The IDF: Our Modern Maccabees ✡ "The Dwellings of Yaakov" - ISRAEL365

Hashem loveth the gates of Tzion more than all the dwellings of Yaakov. Psalms 87:2 (The Israel Bible™)   אֹהֵב יְהוָה שַׁעֲרֵי צִיּוֹן מִכֹּל מִשְׁכְּנוֹת יַעֲקֹב תהילים פז:ב o-HAYV a-do-NAI sha-a-RAY tzi-YON mi-KOL mish-k’-NOT ya-a-KOV

Today's Israel Inspiration This short psalm praises God’s connection to Zion. In order to express the Lord’s love for Jerusalem, the psalmist writes: “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” The wall surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City, built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, has several gates in its perimeter. Zion Gate, in Hebrew ‘shaar tzion,’ has the oldest Biblical name, though the Arab name for this gate is ‘David’s Gate,’ referring to the location of David’s tomb. Modern Israeli history also regards Zion gate as quite significant, as it was through this gate that in 1948, the Palmach Brigade of the Israeli army broke into the Old City and released the Jewish quarter from its isolation. The Jordanians, however, re-conquered the Old City in 1948, and Jews were forced to leave the gates of Jerusalem for the next 19 years. It wasn’t until it was re-captured during the 1967 Six Day War that Jews were again able to enter the Old City of Jerusalem. The numerous defeats of the IDF against countless, larger armies reminds us of days long ago when the Maccabees faced an enemy of overwhelming numbers. Despite their size, the Jewish people fought valiantly and with the help of God, triumphed over the Greeks. It's no question that today's men and women in green are carrying on the legacy of the great Judah Maccabee.   Donate to LIBI's Hanukkah Campaign, where all donations are being matched » The Miracle of Hanukkah, Against All Odds The very famous Judah Maccabee once said "Triumph does not depend on the size of the army, for strength comes from heaven". How very true those words are, even now thousands of years later.   Watch » LIBI USA Urgently Raising Funds for Mass Casualty Drill in Israel Donations will be used to arrange an important mass casualty drill with the IDF, field hospitals and Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Read more » Crash Course on Hanukkah   Learn about the history, laws and customs of this 8 day holiday. Then take advantage of our menorah sale - up to $50 off plus an additional 8% off your entire order! Happy Hanukkah!   Shop Hanukkah Menorahs and Save »   Today's Israel Photo Israeli soldiers light the Hanukkah candles on the fourth night of Hanukkah at the Gush Etzion Junction in the Judea. Just as God assisted the Maccabees to defeat the enemy and defend Israel, the IDF too prays that God will protect them in their quest to guard the Holy Land. If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel.   Thank You to Our Holocaust Campaign Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Madaliene and Richard Lucero from Colorado; John Touitou from Colorado; Hugh Bowman from the UK; Christopher Burgess from Queensland, Australia. Donate to Holocaust Survivors Now »  Thank You to our latest Tree Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Sonia Pillay from the UK; Becky Skala from Idaho; Hermann Baur from Switzerland; Victoria Jardine-Naranjo from California. Plant a Tree in Israel »  Thank you to our Israel365 Store Customers "Todah Rabbah" to Anne-Marie Farine from Muralto, Switzerland; Karen Bevill from Virginia; Lynn A Welch from Texas; H.E. Bosman from Huizen, Netherlands. Shop the Israel365 Store » Thank You Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Carolyn Hanks from Ohio. Todah rabah!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Beautiful Inspirational Messages” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch » Thank you for the beautiful inspirational messages and photos of God's Chosen Land. Hope and Pray to visit this Holy Land one day God willing. You are always in our Prayers. God bless and protect Israel/Jerusalem now and forever. Myrna Santiago Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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