ARTICLES

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27). Read on Shabbat, May 2, 2026 / 14 Iyar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim brings together two powerful themes: atonement and holiness. After the death of Aaron’s sons, God gives instructions for approaching His presence with care and reverence. The Day of Atonement becomes a sacred moment when the people are cleansed and restored. This foundation of mercy leads directly into the call to holiness in daily life.

Kedoshim expands the meaning of holiness beyond ritual. It speaks into relationships, justice, honesty, and compassion. Commands such as loving your neighbor, caring for the vulnerable, and acting with integrity show that holiness is not distant or abstract. It is lived out in ordinary interactions. God’s character becomes the model for how His people are to live with one another.

This portion teaches that holiness begins with God but is expressed through human action. To be holy is not to withdraw from the world but to live within it in a way that reflects God’s nature. Every choice becomes an opportunity to honor Him, whether through fairness in business, kindness in speech, or patience in difficulty.

At the same time, the reminder of atonement keeps this calling grounded in humility. Holiness is not achieved through perfection but sustained through God’s mercy. The people are invited to pursue a life that reflects Him while continually returning to His grace when they fall short. This balance of responsibility and mercy shapes a life of steady growth.

Some may feel the weight of trying to live rightly in a complex world. Acharei Mot-Kedoshim offers both direction and reassurance. God shows what is good and also provides a way back when we fail. Others may be experiencing a season of clarity and purpose. This is an opportunity to walk more fully in the call to reflect God’s holiness in every area of life.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on what holiness looks like in your daily actions. Consider one relationship or situation where you can act with greater love, integrity, or compassion. Let your choices be shaped by the character of God, trusting that His mercy sustains you as you grow.

PRAYER
Lord, You are holy and You call me to reflect Your character. Help me live with integrity, compassion, and humility. Thank You for Your mercy that restores me when I fall short. May my life honor You in all I do. Amen.

Ziva has always lived in a close-knit neighborhood in Beit Shemesh, where families share life’s joys and burdens. That sense of community was shattered in March 2026 when an Iranian ballistic missile struck her area directly, devastating blocks of apartment buildings and displacing hundreds of residents.

At first, Ziva thought the blast was a construction accident. Then the horrifying reality became clear. Nine people were killed, including a member of her extended family. Many others, including children, were rushed to hospitals for surgery after suffering severe injuries. The neighborhood she once knew was left covered in rubble and broken glass.

For Ziva, the trauma has been overwhelming. A mother of four children with special needs, she now struggles with post-traumatic stress while trying to care for her family. The explosion left her too shaken to immediately return to her apartment. “I don’t have the headspace,” she admitted, describing the urgent need for food, clothing, and a safe roof over their heads.

As sirens continued to sound across Israel, fear remained a daily reality for families like hers. With over 250 people displaced and entire buildings deemed unsafe, the path forward feels uncertain.

But in the midst of this crisis, caring and compassionate friends like you were there.

Thanks to the support of generous donors, CBN Israel immediately reached out to Beit Shemesh to provide urgent relief. Food, emergency supplies, and practical assistance were given to families who had lost so much in a single moment. The steadfast partnership of friends like you became a lifeline for Ziva and those facing sudden homelessness and trauma.

Your gifts to CBN Israel can bring hope and stability to families torn apart by war. Mothers, children, and entire communities can receive the help they desperately need as they begin the long process of rebuilding.

Please join us today in standing with Israel’s families in their time of greatest need.

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“Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born” (Isaiah 66:8)

On May 14, 1948, just hours before the Sabbath, history turned in a modest Tel Aviv art gallery. About 350 people crowded into the hot room for a brief ceremony that lasted only 32 minutes, yet reshaped the course of the modern world.

David Ben Gurion rose to speak, declaring the rebirth of a nation: “We… hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel.”

In that moment, he spoke not only for those present but for millions of Jews around the world who, after centuries of exile, persecution, and the devastation of the Holocaust, finally had a homeland. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people had sovereignty again in the land of their ancestors.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of HaTikvah, “The Hope,” a fitting anthem for a people who had long carried hope through centuries of hardship.

