From the Global Front in Israel

February 28 – March 6, 2026

Biblical Times. Remember!

It was just last Shabbat, last Saturday morning, that sirens screamed across the land. Outside and inside, they oscillated. Everyone’s phone was included. Even if they were muted, they blasted. Even if they did not have a special warning app, they came blaring to life. They shook, chimed, vibrated and flashed their lights on and off, on and off.

Because it was Shabbat, observant Jews had set their phones aside. No “making fire,” no trigger of electric impulses are allowed.

Unless, that is, life is at stake. The one exception that allows for breaking the mandate against activating any electric or fire igniting activity – like lighting a stove or driving a car… that one exception is doing what is necessary to preserve or rescue a life at risk.

War was underway. When we learned that it had started, even though missiles from Iran had not begun to fly, all of us knew they would. It was only a matter of time. In fact, three hours later the first of now dozens and dozens of sorties were fired.

Just like it was on October 7th 2023, which also was a Shabbat, everyone was on their phone.

This time, this Shabbat, was a kind of bookend to that one almost two and half years ago.

That Shabbat was Simchat Torah, celebration of receiving God’s Word on Mount Sinai. On that Shabbat, we were attacked.

This Shabbat, the one last Saturday, was Shabbat Zachor. On this Shabbat, our enemy was decapitated.

Zachor is Hebrew for remember! It happens every year on the Shabbat just before Purim begins.

Purim, you will recall, comes from what happened about 2,500 years ago in Persia, the place we now call… Iran.