Michael Freund

Dvar Haftorah for Shavuot:

“The heavens were opened"

When heaven touches earth.

Shavuot:

From Sinai to Zion

Sinai was the beginning. But Zion was always the destination.

Dvar Haftorah for Bamidbar/ Machar Chodesh:

From David’s tears to Jerusalem’s joy

Like the moon, which wanes before it is renewed, the nation of Israel endured periods of concealment and decline but always held fast to the belief that restoration would come.

Yom Yerushalayim and Parshat Bamidbar:

When the Israeli flag returned to the Temple Mount

The return to Jerusalem in 1967 marked not only a military triumph but a stage in the ongoing restoration of Jewish sovereignty in our ancestral land. And perhaps that is the deeper lesson of Parshat Bamidbar for our time.

Behar-Bechukotai:

Walking the Land, living the Covenant

Eretz Yisrael is more than a place on the map. It is a crucible in which the Jewish people are called upon to refine their identity and fulfill their mission.

Dvar Haftorah: Behar-Bechukotai

Returning to ourselves

This week's haftorah is a profound statement about resilience, about the ability to endure and even thrive amid adversity when one’s foundations are properly rooted.

Dvar Haftorah - Parashat Emor

Making holiness a mindset

“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane and cause them to discern between the impure and the pure" (Ezekiel 44:23).

Dvar Haftorah: Acharei Mot/ Kedoshim

The promise of permanence

Could it be that what we commemorate on Yom Haatzma'ut is not merely a political milestone, but the unfolding of a prophetic promise?

Dvar Haftorah - Shabbat Rosh Chodesh:

At the threshold of renewal

Shabbat Rosh Chodesh is more than a calendrical coincidence, it is an opportunity.

Dvar Haftorah Parashat Shemini:

When faith forgets its boundaries

While we aspire to draw closer to G-d, we must do so on His terms, not our own.

Dvar Haftorah - First Day of Pesach

From manna to meaning

The Haftorah reminds us that the miracles of the past were only the beginning. What comes next is our responsibility.

Dvar Haftorah: Shabbat Hagadol

Before the door opens

It is precisely at the threshold between message and moment, that this special Haftorah’s relevance to our own time becomes unmistakable.

When Sunni Muslims pray for Israel

Sometimes diplomacy doesn’t begin with treaties or official visits. Opiniion.

Dvar Haftorah

Fear not, O Israel

The covenant endures. The Jewish people may face criticism and reproach, but they are never abandoned.

Dvar Haftorah: Parashat Hachodesh

A time to cleanse and begin again

Every national future must rest on something deeper than power alone.

Dvar Haftorah

Purification by fire: the Red Heifer and Iran

Like the ashes of the red heifer, the destruction of Iran’s instruments of death can become the catalyst for cleansing.

Dvar Haftorah:

The price of misplaced mercy

There are moments in Jewish history when compassion becomes cruelty.

Dvar Haftorah:

A house we still yearn to build

We did not simply remember the Temple. We organized our civilization around its absence.

Dvar Haftorah for Mishpatim:

Sacred missions require clean hands

Parshat Shekalim itself revolves around the half-shekel - a modest, equal contribution required of every individual, rich and poor alike, toward the communal service.

Dvar Haftorah

Be careful what you say about Israel

G-d will tolerate many things from His servants. Becoming a prosecutor of Israel is not one of them.

Dvar Haftorah:

Army service: for some or for all?

The Prophetess Devora asks the tribes who did not join the fight against Sisera's forces when Israel was under threat, where were you? This is the question that many in Israel must now confront honestly. And it has nothing to do with the fact that the Israelites won without those tribes.

Dvar Haftorah:

“Do not fear, my servant Jacob"

Jewish existence is not sustained by circumstance, but by promise.

Dvar Haftorah for Shemot:

The great Shofar and lost Jews

We live in an age of unprecedented Jewish freedom and unprecedented Jewish disappearance. The Haftorah tells us that those who have disappeared are not lost forever.

Dvar Haftorah:

King David's parting message

There is profound humility in King David’s words. For all his achievements, he frames his legacy not around military victories or political triumphs, but around covenant.

Dvar Haftorah:

Our shared past and future

The prophet clarifies: Unity demands shared purpose, honest self-examination and recommitment to what binds us together.

Dvar Haftorah:

On Hanukkah and Sydney

The prophet does not deny the danger. He transcends it.

Dvar Haftorah

When the lion roars

The Parsha shows us how individuals can go astray, The Haftorah shows us how nations do.

