Time to Take the Temple Rebuilding Prayers Seriously

  by Doron Nir Tzvi, translated by Hillel Fendel

The People of Israel are thick in the midst of the process of Redemption. What is the next step?

Jewish history over the past 150 years has absolutely no parallel in the annals of any other people on the face of the earth. No other nation has ever merited a redemption and renewal like we have. No other people has ever returned to its homeland after an exile of 1,800 years like we have. 

Following the beginning of the glorious and still ongoing Ingathering of the Exiles, the resurgence from the ashes of the Holocaust, the establishment of the State of Israel, the victories over the Arab armies, the liberation of parts of our homeland both west and east of the Jordan River, the settling of the Land in place of foreigners – the time has come to rise up one more level, and "prepare the hearts" for the construction of the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. 

The Beit HaMikdash will advance us, with G-d's help, yet another step towards the dwelling once again of the Shechinah, the Divine Presence, in our midst. As the Torah states regarding the Tabernacle in the desert, which was the precursor to the Holy Temple: "They shall build me a Sanctuary, and I will dwell amongst them."

The Holy Temple is a foundational pillar of Judaism, and its location is the holiest place in Judaism. The destructions of both the First Temple and the Second Temple, respectively, marked the beginning of the end of Israel's independence and of national Jewish settlement and presence in the Land. But in addition, we must remember that the absence of the Beit HaMikdash renders irrelevant dozens of Torah commandments. These include the mitzvot of sacrifices, the special Yom Kippur service, certain tithes, and many more. 

Back in 1966, Naomi Shemer, one of Israel's most popular songwriters (Jerusalem of Gold, for instance) and who grew up in the secular Kibbutz Kineret, wrote what became a very well-known song expressing the desire to build the Holy Temple: 

If you hewed stone from the mountain for a new building /

Not for naught did you hew the stone, my brother /

For from these stones, the Temple will be built…

The last words – a declaration, a hope, or possibly a prayer – became a popular refrain among all strata of Israeli society: Yibaneh haMikdash, yibaneh haMikdash.

Since then, however, the general-secular public's ambition to build the Holy Temple has seen a significant regression, and is in fact practically non-existent at the current time. On the other hand, the numbers of people who wish to promote everything having to do with the Beit HaMikdash are growing, as are those who physically ascend "in purity" to visit the holy site atop the Temple Mount. ("In purity" means after having immersed in a ritual bath before ascending, in accordance with Biblical law.) Increasing numbers of yeshiva students and others are engaged in both the spiritual and physical aspects of the rebuilding of the Temple. Leading the charge, for nearly four decades now, is the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, headed by Rabbi Yisrael Ariel. The Institute has already prepared some of the holy utensils and Priestly garments that can be used, in their current form, in the actual Temple service.

However, we are well aware from previous campaigns, on "simpler" issues, that if we want to succeed, public opinion must be better prepared for the Mikdash than it currently is. We cannot deny that the current construction status of the Temple does not particularly concern most of Israel's right-wing leaders. 

Nor can we overlook the fact that the hareidi leadership prefers to shunt the matter aside. The latter apparently assumes that at the right time, the Temple will descend in fire from the Heavens – even though when it comes to building their own homes, they actively and eagerly take the necessary action to accomplish this... The hareidi leadership has apparently not learned the lesson of the early days of modern Zionism, when they chose not to encourage mass Aliyah, preferring instead to believe that the Talmud's Three Oaths - not to rebel against the gentiles and the like - were still in effect. [One of the oaths required the gentiles not to subjugate the Jews too strongly, and the Sages ruled that since this oath was not fulfilled, the entire package of oaths became nullified. See also below.] 

After the Balfour Declaration of 1917, when the gates of the Land of Israel were opened wide to all Jews, future Israeli president and then-Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann cried out, "Nation of Israel, where are you?" But the religious leadership did not arouse myriads of Jews to make Aliyah to the Holy Land, and the chance to provide a religious majority to the Jewish presence in the Land was lost until this very day. Only individual rabbis – though more than is often thought – made public calls for religious Aliyah. 

Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, for instance, who was known as the Ohr Same'ach, wrote that the oath referring to a "rebellion" against the gentiles was no longer applicable – given the 1921 San Remo Conference resolution in favor of the Balfour Declaration's recognition of the Holy Land as the site of a Jewish national home. 

However, the call of Rav Meir Simcha, as well as of others, was too little and too late, as written up sadly in the scholarly Torah work Eim HaBanim Smeicha by one of the leading rabbis in Hungary, Holocaust victim Rabbi Yisachar Teichtal. 

Today's nationalist camp also lacks courageous leadership that will enunciate the vision of building the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount without fear of the Gentiles. We are similarly in need of leadership that will champion the fact that our historic homeland stretches from the Nile to the Euphrates; neither of these causes are particularly politically correct. This, despite the call by nationalist leaders of previous generations: "The Jordan River has two banks – this one is ours, and so is the other;" today they seem to suffice with the two banks of the Yarkon River…

But every marathon begins with one stride, and every flood begins with the first raindrop. And so too, we must take initial steps and distinctly declare our vision for the establishment of the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount. The nations will condemn and the Arabs will yelp – but the truth must be stated strongly and clearly.

It must be the vanguard of the nation - the religious-nationalist public and its leaders - that will issue this call with confidence, strength, and persistence. The message will then trickle slowly down to the rest of the public, as occurred with the magnificent settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria.

Incidentally, tens of millions of Evangelicals in the United States and around the world will support such a declaration and its sacred objective. This is because even according to their beliefs, the construction of the Mikdash is part of the Redemptive process. In addition, the Prophets foresee that the Holy Temple "will be called a house of prayer for all the nations." Perhaps too this will be a realization of the prophetic call that "the nations will say that G-d has done great things with [the Jews]" (Psalms 126), followed immediately by the words of the House of Israel, "G-d has done great things with us." 

It should be remembered that in the past, great kings and leaders supported the construction of the Mikdash, such as King Cyrus of Persia, who allowed the reconstruction of the Second Temple. There was also Emperor Julian, known by the Christians as Julian the Apostate, who initiated the building of what would have been the Third Temple in the year 362; the project did not succeed. 

It is very possible that 18 months from now, a Republican-Evangelical administration will be voted into office in the United States. And just like a recent similar government in Washington moved its embassy to Jerusalem, recognized the Jewish presence in its homeland of Judea and Samaria as legal, and declared that the Golan is an intrinsic part of the State of Israel – so too we can anticipate that the new government will declare that the Temple Mount is the holiest location in the Jewish world and that it is the Jews' right to rebuild the Holy Temple there. 

It is incumbent upon us to prepare for this, to be people of vision, faith, and action – possibly regarding the Beit HaMikdash even more than in others. And in honor of this undertaking and the just-passed Jerusalem Day holiday, let us pray: "May the Temple be rebuilt and the city of Zion be filled, and there we will sing a new song and ascend in joy." 

Agent of Chaos: The PA is Working to Radicalize the Arabs of Israel

 by Achikam Himmelfarb, translated by Hillel Fendel

The original role of the Palestinian Authority, as defined in the Oslo Accords, was to act as a Palestinian government dealing with various civil matters in Areas A (under full PA control) and B (under Israeli military control) in Judea and Samaria.

It now appears, however, that the PA has taken upon itself an additional task: the continuation of the "struggle" against the Zionist "occupier." In their official speeches geared towards the international audience, especially in English, the PA leaders make sure to declare that their national aspirations are for a state only "within the 1967 borders." This can be understood to mean "only in Judea, Samaria and Gaza" which Israel liberated in its defensive Six Day War. However, the PA's laws, education system, speeches to its populace, and media incitement all prove that their actual aspiration is the entire Land of Israel, what they call "historic Palestine."

The PA bodies and leaders refer to the entire 1948 area – i.e., from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, most of which happens to be today's State of Israel – as "Palestine."  Consequently, the PA seeks to enlist into its ideological ranks the Israeli-Arab populace, what it calls the "inside Arabs."

