8 cups (1 kg) flour
 1 tsp. active dry yeast
 3 tbsp. sugar
 1 tsp. salt
 4 ¼ cups (1 liter) warm water
 1 cup (200 g) soft butter

1. Sift flour into a large bowl and add yeast. Add salt and sugar.
2. Add water and mix into a soft, wet dough.
3. Allow dough to rise about 1 hour at room temperature until it doubles.
4. Knead again and let rise another hour.
5. Divide dough into 8 equal portions.
6. Butter the inside of an oven-proof pot.
7. Flatten each piece of dough, spread with butter, and fold into 4.
8. Arrange all pieces in the pot.
9. Cover the pot with a lid and bake at 350° F (180° C) for 20 minutes.
10. Serve with hard-boiled egg, grated tomato, and zchoog (Yemenite hot sauce).


Now you can experience the authentic flavours of Israel and the surrounding region with Batya Segal's personal favourite recipes. A long-time lover of fresh, delicious, and easy-to-execute meals, Batya's recipes will bring the aromas of Israel into your kitchen for the whole family to enjoy. Yours free as a thank you for supporting our life changing work in Israel.

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The Jewish-Yemeni bread kubaneh was traditionally cooked in the heat of the hearth on Friday night, low and slow, ready to be eaten on Shabbat morning.

Kubaneh (Batya's mom's recipe) | Blog | Vision for Israel

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.”

A thanksgiving offering is a sacrifice offered in the temple. It is meant as personal thanks to God for the salvation He has provided.

11 ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall offer to the Lord: 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil. — Leviticus 7:11-12

In the Bible, there are many references to the worship of thanks on an altar. Thanks to God also appears in other ways: Moses and the children of Israel thank God after the exodus from Egypt in song, Hannah thanks God for the birth of Samuel in prayer, and Jonah offers a sacrifice with a voice of thanksgiving.

By offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God, we express our relationship with the Lord. And in exchange, He rewards us with salvation and redemption.

When the first settlers arrived from England by ship to America, they suffered from diseases, hunger, and poor living conditions. The Native Americans taught the settlers how to raise poultry, graze sheep and cattle and how to grow crops. In the years that followed, the settlers were blessed with food, overcoming famine and sickness. And so they celebrated by giving thanks to the Lord. 

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. — Hebrews 13:15

We praise God for the gifts He has laid upon us. Amongst those gifts are you, the generous members of our community. When we enter our center at the Millennium building, we remember you. We give thanks for you when we worship, when we distribute to the needy, when we host brave survivors and victims of terror. Whether you are from the U.S. or not, we give thanks to the Lord for your partnership and your prayers.

Donate here to extend these Thanksgiving blessings to more people in need around the world.  


May you prosper and may the Lord watch over you and bless all the works of your hands.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17

We praise God for the gifts He has given us. Amongst those gifts are you, the members of our community. When we enter the Millennium Center, we remember you.

A Thanksgiving Sacrifice | Blog | Vision for Israel

״Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for״. 

All of our family remember Aunt Na’ama - when we were children, we called her the 'smiling aunt' who was always calm even though she was very ill. She and my uncle had a big family, living with their 12 children in a tiny apartment, my uncle worked 2 jobs and was making little income. 

At least four times a year, the families would gather to spend Shabbat day together. Aunt Na’ama was very weak and suffered from various illnesses.  Since she could not be very active, her children faithfully stepped in to help with daily needs and everything in between. 

I remember how she would always thank God for everything she had with a natural smile on her face. She was grateful to her children and sisters-in-law for all their help while caring for her 12 children. 

After my uncle died unexpectedly, my dear mother, Sarah, loved her sister-in-law and would regularly visit her to to support her - bringing her freshly baked bread and cooked meals.  She would help her around the house and encouraged her as she knew how difficult it was for her to cope with daily tasks. 

Her other sisters-in-law always worried that something might happen to her because of her physical condition. Despite that, Aunt Na’ama lived to be 98 years old and passed away last year, older than all her sisters-in-law. 

What was her secret to living to the age of 98 despite all her illnesses? 

Aunt Naama chose to be grateful to God in every moment of her life. She dedicated herself to peaceful ways, a calm attitude, having no bitterness towards life or towards others and she was exceptionally generous.  Even when she didn’t have much, she believed there was ‘always enough to give’. 

Her gratitude triumphed over her sickness - with praise on her lips for God’s provision in her life. She left behind a legacy of warmth and love, expressed to the people around her.

"In everything, give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Messiah Yeshua." – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Since 1994, when Vision for Israel was established,  our aim has been to encourage people to be thankful, no matter where they are. And now is the perfect time to focus on our gratitude for God.

We know you all have your own stories of people who were a blessing and an inspiration in your life. We’d love to hear them! Please share your stories below in the comment section.

May the memory of our family members be a blessing, and may we be so privileged as to live in gratitude for all God’s blessings in our lives! 

In His Service,

Batya Segal

Despite her many illnesses, Aunt Na’ama had a unique approach to life that kept her going to age 98. What was the secret to her long life? Read to find out!

Aunt Naama's Secret | Blog | Vision for Israel

“God hears every unspoken word, sees every unseen wound, mends every unbearable pain. Have faith and be strong.” 

Can you imagine the feeling of being adopted as a baby? Well, this is how *Henni’s story began. Only after being in this world for a few weeks, an ultra-Orthodox family adopted Henni.  However, when Henni turned 16, she ran away from home and her family.  She suffered from abuse and didn’t want to stay there anymore. As a result she found herself wandering the streets without any sense of identity and belonging. Finally, she found a safe and warm home in the center of Israel that was specifically for girls at risk. After staying there for two years, it was time to serve in the IDF. During her service, she met her future husband and soon after they got married. 

