When Israel repents, “it’s a knockout for the Hamas.” So writes Israeli Rabbi Brody in his blog today.

It’s no coincidence that today on the Hebrew calendar is  the 17th of Tammuz, one of the most tragic days in Jewish history. Among other Jewish national woes, this is the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans.

“History seems to be repeating itself, with Hamas threatening to destroy our land and our people,” Rabbi Lazer Brody wrote.

Today marks the beginning of a three-week mourning period known as “Dire Straits” among the Jewish people worldwide leading up to the dreaded day on the Hebrew calendar, the 9th of Av,  Tisha B’Av, when both Jewish temples were destroyed.
Today’s fast day of the 17th of Tammuz also commemorates the destruction of the Twin Tablets of the Ten Commandments.  Moses had ascended Mount Sinai and remained there for 40 days. In his absence, the Children of Israel became impatient and crafted the Golden Calf on the afternoon of the 16th of Tammuz, when it seemed Moses was not coming down as promised. (Many professing Christians also claim that the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives has been unduly delayed, and many no longer believe in his promise that Jesus the Messiah will return!) When Moses descended the next day, the Israelites were violating many of the laws he had received from God, and thus he smashed the tablets. When Jesus returns, he will separate the “sheep” from the “goats.”
For me as a Bible teacher and an evangelical, Rabbi Brody’s blog is totally fascinating.  I deeply appreciate the sincerity of religious Jews like him who are repenting according to their understanding of the Tenach (Old Testament) and who are praying with all of their hearts for the coming of Moshiach (Messiah, the Son of David).  As a theologian, Rabbi Brody rightly sees the Hamas terrorists as thorns in the sides of Israel, as were the ancient Philistines (i.e. today’s Palestinians). Why?
He writes insightfully today: “Where does Hamas get its power from? From Hashem [Hashem is Hebrew for “The Name,” the reverent appellation that religious Jews use for the Almighty].
“Hamas is a stick in Hashem’s hands. As long as our political and military leadership fail to understand this and to come to proper conclusions, the cycle of hostilities will just keep going.”Hashem has put the Israeli Government in a bind: At this point, a ceasefire with Hamas is pointless. More aerial bombings of the Gaza Strip won’t produce lasting results either. And, a ground invasion of Gaza would be a gift for Hamas, giving them a tangible opportunity to inflict damage on our troops, Heaven forbid. Not only that, but the Israeli Government is not even clear on the objectives it wants to achieve by way of ‘Operation Defensive Shield.'”So how does Israel stop the Hamas and the rocket fire?”Israel must uproot the spiritual cause that gives Hamas its strength. We must make a peace-treaty with Hashem. . . .Hashem wants to send Moshiach and He wants us to get stronger – spiritually – and cling to Him {emphasis mine}. Once we do, it’s a knockout for the Hamas, soon, amen!”