The following day, the United States became the first nation to recognize Israel. President Harry Truman’s swift decision surprised many and was seen by some as an acknowledgment of both history and destiny.

Yet independence came at a cost. Within 24 hours, five Arab armies invaded the new state, determined to destroy it at birth. Israel’s War of Independence was not simply a struggle for sovereignty but a fight for survival.

More than seven decades later, that reality remains. Israel continues to face threats from those who reject its right to exist. Today, the challenge has expanded into a multi-front conflict involving Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Even in times of ceasefire, the hostility remains clear and the stated goal of eliminating Israel has not disappeared.

This ongoing struggle gives deeper meaning to Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. Celebrated on the 5th of the Hebrew month of Iyar, it follows immediately after Yom HaZikaron, the nation’s Memorial Day. The transition from mourning to celebration reflects the reality that Israel’s independence has always been secured at great cost.

As evening falls, a national ceremony marks the shift. Flags are raised, torches are lit, and the tone moves from grief to gratitude. Across the country, people gather in streets and parks to celebrate with music, dancing, and community.

The next day, the skies fill with the roar of Israeli Air Force jets flying in formation, a powerful symbol of the nation’s ability to defend itself. Families gather for picnics and barbecues, known in Hebrew as mangal, celebrating life and freedom together.

At the close of the day, Israel honors its citizens by awarding the Israel Prize to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society in fields such as science, culture, and the arts.

Yom HaAtzma’ut is more than a national holiday. It is a declaration that the Jewish people are no longer without a home or a voice. It is a testament to resilience in the face of war, loss, and ongoing threats.

In a time when Israel again finds itself defending its borders and its people on multiple fronts, Independence Day carries renewed significance. It is not only a celebration of what was achieved in 1948, but a recognition of what continues to be defended today.

Against all odds, Israel endures. And in that endurance, the hope first sung in that Tel Aviv hall still lives on.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die” (Psalm 116:15).

Each year, one week after Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Day, the country enters another sacred day of remembrance. Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, honors those who gave their lives in defense of the nation, from the days before independence to the present, as well as civilians killed in acts of war and terror.

This day carries a profound weight, especially now. In the wake of the October 7 attacks and amid a prolonged, multi-front conflict involving Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, the reality of loss and sacrifice feels immediate. Even during periods of ceasefire, the threat remains, and the intent of those who seek Israel’s destruction has not faded.

The national observance begins with a solemn ceremony at the Western Wall, broadcast across the country. In cities, towns, and neighborhoods, local gatherings bring communities together to remember the fallen. Young people play a central role, ensuring that the stories of sacrifice are passed on to the next generation. Streets fill with residents who stand together as the names of those lost from their communities are read aloud.

For many Israelis, Yom HaZikaron is not a distant historical reflection but a deeply personal experience. Nearly every family has been touched by war or terror. People visit military cemeteries, attend memorial services, and participate in school programs dedicated to honoring those who gave their lives.

Twice during the day, once in the evening and again the following morning, a siren sounds across the nation. At its call, daily life stops. Drivers step out of their cars, conversations cease, and an entire country stands in silence. In those moments, Israelis remember the cost of their existence and the lives behind that cost.

“I was thinking about all the soldiers from the beginning of the modern State of Israel up until today who had to fight on the frontlines and on the home front,” said Shai Yosipov, a former IDF combat medic.

“It’s so important that everyone understands the price and the responsibility we have for living in this country. We not only remember our fallen loved ones, but we also acknowledge that there has always been a sacrifice that needed to be made so that we could be here today,” he said.

For many, the day is also one of prayer and reflection. “During the siren, I was praying for families who’ve lost so many, and I prayed that God would give them comfort from the pain,” said Sarah Rivka Yekutiel, who moved to Israel from Boston years ago.

“It’s an emotional time for everyone, whether you’ve lost family or not. This day is very heavy and intense,” said Orital Saban, who recently immigrated from Canada.

Since 1860, more than 23,000 Israeli and Jewish soldiers have fallen in defense of the land, along with more than 3,100 victims of terror. These numbers continue to grow as Israel faces ongoing threats on multiple fronts, a sobering reminder that the struggle for security is not yet over.

