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The 14^th of Adar, Purim, is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing in costumes, getting together with my community, and partying with friends. Hopefully, we do this more than once a year! But on Purim, the joy and communal harmony is mandated. What fun it is to see normally straight-laced folks in the ‘hood letting their hair down! Purim is a time when everyone is on the same goofy page, rejoicing in the miracle of our survival from yet another archenemy while basking in the light of eternity.

“We are not protesting against; we are protesting for Shabbos, Torah, and HaKadosh Baruch Hu,” were the often repeated words of HaGaon HaRav Simcha HaKohen Kook ztk”l, whose petirah was announced this past Tuesday afternoon. Rav Kook was the nephew and talmid of Rabbi Avaraham Yitzchak Kook, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the British Mandate of Palestine. Rav Kook also followed in his uncle’s footsteps, one of the founding fathers of modern religious Zionism. The brilliance of Rav Avraham Yitzchak and the depth of his knowledge were simply otherworldly, his devotion to Hashem was supernal, and his character traits were heavenly - always more concerned with helping others come closer to Hashem.

United Hatzalah volunteers treated numerous people for injuries as a result of multiple shootings that took place on Bialik Street, Herzl Street, and HaShnaim Street in Bnei Brak.  

The largest confrontation between Israel and Gaza since May 2021 concluded with a ceasefire brokered by Egypt. After a mere 54 hours, Israel managed to completely demolish the command structure of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and prove to the world at large that it will not allow her citizens to be the indiscriminate target of attack.

In a dramatic move, coalition whip Idit Silman announced Wednesday that she is quitting the coalition and will instead work to form a new government.

Israel’s Jewish population surpassed 7 million last year, as the number of Jews worldwide rose to 15.2 million, according to the Jewish Agency.