The Miracle of Ad Halom

"The Pillbox", Hagana Gun Emplacement from 1948, outskirts of Ashdod

Israel's Memorial Day, Yom HaZikaron, begins this year tonight, Sunday evening, May 8, 2011 and lasts until sundown Monday, May 9, 2011. Israel never forgets its debt of eternal gratitude to its sons and daughters who gave their lives for the country's independence and its continued existence. It is a day of collective and personal heartache mingled with awe and honor for our holy martyrs.

One such martyr is Eddie Cohen, of blessed memory. A quiet English-speaking pilot that loved classical music, Eddie was the IAF's first martyr. The people of Ashdod and all of Israel owe him a debt of eternal gratitude. 

When the Egyptians reached the southern entrance to Ashdod in the War of Independence in 1948, the fledgling Israel Defence Forces had almost crumbled. The only physical obstacles that stood between the Egyptian Army and Tel Aviv was a Turkish Bridge over the Lachish River and a small company of Givati Brigade infantrymen who knew it was do or die, not only for themselves but for their nation. Read all about The Miracle of Ad Halom in this week's issue of Breslev Israel web magazine.

One lesson we learn from Israel's wars - there's No Place to Hide.

Also this week:

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev on Purity of Thought.

Trouble in finding a soulmate? Check out the High-Elevated Nose.

If you think Judaism is frowns and stringencies, see Rav Shalom Arush's The Power of Positivity.

Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh explains why it's good to look at The Faces of Tzaddikim.

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach says that our faces are A Holy Mirror.

Yehudit Levy reveals Hashem's communication system in Divine Messaging. Rivka Levy compares life to a Moving Target. Dovber Halevi teaches Prayer Focus 101.

Zev Ballen is our front-line correspondent in The Emuna War.

This week's Torah portion is Behar.

The Beams and Emuna Outreach send a hearty Mazal Tov to Yosef Nechama, Breslev Israel's General Director, whose birthday was yesterday (Sunday, May 8) and whose son Shlomo will be Bar Mitzva this week. May Shlomo ben Yosef grow to strength of body, mind and spirit, and succeed in all his endeavors, amen!

Have a wonderful week!