In this episode, Rabbi Reinman defends the authenticity of the biblical narratives and investigates the identity and origin of the Philistines.
Chapter Fifteen: Camels and Philistines

In this chapter, we will focus on the first fifty years of Abraham’s presence in Canaan and its environs and examine some of the arguments of the Bibliophobes against the authenticity of the narrative. I refer to these academics as Bibliophobes. A bibliophobe is someone who fears and hates books. A capitalized Bibliophobe fears and hates the Bible. Before we present the arguments and their refutation, we will summarize briefly the events of that period.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has instructed the IDF to distribute 1,000 draft notices to members of the chareidi community this Sunday.
These draft notices initiate the army’s initial screening and evaluation process for new recruits, leading up to military enlistment in the following year.
The Defense Ministry has announced that additional notices will be issued in two more phases over the upcoming weeks. The IDF has stated that it has the capacity to enlist 3,000 chareidi men in the coming year.
According to the ministry, these draft notices will be sent to chareidi men between the ages of 18 and 26.
Following each phase of draft notices, the ministry says, “a learning process will take place in order to improve the following waves.”

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.
LISTEN:

Rav Yitzchok Yosef, the former Sephardi chief rabbi of Israel, voiced his support for releasing terrorists “with blood on their hands” as part of a deal to free hostages held in Gaza.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has appointed Rav Meir Soloveitchik, of Manhattan’s Congregation Shearith Israel shul, to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom earlier this month.
Rav Soloveitchik, who holds a doctorate in religion from Princeton University, directs Yeshiva University’s Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought.

As was widely reported, Camp Malka, a popular summer destination for many young girls, faced significant challenges this year that disrupted the plans of numerous campers. The camp, located on a sprawling 120-acre campus in Scotland, was unable to open as scheduled, leaving many parents and campers in a difficult situation.
Rabbi Shmuel Hiller, the camp owner, addressed the issue in a heartfelt letter to parents and campers.
“I write this letter with a heavy heart and intense feelings of remorse,” Rabbi Hiller began.
He detailed the initial excitement and high expectations set for the new campus, which boasted amenities such as two gyms, a 750-seat auditorium, bowling alleys, and a large outdoor amphitheater.

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein of Likud has criticized the government for lacking a clear strategy on the conscription of chareidim during a Knesset hearing this morning.
“I don’t understand why it was so urgent to announce yesterday that thousands of conscription orders had been issued for the chareidim, when today it turns out that there is no plan and no numbers,” he remarked. He announced that a follow-up discussion on the matter will take place in the committee tomorrow, during which he “expect[s] the IDF representatives to come with a detailed plan and present exact numbers.”

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OPEN HATE: Anti-Semites took to the airwaves of New Jersey radio station 101.5 to express blatant hate, claiming that members of the Jewish community in Central Jersey purposely left their children in hot cars to die.
Thankfully, the radio hosts pushed back and called out the callers for their blatant hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism.
It may be pointed out that, on average, 37 children under the age of 15 die each year in the United States from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998. In both 2018 and 2019, a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle.
LISTEN TO THE HATE:

{Matzav.com}

In an audio recording released by the Kan public broadcaster, the former Sephardic chief rabbi can be heard suggesting that all chareidi men should be excused from compulsory military service, including those not actively studying in a yeshiva.

“All bnei Torah are exempt from going to the army, even if they’re deadbeats and don’t study,” Rav Yitzchok Yosef states.

“There are female soldiers, officers and profanity [in the army]. There are terrible things there — don’t go there, period.”

{Matzav.com Israel}