked to the agricultural cycle of the seasons. This feast comes at the beginning of our short Autumn or Fall, which you might miss if you blink! So far there is little evidence that summer has ended as the temperatures remain in the 30's most days, even up here in Jerusalem. However the nights are drawing in, and the mornings are damp with mist and dew up here in the mountains of Judah.

Yesterday, Monday, was the first day that observant Jews begin to insert the prayer for rain into their services and it looked like we might have got a quick answer this year. On Sunday the thermometer hit 36 degrees here but, as evening approached, the air was very still and heavy and the sky was dark. A flock of swifts swirled over the forest like a black snowstorm, and I thought 'surely it will rain tonight'.  Rain was forecast and the met. service warned of the risk of flash floods in the wadis. Hopes were high that the rainy season might just start on schedule this year, but it wasn't to be. We just got a few muddy drops here and I didn't hear of heavy rain falling anywhere. Please pray with us for abundant rains this winter, much needed to replenish our lakes, streams and underground aquifers that have been seriously depleted during the last five years of drought. 

Last week my congregation went for a 3-day retreat in Migdal (where Mary Madalena came from) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret).  On the last day I joined a group and we went swimming in the Lake.  It was lovely and refreshing, but rather like swimming in pea soup as we stirred up the bottom mud which swirled amongst the greenish end-of-summer algal bloom.

While many Israelis are taking their annual holidays and enjoying the Feast, the world stumbles on with all its tragedies and traumas. 

Russian plane downed by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles

On Monday the 17th of this month a Russian surveillance aircraft was accidentally shot down by Syrian President Assad's forces, killing all 15 Russian personnel aboard (1). Immediately Russia placed the blame on Israel which they claimed was carrying out attacks in the area and hadn't given them sufficient warning. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, claimed that  "The Israeli pilots were using the Russian aircraft as a shield and pushed it into the line of fire of the Syrian defense" (2). I am not sure how a tiny F-16 fighter jet could 'push' a large II-20 surveillance aircraft!  Although the first reports from Russian sources claimed that rockets were fired from a French frigate, the Auvergne, in the Mediterranean, the French have denied any involvement. Syria has since admitted that it fired the missiles that downed the Russian plane, ironically using a Russian-made missile system supplied by Moscow to its Syrian ally. 

According to standing policy Israel initially refused to comment but on Tuesday the IDF Spokesman, Brigadier- General, Ronen Manelis, admitted that the IDF had struck a Syrian military facility  "from which systems to manufacture accurate and lethal weapons were about to be transferred from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon". This is in keeping with Israel's clearly stated policy that it will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria.  Over the last 18 months Israel has attacked more than 200 Iranian targets in Syria (3). 

Although attacks had been carried out by Israeli aircraft in the area the Israeli Air Force claims that all Israeli aircraft had returned to Israeli airspace before the Russian plane had been shot down, and furthermore that the Russian plane had been far from the area of  the Israeli airstrikes during the operation (4). According to the IDF spokesman, "The Syrian anti-aircraft batteries fired indiscriminately and, from what we understand, did not bother to ensure that no Russian planes were in the air. The extensive and inaccurate Syrian anti-aircraft missile fire caused the Russian plane to be hit” (3).

 Over the past week there has been a flurry of diplomatic efforts to calm the situation and this has resulted in a cooling of the Russian rhetoric against Israel, but it has not stopped Russia from carrying out its threat to make Israel pay the price. Already Russia has begun supplying an upgraded S-300 missile system to Syria (5). This system is much more accurate than that previously supplied and is intended to prevent any more accidents, but it also poses a much greater threat to Israeli aircraft carrying out operations in Syria. This is a significant game changer and complicates Israel's efforts to stop Iran's military build-up in the area.

This whole incident has highlighted the fragility and complexity of the situation in Syria. Multiple countries are currently carrying out military operations in the area with forces on the ground and carrying out airstrikes from the sea. In some cases these forces are backing opposing sides in the military conflict. Hotlines are in place between these countries but there is still a high risk that inadvertent accidents like this one could occur again (6). 

There is one question no one seems to be asking about all this. Russia moved into the region three years ago to assist Assad's forces to retake his country from rebel militias and Jihadist groups including ISIS. This has largely been accomplished now, so why is Russia still here???? Perhaps its time for the Russians to go home? That is unlikely to happen as Russia seems to be intent on consolidating its influence in the Middle East, and this is a golden opportunity to do just that. 

Idlib
It is significant that it was Russia, Turkey and Iran that negotiated an agreement to prevent an all-out Syrian offensive in the province of Idlib. This is a tremendous relief for the people living there of course, but indicative of who really wields the power in the Middle East today. Under the agreement, Turkey and Russia will set up and patrol a 15-20km deep demilitarized zone around Idlib by October 15th, but this requires the cooperation of the various rebel militias and already some are refusing to withdraw or give up their arms. Syria is also reserving the right to attack 'if necessary'.  Keep praying for the safety of the civilian population in Idlib and pray that the various militias will be willing to lay down their arms and evacuate from the area.