After the birth of their second child, the father disappeared and never came back. This left Henni feeling rejected once again and all alone. She had no time to feel sorry for herself. She had to take care of her toddler and baby with no job, no family she could turn to for help, no income, and no support. She was grateful to have her two children, but she didn’t know how she would provide for her kids or herself. 

“To rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.“ — Isaiah 10:2

Trying to survive against all odds, Henni started working with elderly people. She cleaned for them and cared for their needs. It was hard and the income didn't cover the basic monthly expenses like rent, utilities and all the rest. 

A request from the social authorities came to assist her.  Vision for Israel team visited Henni at her home. The apartment where they were living was lacking the most basic furniture, no chairs, no table, broken beds. The old rusty refrigerator was empty and had no food. The children were hungry and suffering from malnutrition. Henni also suffered from health issues due to lack of nourishing food, which was only a small symbol of her difficult physical and mental state.

This visit to Henni’s house was a turning point for the family and for our staff. Right away we realised Henni is someone very special. From that point on, the family received ongoing support of food packs and financial vouchers, furniture, a new refrigerator, school bags for the kids, clothes, and heaters. All of these provisions helped her realize that her prayers had been answered. As our team just loved on Henni, we saw how she never expected anything and always wanted to give something in return.  She literally had nothing, and yet the little she had she wanted to give to us so we could bless others in need.  On one occasion, she handed us a bag of brand new clothes she was given by another charity organization. She said, “I don't need these nice clothes. Please give it to a needy family”.

Henni’s life was transformed. We saw through the years how she became a happier person, started taking care of herself, and was looking healthier. Her children were also improving socially and doing so much better in school. 

With a grateful heart, Henni sends us messages of blessings and thanks. She never misses an opportunity to phone our office simply to bless our work and our team. Every holiday and every few months, she calls us to simply say, “Hope you all are well. Just calling to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers”. 

We love to just be there for others and to see the real change in those we embraced throughout the years. There are thousands of young people who are searching for an ear to hear, an eye to see, and a heart to care. 

The sincere words of thanks and blessings reflect to us how essential the help is to the recipients. God opened the doors for you and us to be a blessing, and we consider this as an amazing opportunity and a privilege.

We invite you to partner with us as God uses us to make a huge impact on the precious lives here in Israel.

“I am sure of this very thing—that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Messiah Yeshua.” — Philippians 1:6

VFI provides essential needs and support for single mothers and the poor in Israel. Discover how one visit from VFI changed a mother and her children’s lives.

A Life-Changing Visit – Providing for a Mother and Her Children | Blog | Vision for Israel

A Life-Changing Visit – Providing for a Mother and Her Children

“After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.”

Dear Friends,

The hostilities that have marked our country have broken many families and plagued them with loss. Shmuel is one such victim. When he was five years old, Shmuel’s family was attacked by terrorists and in one tragic moment, he lost his father.

Without their father, Shmuel’s family spiraled into sorrow and poverty. And Shmuel is not alone — hundreds of children throughout Israel carry the burden of similar trauma and the ensuing financial hardships. 

When children such as Shmuel reach the age of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the families often do not have the means or mental strength to host a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. That’s where we’ve found a way to help. 

Every year, Vision for Israel organizes a Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration for over 60 children who have been victims of terror. It is our honor to give these boys and girls a celebration to share with their families, who have suffered so much.

Shmuel and the other children will enjoy an elaborate meal, generous gifts, and a meaningful ceremony at the President of Israel’s official house. 

We are thrilled to be able to offer such a joyous day, as we take them in the Old City of Jerusalem, show them the history, archeology, bringing a true meaning of who they are (past and present) and plant a hope for their own future.  

It is a privilege and an honor that we all can be a blessing in their lives. Each Bar or Bat Mitzvah child will receive a gift package valued at $850, which will include an iPad, and other special gifts. 

Thank you for being a part of the Vision for Israel community and contributing to this event. It truly feels like a victory against the darkness and evil.

We pray that you will continue to join us in our support for vital programs for young men like Shmuel, and we welcome your contributions.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

Shalom from your friends,

Barry, Batya, and the VFI Team

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 

We organized our annual bar and bat mitzvah celebrations for dozens of young victims of terror to celebrate together with their families, thanks to you. 

Our Annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration | Blog | Vision for Israel

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” 

Dear Partners,

From the very beginning of Vision for Israel in 1994 we have always worked hard to assist those impoverished in order to provide all forms of assistance to the individual and to the community, from food baskets, financial assistance, social rehabilitation events, to ambulances and construction of mobile bomb shelters. 

In order to continue expanding our reach to those in need, our vision is to develop and create a special nature garden space on the rooftop of the Millennium Center.

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. — Jeremiah 33:6

Our vision is to develop the rooftop to a garden space in order to give us the ability to host visiting groups and most importantly—to provide a space for those rehabilitating and those who seek healing. 

Many people in Israel have been affected by wars and terrorism and many are longing for support with our social welfare projects. A comforting place to congregate among nature is a gift to anyone and we would love to offer that in the ongoing support we provide to those we serve in the community.

The cost for development of the rooftop is £65 per square foot. To complete the roof and garden, we are looking to build out 4,000 square feet. If 4,000 of our generous friends considered donating £65 each, we could reach our goal in no time.

Think about how we can all transform the lives of people by providing them with care in an environment that can change their future for good.


 Please consider joining us in this selfless mission by donating here. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 

Your friends,

Barry, Batya, and the VFI Team

We are excited to complete construction on our rooftop and the garden that will serve as a gathering space for worship and prayer.

A Garden of Healing | Blog | Vision for Israel

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ''The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. 

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is one of three High Holidays in the Jewish calendar and one of the more joyful (Leviticus 23:40) celebrations — commemorating the miracles God performed for the people of Israel when He took them out of Egypt, their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and God's faithfulness.

During Sukkot people in Israel are building booths (sukkot) wherever they can, on balconies, in gardens and communal courtyards, and even on sidewalks for restaurant diners. 

