Awesome! TR Netanyahu: Lapid, Gantz surrendered to Hezbollah's blackmail. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the agreement on the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon which was reached by Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Netanyahu said that "behind the backs of the citizens of Israel and the Knesset, Lapid and Gantz surrendered to Hezbollah's blackmail. They are transferring strategic assets of the State of Israel to Hezbollah in a liquidation sale." According to Netanyahu, "Hezbollah will use the billions from the gas to arm itself with missiles and rockets against the citizens of Israel, and Iran will position itself against Rosh Hanikra and against Israel's gas reserves. This weak and amateur transitional government has no mandate to make such a dangerous decision in the dark, just days before the elections.'' Israel and Lebanon have been holding US-brokered discussions for the past year, with the aim of reaching an agreement on their maritime border. There have been major natural gas discoveries off the coasts of both countries during the last decade, and the border dispute has halted gas exploration in an area that has attracted the interest of US energy companies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/360987 Reenactment of the Water Libation: On Tuesday, a full-dress reenactment of the water libation as it was performed in the Temple was held in Jerusalem with several hundred participants led by Kohanim in priestly garb, accompanied by Levites playing musical instruments. The event began at Shaar Hashpot (the dung gate) in Jerusalem’s Old City where participants joined Kohanim (priests) in Biblically mandated vestments and Levites with musical instruments, also wearing special vestments. The musically gifted Levites led the ceremony with joyous music on drums, violin, guitar, and clarinet, winding down ancient walkways into the valley below the Temple Mount. The crowd sang and danced as they passed from the archaeological remains of the ancient City of David, through an Arab village, to the Shiloach (Siloam) Spring which was used in Temple times. The procession was punctuated by stops during which four-foot-long pure silver trumpets were sounded. At the head of the parade was the gold vessel, the water jug. At the Shiloach Pool, the jug was filled. The procession climbed back up to the top of the mountain. A model altar and its utensils had been set up in an open area adjacent to the Western Wall. The altar was decorated with large leafy willow branches as was done in the Temple. The ceremony culminated in the priestly blessing after which the once-in-seven-years Hakhel ceremony was held. Though not explicitly mandated in the Torah, the water libation is part of the oral tradition passed down from Moses. Sukkot is a joyous holiday and the water libation was the focal point of this joy. It should be noted that the year after Shemitah is auspicious for the arrival of the Messiah. The Babylonian Talmud in the Tractate of Sanhedrin, 97a, brings the verse from Amos: “On that day, will I raise up the fallen booth (Sukkah) of David.” Amos 9:11 On Rosh Hashanna, two weeks ago, the Shemittah (Sabbatical year) ended. The Talmud is stating explicitly that the Messiah will come in the first year after the Shemitah. Tens of Thousands Gather at the Western Wall for Priestly Blessing: Tens of thousands of worshippers filled the Western Wall, or Kotel, Plaza on Wednesday morning for the Birkat Hakohanim (priestly blessing) performed en masse at the Kotel during Sukkot. The blessing is performed by kohanim, male Jews with priestly heritage who have a clear patrilineal tradition leading back to Aaron the high priest, brother of Moses. The priestly blessing is said daily during the year as part of the morning prayer service, and twice during Sabbath and holiday morning prayer services. Before saying the blessing, men from the tribe of Levi wash the hands of the Kohanim. The ritual may only be performed by a kohen and only in the presence of a quorum of ten Jews. Demographically, kohanim represent about five percent of the Jewish population. The Temple Institute instituted a registry for the priestly class as a step towards reinstating the Temple service. The blessing is performed by the priests holding their hands up with the fingers spread in the manner made famous by Leonard Nimoy (a kohen) when he played Spock on the television series Star Trek. The fingers of both hands are separated so as to make five spaces between them; spaces are between the ring finger and middle finger of each hand, between the index finger and thumb of each hand, and the two thumbs touch each other at the knuckle. The priests then recite Numbers 6:23-27: May the LORD bless you and guard you, The bi-annual priestly blessing is an impressive reminder of the glory of the Jewish people coming together as a nation to serve God, something that was entirely lacking until the Jews returned to Jerusalem 52 years ago. https://www.israel365news.com/275455/tens-of-thousands-gather-at-western-wall-for-priestly-blessing/ Jews Wave Lulav on Temple Mount: On the first day, you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Hashem your God seven days. Leviticus 23:40 (The Israel BibleTM) On Tuesday, several young men ascended the Temple Mount and produced a set of Lulav and Etrog to use in the ritual that is performed during the current holiday of Sukkot. The young men. . . . performed this ritual in full view of the police escort. The police responded: Today, the visits took place on the Temple Mount as scheduled and in accordance with the rules. Unfortunately, a few visitors violated the rules and were treated accordingly. On Wednesday, Jews visiting the site were subjected to full body searches. It should be noted that Arabs do not go through any security measures before visiting the site. https://www.israel365news.com/275436/jews-wave-lulav-on-temple-mount/
Final maritime border agreement between Israel and Lebanon reportedly to be signed on October 20:
May the LORD make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you,
May the LORD lift up His face unto you and give you peace.
