This week’s Torah portion opens with what looks like a minor detail: pure, beaten olive oil—just enough to keep a lamp burning.

But the Bible isn’t talking about “religious vibes.” It’s teaching a pattern for real spiritual life:

Light isn’t made by flashes of inspiration.

It’s sustained by quiet, daily faithfulness.

The Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) doesn’t run on hype. It runs on oil—and oil is only produced through pressing. The very pressures of life, the routines, the unseen responsibilities… those are often where the purest light is born.

And then there’s Aaron: not a celebrity leader, but a guardian of the flame—carrying the people on his heart, keeping the center lit, even when nobody is watching.

If you’ve ever felt like your faith is “too ordinary” to matter—this portion says the opposite.

👉 Read the full reflection

Israel OKs 1,300 new homes in Jewish town in Samaria

Israel's Defense Ministry approved the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in the Samaria community of Kedumim.

The 1,338 homes in the planned Nahalat Esther neighborhood will more than double the size of Kedumim, which currently has some 4,850 residents.

This is part of the effort to boost the Jewish population in the biblical heartland.

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The remains of a Roman amphitheater at Beit Guvrin National Park in central Israel.

Photo by Yossi Aloni/FLASH90

Thousands of runners took part this morning in the annual Tel Aviv Marathon.

Emunah Chirak, widow of Sgt. Yosef Yehuda Chirak, who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, visits his grave after giving birth to their son, Mevaser Tov, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, February 5, 2026.

Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

IDF: In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces.

This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces.

Explosions reported in Tehran.

Israel has launched another preemptive assault on the ayatollah regime.

This is expected to quickly become a joint Israeli-American assault on the Iranian regime.

This could mean either a massive response against Israel if the regime feels this is its end, or the response could be more contained with Iran being hit by the full force of both the Israeli Air Force and the US Navy and Air Force assets in the region.

Stay tuned.

Israel also carried out a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon early this morning.

Rather symbolic that this assault that many hope will bring down the ayatollah regime and end its threat to the Jewish nation is happening as we prepare to celebrate Purim.

Israel's Mossad in a Persian-language message to the Iranian people:

"Our Iranian brothers and sisters, you are not alone! We have launched a super secure and special Telegram channel for you.

"Together we will bring Iran back to its glorious days.

"Share with us photos and videos of your just struggle against the regime. And most importantly - take care of yourselves!
We are with you."

Israel has reportedly struck the Presidential complex and other symbols of the regime in Tehran.

The hope is that the people of Iran will take this opportunity to again rise up and, with the help of Israel and the US, overthrow their tyrannical regime.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly unharmed and has been moved to a secure location.

American officials tell The Wall Street Journal and Al Jazeera that US forces are already involved in the joint assault on Iran.