The Sukkah is usually made of decorated tarps as walls held up by metal poles and a roof of palm branches (spread out enough to see the stars). Inside the Sukkah, we place a table and chairs since all the meals are eaten in the sukkah, and decorate it wall to wall with colorful string decorations, lights, and sometimes fake fruit since the holiday celebrates the yearly harvest, which takes place in the fall.

As it is commanded to dwell in the booth for seven days, many religious Jews will put mattresses in the Sukkah and sleep beneath the stars.

Where did this special feast start? Let's explore its origins in the book of Leviticus.

When God took the people of Israel out of Egypt, they wandered the desert and lived in tents for forty years before finally entering the promised land.

But God desired to give them a home, a safe place where he could pour out his blessings in abundance. In the meantime, before conquering the land promised to Abraham and his descendants, there first came a time of rejoicing over their new-found freedom and abundance:

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ''The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it" - Leviticus 23:33-36

Similarly to Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the Feast of Tabernacles is set apart as a holy day. The Lord repeatedly says that ''no work should be done'' on this day, a merciful reminder that He took them out of Egypt to give them rest:

"And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.'' - Leviticus 23:40-43

In scripture, there are four plants known in Hebrew as Arba'at HaMinim (the four species), which represent the oneness of Israel and the harvest:

"And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days." - Leviticus 23:40

The three myrtle twigs and the two willows are tied together to the palm branch, creating a long and beautiful bouquet called 'lulav', which is waved north, south, east, and west as a blessing is recited to praise the God of the heavens and the entire earth.

Each of the four species relates to a particular organ through which man is to serve God:


Etrog (citron) represents the heart, the place of love – understanding, and wisdom (Psalm 104:1).

Lulav (a closed frond of the date palm tree) represents the backbone – uprightness (Psalm 92:13).

Hadass (myrtle) represents the eyes – enlightenment (Zechariah 1:8). 

Arava (willow) represents the lips – the service of the lips, which is prayer (Psalm 68:5).


At the sukkah table, you will see the four different species that were carefully selected at the 'Shuk Araba'at Haminim" — the four species market.

Yeshua also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, where he sat at the temple and taught the people:

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." - John 7:37-39

Why was Yeshua teaching about living water? Because of Simchat Beit Hashoeva, which means 'Rejoicing of the Water-Drawing House'.

At the time, it was believed that Sukkot was the time of year in which God judges the world for rainfall. Therefore they would draw water from the pool of Siloam and enter through the Water Gate in a great and joyous procession, accompanied by the sound of the shofar, and then they would pour the water so that it flowed over the altar.

Yeshua was opening the eyes of the people to the eternal source of living water, one that they would taste from and never be thirsty again — inviting them to be satisfied in Him (John 4:4-19).

Sukkot is more than a time of thanking God for the miracles He performed in the past, but an invitation to accept Yeshua and the abundance of living water that flows from Him — giving life to all thirsty, wandering in the desert, searching for relief.

God's great love set the people of Israel free from slavery and brought them to a resting place so they could enjoy fellowship with Him, enjoying all the great blessings and abundance.

However, the feast of Sukkot was not just for the people of Israel. It was also extended to the rest of the gentile nations. 

"Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.״ - Zechariah 14:16

Just as we praise God for His creation, so God wants all the praises of His creation. For that reason, during the Feast of Tabernacles, many believing gentiles from the nations came to Jerusalem and praised the God of Israel. 

During this joyous time of the year, we pray that you and your loved ones would be set free from your spiritual 'Egypt' and be brought into a place of safety — filled with great abundance, provision, and the providence of the Almighty God of Israel. 

The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the more joyful holidays in Israel. Yeshua gives new meaning to this holiday when He invites us to drink 'living water'.

Sukkot - Living Water in Abundance | Blog | Vision for Israel

Our hearts are full of gratitude to all of you, our dear partners. Thanks to your generous donations and partnership, we can give more and increase the number of recipients. As Israelis living within our people, we will continue to restore, support the weak population, embrace all those around us and say “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Every summer before the school year begins, our Vision for Israel team distributes school bags to children from distressed families.

No community is unaffected by financial difficulty in Israel, from religious to secular, Arab and Ethiopian, new immigrants, victims of terrorism, at-risk children, asylum seekers, migrant workers, and more.

Our heart is to reach every child in need and ensure they begin the new school year confident, equal to their peers, and ready to focus on academics.

The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to cause a significant immigration crisis. Refugees and new immigrants arriving in Israel suffer from post-trauma and severe economic hardship.

Vision for Israel is in contact with organizations that provide aid to refugees – supplying them with clothing, textiles, and essential equipment. In partnership with these organizations, we distributed equipment for children, babies, women, and men as a donation with the intent of helping them rebuild their lives.

Our hearts are with the lost, and we hope that through these donations, they will feel the warmth of a home they left behind.

Scholarship Initiative - Honor Where Honor is Due

One of the causes dear to our hearts is the brave victims of hostilities, people who are salt of the earth, overcoming extreme hardship to continue to be a rock and a pillar for their families.

For several years, we have had the privilege to support and collaborate with the organization of victims of hostilities in a scholarship initiative. Through this partnership, we have been able to touch many families in need of assistance by awarding 76 scholarships to students who most needed the blessed assistance.

We at Vision for Israel continue the operation to provide resources and protection for those living in the south, especially for the cities located near conflict areas.

In the last year, close to 90 bomb shelters were installed. It is an honor and privilege as an organization to help provide safety and security for those around the nation. Your generosity and kindness are an active part of saving lives during times of war!

The summer holiday has just come to an end in Israel.  With the rise of inflation and kids being out of school, expenses were higher than usual, and many parents had difficulty working.

Vision for Israel regularly distributes food baskets to needy families, including several cities in the center and south of the country. The smiles and words of gratitude from those receiving the aid warmed our hearts, and we were elated for the opportunity to help them during the challenging summer vacation.

