Ashdod Again Suffers Grad Missile Attack

For the first time since the Gaza War two years ago, Ashdod - my beloved city - came under missile attack again. Just minutes ago, the Red Alert siren wailed, and about 35 seconds later, the warhead fell about three kilometers to the south of my home, near the Nitzanim Beach on the south side of town, one of my favorite places for personal prayer. Just last night, my son Danny and I were taking one of our favorite father-and-son walk&talks on that very same stretch of beach. While we were walking, we heard a Grad missile explode on the outskirts of Ashkelon to the south of us. Another Grad missile hit Ashkelon about three hours ago. Thank G-d no one was hurt in either attack.

Civil Defense has warned the residents of Southern Israel to stay close to home, in the proximity of a bomb shelter.

As yet, it's too early to interpret what Hamas's intentions are. We do know one thing - phenomenal amounts of weapons have been pouring into Gaza ever since the unrest in Egypt started.

Complacency is irresponsibility; we have to regard the missiles from Gaza as wake-up calls from Hashem. Accordingly, we must undergo serious self evaluation and correct what needs correcting. With Hashem's help and with emuna, we'll weather all these challenges until Moshiach comes, very soon, amen.