The proposed demilitarized zone around Idlib. Green = Idlib province, Yellow-green area patrolled by Turkey, and Orange - area patrolled by Russia.
https://nedaa-sy/u7yy.com/en/news/8465

On the 22nd September, a military parade in the southern city of Arvhas in Iran was attacked by armed gunmen. As a result, 25 Iranian Republican Guards and civilians were killed. Immediately Iran blamed the USA and Israel (yes, we get blamed for everything that happens in the Middle East) and threatened serious retaliation, but shortly afterward ISIS claimed responsibility. Yesterday Iranian Republican Guards said they fired six missiles into Sunni Islamic extremist hideouts in eastern Syria (7). The missiles carried the message "Death to the USA, Death to Israel, Death to Al Saud" (Saudi Arabia) etched on their sides. 

Now for some light relief!

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1380941/media

This billboard was erected in the southern city of Shiraz in Iran, to commemorate the end of the Iran-Iraq war in Sacred Defense Week. The only problem was that it had been photoshopped and actually showed three Israeli soldiers (the fourth soldier, a woman, had been erased from the original photo). Of course, the billboard was immediately removed once the error was discovered (8).  How hilarious is that!!!!!  Not so funny though for the three who have been arrested for this terrible mistake. I sure would not want to be in their shoes. 

Gaza 

This last Friday saw an upsurge in the ongoing "March of Return" along the Gaza border. Some 20,000 Palestinians mobbed the border fence, breaking it down in several places, and hurling at least a hundred bombs and grenades at the Israeli soldiers trying to prevent an incursion. Seven Palestinians were killed, including two teenage boys, and around 500 injured. No Israelis were seriously injured.

Before you accuse Israel of using 'excessive force' resulting in a high number of Palestinians being killed and wounded, imagine if it was your home they were trying to reach. Look at this video and imagine it happening on YOUR doorstep: 

https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-20000-palestinians-swarm-gaza-israel-border-rip-security-fence-and-hurl-explosives/

 After something of a lull in which incendiary attacks had diminished to just (!) 3-5 per day they have now increased to an average of around 12 again. Yesterday, Monday, an incendiary device was found in the city of Modiin, some 70 km from Gaza 'as the crow (balloon?) flies'.  At least two have also landed in Jerusalem in recent weeks. This reflects the increasing sophistication of the balloons, using multiple balloons and inflated condoms (yes, you read that right), which can fly further. Another 'improvement' in the effectiveness of these attacks was also seen this week as some balloons were discovered to be carrying explosive devices, which complicate firefighting and recovery. It also increases the risk to citizens and especially children who might approach such a device. 

Preparing condoms as incendiary devices
https://www.greenprophet.com/tag/israel/

Israeli analysts are saying that since there is no hope of a ceasefire agreement being reached, Hamas is once more encouraging, or at least not restraining, the border riots and is preparing for another round of aggression against Israel. The IDF has issued a warning to southern communities prepare for such an escalation  (9).

If you are wondering why it is impossible for Israel to achieve peace with the Palestinians, take a look at these videos. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnLIzNGb9gI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_OXUlpzAUU
A whole generation is being brainwashed to hate Israelis and all Jews, to believe lies, and to aspire to become shahids (martyrs) for the cause of Jihad (world domination by Islam). How can we make peace with such people- a people who abuse their own children in such a way, and celebrate when they become martyrs? How can all this horrific child abuse be healed? I believe it will only happen when the Messiah comes to heal and establish peace in all peoples, Palestinians and Israelis together, along with all the world. Until then we need to keep praying. 

I was just reading in Ezekiel 37 how God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. God wanted Ezekiel to participate with Him in the working out of this prophecy. Ezekiels words had power to make these visions become reality. I believe we who believe in Yeshua also have this calling. Pray that the bones, which are already being gathered and given physical tendons and muscles, will also soon be granted the Breath of Life in the Spirit of God. 

 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’”  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 37: 9-11 

Please pray for the people of the Middle East, Jew and Arab alike. Your prayers too have the prophetic power to cause these promises to come to pass. 

Pray too for the Body of Yeshua here in Israel. We live at the very epicenter of the spiritual warfare that is taking place, and many are coming under severe spiritual attack. There are many who are seriously ill, some have died recently, some are suffering exhaustion and 'burnout', others are facing marital breakups and still others are being denied citizenship or being made to leave the country. My landlords and friends just last night had their car stolen for the 4th time, from just in front of our house.  I have never before seen a level of attack such as we are experiencing now. This is not surprising for I feel we are drawing close to the great battle for Jerusalem (Zechariah 12). The Enemy is pulling out all the stops - he has nothing to lose now and will try everything to prevent the establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. We cannot stand here without your support in prayer. 

References

1.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5353468,00.html
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5353126,00.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-syria-mistakenly-downs-russian-plane-as-it-repels-alleged-israeli-strike/
 2. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5353575,00.html

3. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5341135,00.html

4. https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-works-to-stem-crisis-with-Moscow-after-downing-of-Russian-plane-567536
5. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/252551
6. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5353468,00.html
7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-fires-missiles-at-islamic-state-militants-in-syria-to-retaliate-for-military-parade-attack/2018/10/01/991f91cc-767d-4673-94bd-244e5ebd1c1a_story.html?utm_term=.330c95d7ab61

8. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1380941/media
9. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5360540,00.html