Katzav Rape Verdict, Are Other Israeli Politicians and Big-Shots Next?

Former Israeli President Moshe Katzav was convicted of rape and sexual harassment.  I wonder if/when other Israeli politicians and high-ranking army officers could find themselves in the same boat/cell.  Not long ago the IDF Chief of General Staff's bodyguard was also convicted of rape.

There are rumors about many of the highest ranking Israeli officials, but I don't have any first hand knowledge, except for something that happened, davka, last night.  I was at Kraft Stadium at a football game, American tackle football.  Gabi Ashkenazi's, that's the IDF Chief of General Staff, son Itai plays on the same Jerusalem Lion's team as my son.  (Yes, only in Israel do things like that happen.)  Ashkenazi and his bodyguards were sitting right behind me.  We even spoke; he is very polite and cooperated with all the people who asked him to pose for pictures.





At the end of the game, suddenly I felt rough pressure on my shoulder.  The big strong, supposedly fit, bodyguards grabbed me as if I was a support bannister as they walked down the high cement bleachers.  (No, Ashkenazi didn't do it.  Maybe his knees are better than theirs or he's just tougher and doesn't like to show weakness.")  There were no "excuse me's" or any recognition that my body wasn't there for their convenience.  It was all over within seconds, but it makes me wonder about their attitude towards women.  I'm no youngster; I'm frequently the lucky recipient of bus seats, because people want to honor their elders.  It doesn't bother me that I look like a grandmother and not a young one.

Katzav isn't the first high-ranking Israeli politician to have serious legal problems, though most of the others have been charged with corruption, Olmert, Hanegbi, Deri etc.

Last night, one of the people we were with mentioned that he was impressed by the fact that the Israeli judicial system convicted Katzav.  Maybe Olmert will join him in jail.

Rabbi Grossman Battles Hagee Affiliated Missionaries

Posted by Jewish Israel

Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman currently appears in a promotional video for the religious media network Hidabroot, a station which is expressing alarm about Christian missionary programming in Israel. In Hidabroot’s video, the president of the Daystar Christian TV network brags about his ability to televise the gospel into every home in Israel.

Ironically, it was Pastor John Hagee, of CUFI fame, who helped promote Daystar in Israel, and Hagee continues to closely cooperate with that network as well as endorse active missionary ministries in Israel. Rav Grossman's institution, Midgdal Ohr, is a major recipient of funding from Hagee and CUFI.

Those who claim CUFI donations are missionary-free, should become aware of the close and mutually cooperative relationship between the Daystar missionary TV network and Pastor Hagee's endeavours.

In this disturbing report, Jewish Israel charts and explores the "missionary boomerang" for those who need to be well informed.

This report is crucial to understanding how without stringent counter-missionary legislation and enforcement accompanied by ethical accountability and rabbinic guidelines, dependency on evangelical philanthropy will entangle Israel in an intractable missionary web....more

Very Worrying

We're half way through what should be winter, and this is all you see at best as growth.  The weeds should be knee high, and they're not.  Today has been cloudy, but that isn't enough.

We need rain!

Life Isn't A Computerized Card Game

I'm up to a 95% success rate playing freecell on the new laptop.  It's not that I'm the world's greatest player, it's just that once I hit the wall of "you lost," all I have to do is "Ctrl/Z" until it restarts and try again.  No harm.  Nobody killed, wounded or evicted from their homes.  And after I've done it a few times, nowadays I always find a solution.  The 5% loss rate is from when I used to give up too easily.

We've been living in Israel for forty years already, and I've been aware and following Israeli politics and defense for even longer.  Years ago, Decades ago, our politicians used to promise that if the Arabs abused the latest "concessions," "then we'll just go back in and finish them off."  Easy to say, but it never really happened.

Even though every territorial and administrative "gesture" has reduced our true peace and security, we have never gone back in to retake the Land.  In the real world, we can't just Ctrl/Z and bring people back to life, re-attach their limbs, reunify families, rebuild homes and communities.

The Israeli media and politicians speak too easily about destroying Jewish communities as if we're just inanimate Lego pieces to be moved around helter skelter.  The media mourned the Carmel Forest more than they ever mourned Jewish Life in Gush Katif.  There's something very wrong in their priorities.  This is no game.

No New Year, Just a Number

It's that season when those of us memory-challenged have some added stress for some days, weeks, months.  In a couple of days, we're going to have to write a different number year on checks and forms.  OK, maybe the title of this isn't correct.  You can call it a "new year," but don't expect me to lift a glass, get drunk or even say mazaltov.

I just may make a little prayer hoping that I won't foul up a form or do some other dumb thing.

In Israel we are allowed to use Hebrew dates for banking and other clerical needs.  I'll let you in on a secret, if I could ever learn how to write/remember the Hebrew years in letters (and numbers so I'd understand them) I'd probably start using the Jewish Calendar whenever possible.  But I seem to have a bit of a mental block.  I just can't get the Jewish year in my head.  I know the months.  Yes, it certainly helps that I organize Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh.  Also, I can look at the moon and have a pretty accurate idea of which part of the Jewish month it is.

But January first holds no significance for me. 

The Jewish Calendar has a number of New Years.  In three weeks it'll be the New Years of the Trees, TU B'Shvat, the 15th day in the month of Shvat.  No, there's no translation from Hebrew into English for the months.

When I was a high school English teacher, I was amazed at the number of students who hadn't a clue as to the goyish months.  It was especially difficult to explain it to Ethiopian students who had just learned the Jewish Calendar.

Actually, until just over two years ago, the only real importance the first of January had was that it was Uncle George's birthday.  He died just a few months before his 90th.

So, in a couple of days, we'll remember that it would have been Uncle George's 92nd birthday.  We'll think of family, of good times, just like we do on all sorts of similar days.  And no, I don't know when his Hebrew Birthday was.  Yes, I could go to one of those sites to check, but he only celebrated his birthday on that 1-1 date.

When we first made aliyah, it was rare to hear any reference to celebrations on December 31/January 1, but now it's very common, especially in hotels and restaurants.  This year is a challenge, because it's on a Friday night, so kosher places can't have anything if they want to keep their certification.  I noticed lots of ads for celebrations a night earlier and some for a night later.

The goyish new year just doesn't jive with the Jewish calendar and Jewish Life.

Shabbat Shalom

They're All The Same!

Ya'akov, your DryBones really hit target this morning!  That's right.  Antisemitism by any other name is still the same evil anti-Jewish hatred.  Pogroms, the Inquisition, Nazi Germany and those who accuse us of "human rights abuses" or stealing Pseudostinian aka Palestinian sic land have one thing in common.  They want us dead and gone.  Yes, Hitler, Haman and Amalek are all the same.

