Monday, February 29, 2016

Purim - A Fast for Life

Purim - A Fast for Life
Purim is the Jewish festival of redemption! The celebration of the failure of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jewish people. This year Purim will be celebrated on March 24th & 25th.

This year for Purim, we will just have delivered two 40-foot containers of clothing to Israelis in Jerusalem, Haifa and Nazareth Ilit.

There is a campaign in Israel for "The Three Days For Israeli Unity" for anyone who is ready to stand up for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. I personally believe that it is the thing to do in face of Israel's current problems.  It would be great if as many people as possible, lovers of Israel, stood with us.

This three days is March 21-23.  The 23rd is the Fast of Esther, turning into Erev Purim after sunset (and the normal festivities begin for the 3-day holiday of Purim).  It is an endeavor to get as many people to do a full/partial fast on those three days, and for the various sectors of Israel to stand together as one people in the face of our enemies as a united front for deliverance at this time... "a fast in order to live".

What threats are Israelis worried about today just like in Esther's time?

Growing hatred of the United Nations is on us, pointing a finger of blame and ever demanding.  Slander of our enemies reverberate in every corner, "all the Jews conquered the land of Muslims, the real war has not started.  All you had before this was simple child's play compared to what's going to happen to you in the near future ... you can't even think about what will happen to you, when tens of thousands from all over the world come to slaughter you ... it's not just speaking into the air. We're getting you everywhere: north, south Sinai, Damascus.  All over the world, we will come to you to destroy you ...you may think it is too far and difficult but we see that it's really easy and close. "

What should our response be?

The only thing that can stand up for us at this time is the heritage of our ancestors:

"You gather all the Jews ... and fast with me ... three days" (Esther).

The solution is unity and fasting: an uncompromising fast.  Fasting for unity of destiny and hope renewed...a fast to live, joining forces to save life.  When there is trouble, we have to fast and cry out together.

We call for three days of fasting -drastic action against extreme situations: a fast jointly designed to cure the evil of separatism.  Stop, fast, a deep look within, stir, cry out, repent and repair.  The objective is the reckoning of the individual and the nation. This is a proper Jewish response and only our situation.

"I am asking my brothers"

We call on all members of the Jewish people - individuals and communities across the country and the world, calling you to read these words, to carry out our commitment to mutual responsibility and the right to join in this commitment.  Each to act for himself, his family and his people, and we are all together  for the sake of the whole world. We are humanity's spiritual army.

To unite all of Israel and go before God will bring about a real change! It was effective then, and with God's help, it will succeed today.

We Must Fast together for life.

Blessings,







Jo Kaplan
Executive Director/CEO
Israel Relief Aid
Modiin, Israel

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