In the national perception of the residents of the Palestinian Authority, the Arabs of Israel are Palestinians just like them, who are also expected to fight against the Zionists and the occupation just like them. The PA operates in various ways to strengthen this Palestinian identity of the Israeli-Arabs. Let us discuss three of them here:

Attracting Israeli-Arab students to study in PA higherlearning institutions in Jenin, Shechem, and other cities.

Recruiting Israeli-Arabs for terrorist activities, including paying them salaries and recognizing them as national heroes.

Nationalist propaganda and incitement to terrorism.

Let us begin with the PA institutes of higher learning. It has been well-known for years that the universities in the PA are centers for locating and recruiting terrorism activists. The youth movements (Shabiba) of the various terrorist orgs are very active there finding activists and disseminating propaganda. It is thus quite worrisome to Israel to see how many Israeli-Arab students turn to PA institutions. Research conducted by Lt.-Col. (res.) Avi Shalev in 2022 showed that the number of Israelis in PA universities is estimated at a whopping 13,000.

International Law expert Adv. Maurice Hirsch, Director of Legal Strategies at Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) and a researcher for the Bit'chonistim movement, explains that the PA "attributes great importance to the 'Palestinization' of young Israeli Arabs. The PA correctly identifies the period of academic studies – a formative period for older adolescents – as a perfect opportunity to influence their self-identity. If they study in Israeli colleges, they would likely find themselves integrating into Israeli society. But if they learn in PA institutions, they can be swathed with Palestinian ethos, narrative, and propaganda. The PA thus seeks to detach them from their Israeli-ness and strengthen their Palestinian leanings."

The PA also works to attract Arab-Israelis to engage in terrorist activities, or at least, terrorism-facilitating activities. The best examples are Karim and Maher Yunis, the most vetera Palestinian terrorist prisoners in Israel. The two cousins, despite their Israeli citizenship, have been considered national Palestinian symbols ever since 1980, when they abducted IDF solder Avraham Bromberg at the Hadera junction and murdered him. They were originally sentenced to execution, but their sentence was commuted to life imprisonment with no chance for parole. But in 2012, then-President Shimon Peres further commuted their sentences, and they were freed earlier this year.

The Yunis cousins' solidarity with Fatah, and their status as longest-serving terrorist prisoners, made them into PA national icons. Karim was even appointed a member of the Fatah Central Committee. After his release from prison, he returned to his hometown of Ar'ara, between Hadera and Um el-Fahm, where a nationalist mini-festival was held to celebrate his release – despite orders given by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to prevent this. Top PA figures took part in the festivities, including Chairman Abu Mazen's deputy, to show their veneration for the murderers.

Abu Mazen himself spoke personally by phone with the cousins upon their release. The call was electronically captured by PMW, and its translation appears here [on the PMW website] for the first time. Abu Mazen is heard gushing with praise: "We are proud of you [plural] and we say to you that Allah should grant you health. You are the beacon of light of this nation, you are symbols of the Palestinian nation, you Maher and also you Karim... Your 40 years [in prison] were glory for all Palestine."

One of them responded, "First of all, I want to bless you and your wonderful words… May Allah show us the entire liberated land." Abu Mazen said, "Inshallah [if Allah wills it], our meeting on the homeland is close, and we will liberate the land together."

The Yunis cousins did quite well financially while in prison, as is the case with other Palestinian terrorists. Each of the two cousins received from the PA a total of some 4 million shekels (roughly over $1.1 million) over the 40 years, as well as another $25,000 as a one-time grant. They will also be receiving 12,000 shekels each month for the rest of their lives. Israel's Defense Ministry has taken some steps to confiscate money and property that would otherwise be used for these "pay to slay" salaries. However, the fact that Israeli-Arab terrorists who commit murders are paid to murder, in keeping with their status as Palestinian heroes, was an important part of why the Knesset recently passed a law withdrawing their Israeli citizenship and expelling them to PA areas.