Rosh Chodesh Shvat at Tel Shiloh, Women's Prayers

Women’s Prayers for Rosh Chodesh Shvat at Tel Shiloh

תפילת נשים ראש חודש שבט בתל שילה

6-1 יום ה' 9:30

יהיה דבר תורה

כולן מוזמנות, נא להזמין קרובות וחברות

Thursday, 6-1, 9:30am

There will be a Dvar Torah

Everyone’s Invited. Please bring friends and family

Pray for our Land, our very Holy Land is in serious danger.  We haven't had enough rain.



We must pray to G-d to give wisdom to our government and religious leaders, so they will lead our Jewish People in the right direction.  Then G-d will reward us with rain, the right amount in the right season, G-d willing.

Turkey's Guilty and Should Apologize to Israel

As usual, Israel is playing the nebich, the dishrag, letting Turkey have the upper hand.  We should be demanding an apology from Turkey and not the opposite.  Turkey is a strong supporter of our Arab enemies. 

Remember that:

A friend of an enemy is an enemy!

There's something so dangerously sick about Israel's constant, obsessive need to beg our enemies for friendship.  It endangers us in more ways than one.

And it's not enough that periodically Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says something that is correct.  Bibi uses his as his lightning rod dually to attract criticism from the Left and support from the Right.  And I don't trust that Lieberman would be any better than Bibi if he was in power.  He just loves the headlines and publicity he gets as "Mr. Contrary."

Things won't get any better for Israel until we 100% stop what we're doing and unapologetically act like a strong, independent proud country. There's no looking back.

G-d and Man Working Together, Matan's Al HaPerek Siyum (Completiton) of Sefer Yehoshua (Book of Joshua)

Last night's festive evening at Matan celebrating the Al HaPerek Siyum of Sefer Yehoshua was a wonderful treat. 

I'm one of the few hundred from all over the world who have already joined the Al HaPerek Bible studies.  It will be a five year program; we receive study/thinking questions on two chapters each week.  Of course, I'm familiar with some limited chapters in the Bible, but most of it will be very new to me.  I don't expect to complete the program as an expert, but I hope to be much more familiar with it than I am today. 

Already, after reading line by line, chapter by chapter, the Book of Joshua is no longer a mystery.  And now Joshua and the initial conquest of the HolyLand are more fleshed out and meaningful in my mind and eye.

I'm certain that neither the organizers nor the speakers had any idea that the two English language classes would match so perfectly.  First Atara Snowbell (my Wednesday Megilat Scroll of Ester teacher) compared the leadership of Moshe and Yehoshua.  Then Rabbi Yehoshua Berman led us in a very inter-active class on Achan and Group Punishment.  (Sorry, but I can't find a copy of the official titles.)

Atara gave us a handout with a chart comparing Moshe and Yehoshua.  The first example of the differences in the leadership was that Joshua delegated authority, while Moshe took on everything, even after his father-in-law, Yitro and later G-d suggested how to delegate, share.  There's a very fine art to knowing how to do this. 

Moses led the Jewish People with the full help of G-d and His miracles, but once Joshua brought the People into the Land, that had to end.  We had to learn to be on our own.  In Rabbi Berman's class we went over the lessons of the battles of Ha'Ai, the differences between the first failed battle and the second, the victorious one.  Joshua delegated responsibility to twelve "spies" to check out Ha'Ai.  In the heady aftermath of the miraculous defeat of Jericho, they reported that it would be a piece of cake and only a small fighting force would be necessary. 

Joshua confidently followed their instructions and sent off a few thousand soldiers.  Those soldiers expected the enemy to miraculously give them their victory.  But the real world is different.  In shock, our soldiers fled, and when Joshua saw this he fell down in misery.  G-d chastised him severely.  Only then did Joshua understand.

Our victories aren't our own.  We defeat our enemies with G-d's help and with strong human leadership.  The second battle of HaAi is a different story.  It's a beautiful working relationship between man and G-d.  The comparison with today and our recent history is so strong and obvious.  I hope you can hear the two classes on the Matan site.  My post is my interpretation of the classes, yes, my "drash" to their "pshat."
I'll end with a bit of the music we were treated to, Moshe Musa Berlin and daughter.

Black! Israel's Water Shortage Getting Even Worse

Last night on the TV News there was once of those typically Israeli clueless pieces about how sad people are because the Carmel was damaged by the fire a few weeks ago.  To show their seriousness they made of point of mentioning the memorial spot for those killed in the bus. 

"I used to love to hike here."
"When will the new trees grow?"

Yes, and other trivial things  so far from the true tragedy I thought it was a cartoon.

Knock, knock, who's there?

This is the Holy Land, G-d country.  He's the One Who knows what must be done.  It's all in the Bible.  And we must pray to G-d.

Shavua Tov, Time to beginThere won't be any trees unless we have a few years of over average rainfall to start making up for the shortfall and constant wastage.  The Kineret, Israel's only large freshwater lake long passed all the red lines and is barely inches, centimeters from black. That's what people should be crying about.

We Just Don't Know How To Lie

The Muslims have been making life very uncomfortable, painfully, terrifying for Christians.  So many traditionally Christian cities here in the HolyLand are now populated by Muslims.

But when it comes to Xmas, suddenly you'd never know it.  The churches, in cahoots as means of survival, play along with the "PA" and pretend all is hunky-dory.

Read all about it by clicking here.

Honestly, which Christian groups will dare tell the truth?

Latma's Merry Jihad Xmas

Jingle Bells - The Bethlehem Version, as only Latma can sing.



Here's the Right news by Latma...

A Lot Easier To Solve Than The "What's First, The Chicken or The Egg?"

Whenever Israel does something any other, all other legitimate countries do to defend itself, the Arab terrorists complain of "Israeli violence sic" and threaten to "escalate hostilities against Israel."

The cause of all this is Arab violence.  The Arabs are always the first to attack, and Israel is usually so slow to respond that the Arabs consider it "their right" to attack.  It's very routine, unfortunately.

Israel keeps trying to be too nice.

That won't help when it comes to terrorists.  Caroline Glick says it very well.  Read, please.

Good News, Bad News, Good-Anti-Israel Bus Ads Rejected, Bad-They Were Proposed

Yes, thank G-d, one battle won.  The people of Seattle won't see anti-Israel ads on their buses.  But that's not the end of the story.  Jews around the world can't relax vigilance.  Our enemies are wealthy and clever and very determined.

One victory.

Most Jews, statistically, grew up in the United States, like I did, grew up with other Jews, whether religious or not.  We didn't feel all that isolated.

