Israel Mourns

ATTACK IN ITAMAR

"O, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" (Jeremiah 9:1).

"For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, the anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching our her hands, saying, 'Ah, woe is me, for I faint before murderers'" (Jeremiah 4:31).

"For there will be a day when watchmen on the hills of Ephraim call out, 'Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God" (Jeremiah 31:6).

Itamar is a small Orthodox Jewish community located with three other similar towns astride a ridge of hills along the ancient border between the Biblical territories of Ephraim and Manasseh. Shecham (modern Nablus) is below in the valley, and close by are the wooded heights of Mount Gerazim and the rocky slopes of Mount Ebal .the "mountains of blessings and cursings" to which Joshua brought the Children of Israel after their coming at last into Canaan. The community was established in 1984 and named after the fourth son of Aaron, Itamar the priest, who tradition says is buried in the area. Its economy subsists on the growth of organic crops and sheep and goats.

This past Friday evening after the beginning of the Sabbath, a terrorist infilterated the sleeping community, broke into the home of a young rabbi and his wife Udi and Ruth Vogel, and with a knife slaughtered the couple, their sons Yoav (11) and Elad (4) and their three-month old baby daughter Hadas. Two sons sleeping in another room survived; a 12-year old daughter returning home late discovered the carnage. As of now, the murderer or murderers have not been apprehended. The horrific massacre has shocked the nation, awakening a deep feeling of mourning. Tens of thousands attended the funeral for the family in Jerusalem Sunday afternoon.

Tragically, because much of the world sees this and other communities located in land taken by Israel from Jordan in 1967 as settlements occupying land stolen from Palestinian Arabs, there is often something of an "asterisk" accompanying the way in which such news is received-as though the Jews shouldn't have been there in the first place, and brought it upon themselves. (In many Muslim regions, this same "asterisk" accompanies news of similar atrocities taking place within Israel's internationally recognized borders.) The Netanyahu government has responded to the attacks by releasing permission for the building of 400 new homes in Judaea and Samaria (although within the large preexisting "blocks" which are not considered negotiable by Israel in any future agreement), a move quickly condemned by the UN and US.

Udi Fogel, a 36 year-old rabbi taught at a yeshiva in Itamar and when called to military service had served as an IDF tank unit officer. He and his wife Ruth were among those Jews uprooted from the community of Gush Katif in Gaza in August of 2005. Although the actions of some settlers have been used to characterize all as being racist and vengeful, a member of the yeshiva where Fogel taught yesterday said that a revenge or "price tag" attack would not be forthcoming from their community.that although there was shock and pain, anger could not be part of their reaction.

Please Pray:

*For the surviving three children of the Vogel family to be protected and nurtured.for angels to "minister on behalf of those who will inherit Salvation." That they will be healed of the violation and trauma.and guided into the destinies for which they have been spared.

*For supernatural comfort, guidance and direction for the community in Itamar. That they will be protected from spirits assigned to inflame responses anger, vengeance, hatred and dispair.

*For the 'veil' to be taken away and for a supernatural revelation of Yeshua among the teachers and yeshiva students in Itamar and the surrounding communities.whose Blood cleanses, brings life and protection from darkness.

*That the Righteousness of Messiah will exalt the community, after which it can and will become rooted in the Land.

*For revelation amongst the Arab peoples living in what they call Palestine.of the God who loves them, can set them free, and has a Way of life for them and their descendants.

*For Prime Minister Netanyahu that he will seek and receive Divine guidance in responding to this attack, and in dealing with the thorny issues surrounding Israel's positionings in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

*That watchmen and watchwomen will arise and be positioned on the Mountains of Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:6), calling and admonishing their fellows in the way of the LORD. Numbers 4:28b relates that certain "watches" in the Tabernacle were under the authority of Itamar (Ithamar).


portions taken from Israel Prayer list