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A follow up from yesterday's class: This morning, it struck me that the Torah, in a written book format, is called a Chumash. The scroll is a Sefer Torah. Yet, the Tanakh acronym includes "Torah." So, since the Tanakh is not a scroll, I'm curious as to why it's Tanakh, instead of something like "Chnakh" ( or whatever the proper grammatical convention would dictate). Any insight would be appreciated!

When seeking conversion what is and is not acceptable? I know some say that non-Jews cannot fully participate in Shabbat, while others are less stringent. How would this apply to Sukkot or other observances? Speaking for myself, there is the desire to act, but on the other hand, there is a hesitancy for fear of doing something prohibited or "pretending" to be someone you are not by virtue of being a non-Jew doing "Jewish things." Due to a variety of viewpoints/approaches on this matter, I'm looking for clarification.

DR. ALI AL NUAIMI , CHAIRMAN OF THE DEFENSE AFFAIRS, INTERIOR AND FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE UAE'S FEDERAL NATIONAL COUNCIL ON 6/7/21 AT 12:06 PM EDT https://www.newsweek.com/i-helped-broker-abraham-accords-its-time-free-palestinians-hamas-iran-opinion-1598198 Last August, we entered a new era: A 70-year stalemate was exchanged for an era of greater coexistence. The signing of the Abraham Accords between the United Arab Emirates and Israel that I helped broker was a bold, courageous move which promised to finally make progress where everything else had failed. After the recent conflict with Gaza, though, many thought the Abraham Accords was dead. Where was the promised peace, with rockets flying? To these skeptics, I would say, look at the bigger picture. The Abraham Accords are not about an Emirati and Israeli future but the whole region's future. The truth is, the Middle East conflict isn't between the Israelis and Palestinians but between Israel and Iran. Ask yourself who benefits from this conflict? The Palestinian people's rights and hopes have been hijacked by Hamas to serve an Iranian agenda. And it is against Iran's extremism that we must continue to fight. When the UAE leadership decided to move forward with the Abraham Accords, it was done with a strategic vision not only for the UAE but for the whole region. Skeptics thought the agreement was tied to the Trump administration, as if it might just fade away with the new administration. But there is no going back. We move forward with full speed and have already seen the added value of having such initiatives, not only for the UAE and Israel but for the whole region. Since the announcement of the Abraham Accords, we have seen that we can build bridges of trust and respect. We in the UAE had laid the foundations; we had already changed the education system and the narrative of the religious figures, readying our people for the path to peace. But it's not just about us. The people of the region are craving change, not least among them the Palestinian people, who are desperate for fresh leaders, leaders who can move beyond a rigid regime with an agenda that abuses the very people it rules. For this to happen, we also have to fight the war of propaganda—one that the Israelis lost in this last round of fighting between Israel and Hamas. I saw narratives coming from not only the Middle East but the West too, which represented a shift. One of the biggest errors in this narrative, which I saw repeated over and over in the media, was the way they speak about Gaza as if it's occupied by the Israelis. It's not: It's occupied by Hamas. And the Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering because of Hamas, not the Israelis. Unfortunately, though the propaganda of Hamas and Iran is not true, to the world, it is now dominant. Still, there is reason for hope. Twenty years ago, the Palestinian cause was priority number one in the region. Now, people in the Gulf see things differently. We still care. We still support support the Palestinians. We believe in the two-state solution. But people in the Gulf no longer believe that this should come at the expense of our national interest. Many activists responded to Hamas- and Jihad- influenced media and social media posts to say, we do care about the Palestinians—but we don't care about these terrorist organizations. What the public doesn't understand is who is behind so much of the media they read—who is funding this misguided narrative, which