Considering that Jews are maybe 2.2% of the American population means that most Americans will never actually meet a Jew.  According to my quick count (on the chart you can access by clicking here) thirty-two 32 out of the fifty states have less than one percent Jews.  Even California has only 3.3%, and the surrounding states have even less.

Because so many Jews live near other Jews, they don't realize that the antipathy so many Americans (and ordinary people all over the world) feel towards anything Jewish and Israeli have nothing to do with us or anything a Jew ever did to them.  That's because they've never knowingly for sure met any Jews.

They don't know much history either, not American, World or the Middle-East.  That's why the Left has such fertile ground to work with on their anti-Israel campaigns.

We have a very, very, very long hard campaign ahead.

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach

Have a Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath

שמות Sh'mot Names, Yes, It's all in a Name

שְׁמוֹת  Sh'mot Names, Chapter 1

א וְאֵלֶּה, שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַבָּאִים, מִצְרָיְמָה: אֵת יַעֲקֹב, אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ. 1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt with Jacob; every man came with his household:
ב רְאוּבֵן שִׁמְעוֹן, לֵוִי וִיהוּדָה. 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;
ג יִשָּׂשכָר זְבוּלֻן, וּבִנְיָמִן. 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;
ד דָּן וְנַפְתָּלִי, גָּד וְאָשֵׁר. 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
ה וַיְהִי, כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ יֹצְאֵי יֶרֶךְ-יַעֲקֹב--שִׁבְעִים נָפֶשׁ; וְיוֹסֵף, הָיָה בְמִצְרָיִם. 5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls; and Joseph was in Egypt already.
ו וַיָּמָת יוֹסֵף וְכָל-אֶחָיו, וְכֹל הַדּוֹר הַהוּא. 6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
ז וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, פָּרוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ וַיִּרְבּוּ וַיַּעַצְמוּ--בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד; וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ, אֹתָם. {פ} 7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. {P}
ח וַיָּקָם מֶלֶךְ-חָדָשׁ, עַל-מִצְרָיִם, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יָדַע, אֶת-יוֹסֵף. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

As I read this for the (who knows how many) time it suddenly occurred to me that maybe the significance of that first line is that "those were the names when they went down to Egypt."  In Egypt they were known by other names.  And maybe if you change the vowels in the word שִׁבְעִים "shiv'im" to "shvu'im," (I couldn't find vowed Hebrew to copy) which has the same letters.  That would mean that Ya'akov expected bad things to happen there, so he had them "shvu'im nefesh," swear their souls to him.

And of course it was obvious that Yosef's identity was secret out of the halls of power, or his family would have discovered news of him when they arrived the first time.  Or probably they would have heard about this amazing "immigrant" to Egypt running the food inventory when they had first about it.

And of course there can be a very different reason...  the new young Pharaoh could have resented Yosef's power and as soon as he died he changed how the brothers were treated.  The Ten older Tribes needed to rescue their brother, but as soon as they saw what a "good life" they could have during the famine, they stayed in Egypt.  And then their "good life" became slavery.  Nothing's new.  When will world Jewry understand?

Anti-Israel Becoming Mainstream* With Added Video

Last night I was sure that it was my flu* delirium when I heard a cheerful anti-Israel Apartheid ditty filmed in some supermarket in the United States.  I haven't been able to find it on the internet and thank Love of the Land for sending it to me.



Remember that most people are followers, and this is something that people will want to join. Of course in their very restricted, limited knowlege those anti-Israelis ignore the very simple proven fact that a large percentage of the workers in these factories are Arabs. So those who would suffer the most if they had to close would actually be Arabs. And history has shown that no matter how much money, equipment etc. is given to the Arabs they'd rather get more free money than work hard at developing industry.

It's a crucial mistake that Israelis count on a special "pro-Israel consensus" among Americans.  It doesn't exist, certainly among the youth and super-especially among international universities.  Just because they have university degrees doesn't mean that they know what South African apartheid really was.  They believe that Israel has an apartheid regime in terms of the Arabs.  Actually, if anyone is restricted, it's us Jews.

Considering that most Israeli universities are extreme Left, it's no surprise that the same philosophy holds all over the world.  The Hebrew University's Political Science Department is one of the worst.  This isn't new.  A student in that department during Oslo was assigned to write a paper on the subject, "Protests Against Oslo Accords Endanger Democracy."  Students were forbidden to disagree with the topic.

The Israeli public, media, politicians, academics and Jews all over the world are in an imaginary cocoon.  Most refuse to look at the truth.  Suddenly the overt anti-semitism will hit us like an avalanche if we don't start working hard to fight it.

*That's why I haven't blogged for two days.  I've been sick.

Israel vs Arabs, No Quick Fix, So Will Obama Take a Break?

For whatever reason, U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama, kept giving the impression that he could solve the "Middle East problem" in a jiffy, and as we all know, that's a whopper of a lie.  Nu, so when is he going to take a sabbatical from the issue and leave us alone?  If he runs for a second term, as Tzachi Hanegbi assumes, Obama will get too busy.  He'll also want to show success, and he won't succeed here, because the situation is nothing like he imagines.

Obama is, like U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a very rigid "orthodox" Democrat, firm believers in American Liberal (with a capital "L") ideology.  I stress that capital "L," because Liberals aren't liberal* at all.  They are very rigid and conservative**, yes, with a "small c."

Actually, the Liberals are frequently more close-minded, rigid than Conservatives, because for many Liberals their ideology has replaced religion.  It's their god and they fear opening themselves up to anything that may put cracks in their theories.

Conservatives who believe in other religions have certain "checks and balances" which sometimes challenge their political beliefs.  That's why Israel has more sincere support from the religious Christians than from the non-believers of either ideology.

Unfortunately, the cat's out of the bag, and it won't be enough that Obama fills his time and energies on reelection.  The rest of the world is busy planning and recognizing a Pseudostinian aka Palestinian sic state.  And it certainly hasn't been good for us that Israeli politics has moved far to the Left.  Today's "center" is what radical Left was twenty or thirty years ago.

We have a lot of work to do to save the State of Israel, G-d willing.

---
*1.a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.

**resistant to change

Jerusalem Post Runs Erroneous Headlines to Yechiel Eckstein's Advantage

Posted by Jewish Israel

In the aftermath of the Carmel fire, there has been an expected outpouring of support from Christian evangelical and messianic groups. In an upcoming series of reports, Jewish Israel will expose the sincere, the deceptive, and the opportunistic among those who are partnering with major Jewish charitable institutions.

But first, we begin by covering an outrageous post-fire media stunt performed by the Jerusalem Post that demands exposure and investigation...

