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The Game of Life
TuS Makkabi Berlin players pose for a team group photo before their first round match in the DFB Cup against VfL Wolfsburg at Mommsenstadion stadium in Berlin, Germany on August 13, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
JNS.org – You may be familiar with the story of the passionate British soccer fan who was asked whether he considered soccer a matter of “life and death.” He said, “No. It’s much more important than that!”
Well, I’d like to address what I would call some of the “more important” things in life.
The final countdown has officially begun. It’s a week to Rosh Hashanah. Hopefully, you’ve sorted out your synagogue seating arrangements, festive meal schedule and a few new Yom Tov recipes. Now for a look at other matters …
This Shabbat, we will read two short but intense Torah portions, Nitzavim and Vayelech. Together, they comprise a grand total of only 70 verses, but they are packed with powerful messages for life, particularly for this season in our calendar.
“You stand firmly today, all of you together, before G-d … ” is the beginning of the first reading, Nitzavim. Moses is addressing the entire nation as he prepares for the end of his life and to pass the baton onto Joshua, his successor, who will take the people into the Promised Land.
Moses speaks of the unity of Israel, the accessibility and practical relevance of the Torah way of life for all of Israel, that we all have freedom of choice, and how God appeals to us to choose our path in life wisely.
According to commentary, the opening line, “You stand firmly today,” is actually a veiled reference to Rosh Hashanah, which is always observed in the week following this reading. The Hebrew word, hayom, “today,” is a word that will be heard many times over Rosh Hashanah. No doubt, many different melodies come to mind from just this one word. Hayom, this day, is the Day of Judgment; it is therefore not surprising that the word reverberates through our Yom Tov holiday prayers.
So, how are we to prepare for the Days of Judgment ahead?
Firstly, we are encouraged to focus not only on the necessary physical or culinary preparations but, more importantly, to get ourselves into a state of spiritual readiness.
Have you ever had the frightening experience of preparing for the wrong test? You spent hours reviewing your history syllabus, and when you arrived at school, you received the English exam? If you have, I’m sure it was panic-inducing and unnerving, to say the least.
Well, we all have to pass our own tests in life. What would happen if we arrived at the Heavenly exam and the questions put to us were not at all what we spent our lives preparing for? We’ve focused on our businesses, our health, our sports and leisure activities—all necessary and natural. But what if we’ve forgotten about the other areas of life that are “more important?”
The Talmud (Shabbat 31a) has shared some inside information about the questions we will be asked at the legendary Pearly Gates. Guess what? None of the questions pertain to our wealth, health or occupations. We will not be asked about our share or property portfolios, our waistlines or our athleticism.
We will be asked whether we conducted our business affairs faithfully with honesty and integrity, if we fixed regular times for Torah study, if we did our best to raise a family, and if we looked forward to the Final Redemption.
Does this come as a shock to you? Did you imagine that if you would say, “Let me into heaven because I made the Fortune 500,” or “Open the Gates of Heaven for me because I ate my broccoli or I never developed a pot belly,” or even “I supported the winning NBA or Super Bowl team, or Manchester United or Liverpool,” you would gain entry?
The eternal questions deal with the truly important things in life. Were you a worthy human being? Were you honest and upright? Did you dedicate yourself to studying God’s wisdom? Are you leaving a legacy of children and grandchildren who will learn from your fine example? Did you aspire higher and were hopeful of a better world for all?
Of course, health is important. Ask anyone who is suffering from illness. Wealth is a big one, too. We all want to live comfortably and be able to give generously. And to have a break from work and engage in sports, whether as a participant or spectator, has its merits, too. But these are all means to a higher end. When the game of life is over, the truly important things—our higher value system and the legacy we leave top all those considerations. A healthy and wealthy life is not as important as a worthy life.
We still have a week to prepare for the right exam—to focus our time and attention on higher values, and to recalibrate our priorities in preparation for the new year. If we do it, we’ll be able to answer the questions much more confidently. May we be prepared and be blessed.
I wish you all Shanah Tovah. May our prayers for our unfortunate hostages, valiant defenders and regional peace through our strength and resilience be answered positively. Amen.