With the High Holidays upon us, and as we enter a season of new beginnings, Vision for Israel has not forgotten the hungry as no one should ever be without the means to celebrate with a festive meal.

Gratefully, we were able to pass out financial vouchers to hundreds of individuals and families in need in cities and communities in central Israel, and the families expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the financial aid they received!

Their fulfillment is our success, and none of this would be possible without you, our generous donors, who bless the families of Israel!

After a two-year hiatus during a difficult world crisis, Vision for Israel is finally hosting tour groups again at the Millennium Center! 

We love hosting, spending time together, and building the Kingdom of God in Israel with you. What doesn't go unnoticed is the constant generosity of our visitors, who bless us with their friendship and bring us essential items for families in need. 

Thank you for being an essential part of the vision to reach all of Israel!

One of the families Vision for Israel loves to aid whenever we can, is a precious couple whose lives have been affected by rocket attacks and who recently requested our help purchasing multifocal glasses. 

The father of the family has been recognized as a disabled victim of hostilities since 2005 and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The mother suffered from cataracts, underwent surgery, and needed multifocal glasses.

When we heard of their request, we jumped on the opportunity to make their difficult lives even a little easier.

In addition to aiding with purchasing the multifocal glasses, we were able to help them every holiday with financial vouchers.

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 

We are so grateful to our partners, donors, and friends who make all of the above possible. There are truly no words to express the great impact you can have on these communities and families. If you have not already, you can take part in all these exciting life-changing experiences by pledging monthly donations to Vision for Israel. Our work is never-ending, and every donation helps us to spread God’s love and word across Israel.

Together we've been supporting education for all ages, giving aid to those who live under the threat of violence, and providing everyday care for those in need.

Impact Report—October 2022 | Blog | Vision for Israel

Challah is the Jewish Sabbath and holiday bread, and it can be made a number of ways, each manner rich in meaning and tradition. Twelve humps from two small or one large braided bread recall the miracle of the 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel. Round loaves, where there is no beginning and no end, are baked for Rosh Hashanah to symbolize continuity. Ladder and hand shapes are served at the meal before the fast of Yom Kippur, the ladder symbolizing that we should ascend to great heights, the hand that we may be inscribed for a good year. However you make it, be sure to follow a simple classic recipe like mine, and enjoy it in good health with your loved ones.

Makes 2 challahs
1 kg. (2 1/4 lb.) whole wheat flour
 2 tbsps. dry yeast
 1 tbsp. brown sugar
 4 tbsps. date honey or molasses
 2 1/2 cups warm water
 1 egg
 1/2 cup oil
 1 tsp. salt
 Egg wash
 Sesame seeds for garnish

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients and knead until dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until dough is easy to handle. 
 2. Let dough rise 20 minutes. Knead the dough with a bit of oil. Let rise again for 20 minutes.
 3. Turn dough into lightly floured surface. Punch down and roll out into a rectangle. Cut into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a rope. Make a braid out of three ropes. Place on baking sheet and let rise again for 20 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sesame on top.
 4. Bake for 30 minutes at 180°C/350°C.

Now you can experience the authentic flavors of Israel and the surrounding region with Batya Segal's personal favorite recipes. A long-time lover of fresh, delicious, and easy-to-execute meals, Batya's recipes will bring the aromas of Israel into your kitchen for the whole family to enjoy. Yours free as a thank you for supporting our life changing work in Israel.

Challah is the Jewish Sabbath and holiday bread, and it can be made a number of ways. This is a simple classic recipe that can be adapted to several occasions.

In Israel today, we commemorate the Day of Atonement as a Sabbath day, when the whole country ceases work, and the roads are empty of cars and closed for travel. It has such great cultural influence that even secular Jews keep the traditions of what is considered the holiest day of the Hebrew calendar.

Jews dress in white and gather to have a last meal (called 'se'uda mafseket') before fasting food and drink beginning at sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur till the setting of the sun the day after. As we prepare to receive this somber day, we pray special prayers of repentance at the synagogue and Wailing Wall, plead for forgiveness, and confess our sins.

Since the time of Moses, God made a way for the people to be reconciled to Him through sacrificing animals until blood more powerful than that of bulls or goats was offered, but that was yet to be revealed.

In the Old Testament, in the book of Leviticus, we read how God — through Moses — instructs the people to set aside a day in which they should fast and make sin offerings, purifying themselves before Him:

"Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God." – Leviticus 23:27-28

Atonement is the act of reparation for an offense or injury; in the case of the people of Israel, the High priest would first offer a sin offering for himself and his family:

"Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness." – Leviticus 16: 6-10

After he and his family purified themselves, the High Priest would then offer a second sin offering on behalf of the people - the blood of a goat:

"Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness." – Leviticus 16:15-16

Today, since there is no temple and no more animal sacrifices, Jews have found other ways of atoning for sin.

During the ten days between Yom Teru’ah (also known as Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement, thousands of Jews go to Jerusalem, pray at the Western Wall, and beg God for mercy while touching the original temple stones.

Another tradition includes swinging a chicken in circles around the sinner's head and transferring their sins to the animal — a process called 'kaparot', which means to atone. The chicken is then slaughtered and given to the poor.

Many people give charity as a money offering; men dip in the Mikveh to purify themselves, and others pray at the 'graves of the righteous', believing that the closer they are to great figures of faith, the more likely God is to hear them.

Jews living in Israel today care greatly to keep the commands of Yom Kippur and yearn for God's forgiveness with all their hearts.

Yet, the eyes of many of the Jewish people are veiled, unable to see that there is only one way in which they can truly be reconciled to God and that is through the atoning blood of Yeshua, their Messiah.

The scapegoat and the role of the high priest were a shadow, a precursor of Yeshua, as He is the scapegoat, taking on Himself the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21), and the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) who stood in the gap on behalf of the people. 

It is only through the revelation of the saving power of Yeshua that anyone can experience forgiveness of sins.