Jewish Israel has learned that the Jerusalem Post featured erroneous headlines alleging that Interior Minister Eli Yishai refused fire truck donations from the Christian group IFCJ.

By promoting the flawed story as a news-breaking "exclusive" - based largely on alleged claims by Yechiel Eckstein - the Jerusalem Post consequently fanned the flames of scandal, expedited calls for Yishai's resignation, gave a boost to Israel's dependency on evangelical philanthropy, and used the upheaval over the Carmel fire as a maneuver against Orthodox groups that do not solicit or accept funds from missionary affiliated organizations.


This is a must read report...more

It Should Be Required Viewing!

Last night, I had a totally unforgettable time in Gush Etzion.  I saw the latest play by Raise Your Spirits Theatre, Judge! Song of Devora! 

It's probably not fair that I'm saying that it's "required viewing" since it's a women only production, by and for women only.  But then again, men may find the message rather disturbing or even emasculating.  The musical is strongly based on the Biblical story of Devora, who was a judge and leader of the Jewish People during the time between Joshua and Samuel.  It was some time during the 369 years that the Mishkan, Tabernacle was in Shiloh.  Devora wasn't based in Shiloh, but near what is today Ateret, southwest of Shiloh, about half-way to today's Ben Gurion International Airport.

Like today, there was a crisis vacuum in leadership, so a woman, Devora, had to step in.  She was also the one who pushed/encouraged Barak to fight our enemies.  And again when Barak and his soldiers didn't execute the archenemy, Sisera, it was another woman, Yael who had to step in a do it.  As I wrote a few lines earlier, men may not like this story too much.  But I consider it crucially important to learn and internalize it.

Women who take over must do it as women and not faux men.  Once a woman puts on a masculine "power suit" she is no better than a man.  That was the interesting little thing in the play about Biblical Yael.  She was a "good girl," feminine, who just tried to do the right thing.  And when the right thing was to kill the enemy, she did it.

Here are a few photos I took during the play. 

An HH Letter from Mottel

Mottel's latest Havel Havelim has a wonderful variety of posts from all over the jblogsphere.  There's lots to read, so dig in and enjoy.

Being "Mr. Nice Guy" Doesn't Help

Israel doesn't frighten anyone or any country.  Deterrence doesn't work.  The world sees Israel as a pathetic rudderless country begging its enemies for peace, willing to cut out its heart and shoot its mother.  Our sticking to fictional "rules" and "moralities," we deny our very legitimacy.   No other country would endanger itself this way, and it hasn't done us any good.

It's amazing, totally miraculous that we've survived so long.  G-d keeps giving us more chances.  G-d is merciful, and G-d loves us, even when we abuse His love.

G-d is like a mother.

There's a human mother, actually unfortunately more than one, who is begging for news of her beloved son who was kidnapped by Arab terrorists.  Miriam Baumel has been informed that the British Government has been sitting on information that can shed light on what happened to her son Zachary and two others captured by Syria in  1982--almost forty years ago, but the British won't release the report.  The British fear Syrian reactions.  They don't fear Israel.  They don't fear any moral punishment.  They fear the Syrians more than they fear G-d, ours or theirs.

According to the report Miriam Baumel has unsuccessfully been lobbying the UK government to see the Lucas report for two years. She has repeatedly been rebuffed with the Foreign Office response: "We are conscious that the release of sensitive information would cause harm to our relationship with Syria."

"I just want the public to know this is a humanitarian matter," the Chronicle quoted Baumel as saying. "We keep getting information that these boys and my son were seen in Damascus and that there were witnesses, and anyone who saw something or who could help must help. I feel the possibilities are great that he is still alive, but certainly the families of those who were seen in Damascus are entitled to closure," she added.

"I am calling on the British government to act in a humanitarian manner and let the families know by releasing this document, for us to go further in finding our children. If you have children, if one of your children would be lost, how would you feel?" Baumel added.

Arab Terrorists Attack, Again

It has been in the news here in Israel that a woman hiking near Beit Shemesh was attacked by Arabs, and the woman who had been with her is missing.  I decided to check if it's mentioned in the New York Times, but the only thing concerning Israel is:

Palestinian PM: Plan for State by 2011 on Track

No doubt that if they could manufacture an Arab who may have been attacked by Jews, that would have been a headline.  And another thing, how can the Pseudostinians aka Palestinians sic have a "PM," Prime Minister?

And even worse, the politicians running the Israeli Government seem oblivious to the fact that the Pseudostinians and numerous countries and international bodies have already started recognizing this new country which plans on supplanting the State of Israel.  Ignoring it won't help stop it.  Neither will trying for find a compromise.  They have made it very clear that they won't compromise.  All attempts are futile exercises in insanity.

WikiLeaks, whether moral or immoral shouldn't be ignored.  The cat's out of the bag.  It reveals how little the world thinks of Israel, and that we really shouldn't count on any other country, including the United States of America.

Back to the woman who was attacked by the Arab terrorists... She's an American citizen.  And still the New York Times hasn't been quick on the draw to post the news.

Latma: Israeli Media Discovers the Public

And Caroline Glick writes about the immorality of the behavior of Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Opposition leader Tsippi Livni. It's obvious that the United States is playing their usual game interfering in foreign politics by trying to help Barak and Livni putsch Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu out of office.

And here's Latma.  It's in Hebrew with English subtitles.

Even On The Eve of Shabbat, The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

My brain is a bit foggy right now.  My normal morning routine is to drink a lot of water and good strong coffee just after waking up.  On Shabbat I drink instant coffee after my water, which doesn't compare, but on Shabbat I'm in different gears.

Friday generally doesn't have fast days.  The Jewish Calendar is adjusted so that certain days, like Yom Kippur, never happen on a Friday, and when other fast days are supposed to fall on a Friday, they are moved up to Thursday. What is so important, so significant about the Tenth of Tevet?  Why do I have to fast davka today, on Friday?  I need that clarity and energy I get from my water-coffee routine.

Today we're mourning:

The Tenth of Tevet marks the onset of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylonia, and the beginning of the battle that ultimately destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, and sent the Jews into the 70-year Babylonian Exile. The date of the Tenth of Tevet is recorded for us by the prophet Yechezkel, who himself was already in Babylonia as part of the first group of Jews exiled there by Nebuchadnezzar, 11 years earlier than the actual destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem itself.

The destruction of our Beit HaMikdash, Holy Temple, took a long time.  I have no doubt that it actually even began before the siege. 

• Maybe  the first stages were when we couldn't build and repair around the Temple Mount. 
• Maybe we Jews were forbidden to reach holy sites. 
• Maybe we had lost control of the sites and they were routinely vandalized.  
• Maybe some "misguided" leaders had been trying to make unworkable compromises with our enemies about sharing Jerusalem.
• Maybe Jewish life was being restricted, and Jews were forbidden to live and build in areas of Eretz Yisrael, The Land of Israel.

