Friday, September 13, 2013

Steven Spielberg's Top 5 Yom Kippur Movie Recommendations

Top 5 Yom Kippur War Movies Recommended by Steven Spielberg




Yom Kippur War
A knocked out Israeli M60 tank amongst the debris of other armor after an Israeli counterattack in the Sinai during the Yom Kippur War. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Today at sundown Israel will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. An Arab coalition launched a joint surprise attack on Israeli positions on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, which occurred that year during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Egyptian and Syrian forces crossed ceasefire lines to enter the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights respectively, which had been captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Both the United States and the Soviet Union initiated massive resupply efforts to their respective allies during the war, and this led to a near-confrontation between the two nuclear superpowers.
In memory of the war, the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive has recommended the Top 5 films showing the war and its aftermath:
5. Letter From The Front (1973)
The war through the eyes of reserve soldiers who were mobilized
4. Will To Do (1974)
The mood and conditions in Israel a year after the Yom Kippur War: rehabilitation of the wounded, care for war widows and general hardships.
 3. A Time Between (1974)
The State of Israel recovers after the Yom Kippur War.
 2. A Message Of Life (1974)
The Yom Kippur War causes hardship but also creates solidarity.
 1. As Always Hadassah (1974)

Hadassah Hospital treats injured soldiers and civilians during the Yom Kippur War.

Photographer Creates Video Love-Letter to Land of Israel

Photographer Creates Video Love-Letter to Land of Israel




“For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills;  a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. And thou shalt eat and be satisfied, and bless the LORD thy God for the good land which He hath given thee…” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)


Israel
One of Noam Chen’s beautiful pictures of the New Year. (Photo: Noam Chen)
Photographer Noam Chen has produced a beautiful video of his unique photographs, set to haunting music, in time for the Jewish New Year.  Stitching together images from across the country and representing various religions and cultures within, the video is a veritable love-letter to the Holy Land.
Chen uses a technique called High Dynamic Range imaging, or HDR, to create high contrast images that appear brighter than life.  This is done by editing either a single image or a series of images of the same scene to alter the contrast between colors and between light and dark.  The result is an intensely saturated image that expresses the feeling of artist about the scene.
“Basically, the aim of creating this video for me was, I think, to show the beauty of the country and the historical importance of the country, especially for the Jewish people, and the Christians, as well,” Chen said.  He explained that he wanted to give “some of my audience, which is mostly for Israelis…something to enjoy, to inspire them for the coming holidays, and something to maybe lift them up a little bit in times when all these talks of war are going on in the background.”
Chen has taken photographs for Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, and National Geographic Magazine.  His photos appear regularly on Israel365.com.  his photographs have been displayed at Espace Pierre Cardin in Paris, France, as part of a group exhibition, and in solo exhibitions in both Ramat Gan and Jerusalem.  In addition to HDR photography, Chen also takes portraits and nature photographs.  His works can be viewed online on his website, noamchen.com, or his facebook page.
The music in the video is a moving piece called “T’filla (prayer)”, written and performed by David D’Or.  The melody was composed by Fabian Bransburg.  The images span the country, with scenes from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Galilee and the Negev, as well as scenes of Israeli life, biblical heritage sites and the people living there.  Chen’s love for the country, its history and its people is apparent in every shot.

About the Author

Ahuva_BalofskyAhuva Balofsky grew up in Toronto, Canada and obtained her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Tanach, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. After making Aliyah in 2004 with her family, she completed a Master's degree in Tanach at Bar Ilan University, and currently teaches Bible studies and English.

By Ahuva Balofsky

Ahava Love Letter - “What Do You Want” (Steve Martin)


“What Do You Want” 

“Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105 Complete Jewish Bible) 

“By Your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.” (Psalm 119:105 THE MESSAGE)


Dear family of friends,

Our dog Zoe, a miniature Dachshund, will sometimes give me that look she does at times, which is a puzzling stare at me. My response often is, “What do you want?” as I smile at her. She will then tilt her head the other way as if to say, “You don’t know? Why not?”

I can only imagine what our Lord does when we ask Him the same question, “What do you want?” as we come to a place along the journey when we are uncertain as to the next step. Maybe He will respond back the same way, “You don’t know? Why not?” After walking with Him for many years, I guess we should know more than we let on. Or maybe we really do need further direction and don’t have that solid foundation in our spiritual building yet.

As the Scripture is written, His Word is a light to my feet. Whether King David or another wrote that centuries ago, it still holds true for us today. Guidance is given when we ask, and seek Him in His Word, which has been so carefully and diligently preserved for us since compiled through the hands of the Jews.

