February 4, 2009

Friends,

The borders and cities of Gaza and the towns in Israel near to Gaza are quiet now, except for one incident on the Israeli side; a buried bomb exploded when three Israeli soldiers went over it and one of them was killed. It will be very hard for Israel to eliminate such incidents until a ceasefire and peace become a reality.

Former senator, George Mitchell, is now in the Middle East, appointed by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. President Barack Obama has placed the volatile conditions in the Middle East on his highest priority list. His television interview with the top Arabic news company will redefine how the United States will progress with the risky business of an attempted peace between the Palestinians and Israel. Containing the activities of the two terrorist organizations, Hamas and Hezbollah, is also high on the agenda of Arab leaders in the area.

There has been little speculation from the news media on how George Mitchell will address the complex issues that will continue to dominate our news. We can be thankful, at the present, that the cease fire is holding and that there seems to be a rather positive response from the Arab nations to President Obama’s approach to this problem.

Some of you may be aware that February 9, is the national tree planting day in Israel.

The fifteenth of the Hebrew month of Shevat is the Rosh Hashanah (New Year) for the tree planting time in Israel. This day marks the beginning of the season in the Land of Israel when the trees begin to sprout and are judged as to their future. It is also a time for man to relearn an important moral lesson. “For man is a tree of the field,” (Deuteronomy 20:19.) The Bible tells us, like a tree, man too must produce fruit. The fruit of mankind is love for God and doing good deeds. Just as a tree must bear fruit to stay healthy, so too, must man engage in giving to others and in furthering goodness in the world.

On Tu B’Shevat (tree planting day of February 9^th) it is customary to eat fifteen kinds of fruit corresponding to the date of the month and then to read the fifteen Songs from Psalm’s 120-134. The most desirable fruits are specifically those fruit for which the Land of Israel is praised, namely: olives, dates, grapes, figs, and pomegranates.

Blossoming Rose has for many years encouraged people to bless the land of Israel by giving and if possible going and planting a tree in memory of a loved one or living person. Over 700 trees have been planted thus far at Biblical Tamar Park and this year of 2009, we hope to break the 1,000 tree mark.

The cost to plant a tree is $25 and it is tax deductible. Please help us achieve our goal!

Go to Israel if you can with me on February 16 or October 26, 2009. Give if you can and thank you for everything you do for Blossoming Rose and Israel.

We have for 25 years encouraged people to support our Israel work through prayer, gifts, and touring. You can contribute electronically by going to our website and choosing “our store” on the link on the left: www.blossomingrose.org. Just use your credit card or send your gift to our address:  Box X, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.  My cell: 616-901-4153.