Forgiveness is a precious gift, which sets the captives free from oppression, reconciles hearts, and heals the broken. 

Yeshua declared that He is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) and that no one comes to the Father but through Him.

Sin has ruled in the hearts of man since Adam first sinned in the garden of Eden, but when we receive Yeshua's forgiveness by accepting his ways and receiving the truth, we can truly become alive in Him and receive eternal life.

By confessing our sins, we throw sin off the throne of our hearts and crown Yeshua as King of our lives, allowing His Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out — in our words, actions and intentions:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

Although in the past, forgiveness was given only on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), once a year, Yeshua, who sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins forever, made a covenant with Jews and Gentiles in his blood:

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - Matthew 26:28

Thank God He sent Yeshua, the Yom Kippur sacrifice who made a way for all to enter into right standing with God — being our scapegoat, our High priest, our redeemer, and our King Messiah.

This Yom Kippur, as we pray for the atonement of our sins before His mercy seat, let us remember our Jewish brothers and sisters who have not yet received Yeshua's free gift of eternal forgiveness.

Abba, Elohim — thank you for giving us your Son Yeshua, whose blood atones our sins. Forgive me today of my wrongdoing; create in me a pure heart so my life will be pleasing to you. I forgive those who have sinned against me and bless them in your name.

Please grant me the grace to live according to your holiness and open the eyes of Israel to see you as their redeeming Messiah.

 Amen, and amen!

Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) is a time of repenting and asking for forgiveness but do Jews know that the only way to forgiveness is through Yeshua?

Yom Kippur - True Repentance | Blog | Vision for Israel

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 

Dear Friends,

Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement — is approaching and as you know it is the holiest day in the Jewish faith. It marks the end of the 10-day period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah.

On this occasion, Jews are encouraged to make amends with God and to ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. But it is notable that this important holiday is followed by Sukkot.

Unlike the sombre reflection of Yom Kippur, Sukkot is a joyous holiday. We celebrate the gathering of the harvest and commemorate the 40 years that the people of Israel spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. 

We celebrate the way in which God offered security and protection to the people of Israel during that difficult time. And as we prepare for Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, we cannot forget our many Jewish brothers and sisters who still struggle today. 

As God protected our ancestors in the desert, we too must offer protection to those in need. By forgiving others and ourselves at the top of the year, we open our hearts to give.

“Giving” is the root word of “forgiving.” They are linked. For when you forgive, you set your own will aside and are able to give to a person or cause with an open hand and open heart. 

It is with that open heart that we ask you to help us in supporting those in need. Vision for Israel was founded on the principles of giving, and we could not help the many families we do without your generosity. 

As you accept God’s forgiveness and prepare to rejoice in the Feast of Tabernacles, consider giving protection and aid to the many who will sadly be without it this season. 

Consider becoming a monthly donor to Vision for Israel and you’ll play a key part in the crucial ongoing support provided to so many underprivileged families.

Please donate here. 

Your friends,
Barry, Batya, and the VFI Team

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured you.”  

By forgiving, we are also giving.With Yom Kippur behind us and Sukkot ahead, we want to ensure all Israeli citizens can celebrate the holidays with dignity. 

The Beauty of Generosity this Holiday Season | Blog | Vision for Israel

The Beauty of Generosity this Holiday Season

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.’” 

Rosh Hashanah, which is celebrated on the first of the month of Tishri, marks the beginning of the Hebrew calendar. This special feast is mentioned in the scriptures as a holy convocation and a memorial of the blowing of trumpets.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’” - Leviticus 23:23–25

On the first of the month of Elul, preparations begin for a period of special prayers in the synagogues. In the early morning hours, people gather in the synagogues to ask for forgiveness, for all the wrongdoings they have committed intentionally and unintentionally. 

Many Jews take their families on a special walk in the streets of Jerusalem, listening to the nostalgic melodies and pleasant traditional prayers emanating from the windows of the synagogues. 

Year after year, the people are taken back to their roots and reminded of the Jewish traditions they grew up with and the long history of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews who have prayed in Jerusalem for many generations.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

Rosh Hashanah is considered a 'Sabbath-rest'; for that reason, families gather around for a festive meal with relatives and friends as they light the candles and enjoy a meal comprised of foods that symbolize the new year:

Apples dipped in honey – for a 'sweet and happy new year'.

Round honey-covered Challah bread – the circular shape symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, as well as the crown of God.

Pomegranate – Its many seeds symbolize good deeds. When we eat the pomegranate, we say a blessing that our rights will be as many as the seeds of the pomegranate.

Fish – Blessing those in attendance to be 'the head and not the tail', and in the hope that the year will be as bountiful as the fish in the sea.


Another Rosh Hashanah tradition is that people bless each other with 'Shana tova umetuka' (a good and sweet year) or ‘Shana tova ume’vorechet’ (a good and blessed year). 

“‘And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets.” – Numbers 29:1

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah (the 'head of the year') is also called Yom Teruah. The word teruah means "to make a sound”. For this reason, this special holiday is marked by blowing the shofar (a ram's horn) in synagogues in Israel and worldwide. 

In the Bible, the sound of a trumpet blast was used as a special call as a warning, a time of mourning or war, or on joyous occasions – to proclaim the beginning of a festive and joyful event.

“With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.” - Psalm 98:6

In Israel, the shofar is blown in the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah in a series of three types of blasts:

Shevarim — a series of three short wails

“Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,

At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.” – Psalm 81:3

In this instance, the sound of the shofar is a joyous one, declaring a time of new beginnings and joy, but Rosh Hashanah is not only about welcoming the new year – the shofar also serves as a call to repentance and forgiveness.

While most of the world celebrates their new year with fireworks, New Year’s resolutions, and counting down till midnight with a drink in hand, the biblical feast of the Hebraic new year is celebrated differently.