A daily reading of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) words will build up a reservoir in our hearts and our minds, so that when we do come to a crossroads on the path, or a possible turn that will be needed up ahead, we will have that internal map, along with the current inspiration of Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) guiding us along the way.

A major house purchase, a career changing decision, a relationship adjustment, or something as small as the need to know  what to make for dinner that night (don’t laugh, many of us ask that question every day!)…the Lord wants to be involved in our decision making. He is ready to guide us in the next step, if we but seek Him and ask.

A good Bible teacher, Bob Mumford, in 1973 wrote a now classic book on my book shelf called Take Another Look At Guidance (recommended reading). I agree with the description written about it, “What a blessing the wisdom he shared in it has been to me through the years of my walk with the Lord! It provides biblically based counsel about how to find and follow God's guiding path through life. Bob basically says the written Word, the rhema (Greek for “now” ) word and surrounding circumstances are three guide posts needing to line up to receive that directive confirmation we so often need.

Daily choices we make today will later become pivotal points in where we end up next week, next month, or ten years down the road. Erik Krueger, founder of Shiloh Fellowship in East Lansing, Michigan (later becoming New Covenant Christian Church) once said in a meeting in the early 1980’s that a decision we make today could take us down the road 20 years from now where we may or may not want to be. I will always remember that word, as I took it to heart. It is that important to make the right decision.

We had better make our choices and decisions based on solid ground, as given in His Word, and not make them based on our own understanding. Again, He has given us a road map, along with the Holy Spirit, to guide us.

“What do you want?” is more easily answered if our walk with the Lord is based on daily communication with Him. Grow in that communication today. He has, and He IS, the answer to every question and need. Call on Him today, and He will answer you.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin
Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless Israel with our humanitarian ministry. 

Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.


If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box 414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
Be sure to get my two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters (Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com and other website book stores. (Also by writing me!)
Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  martinlighthouse@gmail.com

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Ahava Love Letter #75   “What Do You Want”  ©2013 Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (09/013/13 Friday at 5:35 am in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:


Here are the last few:

The Hiding Place (#74)
Why Is A Gentile Like You Celebrating the Feasts of the Jews? (#73)
They Are Loved Too (#72)
Oskars Needed Again? (#71)
Little Orphan Chuckie (#70)
Demons & Fire Trucks (#69)
I Like Mike (#68)
Disappointed with Small Beginnings? (#67)
Rise Again (#66)
The Cities (#65)
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)
Anxious (#63)
Hidden (#62)

Get Back in the Boat (#61)

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Sukkot - Feast of Tabernacles - Feast of Booths - Succot - Feast of the Lord

Jewish Holidays:
Sukkot


Jewish HolidaysTable of Contents | Upcoming Dates | Festivals in Israel


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The Festival of Sukkot begins on the 15th day of Tishri and is the fifth day after Yom Kippur. It is a drastic transition from one of the most solemn holidays in the Jewish calendar to one of the most joyous.

Introduction

Sukkot is a seven day holiday and the two days following the festival - Shemini Atzeret and Simkhat Torah - are commonly thought of as part of Sukkot but are actually separate holidays. Sukkot is sometimes referred to as Zeman Simkhateinu, the Season of our Rejoicing.
The word "Sukkot" means "booths," and refers to the temporary dwellings that we are commanded to live in during this holiday. The name of the holiday is frequently translated "The Feast of Tabernacles," which, like many translations of technical Jewish terms, isn't terribly useful unless you already know what the term is referring to. The Hebrew pronunciation of Sukkot is "Sue COAT," but is often pronounced as in Yiddish, to rhyme with "BOOK us."
Like Passover and Shavu'ot, Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. The holiday commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Sukkot is also a harvest festival, and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering.
The festival of Sukkot is instituted in Leviticus 23:33 et seq. No work is permitted on the first and second days of the holiday. Work is permitted on the remaining days. These intermediate days on which work is permitted are referred to as Chol Ha-Mo'ed, as are the intermediate days of Passover.