The prophet Yechezkel was already in exile eleven years earlier than the destruction.  The destruction was  more than than the physical walls and stones.  Maybe it was something like what we see, and must stop, today.

Looking at it that way, as an eternal danger, it is more understandable why Chazal, our Sages, decreed that even on a Friday, as we prepare for the Holy Shabbat, we must mourn our loss of a Holy Temple.  That's because the small, earlier steps may not be recognized for what they truly are.

We, Jewish Israelis, must make it very clear that the Land of Israel is Our Land not to be shared or divided!

Shabbat Shalom and Tzom Kal

Have a Peaceful Shabbat and Easy Fast

End of An Era, No More Kennedys in The House

Since before I was born, there was always a Kennedy in the United States Congress or Senate.  Now, there won't be, at least in the near future.

Teddy's son Patrick was the last, and he's out of office.

The younger Kennedys, old Joe's grandchildren, inherited the "machinery" but not the charisma.  Some of them actually shun public life and prefer privacy out of the limelight.

No doubt the trauma of the two assassinations,  President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy made high public office less appealing.

Joe Kennedy, Sr., the father, grandfather, great-grandfather... was very ambitious, but in those days being an Irish Catholic was more limiting than being black or part black today.  He made it in business and was also American Ambassador to Great Britain.  Kennedy Sr. was also an admitted antisemite, though he had a few Jewish friends.  He could accept Jews as individuals but, like many people who today would deny such a label as antisemitic, he didn't like us as a people.

In the early 1960's the Kennedy's were worshipped, more than the Obama family is today.  By the time JFK was elected President, the Kennedys as cult, seemed invincible, glamorous, like movie stars.  Even if you didn't go for their politics, you couldn't ignore them.

My husband and I made aliyah to Israel in 1970, so the Kennedy aura is part of the America we left behind. 

Patrick Kennedy sees his family tradition as an idealism:
“My family legacy was never just about government service,” said Mr. Kennedy, who talked for more than two hours in an empty room at the Cannon House Office Building, where John F. Kennedy also worked as a House member from 1947 to 1953. “It was about giving back, and the branding of President Kennedy’s call for Americans to give back to their country.”

I don't know how many of the generation after his feel that way. But one thing, I doubt that any of the younger ones have that ambition, hunger for power and sacrifice they'd need to run for the highest office. So, if there ever is another President Kennedy, he/she may be from a different clan of the same name.

WikiLeaks' Assange, Whistleblower or Dangerous Hacker?

Most of us are enjoying reading the behind the scenes revelations that WikiLeaks has revealed, but does that legitimize Assange as a moral whistleblower?  Is Julian Assange a real criminal or doing the world a favor?

My husband and I haven't embraced the modern ways of having all of our banking etc online, via our computer.  We don't have paypal.  Of course, all of the banks we use have all their information computerized, so we're not as safe as we'd like to be.

All this internet hacking is very frightening.  Considering that I have enough trouble remembering my various passwords, it seems so incomprehensible that there are people who manage to hack into the accounts of others to damage and steal from them.

IMHO, the minute that the WikiLeaks supporters started their revenge they showed their true stripes, their danger.  Whistleblowers risk their lives and security for a greater good.  These hackers have crossed the line.  It's one thing to publicize Obama, Nixon, Carter or Henry Kissenger's antisemitic comments, but it's something totally different to play with the private banking of ordinary, innocent people.

The same tool that can be used for the public good can also be used for bad.

And rather ironically, the various governments embarrassed by WikiLeaks can't find a law by which to prosecute Julian Assange, but they have found evidence of sex crimes.  It reminds me, l'havdil to differentiate, of how Al Capone was convicted and jailed for income tax crimes.  So, the lesson is if you're going to do something "risky" keep the rest of your life clean.

A Tsunami To Take Over The World, Isn't That What the Muslims are Aiming For?

Generally, I find it difficult to force myself to read long serious books, even articles, but I prepared myself to make a great effort to read The Islamic Tsunami: Israel and America in the Age of Obama, by David Rubin.  David is a neighbor here in Shiloh, and he asked me to review his latest book.

I'm glad to say that this book was a pleasure to read, not that the subject is pleasant.  It certainly isn't an upbeat or enjoyable subject, how Islam is a danger to world stability and peace.  But it is a very readable book.  David is an excellent writer, and he did an amazing job with the complex and difficult material.

“It behooves us to pay close attention, not to what is said in mainstream American public forums, in which the Muslim leaders are careful about what they say and how they say it, but to what these Islamic organizational leaders generally reveal when they speak to their own people in Arabic or Farsi, or even occasionally in English. In fact, they are downright secretive and devious, for fear of being exposed for who they really are.”

“Since the inauguration of President Obama, there has been a resurgence of the plague of “moral relativism”- the belief that truth is relative and that there is no such thing as good or evil."

“There is a dynamic process taking place in history before our eyes. The frightening terrorist threats that occur at airports, in cities around the globe, the upheavals in the global economy, and the increasingly frequent clashes in the Middle East are all indicative of an historic process that makes sense and has solutions.”

In recent years, David has been traveling around North America speaking to groups about Arab terrorism and raising money for his Shiloh Children Fund, ever since he and his son, Ruby, were injured by Arab terrorists.  That story is also included in the book.

The aim of the book is to make the general public aware of the danger facing entire western world because of Islam. The Islamic Tsunami: Israel and America in the Age of Obama is well researched and easy to read, rare in the world of non-fiction.  It's a history book that tells about current events and gives an excellent summary of the history of Islam and how its early leaders tried to replace Judaism.

Much of David's American audience is Christian, and he explains how he, a Torah observant Jew, relates to them.  Yes, this is David Rubin's book.  It reflects what is important to him.  My praise of the book does not mean that I agree with every word.  It's rare for me to ever agree with everything others say and write.  There are many good things about the book, and I learned a lot from it. 
And the bottom line...  Is this a book you should read?  Yes, it is.

Let's Make Sure Obama Isn't... and About Kissenger...

Carl's Israel Matzav has a great quote of the day:

"I don't think there's a sense that I've been successful."

-- President Obama, in an interview with Colorado 9NEWS, when asked if he's been effective at changing Washington, D.C.

Let's just hope and pray that Obama isn't successful in his quest to establish a Pseudostinian aka Palestinian sic State!

And about Kissenger...

