DIN"s Night Out In Tel Aviv

 

In this week's Parshas Bo there is an interesting Rashi that I never really understood until this past Thursday night when I spent the evening in Tel Aviv! 

Moshe Rabbeinu tells the Jewish people by the 10th and final plague, not to leave their homes:

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם אֲגֻדַּ֣ת אֵז֗וֹב וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮ בַּדָּ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־בַּסַּף֒ וְהִגַּעְתֶּ֤ם אֶל־הַמַּשְׁקוֹף֙ וְאֶל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּזֹ֔ת מִן־הַדָּ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּסָּ֑ף וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹ֥א תֵצְא֛וּ אִ֥ישׁ מִפֶּֽתַח־בֵּית֖וֹ עַד־בֹּֽקֶר׃

“You shall take a bundle of hyssop, dip it into the blood that is in the basin, and apply it to the lintel and to the two doorposts from the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the entrance of his house until morning.

Rashi comments that if a Jew was in an Egyptian home that night, he would nevertheless be saved and would not die

הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּבֵיתוֹ שֶׁל מִצְרִי, שׁוֹמֵעַ אֲנִי יִלְקֶה כְמוֹתוֹ, תַּ"לֹ "וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָכֶם נֶגֶף" (מכילתא)

Let’s walk through this Rashi slowly.

Rashi describes a Jew so distant from his roots that he ignores Moshe Rabbeinu’s explicit command to stay inside on this critical night. Not only does he disregard the instruction—he’s out socializing with his Egyptian neighbor. In other words, he doesn’t believe a word Moshe is saying in the name of Hashem. And yet, Rashi says, he will still be saved, even though he is not inside a protected home marked with blood to identify it as Jewish.

I never fully understood that… until last Thursday night in Tel Aviv.

A supporter of the kollel where I learn donated a Sefer Torah to a shul in the heart of Tel Aviv, just around the corner from Dizengoff—an area where the clubs and bars stay open all night. They set up a tent to write the final letters, and then the entire ten‑block radius was closed to traffic. Cars and buses were stopped in place, including buses packed with people, for two hours.

When the music began, something incredible happened. People— who are so far removed from Yiddishkeit that many had never seen a Hachnasas Sefer Torah in their lives—poured out of restaurants, clubs, and bars. They clapped, they joined the dancing, they watched with fascination. Passengers from the stopped buses ran out to see what was happening. Not a single person complained.

Then the singer suddenly called out, “Shema Yisrael!” and “Hashem Hu HaElokim!” People closed their eyes, tears streaming down their faces, and repeated those holy words. In my entire life, I have rarely witnessed something so moving

And in that moment, Rashi made perfect sense. Hashem is not mevater on a single Jewish neshama—not even one who believes in nothing, not even one in a bar in Tel Aviv.

Hashem loves them just as deeply as He loves those learning in kollel. And when the final redemption comes, the Jews in the bars and clubs of Tel Aviv will be saved and uplifted together with the Jews in Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim

Charedim who hate and vilify Zionists will learn that Hashem loves Zionists dearly as they are the ones getting credit for beautifying Hashem's gift to Klall Yisrael , a country built , Leshem Ultiferes

The tragedy by the plague of darkness was

לֹֽא־רָא֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אָחִ֗יו

When one doesn't see their brother, then you have darkness

Let's pray that there should be light in all of Klall Yisrael

וּֽלְכׇל־בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל הָ֥יָה א֖וֹר בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃

Tearful Kaddish by Soldier’s Son Stuns Mourners at Mount Herzl

 A hushed stillness fell over Israel’s Mount Herzl military cemetery as the young son of fallen reservist Asa’el Babad struggled through the words of the Mourner’s Kaddish, his voice trembling and breaking with tears beside his father’s grave.

When the prayer ended, grief turned into a collective cry of faith. Hundreds of mourners — soldiers, family members and strangers drawn by loss — began singing “Ani Ma’amin,” the ancient declaration of belief in redemption, their voices rising together through the cemetery in a moment of shared heartbreak.

Babad, 38, died after succumbing to severe wounds sustained months earlier during fighting in Rafah. He was laid to rest Thursday at the national military cemetery in Jerusalem, a place reserved for Israel’s fallen, as his wife and five children stood beside his coffin.

Friends and relatives described a man of quiet strength and unwavering faith — someone who never complained, even when the burden was heavy. “That’s how God wanted it,” his wife, Hagit, recalled him saying, even in the hardest moments. “Without questions. Without doubts.”

