The Car that Kept Shabbos

By COLlive reporter

Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired at least seven volleys of rocket fire into southern Israel on Monday afternoon and evening, undermining reports of a cease-fire.

Classes have been cancelled in Ashdod, Beersheba and Gan Yavne by municipalities and regional councils, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The escalation began over Shabbos. The Islamic Jihad has taken responsibility for the majority of some 39 rockets fired at Israel from the Strip in the past few days.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday he holds the Hamas terrorist group accountable for all rocket fire from Gaza, although they are at odds with the Islamic Jihad.

In an interview on Monday with Army Radio, Barak said if Palestinians want a cease-fire, Islamic Jihad and Hamas will need to actually stop their attacks.

Meanwhile, in Gan Yavne, a rapidly growing township, residents have come over to the local Shliach Rabbi Schneur Zalman Kurant to share experiences and thoughts on the situation.

Many were thankful to Hashem for sparing lives as the rockets have only destroyed properties – one in close proximity to the Chabad House.

One story that was told was of a non-religious woman who was recently asked by her daughter not to drive her car on Shabbos.

She agreed and left her car parked outside her home as she walked to the Shabbos meal.

Her car took direct hit by a rocket, thus protecting a Jewish passerby who would have been hit otherwise.

“There is a spiritual awakening here,” Rabbi Kurant told COLlive. “Many Jews came to see the places that were hit and hear the miracles. I gave out pocket-size Tehillims and offer them to put on Tefillin.”