There's nothing more dangerous than a self-hating Jew.  Dry Bones' Yaakov has been in Israel about the same time as me, and anyone who was here during the 1973 Yom Kippur War must have noticed how Henery Kissenger did nothing for Israel.  Yes, that's right.  He and Nixon pushed Israel to the edge, hoping that Israel, fearful of defeat would ask the United States to step in.  With G-d's help we defeated the Arabs.

A number of years later,  friend told me that she had heard from someone who had been in the United States Military stationed in Europe that summer.  Unexpectedly, they were put on alert, supplied with desert gear and waited.  They waited until Israel defeated the Arabs.  In retrospect it seems pretty obvious that the United States knew (or seriously suspected) that Syria and Egypt would be attacking Israel.
....
And according to Carl, Richard Holbrooke was relatively good to Israel.  Baruch Dayan Ha'emet.

Back to Being Beaten By The Carrots and Sticks

The pundits say that Obama is trying carrot and stick method to force us to concede and give the Arabs what Obama wants.  U. S. envoy George J. Mitchell is back.  It's very important to remember that the true aim of the United States isn't peace:

U.S. envoy George Mitchell said Tuesday that Washington remained "determined to persevere" in its efforts to see an independent and viable Palestinian state living alongside a secure Israel...

...Obama's letter included additional commitments, including a series of guarantees to prevent the smuggling of weapons and missiles into a Palestinian state, a lengthy period of interim security arrangements in the Jordan Valley and a comprehensive regional defense pact for protection from Iran to follow the establishment of the Palestinian state.

The American President also vowed to upgrade Israel's security capabilities and increase the three billion dollar security aid package that Israel receives annually. The letter included commitments to advanced weapons and early warning systems, including satellites. (complete article)

In all honesty, I don't find this very comforting.  It just reinforces my opinion that there's no way that Israel could be secure with a Pseudostinian aka Palestinian State sic on our Land.  That's not peace.

And even less that I like Mitchell's presence here, I don't like our Defense Minister Ehud Barak pandering to American officials, contradicting and undermining our government's positions.  The American administrations, whether Clinton, Bush or Obama have all made it very clear that they want to deal with Labor not Likud.  Their interference in internal Israeli politics is totally unacceptable but so typical of American immoral hypocrisy.  No other country ever gets the type of pressure that Israel does.  Of course, if we would just tell them all to "get lost," they would stop eventually.

Also, I have no doubt that Helen Thomas would never had lasted as long in her post if her antisemitism was an exception among journalists and politicians.  She was perfectly confident and comfortable with her opinions, because many Americans feel the same way.

Yes, that's true.  Jews aren't safe any where, so, you may as well join us in the Holy Land.

"My Israel" Terrorist Prisoners Complain Satire

So far at least ישראל שלי Yisrael Sheli, My Israel hasn't put up a translation in English, but these are Hamas terrorist prisoners in Israeli jails complaining about the heat.  It's hot outside in the sports courts of Israeli prisons.



In the background you hear reminders, advertisements about all sorts of activities they can participate in.  Actually it's all true.

Hamas can recruit terrorists by copying American armed forces ads:

Is being a Hamas Arab Terrorist the Right Career Choice for you?
Looking for a job or career that is exciting and will take you to exotic locations all over the world? Wonder if a job in Arab Terrorism is the career choice for you? Find out about terrorist jobs and careers available in the Hamas Arab Terrorist Organization and see what the Hamas Arab Terrorist Organization offers for pay, benefits and bonuses.

No matter what sort of work you are interested in doing, the Hamas has the job for you. As a member of the Hamas International Terror Organization you will earn competitive pay, be able continue your education, learn new skills, see the world and experience adventures you have only heard about!

Explore our site for more information on International Arab terrorist careers!

OK, So Now It Has Rained, Is The Drought Over?

Heavy rains, strong winds batter Middle East Woman crushed by tree in Lebanon; sandstorms in Jordan, Egypt; streets of Damascus blanketed in snow; heavy rains flood Beirut, flights delayed.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
12/13/2010 1:20:38 PM

Lake Kinneret rises nearly 9cm since rain storms began
By JPOST.COM STAFF
12/13/2010 9:10:29 AM

Northern, central Israel at risk of flooding
Heavy rain continues to hit country; 120cm of snow falls in lower Hermon; wind gusts, rain expected to weaken by afternoon.

It definitely sounds good and convincing, but it doesn't mean that our drought is over.  We're not in the clear.  This isn't just a matter of a late start to the rainy season.  We've had under-average rainfall for about seven years already.  One average, or slightly above year of rain doesn't solve our drought problem.

We need seven better than average years of rainfall, and we also must conserve water.  Scenes like this should be illegal, and they may be illegal, but nobody enforces the law.

Parshat Vayeegash – Ani Yosef Acheichem by Tzvi Briks

My brother-in-law, Tzvi Briks, sent me this, and I received his permission to post it.

Parshat Vayeegash – Ani Yosef Acheichem

Torah Portion of the Week Vayeegash

And He Approached - I Am Joseph Your Brother

by Tzvi Briks, Loosely translated and abridged from Rav Raphael Moshe Luria with personal comments
3 Tevet 2010

“I am Yosef your brother that you sold me unto Egypt.” The Orach Chaim states not only at the time where Yosef saw the result of the sale was he their brother in complete affinity, Achva, (love), but also at the time that they sold him, the “eye of affinity” did not weaken. This statement requires an explanation. How did Yosef acquire such a great level, which even at the time of the sale where Yosef begged for his life, the brothers didn’t hear him.
This seemed like a cruel deed. The tribes even confessed to this deed. Even because of this deed Yosef remained at the same level of Achva or love prior to this deed, according to the Orach Chaim. Didn’t the brothers also despise him; were they not jealous of him; did they not throw him into the pit of snakes and scorpions? In spite of this, the “eye of Achva” or love didn’t weaken and wasn’t dimmed. How could this be?

This will be explained to us by the words of the Arizal concerning the essence of Yosef and his brothers and how could the brothers reach the level of hatred and jealousy.

Let’s first introduce the concept that we found in Klal Yisrael the level of the Kadosh Baruch Hu’s love toward Israel according to Bilam’s prophecy: “none has beheld iniquity in Yaakov, and neither has one seen perverseness in Israel. The Lord the G-d is with him, and the friendship of the King is with him.” According to Rashi, the intention is that the Kadosh Baruch Hu does not look at the iniquity of Israel and their sins. This contradicts the words of Chazal who stated that he who states that the Kadosh Baruch Hu is an abandoner (of punishment for sins) abandons his life. How can it be that he hasn’t beheld iniquity nor has he seen perverseness?