The Sukkah

In honor of the holiday's historical significance, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters, as our ancestors did in the wilderness. The commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah can be fulfilled by simply eating all of one's meals there; however, if the weather, climate, and one's health permit, one should live in the sukkah as much as possible, including sleeping in it.
A sukkah must have at least three walls covered with a material that will not blow away in the wind. Canvas covering tied or nailed down is acceptable and quite common in the United States. A sukkah may be any size, so long as it is large enough for you to fulfill the commandment of dwelling in it. The roof of the sukkah must be made of material referred to as sekhakh (literally, covering). To fulfill the commandment, sekhakh must be something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds, sticks, or two-by-fours. Sekhakh must be left loose, not tied together or tied down. Sekhakh must be placed sparsely enough that rain can get in, and preferably sparsely enough that the stars can be seen, but not so sparsely that more than ten inches is open at any point or that there is more light than shade. The sekhakh must be put on last.
It is common practice, and highly commendable, to decorate the sukkah. In the northeastern United States, Jews commonly hang dried squash and corn in the sukkah to decorate it, because these vegetables are readily available at that time for the American holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Building and decorating a sukkah is a fun, family project, much like decorating the Christmas tree is for Christians. It is a sad commentary on modern American Judaismthat most of the highly assimilated Jews who complain about being deprived of the fun of having and decorating a Christmas tree have never even heard of Sukkot.
The following blessing is recited when eating a meal in the sukkah:

Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher
kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leisheiv basukkah.
Many Americans, upon seeing a decorated sukkah for the first time, remark on how much the sukkah (and the holiday generally) reminds them of Thanksgiving. This is not entirely coincidental. Our American pilgrims, who originated the Thanksgiving holiday, were deeply religious people. When they were trying to find a way to express their thanks for their survival and for the harvest, they looked to the Bible for an appropriate way of celebrating and based their holiday in part on Sukkot.

The Four Species

Another observance related to Sukkot involves what are known as The Four Species (arba minim in Hebrew) or the lulav and etrog. We are commanded to take these four plants and use them to "rejoice before the L-rd." The four species in question are an etrog (a citrus fruit native to Israel), a palm branch (in Hebrew, lulav), a myrtle branch (hadas) and a willow branch (arava).
Every morning of Sukkot, except on Shabbat, it is the custom to hold the lulav in the right hand and the etrog in the left. Bringing them together (with the pitam, the stem of the etrog pointing downward), the following blessing is recited:

Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher
kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al n'tilat lulav.
The four species are also held during the Hallel prayer in religious services, and are held during processions around thebimah (the pedestal where the Torah is read) each day during the holiday. These processions commemorate similar processions around the alter of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The processions are known as Hoshanahs, because while the procession is made, we recite a prayer with the refrain, "Hosha na!" (please save us!). On the seventh day of Sukkot, seven circuits are made. For this reason, the seventh day of Sukkot is known as Hoshanah Rabbah (the great Hoshanah).

 Source: Jewish Virtual Library  http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday5.html


Feast of Tabernacles - Barry Segal's Roots & Reflections TV program


Barry Segal - host of Roots & Reflections


Celebrate Succot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, 


as Barry Segal worships in the Holy Land.
Roots and Reflections TV


To view more of the 
Roots & Reflections TV series:




To get Barry & Batya's new CD "Day 7"



The 1973 Yom Kippur War

Remembering the Yom Kippur War, Supporting the IDF Today

Thursday, September 12, 2013 |  Israel Today Staff  
With the instability in and new threats emanating from both Egypt and Syria today, this year's remembrance of the 1973 Yom Kippur War is more poignant than ever.
Israelis were shocked and saddened on Thursday when long-classified documents of former Prime Minister Golda Meir's testimony before the commission that investigated the mistakes leading up to the Yom Kippur War were declassified.
Meir had told the commission that her cabinet was in fact not taken by surprise by the armies of Egypt and Syria, and was certain war was going to break out at least 24 hours before it did.
"My heart was drawn to a preemptive strike, but I was scared," Meir told the commission.
A preemptive strike six years earlier in the Six Day War had saved many Israeli lives and given the Jewish state a much tidier victory. The failure to act in time in 1973 resulted in over 2,500 Israelis losing their lives in the Yom Kippur War.
Could such an assault on Israel ever happen again? That remains to be seen, but with the tumultuous situation in both Egypt and Syria, and the possibility that radical forces could still win control of both countries, many fear another "Yom Kippur War" is inevitable.
Standing guard and waiting for such an eventuality are the young, brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, Israel's literal "watchmen on the walls."
As we remember Israel's past military conflicts, let's show those who are protecting our borders and lives today that we care and appreciate their sacrifice, as well.
CLICK HERE to support an Israeli soldier today.
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The Don Potter Story Part 2 - Rick Joyner Video | Prophetic Perspective on Current Events

Don Potter & Rick Joyner

Video on MorningStarTV.com:

Don Potter leading worship 
- MorningStar Conference
-in the former Heritage USA "Barn" 
(early 1990's in Fort Mill, SC)

Worshiping the Lord
(Bill Doak in white polo shirt!)

MorningStar conference 
at the former Heritage USA Barn
- Fort Mill, SC in early 1990's