Rosh Hashanah also begins a ten-day period leading up to the holiest day of the Jewish calendar Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). On Yom Kippur, the priests would enter the Holy of Holies and repent on behalf of the people of Israel and ask that God would cleanse them of their sins. 

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are dedicated to deep introspection, self-examination, and soul searching that results in repentance. 

As believers in Yeshua, we have confidence that our sins are atoned for and that we are made a new creation through His sacrifice.

“Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through the Messiah and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Messiah God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them; and He has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. We are therefore ambassadors for Messiah, as though God were making His appeal through us. We beg you on behalf of the Messiah, be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (TLV)

“Then I will give them one heart. I will put a new Spirit within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh…” — Ezekiel 11:19

Only through true salvation in Yeshua and a covenant between God and man can we stand before the King of Kings and be found righteous in the Messiah.

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” — Jeremiah 31:31-33

The true hope of Rosh Hashanah is the hope of reconciliation, gratitude for forgiveness, a covenant relationship with Yeshua, and the miracle of becoming a new creation.

As thousands of Jews gather to listen to the blowing of the shofar in the synagogues worldwide and in Israel, let it be a call to repentance, ushering in the days of great salvation and redemption.

And shout among the chief of the nations;

The remnant of Israel!’” — Jeremiah 31:7

As we say in Israel: May you be the head and not the tail and have a 'Shana tova u'metuka'! We have hope, peace, and love and wish you all a happy and blessed new year!

Rosh Hashanah is more than a festive holiday reminding us of new beginnings, it's an opportunity to reconcile with God and pray for salvation.

Rosh Hashanah - Covenental Reconciliation | Blog | Vision for Israel

Rosh Hashanah - Covenantal Reconciliation

“The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever.” 

At Vision for Israel, we understand that matters of legacy can be complicated and sometimes tough to talk about. We all consider what we will leave behind when we’re gone. But in addition to providing for our loved ones, what lasting legacy are we leaving?

VFI’s mission to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Israel would not be possible without the contributions of our donors. Many people give to charities during their lifetime, but only around 7% leave a gift to a charity in their will. A small increase in this percentage has the potential to make an enormous impact because planned gifts like these provide vital income to non-profits like Vision for Israel.

A legacy gift to VFI costs you nothing today and can be a valuable way of reducing your inheritance tax liability on your estate. This is because a legacy in your will to a registered charity like VFI is tax-free.

Beyond the practical advantages, when you leave a legacy gift, you make Vision for Israel, a cause you care about, an important part of your story.


“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” — Genesis 17:7

When you include VFI in your estate plan at any level, your generosity helps us in achieving our mission of supporting and healing communities in need. It may only take a few minutes to leave a gift in your will, but the impact of your donation impacts generations to come.

The apostle Paul, author of Hebrews says, “By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead” (Hebrew 11:4). Over the years, God has placed it on people’s hearts to remember Vision for Israel in their wills—and so, too, do their voices still speak. 

As you consider your options, we ask that you prayerfully consider leaving a faith legacy to Vision for Israel. To learn more about this opportunity and the specific types of legacy bequests we offer, please visit our website or contact: 


The Joseph Storehouse Trust
P.O. Box 5, Swindon, SN3 4FB
United Kingdom

Email: info@josephstorehouse.co.uk
Tel: 01793 279 111


May God bless you and keep you.


Very Sincerely Yours,
Barry, Batya, and the VFI Team

“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain...”

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.”  

A planned gift is a lasting investment in Vision for Israel, advancing our mission and ensuring our ability to provide aid to the people of Israel.

An Everlasting Inheritance | Blog | Vision for Israel

Overcoming Trauma One Act of Kindness at a Time

Unfortunately for many living in Israel today, terror can strike at any moment, leaving unimaginable trauma and disability in its wake.

Shlomo* became a victim of hostility when a Qassam rocket fell near his home in 2005. Since this tragic incident, he has received treatment at a mental health clinic every week, attempting to lead an everyday life with the aid of antidepressants and other anxiety-treating medications. 

Rachel*, his wife, is experiencing challenges of her own since becoming physically disabled due to falling into a pit caused by a Qassam rocket in the city market. She has become limited in movement and is forced to spend her days in frequent clinic visits to receive medical treatment.

Shlomo and Rachel have been diagnosed as severely disabled, making their ability to sustain themselves financially impossible.

Vision for Israel has had the immense privilege of supporting Shlomo and Rachel for seven years with special requests and assistance in groceries in preparation for the holidays.

So when we heard that Rachel needed help to pay for special glasses to restore her eyesight, we were grateful for the opportunity to lend a helping hand. 

A Letter from Shlomo to Vision for Israel:

"My name is Shlomo, an ultra-Orthodox Jew who lives in the south of Israel by the Gaza strip.

By the grace of God, I was born to wonderful parents who gave me an education, love, and endless joy in life.

However, when I was 12 years old, my world turned upside down when my dear little brother Reuben* was killed in front of my eyes in a horrific accident. 

My dear father and mother passed away a few years later from broken hearts at a very young age.

To my bitter fate, I am a father whose lovely daughter died at a young age, and my eldest nephew (19 years old) lost his life while serving as a border police fighter during a conflict in the city of Hebron.

And now my beloved wife Rachel is severely disabled. We "live" on pensions from the National Insurance Institute, which leaves us with nothing; we've had to take out various loans for unexpected medical treatments and are burdened by a case of a writ of execution.

With the help of God, I now turn to you for urgent help since my wife underwent complex eye surgery in the last two months and is now in need of special glasses.

I ask that you would help us with a financial donation so that we can exist in a way that the remainder of our human dignity will not be taken away from us.“

For couples such as Shlomo and Rachel, life has not been kind.

We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but we can be the vessels that restore dignity to those stripped of the means to sustain themselves and restore their sense of purpose - one act of kindness at a time.