The explanation is that there is a difference between the generality (Klalut) of Yisrael and the individual (Pratut) of Yisrael. The sins of the individual are referred to by the Talmudic statement, “he who says that the Kadosh Baruch Hu is an abandoner, his life shall be abandoned.” When Klal Yisrael is divided among themselves and each individual is a singularity unto himself, the Kadosh Baruch Hu does not abandon the punishment. However, at the time that they are Klalut or the generality of Israel, at the time that they are united, then Bilam’s stratement rings clear: “none has beheld iniquity in Yaakov, nor has one seen perverseness in Yisrael”. Chazal mention this in the generation of Achav. They were pagan worshippers, but because they were unified, they were victorious in war. Whereas in the generation of David, there were Tzadikim but because they were not united, they fell in battle. This, then, is the meaning of Bilam’s prophecy concerning Klal Yisrael and therefore it is stated in the singular grammatic tense to allude to the Kadosh Baruch Hu’s greatness of love towards Klalut, the generality, of Yisrael.

The Pshat is that the time that all of Israel sins, it defects the leaves, but their root, which is called Klal Yisrael, is never defected. This aspect is called Adam Kadmon and is the root spiritually of all of Israel. The Kadosh Baruch Hu sees the root of Klal Yisrael and there is no defect there. Whereas when the individual (the aspect of the leaf) does a defect the Kadosh Baruch Hu does not abandon him and metes out punishment.

Yisrael has 3 aspects of affinity: 1. Slaves. Above that is 2. Children and above that is 3. The Assembly of Israel his Mate, Knesset Yisrael Bat Zugo. The 2 aspects of slaves and children pertain to when they are also in divisiveness where every soul in Israel is a slave and every soul in Israel is a child at their root spiritually. However the aspect of the Assembly of Israel his Mate, Knesset Yisrael Bat Zugo, occurs when they are unified, and therefore it is called Knesset Yisrael. This is also called the Nukva, or female. This is what Bilam meant in his prophecy – when they are unified then the aspect of the Assembly of Israel his Mate is renewed and “all iniquities are covered with Love.” At the time of Matan Torah we find the statement “and Israel encamped (in the singular) there” like one man with one heart. Total Unity.

The Arizal states that Yosef was like the Zeir Anpin (Hashem Elokei Yisrael) whereas the tribes were the aspect of Malchut. Yosef was the chariot or merkava of the Zeir Anpin, of the Kadosh Baruch Hu, just like his father Yaakov who was the third leg of the chariot, and Yosef was the Yesod of Yaakov and was part of him. The tribes were the chariot to the aspect of malchut, the Assembly of Israel. This matter is quite understandable in relationship to why Yosef loved the tribes so much, even though they did not love him. Yosef was the aspect of the Male principle, the Zachar that covers all sins with love. It also explains that even though Yosef knew that the Brothers hated him, he still went to Shechem, because the great Love he had for them could not prevent him from going down to them. That’s why he told them now that “ I am Yosef your brother that you sold me unto Egypt” not only now am I your brother in love and affinity, but even at the time that you sold me, the eye of affinity did not dim, because this Love is above everything.

“The sea (Red) saw and it escaped”. What did it see? It saw the casket of Yosef. Yosef in his love to his brothers revealed the aspect that” Love covers all iniquities” directed at Knesset Yisrael. At the time of the kriat yam Suf, the splitting of the red sea, when they stood at the sea and there was a great prosecution against them (Eilu Ve Eilu ovdei Avodah Zara) these and these are pagan worshippers referring to the Mitzrim and Klal Yisrael, it was difficult before Him to nullify this prosecution. However when the casket of Yosef was remembered by Him and this represented the Love he had for the tribes even when they sold him, this Love covered the iniquities. Klal Yisrael were all absolutely unified (Beachdut) and therefore the prosecution was nullified.

When Klal Yisrael entered into Eretz Yisrael, theMishkan eisted for 369 years in the portion of Yosef in Shilo and was called the tent of Yosef. Why was it there so long? The Kadosh Baruch Hu was with them from the aspect of” Love covers all iniquities” (Kol Peshaeem Techaseh Ahava) and therefore it stood in the portion of Yosef to arouse that same aspect of Yosef drawing love for his brothers.

The prayer of Musaf on Shabbat is called by the name of Yosef for the Yod changes into a Mem using the principle of At Bash (the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet interchanges with the last letter of the Hebrew Alphabet; hence Aleph with Taf, then Bet with Shin and Yod with Mem). According to the Arizal, on Shabbat at the prayer of Musaf the highest unification of the Kadosh Baruch Hu with Knesset Yisrael is done. This is called a good gift or Matana Tova. Even when Yisrael sins on Shabbat the transgression is absolved because “Love covers all iniquities”. This was renewed by Yosef and hence the Musaf prayer on Shabbat is vis-à-vis Yosef.

Heavy Storms and United States Mitchell Hitting Israel

As we in Israel are trying to enjoy the rough, rainy weather, United States President Barack Hussein Obama sent  his proxy/envoy George Mitchell to bombard us with demands. 

G-d is sending us the rain, packaged in His Power to remind us Who really runs the world.

Obviously, we can't control the weather, and we do need the rain, but we can say no to Obama and Mitchell and we should.  Israel should be very wary of the American agenda and the true feelings American leaders have towards Israel.  Most American politicians, including Harry S. Truman never harbored the warm friendly feelings the Jewish community take as norm.  Recently it has been brought to light that the Jewish Henry Kissenger is no better, speaking so lightly of gassing Jews.

I recently spoke to someone who's researching Jimmy Carter's U.S. presidency and has been reading his diaries.  They reveal such blatant antisemitism.   I find it hard to accept that Carter's attitude was/is acceptable and was never considered newsworthy.  That's the lesson.  That's a reminder of how ingrained antisemitsm really is in the American halls of power. 

We Jews are too naive and trusting.  We hear what we want to hear, projection.  Since we are so sensitive and involved with fighting injustices against others, we can't imagine that the truth is that other people aren't the same.  They don't see antisemism as immoral or unjust.  And most Jews are so used to the slights that they don't even notice them.

The Arabs are out to destroy us, and the world doesn't care.  It doesn't matter what Obama wants us to do.  We should send Mitchell back to Washington.

We must concentrate more on our own needs and not worry about our enemies and their allies.  The only thing we must do to our enemies is to destroy them, as we're reminded in Parshat Zachor, the Week We Must Remember.

