A Temple practice reinstated after 2,000 years | 4 Sh'vat 5777 Having trouble seeing this email? View it in your browser For I am Hashem that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:45 (The Israel Bible™)   כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה הַמַּעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם לִהְיֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי ויקרא יא:מה kee a-NEE a-do-NAI ha-ma-a-LEH et-KHEM may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim lih-YOT la-KHEM lay-lo-HEEM vih-yee-TEM k’-do-SHEEM kee ka-DOSH A-nee Today's Israel Inspiration This verse appears towards the end of the kosher dietary laws. God draws a clear parallel between obeying the kosher laws and sustaining a status of holiness; of being holy as God is holy. The Bible instructs us to distinguish between things which can be eaten and things which are not to be eaten. In handing these requirements to the Jewish people, God is requiring that they distinguish themselves from the other nations. They are handed an enormous responsibility to live a holy life, to follow God’s commandments and to come as close as possible to the holiness of God. In that role, they are to have a positive influence on the rest of the world. Do you love connecting to the Land of Israel on a daily basis? Israel365 needs your help to support our holy work!   Sponsor Israel365's Mission » Did You Know? Israel is the Second Most Innovative Nation in the World! New findings from the World Economic Forum have determined that Israel is one of the globe’s most innovative and competitive countries. The Startup Nation also ranked third in two other categories, beating out most of the world!   Watch » Sanhedrin Reinstates Biblical Practice of Half-Shekel Tithe After 2,000 Years It is now possible for a Jew anywhere in the world to perform the mitzvah (commandment) of paying the half-shekel, a Biblically-mandated tax incumbent on every Jew to finance the day-to-day operations of the Temple.   Read more » Today's Israel Photo Jerusalem's Western Wall (Kotel) with the Temple Mount in the background is a constant reminder that we must never forget that the Holy Temple once stood on this soil and we must yearn for its return each and every day of our lives. Photo by Shutterstock If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel.   Thank You to our latest Tree Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Tamara Chandler from Georgia; Stephan Hanford from Idaho; Alexandra H. Mulkern from Maryland; Michael J. Weinstein from New York. Plant a Tree in Honor of Tu B'shvat »   Thank You to Our Holocaust Campaign Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Rita Ahnefeld from Germany; Jonathan and Anita Levy from South Africa; Ron Rider from Washington; Lyle Shoostine from Florida. Donate to Holocaust Survivors Now »   Thank you to our Israel365 Store Customers "Todah Rabbah" to Donna Jollay from Israel; Sherri Knapp from North Carolina; Nestor Rodrigues from Karnataka, India; Riley Conners from Ohio. Shop the Israel365 Store » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Long Live Israel” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch » Dear Israel 365, Thank You so much for this awesome opportunity to bless our new great leader President Trump. I love your website, and I visit it every single day. Long Live Israel, and G-d bless you. Sincerely Denny. Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com