The post The Game of Life first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Says Missile Launched by Yemen’s Houthis ‘Most Likely’ Intercepted
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi addresses followers via a video link at the al-Shaab Mosque, formerly al-Saleh Mosque, in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb. 6, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
The Israeli army said on Saturday that a missile fired from Yemen towards Israeli territory had been “most likely successfully intercepted,” while Yemen’s Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the launch.
Israel has threatened Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement – which has been attacking Israel in what it says is solidarity with Gaza – with a naval and air blockade if its attacks on Israel persist.
The Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group was responsible for Saturday’s attack, adding that it fired a missile towards the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.
Since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade.
Most of the dozens of missiles and drones they have launched have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes.
The post Israel Says Missile Launched by Yemen’s Houthis ‘Most Likely’ Intercepted first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Iran Holds Funeral for Commanders and Scientists Killed in War with Israel
People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Large crowds of mourners dressed in black lined streets in Iran’s capital Tehran as the country held a funeral on Saturday for top military commanders, nuclear scientists and some of the civilians killed during this month’s aerial war with Israel.
At least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders were among those mourned at the funeral, according to state media, including armed forces chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace Force chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Their coffins were driven into Tehran’s Azadi Square adorned with their photos and national flags, as crowds waved flags and some reached out to touch the caskets and throw rose petals onto them. State-run Press TV showed an image of ballistic missiles on display.
Mass prayers were later held in the square.
State TV said the funeral, dubbed the “procession of the Martyrs of Power,” was held for a total of 60 people killed in the war, including four women and four children.
In attendance were President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, who was seriously wounded during the conflict and is an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as Khamenei’s son Mojtaba.
“Today, Iranians, through heroic resistance against two regimes armed with nuclear weapons, protected their honor and dignity, and look to the future prouder, more dignified, and more resolute than ever,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who also attended the funeral, said in a Telegram post.
There was no immediate statement from Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the conflict began. In past funerals, he led prayers over the coffins of senior commanders ahead of public ceremonies broadcast on state television.
Israel launched the air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.
Iran retaliated with barrages of missiles on Israeli military sites, infrastructure and cities. The United States entered the war on June 22 with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
TRUMP THREAT
Israel, the only Middle Eastern country widely believed to have nuclear weapons, said it aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.
Iran denies having a nuclear weapons program. The U.N. nuclear watchdog has said it has “no credible indication” of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran.
Bagheri, Salami and Hajizadeh were killed on June 13, the first day of the war. Bagheri was being buried at the Behesht Zahra cemetery outside Tehran mid-afternoon on Saturday. Salami and Hajizadeh were due to be buried on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would consider bombing Iran again, while Khamenei, who has appeared in two pre-recorded video messages since the start of the war, has said Iran would respond to any future US attack by striking US military bases in the Middle East.
A senior Israeli military official said on Friday that Israel had delivered a “major blow” to Iran’s nuclear project. On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement that Israel and the US “failed to achieve their stated objectives” in the war.
According to Iranian health ministry figures, 610 people were killed on the Iranian side in the war before a ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday. More than 4,700 were injured.
Activist news agency HRANA put the number of killed at 974, including 387 civilians.
Israel’s health ministry said 28 were killed in Israel and 3,238 injured.
The post Iran Holds Funeral for Commanders and Scientists Killed in War with Israel first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Pro-Palestinian Rapper Leads ‘Death to the IDF’ Chant at English Music festival
Revellers dance as Avril Lavigne performs on the Other Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
i24 News – Chants of “death to the IDF” were heard during the English Glastonbury music festival on Saturday ahead of the appearance of the pro-Palestinian Irish rappers Kneecap.
One half of punk duo based Bob Vylan (who both use aliases to protect their privacy) shouted out during a section of their show “Death to the IDF” – the Israeli military. Videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) show the crowd responding to and repeating the cheer.
This comes after officials had petitioned the music festival to drop the band. The rap duo also expressed support for the following act, Kneecap, who the BCC refused to show live after one of its members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – better known by stage name Mo Chara – was charged with a terror offense.
The post Pro-Palestinian Rapper Leads ‘Death to the IDF’ Chant at English Music festival first appeared on Algemeiner.com.