Thirdly, the Palestinian Authority seeks to influence Israeli-Arabs via its Musawa TV channel, whose target audience is the Arabs of the "Occupied Interior." The channel originally broadcast from Nazareth, an Israeli-Arab city in the lower Galilee. In 2016, then- Interior Minister Gilad Erdan ordered it closed, as it was operating on behalf of the Palestinian Authority with no Israeli permit. The station then moved to Ramallah, in Area A, with no Israeli control at all. The content is designed for the Arab-Israeli public, narrated and produced by Arabs of both the PA and of Israel.

Not surprisingly, the Musawa channel took part in the festivities marking the Yunis cousins' release. Here, for the first time, are excerpts translated by PMW into Hebrew from that broadcast. The female announcer is heard saying: "The greatest time in anticipation of freedom that the world has ever known! Karim Yunis is breathing freedom after 40 years that the symbol of this great struggle was a prisoner of the Israeli occupier's jails. This occupation that still pursues the Palestinian identity, represented today by Karim Yunis. For our nation has proven that it objects to all the plans of the racist right-wing and fascism. Karim Yunis has proudly defeated the jailer!"

We must pay great attention. This complex situation, in which parts of the Arab population identify with a narrative that is hostile to Zionism and is influenced by PA efforts to "settle in their hearts," is something that the Israeli security and political frameworks must be on top of. It is a priority security interest of the State of Israel to ensure that the young Arabs are kept away from incitement of the Palestinian Authority and are integrated into Israeli society. The spreading of the PA's ideology must be stopped, so that Israel will not find itself with a fifth column in its midst, wherein a large part of its population not only identifies with its enemies, but is actually activated by them and in their name.

The author is a Middle East expert studying in Bar Ilan University and a researcher on the part of PMW and the Bit'chonistim Movement.

Between Holocaust Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day: That Which Lasts

 by Lt.-Col. (res.) Udi Ben-Hamo, translated by Hillel Fendel

Where there is no truth, but only "narratives," the winners are only those with power 

In our post-modern world, in which identities are blurred, nations are trampled upon, and every border is breached both physically and morally – what remains is simply to pluck on the thin cords of emotion, and thus manipulatively squeeze out some points by demanding compassion and recognition as victims.

When there is no truth, but only narrow "narratives," the winners are only those who control the power centers. 

This is, of course, a great tragedy for human intelligence - because there is clearly no connection between one's economic status or expertise in a particular field, and whether he is correct or knowledgeable in another area. One can be a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, and at the same time be an absolute novice when it comes to ethics or political science or law. One can be both a high-ranking IDF general and a total beginner in other fields. 

In short, we see these days that picking on the cords of emotion is in overdrive, causing havoc throughout Israel. 

A number of years ago, I took a trip to Poland, joined by several bereaved families whose loved ones were murdered by Palestinian terrorists or killed in battle. I wrote at the time as follows: 

"What connection is there between bereaved families and a trip to Poland?

"One can say with cynicism that the families' role is to squeeze out of us a bit more tears and emotion, in order to overcome the coldness, skepticism and distrust of our lives.  

"But we can find a deeper explanation, if we wish, as follows: 

"The People of Israel heralded to the world the tidings of morality and the message of kindness as primary fundamentals, as the basis on which the world should be built. As the Psalmist wrote: 'A world of kindness will be built' (89,3) – words that are truly engraved upon our hearts, both individual and communal. 

"It is for this idea that we live, and it is in the name of the war against this concept that our forefathers were murdered, and it is for this idea that we established our State – and in its name we must, and do, maintain a well-trained and equipped military founded upon ethics. 

"It is also for this model that the choicest of our sons have fallen. They put on uniforms and took up the sword as representatives of this same profound and well-rooted point – for in order to instill it in the world, we sometimes must also fight and stand up for our very lives.

"In this light, one long thread or chain is seen to run through the entire course of our lives – at the tip of which are our Israel Defense Force soldiers, without whom this world-dependent concept would not be sustainable.

