Strong Words for Hard Times

On the Palestinian Bid for Statehood

{image_1}“…Today I hope that the light of truth will shine, if only for a few minutes, in a hall [UN General Assembly] that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country. As Israel's prime minister, I didn't come here to win applause. I came here to speak the truth.

Missile Protection for Civilian Aircraft

{image_1}Reports of 20,000 missing shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft rockets in Libya have sent shivers down the spines of many airline security officials, who fear they may find their way into the hands of terrorists. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer has already called for hundreds of American jetliners to be outfitted with protection from such threats. No such commercially available protection system exists, yet. But an Israeli company has developed the world’s only civilian system that can be mounted on a passenger liner, which detects incoming missiles and—without shooting them down—deflects them with laser technology.

Hebrew Thinking or Greek Thinking?

{image_1}When I first heard about Greek and Hebrew thinking, I found it confusing because I was an American and was sure I didn’t think in either Greek or Hebrew. I read my Bible not understanding the thinking patterns of the writers who were Hebrews living in a biblical culture. I eventually learned, however, that the Western civilization I grew up in more closely resembles Greek or Hellenistic thinking, and that the differences between Greek and Hebrew touch every area of life.

Fatah Hangs Netanyahu in Effigy

{image_1}Palestinian Authority [PA] TV broadcast a news story about the trial and symbolic hanging of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, which took place during an event organized by Fatah for youth in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria]. The symbolic trial tried and convicted Netanyahu of “war crimes against humanity” and sentenced him to death by hanging.

When a Scorpion Meets a Camel

{image_1}Legend has it that a scorpion and a camel were sitting on the shores of the River Nile one hot summer’s day. The scorpion asks the camel to allow him to sit on his hump in order to ride to the other side. Scorpions, as is commonly known, can’t swim. Reluctantly the camel agrees. Half way across, the scorpion stings the camel. Realizing they’re now both going to drown, the startled camel asks the scorpion, ”Why?” With a grin, the scorpion answers, ”Welcome to the Middle East.”

The Harvests of a Fruitful Land

{image_1}The Bible describes the land of Israel in humble terms as a land of only seven species (Deut. 8:8): two grains and five fruits. However, despite being a land that is half desert, modern Israel produces 95% of its own food needs, has become a major exporter of fresh produce (especially citrus), and is a world leader in agricultural technologies. Though Israel produces over 40 types of fruit and groves abound, especially in the North, one can’t describe what the Land looks like without mentioning its vineyards and grey-green olive groves.

Capturing Carbon with Algae

{image_1}With the help of algae, Israel is turning carbon dioxide emitted by power plants into fuel and nutraceuticals [a word blend of “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical,” a food product that benefits health]. Seambiotic is an Israeli clean-tech company enlisting algae in the business of carbon capture. The company has five business deals in the works in the United States, Italy, and in China. It is also working with NASA in the United States to develop a commercially feasible biofuel variety from algae that has a higher freezing point than other plant-based biofuels from corn or sugarcane.

Filter Device Prevents Stroke

{image_1}A revolutionary, minimally invasive heart repair procedure, now being investigated in America and already being performed by European doctors, could save the lives of older people who might not be able to withstand open-heart surgery to repair their heart valves. However, up to 15% of all patients undergoing this procedure—called TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation)—suffer a stroke on the operating table.

Running Cancer Interference

{image_1}To fight cancer, it sometimes helps to think outside the box, utilizing methods and strategies from other disciplines, like football. One football-coaching tactic to prevent the rival team from getting to the goal line is to send out players to run interference, keeping opposing players out of the way so that teammates can deliver the ball into the end zone.

The Captive Is Set Free

{image_1}One of Gilad Shalit’s comments during his first interview upon his release was that he had imagined himself in captivity for many more years. And he was not alone. Although there was tremendous momentum worldwide to secure his freedom, many, if not most, authorities on the subject viewed it as a hopeless situation.

The Shuk—A Feast for the Senses

{image_1}No other place on Earth has quite the color and flair that Jerusalem does, and arguably, no other place in Jerusalem has quite the color and flair of Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s largest open-air market, locally referred to as the shuk. A gem in the golden setting of central Jerusalem, the shuk dazzles with its feast of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. The famous outdoor market bristles with activity daily—except for Shabbat, the Sabbath—as vendors display their wares to shoppers from dawn to dusk, and spice-laden fragrances permeate the alleyways.

Drawing Near to God—Korban

{image_1}Although myriads of scholars have studied it, hundreds of authors have written about it, and generations of Bible believers have tried to make sense of it, few things in Scripture remain as misunderstood as the sacrificial system. The Torah (Gen.–Deut.) spends a great deal of time instructing the Israelites in the parameters of animal sacrifice to be performed in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Whether in dealing with various minor sins, the birth of a child, or celebrating the deliverance of the Lord, sacrifice was an integral part of the everyday life of ancient Israel.