New York – Following his call to open Bahrain to the return of its native Jewish population, a delegation of 50 Bahraini Jews who live across the United States stood for a blessing on King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa. Leading the traditional blessing, Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Washington, D.C., director of American Friends of Lubavitch, thanked G-d for “bestowing a part of His glory” on an earthly monarch.
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Shemtov, who maintains relations with many foreign missions in the District and all branches of the U.S. government, attended the Tuesday meeting in New York at the personal invitation of the king. During the meeting, King Hamad said that all expatriate Bahrainis, whatever their religion, could return to their home country at will.
“It’s open, it’s your country,” said the monarch.
After the address, Shemtov spoke with the king, who has spearheaded electoral and legal reforms in his Gulf kingdom since taking the throne in 1999, and more recently suggested through his foreign minister that Israel participate in a regional conference of Middle Eastern nations, including Iran.
“I told him that the Jewish community appreciates the things he’s said recently about Israel and the Jewish people,” Shemtov said from his office on Wednesday.
After commending the king for the foreign ministry’s leadership and the king’s appointment of Houda Ezra Nonoo, a Jewish woman, as Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States, the rabbi spoke about Abraham, the father of both peoples.
“I rise in honor of Your Majesty,” Shemtov told King Hamad. “And I humbly ask Your Majesty to rise in honor of the One G-d, the King of all Kings, in whose Name we offer blessings.”
When the king rose, the rest of the room stood, and Shemtov made the traditional blessing upon seeing a ruling monarch.
“There are some encouraging changes taking place in the world,” said Shemtov. “Bahrain has a rich Jewish history, and I feel that Bahrain, and particularly His Majesty, can play a unique role in bringing about positive movement within their arena in regard to the Jewish people and the world at large.”
very moving, but when we see the Geulah in front of us we should be heading to live in Israel
Bahrain will be a safer place for Jews than the USA once the Obama policies, and “defence force” kicks in.
#2 – sigh,, Unfortunately, I must agree with you. It hurts…
Big Masmid, who can argue with a name like that, though I’d suggest a little more iyun in Sanhedrin Perek Cheilek, perhaps.
I would humbly suggest, that no matter whether Moshiach is on his way, almost here, or has already come, until he tells you or all of us to move to Eretz Yisrael, “heading to live in Israel” is a silly knee-jerk emotional reaction that is not based in halacha (or common sense).
This is what happens when arabs are not used as pawns for murdering in the name of their prophet. Google Bahrain… they have business, they have education, they have good foreign relations… etc. These people are not interested in bombing others. There are a few other Arab nations like that too. It’s the radical ones that need to be set straight.
This is what happens when arabs are not used as pawns for murdering in the name of their prophet. Google Bahrain… they have business, they have education, they have good foreign relations… etc. These people are not interested in bombing others. There are a few other Arab nations like that too. It’s the radical ones that need to be set straight.
BASED ON STATISTICS .THE MOST DANGEROUSE PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR A JEW TO LIVE IS THE STATE OF ISRAEL . I KNOW THIS WILL CAUSE AN UPROAR, BUT IF YOU ARE HONEST YOU WILL ADMIT IT. WE ARE IN GOLUS UNTILL THAT TIME THAT HASHEM CHOSES TO TAKE US HOME
There ARE decent Arabs and decent goyim in this world. There should be more. Education is very himportant and when you have informed people,you have less hatred. It is the people who have leaders who brainwash their poor people that cause useless hatred. Hashem bless the King of Bahrain and bless Mr Obama wit wisdom to make the right decisions that help us and the world.
I was so surprised when I read about what the King of Behrain said. His welcoming of Jews back into his country is like one ray of hope. I could only wish that others would follow in his footsteps.
I have also heard the leaders in Qatar say some nice things about the Israelis. They actually do business together and they have promted Dubai to do business with Israel also but the King of Dubai does not want to. In fact, if you have an Israeli stamp on your passport, you will not be allowed into the country without government approval. This of course, is very sad.
All the Jewish people want to do is live in peace and to advance technology and to live in harmony. I really think there needs to be a major marketing of Jews all over the world. I turly think people distrust and hate the Jews because they don’t really know how intelligent, warm and loving they are. There is this BIG misconception that has to do with all the misguided hatered out there.