Rabbi Howard Morrison

The name of Israel's preemptive strike on Iran is "Operation Rising Lion." The origin of the term harkens back to Parshat Balak in the book of Numbers 23:24, where the Prophet Bilam exclaims to the Moabite king, Balak. "Lo, a people that rises like a lioness, leaps up like a lion, rests not till it has feasted on prey and drunk the blood of the slain." 

While many readers may not be familiar with the aforementioned Biblical citation, it appears in the context of Bilam refusing to curse the Children of Israel at the behest of Balak. Ultimately, Bilam blesses the Children of Israel in the following chapter with words that are familiar to many of us and which are recited to this day upon entering the synagogue, "How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel (Numbers 24:5)."

May the events unfolding before our eyes truly result in a blessing for Israel, all the Jewish people, and all who love us.

Rabbi Howard Morrison