only serves to protect Hamas, and ultimately, Iran. This past conflict with Gaza should be the last war. We should all learn to speak one language: the language of peace. Now is the time to not just talk the talk, but for us all to walk the walk. Hamas and the Palestinian leadership have hijacked the minds of 2 million Palestinians to sell their political and terrorist agendas. We want the Palestinian people to enjoy what we enjoy, to have what we have and create a better future for a new generation. But we have to do this together, with all the stakeholders in the region, from NGOs to schools, religious leaders and governments. We cannot do this alone. Dr. Ali al Nuaimi is chairman of the Defense Affairs, Interior and Foreign Relations Committee of the UAE's Federal National Council, a representative legislature whose 40 members, half elected indirectly and half appointed, serve in an advisory role to the emirates' leadership.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/307095 https://www.jta.org/quick-reads/bill-maher-defends-israel-on-his-hbo-show-you-cant-learn-history-from-instagram Comedian Bill Maher hits back after Israel is accused of 'apartheid,' 'war crimes.' 'Hamas's charter just says they want to wipe out Israel.' https://youtu.be/qONHQ_ePIB4 https://youtu.be/4wFQB-oeKGs https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=306607757763548 https://youtu.be/YIbXJsgKU3Q Comedian Bill Maher REUTERS/Danny Moloshok "Real Time" host Bill Maher on Friday night defended Israel's actions during the recent Operation Guardian of the Walls, Fox News reported. "One of the frustrations I had while I was off is that I was watching this war go on in Israel … and it was frustrating to me because there was no one on liberal media to defend Israel, really," Maher, 65, said at a panel discussion. "We've become this country now that we're kind of one-sided on this issue. And I'd also like to say off the bat I don't think kids understand -- and when I say kids I mean the younger generations – you can't learn history from Instagram. "There's just not enough space." Responding to The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's claim that Israel committed "possible war crimes," Maher said: "Well, Gaza fired 4,000 rockets into Israel. What would you say Israel should have done instead of what they did?" Hamas, Maher pointed out, "purposely put the rockets in civilian places. That's their strategy." Maher also added that, "The Jews have been in that area of the world since about 1200 B.C., way before the first Muslim or Arab walked the earth." "I mean, Jerusalem was their capital. So if it's who got there first, it's not even close. The Jews were the ones who were occupied by everybody; the Romans took over at some point and then the Persians and the Byzantines and then the Ottomans. So yes, there was colonization going on there. Beginning in the 19th century, they started to return to Palestine, which was never an Arab country. There was never a country called Palestine that was a distinct Arab country." According to Fox News, Maher then pointed out that under the proposed 1947 plan, the Arabs would have had a "good part of the country," calling the Arabs "the people who rejected the half a loaf and continue to attack." "Hamas's charter says they just want to wipe out Israel. Their negotiation position is 'You all die.' The two-state solution has been on the table a number of times. There could be an Arab capital in East Jerusalem now if Yasser Arafat had accepted that in 2003. He did not. "I mean, they have rejected this and went to war time and time again," he emphasized, "And, you know, as far as Gaza goes, it's amazing to me that the progressives think that they're being progressive by taking that side of it, the Bella Hadids of the world, these influencers. "I just want to say in February of this year, a Hamas court ruled that a unmarried woman cannot travel in Gaza without the permission of a male guardian. Really? That's where the progressives are? Bella Hadid and her friends would run screaming to Tel Aviv if they had to live in Gaza for one day." Maher also noted that neither Britain nor Holland had any claim to South Africa, while in Israel the situation is different, Fox News said. "The Israelis, they have made mistakes, but it's an ‘apartheid’ state because they keep getting attacked! If they don't keep a tight lid on this s---, they get killed! That seems like something different!" he said.

