Chaim begins by acknowledging the searing heat in Israel while saying that it won’t stop the IDF from moving forward with the mission of destroying Hamas and restoring security to Israel. He remembers that in the early days of the war, it was the middle of winter and it was very cold, but cold or heat, the mission is paramount.
He also acknowledges a hostage deal that is being pushed by the Biden Administration in the US, but he says that Israel doesn’t want to end the war with Hamas still able to exert political control over Gaza.
However, it’s undeniable that there is American pressure on Israel and that has led to the operation in Rafah being significantly scaled back from what was originally envisioned. Egypt, meanwhile, is preventing the Rafah border crossing from being opened because they’re afraid that if they open it, large numbers of Gazans will flood into Egyptian territory and once they come in, it’ll be very hard to get them out again.
Chaim counts the Omer for day 41 and concludes with Psalms 68:1-4; Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, and rejoice before Him.