When we remain together — however fleeting — we survive — and we live.
When we are ‘separated out’ — we fall — and as we have painfully learned throughout time, we die.
Sounds like a cliche — the very cliche we ignore at our own peril
Mengele, — to the right, to the left, to live or to die . . . see article towards the bottom.
(Separation will always mean death)
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What can we discern from our current readings . . .
Exodus 28:17 — The ‘precious stones’ and their placement — coincidence, I think not.
Does the placement of these stones contain a less-than-apparent message: “All that Glitters is not Gold” . . .
William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act II Scene 7
All that glisters is not gold—
Often have you heard that told.
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold.
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscrolled
Fare you well. Your suit is cold—
Note: The Merchant of Venice employs the word “glisters,” a 16th-century synonym for “glitters.” The line comes from a secondary plot of the play, in the scroll inside the golden casket, the puzzle of Portia’s boxes (Act II – Scene VII – Prince of Morocco)
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Could this be a case of: “all that Glitters is not Gold”
Exodus 28:17 — Could the very placement of these stones (not golden) reflect a new purpose . . . Instead of the danger of remaining ‘separate,’ maybe it is time, despite the seductiveness of shiny objects, to recall all that glitters is not gold —
None of them are gold — all of it is in the placement
וּמִלֵּאתָ֥ בוֹ֙ מִלֻּ֣אַת אֶ֔בֶן אַרְבָּעָ֖ה טוּרִ֣ים אָ֑בֶן ט֗וּר אֹ֤דֶם פִּטְדָה֙ וּבָרֶ֔קֶת הַטּ֖וּר הָאֶחָֽד׃ Set in it mounted stones, in four rows of stones. The first row shall be a row of carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald;
וְהַטּ֖וּר הַשֵּׁנִ֑י נֹ֥פֶךְ סַפִּ֖יר וְיָהֲלֹֽם׃ the second row: a turquoise, a sapphire, and an amethyst;
וְהַטּ֖וּר הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י לֶ֥שֶׁם שְׁב֖וֹ וְאַחְלָֽמָה׃ the third row: a jacinth, an agate, and a crystal;
וְהַטּוּר֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה מְשֻׁבָּצִ֥ים זָהָ֛ב יִהְי֖וּ בְּמִלּוּאֹתָֽם׃ and the fourth row: a beryl, a lapis lazuli, and a jasper. They shall be framed with gold in their mountings.
וְ֠הָאֲבָנִ֠ים תִּֽהְיֶ֜יןָ עַל־שְׁמֹ֧ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה עַל־שְׁמֹתָ֑ם פִּתּוּחֵ֤י חוֹתָם֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־שְׁמ֔וֹ תִּֽהְיֶ֕יןָ לִשְׁנֵ֥י עָשָׂ֖ר שָֽׁבֶט׃ The stones shall correspond [in number] to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, corresponding to their names. They shall be engraved like seals, each with its name, for the twelve tribes.
At first glance — looks like gold being dangled in front of a weary people — ‘an end to this endless war’ and a return of Jewish hostages —
(link)
Beware the Glister of a Golden promise . . . manipulation to the detriment of the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. And to the Biden-Obama Agenda of what appears as the invitation to a Calf of Gold.
The Qataris are masters of twisting language around . . . Qatar’s prime minister announced that expecting Hamas to release Israeli hostages in exchange for a “ceasefire” is a misuse of a ceasefire. The only actual purpose of such a ceasefire is for Hamas to regroup.
All of this comes after Qatar did its best to suck in and brainwash as many members of the hostage families as it could, surrounding them with its advisers, urging them to protest against the Israeli government and demand a hostage release at any cost.
Qatar believes that its influence campaigns in America and Europe have been effective enough that enough countries are willing to sign on to a call for a “ceasefire” that it expects Israel to be pressured into one – even without the release of hostages.
Bottom line: The real purpose is to divide the Jewish People. These are the very negotiators, trusted worldwide, including the Biden Administration. Shakespeare again comes to mind . . . ‘a pox on both their houses . . .’
Never again is now — Am Yisrael Chai,
I hope to see everyone this afternoon — unity yet again appears fleeting.