Yet even in grief, there is a remarkable transition. As Yom HaZikaron comes to a close at sundown, the nation shifts from mourning to celebration with Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. The movement from sorrow to joy reflects a central truth of Israeli life: that independence has come at a cost, and that the memory of those who paid that price is inseparable from the freedom the nation celebrates.

In a time of continued uncertainty and conflict, Yom HaZikaron stands as both a memorial and a call to remember, to honor, and to hold fast to the value of every life given in the defense of Israel.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“If you carefully obey my commands I am giving you today, to love the Lord your God and worship Him with all your heart and all your soul, I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil. I will provide grass in your fields for your livestock. You will eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15 hcsb).

In an agricultural world where farmers depended entirely on rain, timing could mean the difference between life and loss. If the rains came too early, the crops could be ruined. If they came too late, the fields would dry out and die. Everything depended not just on rain, but on rain arriving at the right time.

As the people of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, God gave them a promise that required trust. Unlike Egypt, where irrigation systems could control water, this new land depended on rain from heaven. Survival would rest in God’s hands.

They would plant their fields and wait. Imagine the tension of that waiting. Seeds buried in the soil, no visible growth, eyes scanning the sky day after day. Would the rain come? Would it come in time?

God’s promise was clear. If they loved Him, obeyed Him, and remained faithful, He would send the rain in its season. He would provide what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

But the temptation was real. Other nations worshiped gods they believed controlled rain and fertility. Turning to those gods offered a sense of control, a way to ease uncertainty. It was a way of saying, “What if God doesn’t come through?”

We may not bow to ancient idols, but the struggle is familiar. When God’s timing feels slow or uncertain, we look for ways to take control. We try to secure outcomes on our own. We place our trust in what we can see, manage, or manipulate.

Yet God calls us to a different posture. He invites us to trust Him, not only for provision, but for timing. The rain does come. But it comes in its season.

There are seasons in our lives when we are planting and waiting, when nothing seems to be happening. Prayers feel unanswered. Progress feels delayed. But just as the farmer trusts that growth is happening beneath the surface, we are called to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it.

God is not late. He is precise. He knows when to send what we need. His provision is not random. It is intentional, timely, and sufficient. When we walk in trust and obedience, we can rest in the assurance that He will care for us.

The question is not whether God will provide, but whether we will trust Him while we wait.

PRAYER

Father, teach us to trust Your timing. When we feel anxious or uncertain, remind us that You see what we cannot. Help us remain faithful and patient, knowing that You will provide exactly what we need in the right season. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33). Read on Shabbat, April 25, 2026 / 7 Iyar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“This shall be the law of the one with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest” (Leviticus 14:2).

Parashat Tazria-Metzora addresses matters of purity, healing, and restoration. It describes conditions that separate individuals from the community and outlines the process by which they may be examined, healed, and welcomed back. While the details may seem distant from modern life, the deeper message speaks to the human experience of brokenness and the hope of renewal.

The person who is afflicted is not abandoned forever. There is a path toward restoration. The priest examines, guides, and confirms healing. When cleansing takes place, it is marked by careful steps that acknowledge both the seriousness of the condition and the joy of return. The process shows that God values not only purity but also the restoration of people to community and relationship.

Tazria-Metzora reminds us that separation is never the final word. Whether the separation comes from physical illness, emotional pain, or spiritual distance, God provides a way back. Healing may take time, and the journey may involve reflection, humility, and change, but restoration remains possible. God’s desire is not to leave people isolated but to bring them back into wholeness.

This portion also invites us to consider how we respond to brokenness in others. The role of the priest is not to condemn but to discern and guide. There is a balance between recognizing what is unclean and participating in the process of healing. Compassion and truth work together to create a pathway toward renewal.

Some may feel distant or set apart, whether by circumstances, mistakes, or struggles that seem difficult to overcome. Tazria-Metzora offers hope that God sees and provides a way toward healing. Others may be in a position to support someone else’s restoration. This portion encourages patience, kindness, and a willingness to walk alongside others as they seek wholeness.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on areas where healing is needed in your life or in the lives of those around you. Bring these before God with honesty and trust. Choose one step toward restoration, whether through prayer, reconciliation, or extending compassion. Let your actions reflect the truth that God restores and renews.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being the source of healing and restoration. Help me trust You in seasons of brokenness and guide me as I seek wholeness. May I extend compassion to others and reflect Your renewing grace in all I do. Amen.

