Chaim starts out the video by showing his viewers a bomb shelter that people will go into in the event of rocket attacks. He says that this is typical in Israel, unlike many of the countries his viewers are probably watching the video in.
He then gives some dad news, that some of his neighbors, Nir and Noa Barnes, were killed the previous day when a rocket fired by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in southern Lebanon hit the car they were riding in. They are residents of the Golan Heights and they were driving somewhere near their home when a barrage was fired and one of the rockets scored a direct hit on their vehicle, killing them both. They leave behind three children and the entire nation of Israel is in shock.
This couple was related to one of the staff members at the Aliyah Return Center, so this is very personal for Chaim and the staff there. It is very sad and very difficult and there is a growing sense among the communities in the Galilee that something has to change sooner rather than later.
In this context, Chaim quotes Psalms 27:1-6; The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Chaim says that as he considers the possibility of fighting yet another war in Lebanon, and he also absorbs the news that another one of his comrades in the IDF was killed in action this week, he says this brings the total of IDF soldiers killed in the war over 700.
He also mentions the rise in Anti-Semitism all over the world, especially in France which is fueling a large upsurge in Aliyah applications.
But Chaim says that amongst all this gloomy news, it’s important to not be afraid or timid. He thanks all those who have been praying for the ARC, donating and otherwise supporting Israel in this time of trial, and he asks everyone to continue being strong and courageous because that’s what this season calls for.