Thankfully, because of your tremendous support and generosity, we were able to provide Rachel with special glasses to improve her eyesight, regain her health and improve the quality of her life.

We were overjoyed when we received a heart warming letter from Shlomo, thanking us for our help:

"I have a special reason to tell you again - thank you! Thank God you stand by my side during this difficult and exhausting time. 

You are undoubtedly the engine that drives my heart to love life despite my many difficulties. You are beautiful proof that there are still people who help those disabled from terror attacks.

I am thankful from the bottom of my heart that you have always dealt with me with sensitivity, professionalism, and friendship - it is a great privilege for me to be treated by your organization. Your investment in my wife and me is priceless.“


*All names have been changed to protect the identity of these individuals. 

Unfortunately for many living in Israel today, terror leaves its victims in severe trauma. We're here to heal their heart - one act of kindness at a time.

Shlomo & Rachel - From Rockets to Restoration | Blog | Vision for Israel

Shlomo & Rachel - From Rockets to Restoration

Open your mouth, judge righteously, plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Dear friends,

The high holidays are fast approaching and Jews worldwide and in Israel are preparing for this special time. As support from the Israeli government dwindles for its people, many families are finding themselves falling on hard times. Without government programs and regulations lowering the prices of housing and basic goods, hundreds of thousands of people will fall even deeper into poverty. We must do what we can to help them.

Vision for Israel has always worked hard to provide for the poor, and as we approach the High Holidays, our mission of spreading love and compassion is more important than ever. 

The renewal of Rosh Hashanah, the sombre reflection of Yom Kippur — this holy season is a time in the Jewish calendar when we do "cheshbon ha'nefesh" (searching of the soul) or spend time examining the past year. It is a time to look back at what we did right, what we did wrong, and strive to do better as we move forward into a new year. 

These celebrations are a meaningful way to highlight our moral responsibility toward one another. Here at VFI, we have always felt the weight of responsibility in giving to those who are suffering. We were founded on the principle of caring for the weak and the underprivileged. 

Our responsibility is to be at every event of the distribution of the financial magnetic cards. Our team is in every distribution and the donation is delivered directly to the head of the family. We do this for us and for you so that the donation goes directly to those in need without any intermediaries.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." — John 13:34

That’s why we are embracing this special time of year by giving financial gift cards to families in need. We want to ensure that all who suffer from lack of food will have the ability to celebrate these High Holidays with dignity and be satisfied.

This holiday season Vision for Israel is thinking of those families and will be donating a total of $125,000 for their welfare. Each family will receive a gift of $125. Your contributions stand to make a lasting impact on those who are struggling right now. Embrace the High Holidays by giving to the poor and hungry. 

Please donate here. 

And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 

Blessing you all with Shana Tovah uMetukah!

Your friends,
Barry, Batya, and the VFI Team

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother...” Deuteronomy 15:7

As we approach the High Holy Days, we need your help in ensuring that all Israeli citizens can celebrate the holidays with dignity.

Offering Help this Holiday Season | Blog | Vision for Israel

And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. 

For this week's Torah portion, we will read Parashat Ekev from Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25, which means 'Because.'

In this parashah, Moses reminds the people of Israel of the covenant God made with them, the blessings they will receive by following Him, and the consequences they would bear if they forget the Lord, their God.

Before entering the promised land, God, in His great wisdom, made sure the people of Israel did not fall prey to their pride, thinking that their righteousness gave them possession of the land. 

But will they remember all His great blessings once they get to the land flowing with milk and honey? And what is the connection between God's covenant with the Israelites and Yeshua's sacrifice on the cross?

Let's explore this parashah and see how God views His covenant mercies, how Israel responded to it throughout their 40 years in the desert, and what we can learn today. 

God's covenant with the people of Israel had numerous benefits. 

Although it would have been enough to be chosen by the God of the universe to be His people (Leviticus 26:45), God wanted to give His people a resting place from their enemies and bless them abundantly (Deuteronomy 7:12-13):

"And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.״

God repeats multiple times in this parashah that if the people of Israel keep His covenant, He will remove their enemies from the land. They will find rest, enjoying the brooks, wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, olives, honey, and all manner of abundance, saying: "you will lack nothing."

But one request guarantees they will continue to enjoy all the benefits of the covenant in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"

That might sound like a simple exchange — fear the Lord and receive the covenant benefits. 

Still, for some reason, the people of Israel often forgot the Lord their God, falling into the pitfall of pride, grumbling, disbelief, and rebellion.

Before making the journey into the promised land, God reminds His people through Moses how He forgave them every time they rebelled (as with the golden calf and at Massah and Kibroth-Hatta’avah).

Why? Because He made a covenant to be their God, and staying true to his character, in His great mercy, He forgave them when Moses asked for forgiveness on their behalf (Deuteronomy 9:25-28):

"So I lay prostrate before the Lord for these forty days and forty nights, because the Lord had said he would destroy you. And I prayed to the Lord, 'O Lord God, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not regard the stubbornness of this people, or their wickedness or their sin, lest the land from which you brought us say, "Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to put them to death in the wilderness."

Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people, asking God to remember the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and forgive the people for His name's sake.

He then warns them not to become conceited, thinking that God gave them the land because of their righteousness (Deuteronomy 9:4):

"Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land".

The covenant God made with His people is the backbone of every fulfilled promise reflected in the sacrifice of Yeshua in the New Testament. 

Yeshua came to earth to die for a world He knew would rebel, betray, abandon and take His mercy for granted.

But because of the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Yeshua considered it a joy to seal the covenant with His blood for the eternal forgiveness of mankind.

Yeshua is a mediator between God and the His people, just as Moses was.

When the people of Israel sinned, Moses would meet with God, asking Him to remember His covenant. Yeshua, making a covenant in His blood, served as the ultimate sacrifice.

From there, Romans 6:15-16 makes it clear that although we are forgiven through His covenant, we are not to use God's mercy as an excuse to sin:

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

Just as God warned the people of Israel not to become conceited, Paul reminds the body of Messiah to obey God, not motivated by obligation but by grace and their desire to serve Him.