"And at the very point of that tip are the members of our bereaved families – they were never consulted as to whether they wished to join this club – as living testimony to the fact that the 'Eternity of Israel will neither lie nor change His mind, for He is not a human to [do so]' (Shmuel I 15,29). "

Rectifying History with a No to National Divisions!

by Yosef Achimeir, former Likud MK and son of Revisionist and Beitar leader Abba Achimeir, translated by Hillel Fendel

A divided nation spent last night and today remembering the six million Jews slaughtered by Nazi Germany and their evil allies during the Second World War. The official ceremony took place, as every year, in Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, and the heart-rending siren was heard around the country, as every year, at 10 AM. There had been a fear, for the first time, that certain elements would seek to disrupt the sanctity of this day. And the same fear still exists regarding next week's Memorial Day for Fallen IDF Soldiers and Terrorist Victims, which we will commemorate just before Independence Day. 

As of today, the consensus still appears to exist that we may not cross the line with protests and disturbances, at least during public ceremonies. These two days were/are the test of our ability to retain our unity beyond the disputes that have intensified in recent weeks.

Refugees Become Rescuers – and Bring Judaism and Aliyah Too!

by Hillel Fendel

It was just over a year ago that the Ukraine burst into our news consciousness, with reports of bombings, refugees, blackouts, freezing cold, water stoppages, destroyed buildings, and worse. Surprisingly to some of us, all these are still happening – but for others, even people who don't live in the Ukraine and Russia, it has been a non-stop affair; not a day or even an hour goes by that these tragedies are not part of their lives. 

Yitzchak and Hodayah Halfon, formerly on Bet El Yeshiva Staff

Let's consider, for example, the Halfon family – formerly of Bet El, Israel, later of Kharkov, and who now they split their time between Israel and Kishinev, Romania. Before leaving for a long shlichut in Ukraine, Yitzchak worked and studied at the Bet El Yeshiva. 

For a few harrowing and life-changing days a year ago, they themselves were Ukrainian refugees, running from their home in Kharkov, to Moldova, then to Romania – miraculously and just barely evading the loss of their 18-year-old son to the Ukrainian army draft. Within hours after this closest of heart-rending escapes, Rabbi Yitzchak and his wife the Rabbanit Hodayah said to each other: "We're no longer refugees – but look at all those people who still are! We can't just close our eyes to them." 

Ever since then, up through the very hour at which this interview was conducted, they have been collecting names of Jews left behind, arranging buses for them, flying to deal with their medical emergencies, saving their lives – taking care of the refugees in every which way - and bringing them to Israel.

And thus was born what became the Kanfei Emunah organization – a family operation to which refugees flock so that buses, ambulances, food, documentation, aid in Israel, and even Jewish spirituality can be provided them.

Baruch Gordon, founder of IsraelNationalNews and long-time resident of Bet El, says, "The Halfon's are close personal friends from their years in Bet El. While the mainstream Jewish organizations are doing wonderful work in sending blankets, medicines and the likes to Ukrainian Jews, the Halfon's spotted a huge vacuum - actually getting the Jews out of the war zones to safety, giving them first aid and providing basic needs, and then getting them to Israel. This powerhouse couple, the Halfon's, has single-handedly set up a complex apparatus to do just that. In my book, they are modern Jewish heroes."

Click Here to Donate (U.S. Tax-Deductible) to the Rescue Effort and Aliyah of Ukrainian Jews

We spoke with Hodayah Halfon, who was barely able to take time off from receiving, answering, and acting on constantly-streaming Whatsapp messages to talk with us.

Q. How did it all start?

Hodayah [after briefly reviewing and reliving the above-described first days of their escape:] "We arrived in Romania on Friday, totally exhausted physically and emotionally. Still, my husband said right away that we have to help Jews leave just as we did – and to persuade them that it was important to leave! We left right before the war started, because we were sure – unlike our neighbors – that we had no choice and that the war was going to be terrible. Even after the first bombings, there were still many who didn't realize or accept what was in store for them…

"In our little hotel room in Romania, we met others who had escaped, and many of them were crying and scared; they had left family members behind, especially men of army age whom the Ukrainian army wished to draft… We heard specifically about Kharkov, where we had lived, and realized that it was even worse than we had feared. After Shabbat, we tried to find out, via Whatsapp, if we could arrange buses, and we spoke to lots of people – but we soon realized that no one there really knew what to do! There was lots of good will, but no real rescues going on – no one was willing to provide buses, drivers were afraid to go there, etc. Names were already streaming into our Whatsapp and other groups that we formed for the purpose, but nothing was actually happening - so we realized that we would have to do it ourselves. We turned to MKs in Israel, to the Red Cross, others - nothing worked, but we kept working with our lists of names and locations, trying to find ways to get them out. 