During her eulogy, Hagit spoke through tears of a husband who built their home with steadiness and love, who listened more than he spoke, and who lived simply but bravely. She told mourners that his organs were donated to save others, calling it a final act that reflected a life devoted to helping those around him.

Babad, a resident of the Binyamin region, served as a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces. Fellow soldiers remembered him as someone who acted without fanfare, saying only, “I’m doing what I need to do.”

As the singing faded and the mourners slowly dispersed, many lingered — unwilling to leave the sound of faith that had risen from unimaginable loss. For one family, and for a nation at war, the funeral became a painful reminder of the human cost carried by those left behind.

Major Airlines Suspend Flights to Tel Aviv Amid Regional Tensions

 

Airlines across Europe are beginning to suspend flights to Israel and parts of the Middle East, with Air France, British Airways, and KLM among the carriers announcing cancellations and service halts.

Air France confirmed it has canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai, citing the evolving security situation in the region. The airline did not immediately provide a timeline for when service might resume.

British Airways announced it has suspended its evening service to Dubai, while monitoring developments closely and reviewing additional routes as needed.

Meanwhile, KLM said it has halted flights to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, becoming one of the first major European carriers to suspend service across multiple Middle Eastern destinations.

Industry officials say flight cancellations are expected to increase gradually as airlines reassess safety conditions and airspace restrictions. Passengers are being advised to check directly with airlines regarding upcoming travel and rebooking options.

The cancellations come amid heightened regional tensions, prompting airlines to prioritize passenger and crew safety while coordinating with aviation authorities.

More updates are expected as the situation continues to develop.

Zera Shimshon Parshat Bo

 

Rav Michel Zilber: Those Who Provoked Arab Driver Are ‘Inadvertent Killers’ Of Yossi Aisenthal z’l

 

Finally finally a godol speaks up this scourge, I hope it will have a lasting effect.

While reasonable, responsible people have been saying this for a very long time, this tzaddik finally had the guts to stand up to the pretentious goons that send these innocent kids out to their death , while they, the "gedoilim" sit comfortably home, planning and scheming their next nefarious move. 

 A senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi drew attention and controversy after delivering a forceful address following the death of a teenage protester who was fatally struck by a bus during a demonstration in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Michal Zilber spoke Saturday night at a gathering in the Ramot neighborhood, organized after a series of recent tragedies affecting the local community, including the death of Yossi Eisenthal, who was killed during protests against military conscription.

In his remarks, Zilber said responsibility for the fatal incident extended beyond the bus driver to include protesters who surrounded and provoked the vehicle in the moments before the crash. While stressing that the driver remained accountable, Zilber argued that those who intensified the confrontation shared moral responsibility for the outcome.

“Anyone who contributed to inflaming the situation must examine their actions,” he said, urging participants to seek guidance from their rabbinic leaders on how to atone for unintended harm.

Zilber framed his comments as a call for self-reflection rather than condemnation, saying the death should prompt communal soul-searching. He said the tragedy was not a failure of the victim, whom he described as spiritually elevated, but a challenge for the living to learn restraint and responsibility.

The remarks came amid heightened tensions following a string of demonstrations and clashes in Jerusalem. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet: Asseal Babad Has Passed Away

Asseal just two weeks ago at a bris of a nephew 

 

With deep sorrow, we were informed of the passing of our friend Asseal Babad. Asseal served in Company D and  was wounded in Gaza several months ago while attached to a team in the Gaza Division. 

After a significant improvement and transfer to rehabilitation, his condition deteriorated over the past week, and this morning we received the devastating news of his passing.

The soldiers and commanders of Battalion 941 embrace his family during this very difficult time.

Jewish Visitors Allowed to Bring Printed Prayer Sheets Onto Temple Mount for First Time

 Jewish Visitors Allowed to Bring Printed Prayer Sheets Onto Temple Mount for First Time, Marking Shift in Enforcement Policy

Authorities have, for the first time, allowed Jewish visitors to bring printed prayer guidance sheets onto the Temple Mount—distributed at the entrance and restricted to designated areas. 

The move signals a notable on-the-ground shift in enforcement at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, with major political and regional implications.

‘That’s our stuff’: Trump tells Bibi not to take credit for Iron Dome ...Though it' an Israeli Invention!

 

During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly asked why the United States did not already have an Iron Dome-style system, citing Israel as a model.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should stop taking credit for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, claiming it was based on US technology as he promoted plans for a North American missile shield during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“We did it for Israel,” Trump said. “And by the way, I told Bibi: ‘Bibi, stop taking credit for the dome. That’s our technology, that’s our stuff.’”