Dvar Haftorah:

The return of the Bnei Anousim (Marranos)

Their return is happening now. It is not accidental. It is not demographic or sociological. It is prophetic. And with prophecy comes responsibility.

Hundreds of 'Lost Tribe' Bnei Menashe Jews make Aliyah

Michael Freund, founder of Shavei Yisrael, speaks with i24NEWS about the return of the 'Lost Tribe' of Menashe.

10 Indian-Jewish ‘lost tribe’ couples remarried in Israel

Ten Indian-Jewish couples from the Bnei Menashe “lost tribe” marry in a Jewish ceremony at an absorption center in northern Israel.

Watch: Bnei Menashe recite Shema for first time in Israel

72 members of the Bnei Menashe community make aliyah, recite Shema. Beginning of year-long campaign to bring hundreds of members to Israel.

Bnei Menashe gather in India to celebrate Hanukkah

Thousand of Bnei Menashe in India gather to celebrate Hanukkah

Exclusive coverage

Aliyah from China: Jewish history in the making

Arutz Sheva welcomes home 5 women from ancient Chinese Jewish community after thousands of years, in 'fulfillment of prophecy.'

Under the Radar, Shavei Israel Has Brought Back Thousands

The organization has literally facilitated the return of thousands of people to Judaism around the world and is still seeing more demand.

'Israel Must Not Lose Forced Converts to Portugal'

Portugal on Thursday approves giving Jewish Inquisition victims' descendants citizenship; 'Israel must reconnect them with Jewish people.'

Spain Renewing Jewish Historical Sites for Profit?

Critics say Spain is investing in ancient sites of Jewish life wiped out by Inquisition simply to promote tourism.

'A Ray of Light' as Bnei Menashe Return from India

43 Jews from India arrive, bringing year total to a record 410. MK Lipman: 'the arrival should remind us of the special times we live in.'

Watch the 'Lions of Zion' Crowned in Jerusalem

See live feed of Moskowitz Prize for Zionism ceremony, recognizing key nationalists in Israel.

Historic Seder Held in Kaifeng

Remnants of ancient community returning to their Jewish roots with first Seder in memory, sponsored by Shavei Israel organization.

Watch A Chinese Jew's Heartfelt Passover Song

Ram, the cantor of China's renewed ancient Jewish community of Kaifeng, sings of redemption.

Gatherer of 'Lost Tribes' Wins Moskowitz Prize

Michael Freund will share 'Lion of Zion prize' with Zionist notables, including archaeologist who saved priceless Temple Mount artifacts.

Portugal Sets Sights on Renewing Jewish Life

The first Jewish cultural and religious center in Portugal was inaugurated last week following expulsion of Jews 500 years ago.

Poland's 'Hidden Jews' Gather for a Special Shabbat

Dozens of "hidden Jews," Poles who have long-forgotten Jewish roots, gathered for a special Shabbat - at the gates of Auschwitz

Israeli Chief Rabbi Greets Newly Arrived Bnei Menashe Immigrants

Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi congratulated the 274 Bnei Menashe immigrants from India who arrived in the Jewish state in recent months.

2,000th Member of Lost Tribe Returns Home

The 2,000th member of the ancient Bnei Menashe community lands in Israel as a new citizen.

Marranos Gather in Southern Italy to Explore Their Roots

Dozens of Italians of Jewish descent -- Marranos -- have gathered in the southern region of the country to explore their roots this week.

Israeli Government Allows 7,000 Bnei Menashe to Make Aliyah

Thanks to the efforts of Shavei Israel, government drafts plan to allow for more than 7,000 of the Bnei Menashe to arrive in Israel.

The Hamas and Al Qaeda Parallel

India's Bnei Menashe mark Yom Haatzmaut

Hundreds of Bnei Menashe in northeastern India gathered together earlier this week for communal celebrations of Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day).

Seven Ways to Save Jerusalem

Let's Launch Arab Apartheid Week

Promo: Coming Home to Zion

India's Bnei Menashe Celebrate Chanukah

The 7,200 members of the Bnei Menashe community of northeastern India ushered in the festival of Chanukah this weekend with joy and ceremony.

An Appeal of Faith to President George W. Bush

Is Yossi Beilin still rooting for the Seattle Seahawks?

Rafah: A Turbulent History

Israeli Culture: The Last, Great Frontier

Visit From a Dictator

Designer Gas Masks

<I>Chukat</I>: The Prophets, the Process and the Promised Land