"We heard how terrible it was in our former hometown: No gas for cars, no buses or subways; a taxi cost a third of a monthly salary for a short trip!  We encouraged people to actually walk through the subway tunnels [to avoid bombings] which were crowded with people trying to flee, to get to a real train. It was total chaos. 

"On our second Shabbat in Romania, I couldn't sleep at night, dreaming about what was going on there, and all the Jews there and where they were congregating. The next day came the turnabout: We were able to get three buses to Kharkov – money to pay for them, as well as drivers who agreed to drive them! Of course it was very wild and disorganized, but with the help of volunteers who remained in Kharkov, the three buses left for the unknown – with the first stop at the Moldovan border, several hours to the south. 

"And since then, we have been able to arrange three buses every day. Of course it dwindled over time, but still now, there are two buses every week taking out refugees, escaping the continued bombings and electricity-blackouts and water-stoppages. This, in addition to ambulances that we arrange from afar when needed." 

Click Here to Donate (U.S. Tax-Deductible) to the Rescue Effort and Aliyah of Ukrainian Jews 

Q. What are the main issues now?

Hodayah: "Most of what we are facing now are medical problems. Throughout this time, many people couldn't leave because they, or their family members, had situations that simply didn't allow them to travel. We did some successful rescues via ambulance, but this became much too expensive, and we simply didn't have the means. It caused me such sorrow to think about the people who couldn’t get out because there were no ambulances… On the other hand, my husband then thought of an 'ambu-bus' – and together with a Jewish Ukrainian Parliament member Garik Logvinsky, they arranged buses that were outfitted specially with beds instead of seats, as well as medical equipment and a doctor; this truly saved a bunch of people."

For Hodayah and her husband, and their unmarried children living with them at home, this has truly been a 24-hour-a-day, all-encompassing job. Rabbi Yitzchak, often accompanied by his wife and/or son and/or other children, has made many trips over the course of the year to Kishinev, Romania, where most of "their" refugees are housed. Many of the non-Jews then find their way to Europe, but most of the Jews wish to continue on to Israel. For this purpose, another entire set of "helping aids" is required: Logistics, finding people to adopt and connect with them in Israel, and spirituality, i.e., helping them to understand for the first time what Shabbat is, as well as many other facets of Judaism.

Q. For you personally, what is the most significant or important part of this entire operation that you have taken on?

Hodayah: "First of the, the chance to simply save people from the catastrophe of what is going on in the Ukraine. Many of them are in very serious physical condition, and very weak and sick. There is a great Kiddush Hashem [sanctification of G-d's name] in helping people this way, both Jewish and non-Jewish. And then we continue to help the Jews as they continue on to Israel, including with many connections we have made both in the fundraising aspects and in the absorption aspects in Israel. Among these I have to mention the OU (Orthodox Union) and Chabad groups; we are a Chabad family. For me, to help Jews in this way is simply the greatest joy there is."

Q. How is the work actually accomplished?

Hodayah: "Our activities are three-fold, and each has its own challenges that we have arranged to solve. First is the actual rescue, involving finding the people – or having them find us, which they seem to do; I never dreamt that our names would be so famous all over the Ukraine! – and arranging the buses, or ambulances, or ambu-buses, to take them out of the war-torn country. 

"Second is greeting the Jews in Kishinev, which involves both technical things such as medicines, helping with documentation, and just getting set, and also spiritual aspects such as giving them a beautiful and meaningful Shabbat experience as they prepare to make Aliyah to Israel. This includes Shabbat meals with singing, Kiddush, and the like, and then afterwards tefillin and other mitzvot. They know that they are between two worlds, and their hearts are open to a connection with Jews and Judaism and what will soon be their new home, Israel. They appreciate having people care about them and talk to them; everything they knew has been left behind. 