Trump made the comments during a wide-ranging appearance at the annual gathering, where he also addressed US claims on Greenland, developments in the Middle East, and what he described as the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

He praised Israeli forces, saying they were “good fighters” with “a lot of courage,” and claimed that Iran’s nuclear threat had been eliminated.

Israeli officials and defense experts have long said Iron Dome was developed by Israel’s government-owned defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with US financial assistance supporting procurement but not core development.

According to Ynet, Washington previously pushed Israel to consider an American-made system, but Israeli officials ultimately moved forward with a domestically developed interceptor built by Israeli engineers.

Trump’s remarks drew attention in part because of their contrast with his own past statements. During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly asked why the United States did not already have an Iron Dome-style system, citing Israel as a model.

That argument has resurfaced in recent days as he promotes his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense project.

Trump first unveiled the Golden Dome concept last May, describing it as a cutting-edge shield incorporating advanced interceptor technology, including space-based components.

Speaking again in Davos, he said the system would be unlike anything currently in operation and would be manufactured entirely in the United States.

He estimated the project would take two and a half to three years to complete, with an overall cost of about $175 billion, and said it should be operational by the end of his second term. Trump has suggested that Greenland’s strategic location could play a role in the system’s deployment.

Hilarious! Comedian goes undercover at ‘Queers for Palestine’ protest

 

🇵🇸🤝🏳️‍🌈UNDERCOVER QUEER 4 PALESTINE 😳😂 pic.twitter.com/7bObeEWF6D

— Zach Sage Fox (@zachsagefox) January 20, 2026

 Zack Sage Fox infiltrated an LGBTQ pro-Hamas rally, posing absurd questions that sailed over the heads of demonstrators who appeared largely unaware of what they were actually supporting.

Chardeie Gedoilim Heard in Secret Recordings "we will continue to take benefits and money from Government but no one will serve!"

We all know that Arab leaders say one thing in public and say another thing, totally contradicting themselves in private. In fact Muslims have a word for lying for the sake of the cause called "taqiyya (تقیة)"

But who would have expected this from Talmedei Chachamim and Gedoilei Hador? From people who are "marbitz" Torah?

In public, they are acting like they are capitulating and compromising and promising Netanyahu that they will vote to pass the budget ($$$$$$$) and to pass the conscription law yet in private they mocked the entire process except, of course, the $$$$$$ part! 

What do they expect from the regular "Joe Shmo" if their leaders are deliberately lying!! One wonders if anything they now say is really what they mean??

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 Recordings broadcast Wednesday evening on Channel 12 reveal that senior haredi rabbis backing the passage of a proposed conscription law view it primarily as a delaying measure, with no expectation that it will lead to the enlistment of yeshiva students into the IDF.

In the recordings, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch says he supports the legislation because it would “buy time" for the haredi community. Asked whether yeshiva students who fall outside existing study frameworks would eventually be required to enlist, he responded unequivocally: “God forbid."

Addressing the enlistment targets included in the proposed law, Rabbi Hirsch dismissed them outright. “Do they think we will want to meet the target? Of course we will not want to," he said, adding that he believes the law will ultimately collapse after a few years. “In the meantime, we gained time," he explained.

Rabbi Hirsch also referred to past attempts to create special enlistment frameworks for haredim under the leadership of the late Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, calling them a mistake. “Our community does not have such compromises," he said.

Another leading figure, Rabbi Dov Lando, was equally blunt, stating that there is no intention to enlist any haredim - including those not studying in yeshivot. “What they are talking about is nonsense - it will not happen. We will not go to the army; no one will go to the army," he said.

The revelations sparked sharp political reactions. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the recordings prove that “the spiritual leaders of the haredi parties are openly admitting that the draft-evading law is a fraud and that no haredi youth will enlist."

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman echoed that criticism, saying, “The rabbinical council of draft evasion has revealed its true face. It’s all a bluff - no haredi will enlist. We will continue to send our sons and daughters to the army, and they will continue to send theirs to live off the taxes we pay."

Likud MK Dan Illouz called on his coalition colleagues to act, saying, “I once again urge my fellow coalition members to join my demand to amend the law."

The National Religious Reservists Forum also responded forcefully, stating, “It’s time to stop closing our eyes and face reality. The leading haredi authorities are openly admitting they have no intention of meeting enlistment targets and are merely stringing along the public that serves."