Parashat Korah                           Torah Reading:  Numbers 16:1-18:32 

The catalyst for a very dramatic passage in this week's Torah reading is the challenge to Moshe's authority by Korach, a man from Moshe's own tribe of Levi.  Korach and his followers contend that Moshe has elevated himself inappropriately over the rest of the people because all of Israel is considered a holy people.  Moshe's response is unexpected:  he throws himself face down on the ground.  

Scholars tell us that this gesture of Moshe's is ancient middle-eastern body language for submission.  In effect, Moshe is removing himself from the confrontation and letting God and Korah "duke it out."  

Another way of looking at Moshe's response is to posit that he is taking a "time out" to consider his response to Korach in order to avoid an ill-judged response that is fueled by anger or self-defensiveness instead of wisdom and perspective.  

Rabbi Shneur Zalman (also known as the Ba'al HaTanya after his most important book) challenges us to follow Moshe's example by first reflecting on our own actions in any situation of conflict or anger. In effect, this midrash says to us: even Moshe had to consider the possibility that Korah had a valid point, or at least that his accusations contained some kernel of truth.
 
While we may, none of us, wish to resort to Moshe's dramatic body language, we can still learn much from his methodology.  When someone approaches us with anger, or confrontation, we can seize the opportunity to learn something valuable and grow in spirit by asking ourselves first, "what has happened, what has this person experienced, that is driving this person to express such anger or hostility?  Have I made a mistake, or has something I've said or done been been misunderstood?"  A few moment's reflection may open us up to offering an unexpected response that will bring healing and mutual regard to everyone concerned.

Parashat Shlah                           Torah Reading:  Numbers 13:1-15:41

The headlines scream condemnation of Israel for attacking humanitarian activists on a peaceful mission to bring essential goods to the beleaguered residents of Gaza.   I believe that facts are the best response to vitriol.  So here are some facts: 

• The Israeli government and its military repeatedly warned the flotilla that they were not to dock at Gaza and the legal blockade would be enforced.
• Israel repeatedly offered the port of Ashdod Harbor as the place to unload all humanitarian goods for inspection and transport to Gaza.  
• Activists on the Turkish ship Mavi Marara were armed and attacked the Israelis boarding the ship.  The other five ships provided no resistance and therefore incurred no casualties and were peacefully escorted to Ashdod where the goods were unloaded and will soon be transported to Gaza for humanitarian purposes.

  I have excerpted an article from the Israel Foreign Ministry website which details the record of Israel's support of Gazan's. (www.mfa.gov.il)   Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza 25 May 2010Despite attacks by Hamas, Israel maintains an ongoing humanitarian corridor for the transfer of food and humanitarian supplies to Gaza, used by internationally recognized organizations including the United Nations and the Red Cross.      Well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel over the last 18 months equaling nearly a ton of aid for every man, woman and child in Gaza. Millions of dollars worth of international food aid continually flows through the Israeli humanitarian apparatus, ensuring that there is no food shortage in Gaza.

Food and supplies are shipped from Israel to Gaza six days a week. These items were channeled through aid organizations or via Gaza's private sector.

Large quantities of essential food items like baby formula, wheat, meat, dairy products and other perishables are transferred daily and weekly to Gaza. Fertilizers that cannot be used to make explosives are shipped into the Strip regularly, as are potato seeds, eggs for reproduction, bees, and equipment for the flower industry.
 
The medical corridor
No Palestinian is denied medical care in Israel. However, if the Hamas regime does not grant permits for medical care, the Israeli government can do nothing to help the patient. Israel will facilitate all cases of medical treatments from Gaza, unless the patient is a known perpetrator of terror.

In 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. Moreover, there were 382 emergency evacuations from Gaza for medical purposes.

Building materials 
On 24 May 2010 Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing to 97 trucks loaded with aid and goods, including six trucks holding 250 tons of cement and one truck loaded with five tons of iron for projects executed and operated by UNRWA.

Electricity
According to the UN report of May 2010, 120 megawatts (over 70%) of the Strip's electricity supply comes from the Israeli electric grid, while 17 MWs come from Egypt and 30 MWs are produced by the Gaza city power station. 

Economy 
During 2009, 7.5 million tons of flowers and 54 tons of strawberries were exported from Gaza with Israeli cooperation.
In 2009, 1.1 billion shekels (about $250 million) were transferred to the Gaza Strip for the ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority workers.

Healthcare
Palestinian families receive the same subsidized healthcare as Israelis, about 10% of the cost for the same treatment in the United States.

Schoolchildren
Israel transfers school equipment supplied by UNRWA including notebooks, school bags, writing implements and textbooks. Israel is currently coordinating the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren and the shipment of 74 maritime containers for conversion into Gaza classrooms.

Travel
Despite the inherent dangers involved, Israel permits Gazans and visitors to travel between Gaza and Israel, from Gaza to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), and even abroad for medical treatment, religious pilgrimages, and business trips. Whenever possible Israel allows for diplomatic activities and trade and commerce with the Gaza Strip.

During the Christmas holiday, approximately 400 permits were given to visit Bethlehem from Gaza as well 100 permits to travel abroad. In addition, 257 permits were given to businessmen from Gaza to facilitate business operations.