"And the third part is helping them acclimate in Israel. But I have to say again that the most urgent need is arranging special rescues for those who are ill, and arranging better medical care in Kishinev as well. Here in Israel too, it is very important to engage in kiruv, bringing them close both sociologically and religiously, so that they will not get swallowed up as 'poor new immigrants' who barely speak the language and have no means, etc."

Q. You must have hundreds of stories. Can you tell us one that made the greatest impression upon you?

Hodayah: "I can tell you in brief of a woman who was in touch with us for a very long time to try to save her aunt and have her come to Israel – but even with her truly heroic acts which I will have to explain another time, the aunt unfortunately died even before she could reach Israel; but the niece decided that she would come to Israel in her place… But more recently we had a story of an older couple, Holocaust survivors in their 80's, from the southern Ukrainian port city of Kherson. The husband had Parkinson's, which got worse when the war started and because of the lack of food and medicines, and he could no longer walk. This was a city that was taken over by the Russians, and then re-liberated by the Ukrainians, and that's when their troubles really started: The Russians started bombing all the infrastructures, this time even more accurately then before, and once again there was no electricity, water, food and medicines, and the husband's condition really began to deteriorate. 

"As soon as we received a call to try to get them out, Yitzchak and my son flew to Kishinev, to where this couple was taken, so that they could greet them there. They were very shocked to see how bad his medical and sanitary condition was, and they arranged for an ambulance, and for everything else that was needed, including medicines, heat, and more. After a week, we were also able to rescue this couple's son and his wife, but meanwhile Yitzchak was helping this man with everything as if he was his father, getting him whatever he needed – he even got him to eat and drink for the first time in a long time.

"Meanwhile this man's family in Israel really wanted to see him, but it was impossible to fly him without a special bed; he couldn't even get into a sitting position. Yitzchak worked with him to get him to somehow sit a little so that he could fly - and then by miracle a flight was suddenly scheduled with special beds. But then came the next crisis: the aircraft people didn't want to take him, given his condition. My husband really fought with everyone in order to get them to take him so that he shouldn't miss this one-chance flight… And finally, thank G-d, after all these efforts, he succeeded, and Yitzchak flew with him on the flight, and he got him an ambulance on both sides of the flight and went with him to the hospital where he could finally get the life-saving care that he needed. This was a case that was truly seared into our hearts…"

Yitzchak himself told of another couple, apparently the last ones left in their bombed-out building in Dnipro: "The cold was biting, the windows were all shattered, and the woman was in serious condition, unable to get out of bed, while her husband was blind, almost dysfunctional; medicine, food, and water had not been available for days. The ambulance we fought so hard to procure was waiting for them downstairs, and we had to evacuate quickly. Finally, with the help of some volunteers, we were able to get the heavy woman onto the stretcher and down the many stairs to the street. The ambulance made its way through the bombed-out roads to the hospital – but not soon enough for the wife, who sadly passed away shortly after arrival. Her husband's condition began improving, however. Within just two days, we heard that their building had been bombed yet again and that its entire central section had burnt down completely. We realized with amazement and gratitude that thanks to our rescue, his life was saved, and his wife received a proper burial."

Interestingly, Rabbi Yitzchak had earlier told a similar story – apparently there are very many! - about a couple from Kherson whose planned escapes were thwarted time after time, despite the work that he had put in. Finally, after weeks of efforts by the Halfons, a flight to Kishinev was arranged – and as they finished celebrating their escape to freedom, they were informed that their building had been razed by bombs.

Realizing that without resources, they could not continue their truly life-saving work, the Halfons formed the Kanfei Emunah (Wings of Faith) association. They have been in cooperative contact with entities such as the Jewish Agency, the Israeli Consulates in Kishinev and Warsaw, ZAKA, Vaad Hatzalah, and many more. 

The Halfon's efforts require financial assistance. To make a U.S. Tax-Deductible donation to directly support their work, Click Here to Donate to the Rescue Effort and Aliyah of Ukrainian Jews by the Halfon's. 

To donate in Israeli Shekels, click here