Shabbat Table Talk from the desk of Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld
June 20-21, 2025 • 25 Sivan 5785 • Shelach (Num 13-15). 
The happiest Jews I know right now are those who spend the least time online.
It's obviously heartening to read pro-Israel comments.
The anti-Israel comments are to be expected, nothing new here. But the pro-Israel comments from around the world are a big boost.
Including President Trump's.
Here's a question for your table:
When Mr. Trump said, "We have complete control of Iranian airspace" — what did he mean?
Presumably, he was talking like a Yankees fan watching his team trouncing the Dodgers in the top of the Ninth.
"We've got this one in the bag..."
Mr. Trump is a big fan of Israel. He's rooting for the Jews.
Just pause for one minute and think about this one fact: regardless of your personal opinion of Mr. Trump, regardless of your opinion about his policies or his style or anything else - how does it feel to know that the President of the USA is rooting for your people?
It feels almost like a Biblical moment:
- When we left Egypt in 1300 BCE, why did there need to be 10 Plagues? Couldn't God have taken us out without all that? The answer is: God wanted the King (Pharaoh) to green-light our freedom.
- When we left Persia ca. 380 BCE, King Cyrus not only green-lighted the return to Israel, he underwrote it and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
But these facts give us a theological question for the table:
Why would God set it up this way? Putting aside realpolitik, in the big scheme of things, why should it matter whether or not the most powerful person in the world supports our sovereignty?
May we share good news.
Shabbat Shalom
PS - Want to know a trick for having a truly peaceful Shabbat? Try going 25 hours - from 18 min before sunset tonight until 48 min after sunset tomorrow - without looking at a screen or listening to the radio. Guaranteed serenity. Added serenity if you light candles this evening before sunset - a simple act that connects you to Jewish people around the world and going back in time for thousands of years.
Appreciated this Table Talk? Like it, tweet it, forward it....
This message can be read online on Blogspot or my Times of Israel blog.
It's obviously heartening to read pro-Israel comments.
The anti-Israel comments are to be expected, nothing new here. But the pro-Israel comments from around the world are a big boost.
Including President Trump's.
Here's a question for your table:
When Mr. Trump said, "We have complete control of Iranian airspace" — what did he mean?
Presumably, he was talking like a Yankees fan watching his team trouncing the Dodgers in the top of the Ninth.
"We've got this one in the bag..."
Mr. Trump is a big fan of Israel. He's rooting for the Jews.
Just pause for one minute and think about this one fact: regardless of your personal opinion of Mr. Trump, regardless of your opinion about his policies or his style or anything else - how does it feel to know that the President of the USA is rooting for your people?
It feels almost like a Biblical moment:
- When we left Egypt in 1300 BCE, why did there need to be 10 Plagues? Couldn't God have taken us out without all that? The answer is: God wanted the King (Pharaoh) to green-light our freedom.
- When we left Persia ca. 380 BCE, King Cyrus not only green-lighted the return to Israel, he underwrote it and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
But these facts give us a theological question for the table:
Why would God set it up this way? Putting aside realpolitik, in the big scheme of things, why should it matter whether or not the most powerful person in the world supports our sovereignty?
May we share good news.
Shabbat Shalom
PS - Want to know a trick for having a truly peaceful Shabbat? Try going 25 hours - from 18 min before sunset tonight until 48 min after sunset tomorrow - without looking at a screen or listening to the radio. Guaranteed serenity. Added serenity if you light candles this evening before sunset - a simple act that connects you to Jewish people around the world and going back in time for thousands of years.
Appreciated this Table Talk? Like it, tweet it, forward it....
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