Operation Cast Lead: Sirens in Ashdod

Operation "Cast Lead" began today in Gaza, destroying Hamas security compounds in Gaza.

Over 60 IAF planes attacked Gaza. As the planes begin their 40-60 second bomb-run descent over my hometown of Ashdod, we always know when something is brewing. There's a distinct difference in the whine of the jet engines when they're on a patrol or maneuver and when it's the real deal. At the Melitzer synagogue in Ashdod, we were in the middle of the Torah reading at exactly 11:13 AM Shabbat morning when dozens of jets flew overhead southward toward Gaza, some 24 km (15 miles) away. Since the IDF doesn't perform maneuvers on Shabbat, we had all the more reason to believe that the age of restraint was now coming to an end.

The Israeli airstrike was deadly accurate, destroying several Hamas training camps and even bombarding a Hamas terrorist graduation ceremony. The badly bleeding Hamas countered by firing dozens of Qassam rockets and Grad (Katyusha) missiles.

At 2:10 PM, while I was walking home from my Shabbat afternoon hitbodedut (personal prayer session), the Color-Red Warning Siren went off for the first time in Ashdod. An unconfirmed report here said that a Grad missile fell in the sand dunes about a mile south of the southern entrance to Ashdod, near a shopping mall that's open on Shabbat. Grad missiles also fell for the first time in Kiryat Gat. Beber Vaknin of blessed memory was killed in Netivot. More than 80 missiles and mortar shells rained on communities here in the south of Israel. One synagogue received a direct hit.

Now is the time for unity. We pray that Hashem gives our leaders the necessary wisdom to make the best decisions. We also pray for the success and safety of our soldiers as well as for the welfare of our citizens within rocket range from Gaza.

I have a feeling that's difficult to substantiate or to put into words; my heart tells me that Operation Cast Lead is a significant stepping stone toward the full redemption of our people. Time will tell.