Shabbat Shalom

B"H

Next week, the State of Israel will be celebrating its 62nd birthday. We all know that the present state is not yet perfect, as there is no Torah ruling but we should appreciate that the Jews finally have a home. Whether there are any pogroms or anti - Semitism in the world, Jews are free to make Aliyah and thus have an escape. Millions of Jews would have been thankful for such an opportunity during the Middle Ages and especially during the Holocaust. In this respect, I think we have to thank G - d for paving the way to the final Ge'ula (redemption).

I am still in Tel Aviv and sitting in the local sunny weather. In the afternoon I am going back to Jerusalem over Shabbat and some work at the bakery. Only to come back to Tel Aviv on Monday morning and watch the huge Independence Day celebration on Rabin Square (Kikar Rabin) on Sunday night.

Hours before the beginning of the happy Independence Day we commemorate Israel's fallen soldiers and terror victims. From mourning to happiness and thus representing Jewish history. There is no lack of tragedies in Jewish history but there is also no lack of joyful events. This is a life of a Jew: Sadness and Happiness following each other until, in the end, the Torah is going to succeed.

"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to everyone !