Ep. 479: Why Can’t G-d Just Grant Israel a Quick Victory?

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:What is our overall responsibility during this time of war in Israel? Are there parallels between the current battles and events that transpired in the Egyptian exile?  What does this week’s Torah portion teach us about today’s war?  What can we learn from the fact that G-d revealed the name Havaya specifically to Moshe in Egypt and not to the Patriarchs?  What does this teach us about darkness and about challenge?  Why are there four expressions of freedom?  Why did G-d not just redeem the Jews quickly and in one move? Why did it need to be a prolonged process?   Same question today: Why can’t G-d just grant Israel a quick victory?  What can we learn from Moshe looking around and then slaying the Egyptian striking a Jew?  What is someone called a “rasha” when only raising his hand against another? What do we learn from this about our present enemies?  Can we compare Jewish antisemites to Dasan and Aviram?  Why did Hashem ask Moshe “what is in your hand?” What is the significance of Moshe’s staff?  Is G-d hardening the hearts of Hamas as he did Pharoah’s?  Will Hashem bring ten plagues upon Hamas and their supporters?    Should we encourage the Gazans to move elsewhere?  Should we be publicly protesting the atrocities and abuses perpetrated against women?  Is it appropriate to publicly insult the enemy?  Should we threaten to destroy their mosques?  How do we properly channel anger toward our enemies?  What should we make of the Turkish parliament member who died after cursing the Jews?  How should we react to miracle stories coming out of Israel?  Why not place a curse on our enemies?  Why not build a golem?  Can we use supernatural means in times of emergency?  Does Tof Shin Pey Daled stand for T’hei Shnas Palestinian Demise?  Should we be looking for astrological signs to explain today’s events?  Does Basi L’Gani offer us any lessons for today?  What does it teach us about times of war?