Although God's covenant is eternal and His love is everlasting, this should not be a reason to wrongfully take advantage of His kindness.

We are saved by God's grace, not our actions and works of obedience alone because God looks at the intention and motive of the heart.

Throughout history, the people of Israel forgot God and the covenant He made with them. They paid a terrible price for forgetting that every good thing they had was because of Him.

Can you recognize an area in your life where you stepped out of the bounds of God's covenant and into pride, stubbornness, or disbelief? 

Just as with the people of Israel, it is never too late to go to God's mercy seat, ask for forgiveness, and enter back into the safety of His protective covenant with you.

Yeshua made it possible for us to enter into this eternal covenant. Let us take advantage of it so we can walk in obedience and intimacy with Him and remember that we on our own possess no righteousness apart from what God Himself grants us through the covenant made in the blood of Yeshua.

Let's pray together: God, thank you for your covenant and unfailing love. Help me walk in obedience to your ways and give me the grace to continuously stay within the bounds of your everlasting promises to me.

In Parashat Ekev, God reminds the Israelites of the covenantal blessings and the consequences they will bear if they fall into pride and forget God.

Parashat Ekev - Covenantal Blessings | Blog | Vision for Israel

“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:” 

Dear friends,

Each and every one of us wants to be successful and prosperous in life. We all have different definitions of success and different starting points, but no matter what the status of each one of us is, we all strive to reach a life of blessing.

We all remember the piggy bank we had at home where we would put coins in every time we received a gift from our parents or relatives. Every so often we would open the piggy bank and count the coins. Then we would think about what we could buy with all the coins we saved. Now we are not counting coins we have saved, but blessings. Think of every coin you have received in your life as a blessing you have given to someone in your life. Now is the time to make use of these blessings. 

It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, you can still be full of blessings. Blessings do not come only in the form of economic wealth. Rather, blessings come in the form of joy, health, contentment, love, financial stability, well-being, satisfaction, appreciation, generosity, and gratitude for what we have.

The best thing we can do is make our very existence a blessing to others. If you always strive to be kind to those you meet, generous with your resources and help when you can, you create blessings in other peoples’ lives. When you bless others, the blessings will come back to you.

This is what VFI is all about. When you partner with us, you become part of the blessing, and in return, God pours His blessings on you.

Since the beginning, our goal has been to create a support and blessing system for people who have reached a state of difficulty or crisis. We offer support, funding, resources, and other small blessings for those who need it most: we feed the hungry, we provide for the poor, and we celebrate the lonely and forgotten in our world. In return, we have seen some of the most beautiful and honest acts of love from those around us. We are repeatedly reminded that the Lord's love is so great and His blessings are beyond our expectations or imagination. When we show up and give blessings to others, God shows up to bless us in return. 

Giving blessings to others does not detract or deprive us of anything. Blessings are not limited, they are limitless and there are enough of them to go around.

Each one of you is a blessing. Your prayers and financial support are greatly appreciated, and we want you to know how special you are. We feel your presence with us in every achievement and blessing we give and receive.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.“ -- Matthew 5:6

We hope that God’s blessings never stop pouring into your life and that you always have the presence and peace to recognize them. Please continue to help us bless others by donating here. 

May the Lord Bless and Keep You,

Barry and Batya with the VFI team

“Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!״ 

When you bless others, God blesses you. The more goodness you put into the world, the more goodness you see. We aim to be a blessing for those who need it most. 

Blessings Shall Come Upon You | Blog | Vision for Israel

"When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said." 

For this week's Torah portion, we will be reading Parashat Matot-Masei from Numbers 30:2-36:13, which means 'Tribes-Journeys'.

In this Parasha, we will explore the 40-year journey the tribes went through in the desert, the importance of our vows, following God's instructions, and making sure our words match our actions.

At this point, the people of Israel are nearing the end of their 40 years of wandering in the desert and have gone through many tests and trials.

God used their time of waiting to enter the promised land as the perfect opportunity to prepare them to face their enemies - but not before they learned to walk in another level of obedience and integrity.

Here are three examples in which God teaches the people of Israel how their words, obedience, and actions go hand in hand with consequences, for better or worse.

The parashah starts with Moses' instructions to the heads of the tribes, explaining to them the importance of treating their vows to the Lord in reverence, taking extra caution to be fully committed:

"When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said." - Numbers 30:2

Often, words can be used casually and without much forethought of the potential consequences they might bring.

Moses was a mediator between God and the people, and God chose him as a mouthpiece to convey his will to the people — which is a great and powerful position to be in.

As a leader, he learned firsthand how important and influential his words were as he was not allowed to enter the promised land after rebuking the people at Meribah.

So it is no surprise that he teaches them one of the most important lessons: your words matter, whether that is an oath, correction, or guidance. If they are used carelessly, you risk making the holy and important things profane or even leading people astray.

Moses even gives examples of cases in which a person should be released from oaths and obligations. Thank God there is a solution even when we over-commit and bite off more than we can chew! 

God then commands the Israelites to go to war against the Midianites, who followed Balaam's advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord:

"So Moses said to the people, ‘Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord's vengeance on them. Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel.’"  - Numbers 31:3-4

Although they won the battle, they disobeyed God's instructions by taking women unto themselves:

"The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks, and goods as plunder. They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps."  - Numbers 31:9-11

Moses was angry since he gave them instructions, and they did not obey. He then instructed them to cleanse themselves after their disobedience. 

After some time, while dividing the plunder between the tribes, they understood their ways were not pleasing to the Lord and showed genuine remorse by collecting an offering to God:

"So we have brought as an offering to the Lord the gold articles each of us acquired—armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord."  - Numbers 31:50

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Kubaneh (Batya's mom's recipe)

Wednesday, 23 March 2022

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