Deuteronomy Chapter 25 דְּבָרִים

יז זָכוֹר, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק, בַּדֶּרֶךְ, בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם. 17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt;
יח אֲשֶׁר קָרְךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וַיְזַנֵּב בְּךָ כָּל-הַנֶּחֱשָׁלִים אַחֲרֶיךָ--וְאַתָּה, עָיֵף וְיָגֵעַ; וְלֹא יָרֵא, אֱלֹהִים. 18 how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, all that were enfeebled in thy rear, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.
יט וְהָיָה בְּהָנִיחַ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ מִכָּל-אֹיְבֶיךָ מִסָּבִיב, בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה-אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ--תִּמְחֶה אֶת-זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק, מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם; לֹא, תִּשְׁכָּח. {פ} 19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget. {P}

Frume Sarah's Havel Havelim

I'm posting this quickly, because I can't count on the electricity.  We've had too many outages of late.  Frume Sarah has posted this latest Havel Havelim, and it's just perfect.  There are lots of great posts, all different HH flavors.  It's definitely worth a visit.

Here in the Holy Land we have been praying for rain, just rain, not wind, but G-d has been sending us our rain with all the trimmings.  And they've been flying around.  But we do need the rain, and if G-d has decided that plain ordinary rain, with electricity in the house and no wind outside isn't what we deserve, well we just ought say thank you for the rain, right?

Is this another test?

NY Times' Thomas Friedman, Like a Toddler Counting All Wrong But Getting The Right Answer

Anyone who is experienced with little kids knows that they'll sometimes get the right answer though their count is all wrong:

"How many fingers on my hand?"
"One, two, six, four, ten, three... five!"
"Aren't you smart! I do have five fingers on my hand!"

I rarely agree with the New York Times Thomas Friedman, but today I do agree with his bottom line:

"The most valuable thing that President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could do now is just get out of the picture..."

I just don't agree with almost anything else he wrote.

There is nothing positive that can result from American interference with Israel and the Arabs who live in the Jewish Holy Land.  The United States, Europe, the United Nations and all the creative "peace plans" various people including Israeli Right wing politicians come up with won't bring peace.  We'll only have peace when the Arabs realize that attacking us won't get us to leave.  That's right, peace will only come when we Jews, we Israelis stop debating how much territory to keep and what to give to the Arabs.  We'll only have peace when we stop offering them gifts.

Peace comes from strength.  Whoever is stronger enjoys peace, and therefore we must stop negotiations.  We must build Jewish homes and cities in all of the Land of Israel.  That will bring true peace.

A Good Job For Those "Machsom Watch" Ladies

The inspections at the Israeli-YESHA checkposts, machsomim,  are nothing compared to what goes on as security checks in United States airports.  The IDF soldiers and special guards mostly glance, using their G-d-given eyes, at the people passing through.  There's very little, if any, full-body scans, and "pat downs" are rare and frequently discover weapons etc and other forbidden articles.

So, I suggest that those Machsom Watch ladies go where truly innocent people are harassed, those American airports.  I'd love to see how long the Americans let them disturb the peace!

Latma Knows Who's To Blame For the Fire

The devestating fire in the Carmel hasn't been ignored by Latma.



"We didn't start the fire..."

Mark Madoff and Ira Stup, Confused Jews

Mark Madoff was Bernie Madoff's son.  Was is the key word here.  Apparently two years after it was officially revealed that his father's investment business was just a very successful scam, a Ponzi scheme, he committed suicide. 

Talk from the beginning was how strange that the sons weren't arrested along with the father.  Could they really have been totally ignorant of the true nature of the business that had given them such a richly comfortable life? They had good jobs in the firm.

Just today, at the Shabbat table, Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers, was mentioned, especially the mishne Chapter II, 8

"...the more possessions the more anxiety...But the more Torah the more life, the more schooling the more wisdom; the more counsel the more understanding; the more righteousness the more peace. If a man has acquired a good name he has gained something which enriches himself; but if he has acquired words of the Torah he has attained afterlife."

Too many possessions is not my biggest problem, thank G-d.  I hope that the Madoff family get their legal and religious affairs in order.  Apparently, not being jailed isn't the blessing some would think.

And who's Ira Stup?  The New York Times' Roger Cohen has made him famous, the new poster child for the supposedly well-intentioned Jew who doesn't know what Jewish values really are.  I found it very amusing that Cohen's article is called "The 'Real Jew' Debate."  Do Cohen or Stup really think that they who live abroad (out of the Land of Israel) and pick and choose whatever Jewish Laws if any to observe consider themselves experts in Judaism and Jewish values?

I find Cohen's description of Stup being “intoxicated with Jewish democracy” as one of the most peculiar descriptions imaginable.  "Intoxicated," drunk, out of control, stupefaction, stimulation, or excitement by or as if by use of a chemical substance...  I consider that a negative term.  Someone intoxicated doesn't know what he's doing, is judgment impaired.  And "Jewish democracy?”  There is no such concept.  It doesn't exist in genuine, Torah Judaism.  When I think of "democracy," a majority vote in the Bible, I immediately think of the Sin of the Spies. 

Very soon after the exodus from Egypt, G-d tells Moses to send a representative of each of the twelve tribes to tour the Promised Holy Land just before the Jewish People were to enter the Land.  The plan was for them to return with an encouraging report to enthuse the people to immediately enter and settle the Land.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  The majority, ten out of twelve, voted that it would be too hard, too dangerous and the people, democratically, voted with the majority.  They rejected the reports of Joshua and Caleb.  That's why they were punished with forty years of wandering.  That generation had to die off before entering the Land led by Joshua.

So, simply put, Cohen and Stup seem to be in the camp of those supporting the ten sinning spies, favoring democracy, rather than G-d's will.  Judaism is not some version of Liberalism and all sorts of Left wing ideologies.  Don't fall for the big scam.

Is It Going To Be Obama versus Palin?

From the very beginning people have wondered who the real Barack Hussein Obama is.  He was plucked from relative obscurity, pretty much a newcomer to American politics when he began his run for the United States Presidency.  Things went relatively smoothly and he was elected without a major struggle.

Sarah Palin and Obama are peers, according to their ages.  They may be competing for a long time.  She was an unknown nationally when the McCain handlers chose her as his Vice President.

There's a great line in Courage Under Fire, when Meg Ryan shouts:

"I gave birth to a nine-pound baby, asshole. I think I can handle it." 

Palin seems physically (and mentally) tougher than Obama, something her Sarah Palin’s Alaska TV show highlights.

And now back to that Dry Bones cartoon.  Did Yaakov peg it right?  Where do you think Obama is when the going gets tough?

The Carmel, After the Devastating Fire* Enlarged Pictures

I had some technical problems, so Fred posted the pictures here and I'm copying them via the codes.  Fred, Thanks, you're the best!

Here are some more pictures from Fred Reifenberg:

"A day after the worst fire in Israel's history was extinguished, we drove home via Bet Oren, through the Carmel mountain forest, and here are a few shots I took along the way."

Fred, thanks!