As summer begins, Israel is emerging from months of intense conflict with Iran that left deep scars across the nation. Neighborhoods like Beit Shemesh are still recovering from devastating missile strikes that forced many people to evacuate with little warning.

For thousands of displaced residents, life was abruptly uprooted. Families found themselves living in hotels across the country, trying to process loss, trauma, and uncertainty. Children struggled with fear and disrupted routines. Elderly residents were separated from familiar surroundings. Parents carried the heavy burden of staying strong for their families while coping with their own anxiety.

In the midst of that crisis, the Israel Trauma Coalition stepped in to coordinate critical support. Under the leadership of CEO Talia Levanon, the coalition provided psychiatric care, social workers, and safe play spaces for children who needed stability and reassurance. “It was very challenging,” Levanon reflected. “Not only because people were exposed to trauma and loss, but also because we had to secure the right food, the right social workers, and the right therapy for everyone, from 5-month-old infants to 94-year-old seniors.”

Through a vital partnership with CBN Israel, essential gaps were filled. The generosity of friends like you made it possible to care not only for displaced families, but also for the caregivers and first responders who were reaching their limits. Support for trauma therapists and play therapy programs ensured that those on the front lines could continue helping others heal.

Even amid heartbreak, hopefulness took root. “I was filled with hope,” Levanon said. “I felt that we were coping, that we were together.”

Through your compassion and support, healing and stability can return to families across Israel. You can stand in solidarity with them during one of their most difficult seasons and help restore courage and confidence for the days ahead.

Please join us in offering help and hope throughout the country!

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By Stephen Faircloth

Mount Carmel stretches like a green ridge along the Mediterranean coast, where the mountains of Samaria meet the sea. Unlike much of the land of Israel, Carmel is known for its beauty and fertility. Regular rainfall nourishes its slopes, making it a place where crops flourish and life seems secure.

Because of this abundance, Carmel became closely associated with prosperity. The Bible often points to it as a symbol of richness and blessing. Yet this same abundance also made it a center for a dangerous temptation. Just to the north lay Phoenicia, where Ba’al, the god of storms and fertility, was worshiped. On a mountain known for rain and growth, many began to believe that Ba’al was the one providing it.

Over time, the people of Israel drifted. They no longer trusted fully in the Lord. Instead, they tried to secure their future by turning to other sources. If Ba’al controlled the rain, then perhaps he should be honored too. It was a way of easing uncertainty, a way of taking control.

But God had already spoken clearly. He alone would send the rain in its proper time. Trust and obedience were the foundation of their provision. When the people turned away, the rain stopped. A drought settled over the land, exposing the emptiness of their misplaced trust. It was in this moment that Elijah called the nation to Mount Carmel.

The setting was not accidental. This was the very place where Ba’al was believed to rule, where rain and fertility were most evident. There, on that mountain, Elijah confronted the prophets of Ba’al and the wavering hearts of the people: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him.” The challenge was simple, but deeply personal.

The prophets of Ba’al cried out for hours, calling on their god to respond. Nothing happened. No fire. No answer. No power. Then Elijah prayed. God responded immediately. Fire fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice and leaving no doubt. The God of Israel alone is the living God. And after the fire came the rain.

This story is not only about a dramatic moment in Israel’s history. It speaks directly into our lives. We may not stand on Mount Carmel, but we often face the same question. Where do we place our trust? What do we look to for security, provision, and control?

It is easy to rely on what seems visible and dependable. Like the people of Israel, we can be tempted to trust in what promises quick results or certainty. But those things cannot truly sustain us.

God still calls us back to Himself. He invites us to stop wavering and to choose. Not halfway, not with divided hearts, but fully. To trust that He alone provides, He alone sustains, and He alone answers.

Mount Carmel reminds us that God is not silent. He reveals Himself. He responds. And when we turn back to Him, He brings restoration. The question remains: will we trust Him completely?

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.