Day 201 Swords of Iron– “Protests? Count the Omer”
Chaim starts out the video saying it was nice to get some rest and spend some time with his family over the Passover holiday, but now he’s back in uniform and back on the front lines. He mentions that he’s been doing this for over 200 days now and he knows it’s the prayers of his supporters who are sustaining him through it all.
Chaim mentions all the different nations that are involved in the situation, from Iran to Yemen to Iraq, the US, UK, France, Jordan, etc. He says this war is becoming very multi-faceted and different nations are choosing sides and getting involved.
He also mentions the increasingly violent protests against Israel that are happening at a number of university campuses all over the US. Anti-Semitism is a feature of many of these demonstrations with students chanting “death to America” and “death to Israel” and many other things in support of terror groups.
Chaim then mentions that all of this is happening at Passover, which historically has been a time when stuff happens that affects the Jewish People in big ways. That started with the first Passover when the Children of Israel were delivered out of the house of bondage in Egypt and started the very first Aliyah, and continued.
Chaim says that this reminds us of the need to stand up to bullies and monsters, but it also makes him want to count the Omer.
Counting the Omer is a Biblical custom counting down the days from the second day of Passover to the day just before Shavuot. The traditional number of days is 49, and every day there are prayers to offer thanking God for His blessings.
Chaim says he wants to start offering these daily prayers of thanks for all the blessings God continues to pour out on His people, including the blessing of Aliyah, our families, our homes, the very food we eat every day, and many other things.