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Rachel Sofaer I am so angry and frustrated at John Oliver and people who are presenting one side of the story here in the Middle East. Saying that Palestinians are being evicted and "ethnically cleansed" from their homes, without explaining that they have refused to pay rent for over 30 years, saying that Israeli police "attacked innocent worshippers in a mosque" without explaining that those people attacked a police outpost, gathered with weapons, and were violently rioting, saying that "Israel blew up a building that housed international press" without explaining that Hamas was controlling the building etc. etc. People should not use little quotes from articles, like "Palestinian children dead" and then not explain that children are dead because of Hamas's own rockets backfiring. Israel does not need to apologize for being stronger or having better weapons. When your country is attacked by a terrorist organization you will do whatever is necessary to protect your citizens. The Israel Defense Forces specifically targets areas in Gaza that terrorists are conducting activity and shooting rockets from. We do not target civilians, unlike Hamas. So yes it is unfortunate and upsetting that innocent people are suffering because of this conflict, but that does not mean that Israel is acting "disproportionately." Just wondering how all of you would feel if your country were being attacked by thousands of rockets? Would you condemn your government for fighting back or would you be thankful that they are doing their duty and protecting you and your loved ones? Food for thought.

As I sat down to write this week’s sermon, I am confused with turmoil. This week’s sedrah is Bamidbar. The English title is “Numbers” because a census is taken of Israelites over the age of 20. We count our people individually because each Israelite counts. Not so in Israel. As we sit here in the comfort of the most powerful country in the world, the United States, we worship in relative safety. Certainly, there has been threats to our people, as there always is, but we can rest assured that throughout the course of our service, we will not hear any sirens warning us we have twenty seconds to get to a bomb shelter. Our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land do not have that peace of mind. For yet another time (I’ve lost count), Israel is under attack. Not just from missiles fired by a terrorist organization, their neighbor, mind you, but also global public opinion. But where is the outrage of human rights attacks by other countries whose actions are far worse? Meanwhile, President Rivlin of Israel has reminded the world that no other country would tolerate what Israel does. Any other country, under attack by missiles, would have retaliated hard and with absolute certainty. Yet Israel is demeaned by other countries for injuring innocent civilians by their efforts to protect their citizens. Again, no other country would tolerate these abuses. Their response would swift, severe, and complete. Many of you may be surprised that I am addressing this issue in a sermon. Typically, I stay away from political issues and I do that out of respect for all of you. All of you have your own opinions and you are all certainly entitled to respect to believe as you will. That is freedom. And certainly as your religious leader, I see my role as a paragon of comfort and spiritual inspiration, and I will state unequivocally that I do indeed respect all of your opinions because I know all of you to be intelligent, caring and sensitive people But as Jews we need to be concerned. This is our ancestral land. These are our people. They are fighting our fight. We have to stand united with our fellow Hebrews to support their efforts. They are entitled to live a life of comfort and fulfillment without the constant threat of death. How do we react to this outrage? We continue to be Jews; it’s that simple. We do not back down and apologize for existing. We don’t stop observing our religion. And we stand up for ourselves. There were multiple demonstrations around the country earlier this week and I had the privilege and honor to attend one in Irvine. It was organized and sponsored by StandWithUs, a group that advocates for ourselves. There were many other Jews there, parading around with both American and Israeli flags. Israeli and Jewish music was playing in the background. The crowd was dancing and waving signs that We Stand With Israel and that Hamas is a terrorist group. Of course, there were detractors. Palestinians joined the group. While people crowded around them singing “Am Yisrael Chai”, they were safe. And it wasn’t just because police were looking on. We Jews do not engage in unwarranted violence. Some people passed by making obscene gestures and shouting epithets. Some of the demonstrators got upset. At this point, why? We all know the truth. Israel, like every other country in the world, is not a perfect place. But to have violent riots, over 1600 missiles launched at anyone who’s living in Israel? That’s a solution? And some people support that? Hamas, as we all know, has been designated as a terrorist organization by most major civilized countries. Yet while people demean and vilify both Israel and Jews, they ignore other worse situations. Where is the outcry about far worse abuse in other parts of the world? But that’s OK because we will survive. We are strong. We have existed as a people for thousands of years and we will continue to prevail. We will mourn our losses, but we will go on with the same courage that has stayed us for almost 2000 years of oppression by the rest of the world. So let us remember this week’s portion and keep these people in our hearts. Every Israelite is counted because every Jew counts. Am Yisrael Chai!

(A beautiful message from Hadassah International) Zionism Update For nearly two weeks, Israelis endured an unyielding barrage of rocket attacks that have forced defensive operations to stop the terror. Air raid sirens were sounding and bomb shelters were occupied, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) worked carefully and methodically to ensure that innocent lives are protected — both in Israel and in Gaza. ACT NOW With news updates sharing contradictory accounts of quickly unfolding events, we want to help you understand what's happening — and how you can help. The battle was not nor has it ever been between Israelis and Palestinians, but Israelis and terrorists. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are the enemies of coexistence. Their actions undermine efforts to build a more peaceful, tolerant future, and threaten innocent Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza. Support for peace requires support for Israel. The loss of innocent life is tragic. Israel remains committed to supporting innocent Palestinians with critical humanitarian aid. Yet Hamas puts Palestinians in harm's way and actively blocks desperately needed fuel and medical supplies. This week, an Israeli convoy with humanitarian aid was struck by mortars as it passed into Gaza. Amid these acts of terror, the cooperation of Arabs and Jews at Hadassah’s hospitals brings us hope. Hadassah is a prime example of the positive impact coexistence can have on the health and vitality of communities. Israelis and Palestinians know that Hamas has no interest in peace, instead committed to destroying Israel and killing Jews. Hadassah has always and will always support the democratically elected government of the State of Israel, and the people of Israel. And we pray for the safety and well-being of all people suffering under the terrorist threat. Take action to support Israel by contacting your members of Congress. Visit the National Action Center today and urge them to support Israel and her people. Hadassah strongly opposes any efforts to impede the US sale of precision-guided weapons that Israel needs to defend itself. Ask them to support legislation that binds the US and Israel more closely together. Urge them to endorse a Hadassah-led effort to protect Palestinian children from the lessons of hatred and antisemitism that help fuel continued acts of terror. Speak with your friends and families to help them make sense of what’s happening, and share news and information about the positive work at Hadassah. hadassah.org Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 | 800.928.0685 Hadassah.org ©2021 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.