Shiloh, Still a Spiritual Center, From the Bible to Today

One of the things that has been reinforced by systematially, chapter by chapter, studying the Tanach, Bible in Matan's Al HaPerek course is that Shiloh remained a spriritual center for the Jewish People even after its destruction and King David's choice of Jerusalem as the Jewish Kingdom's Capitol.  Achiya the Shiloni, played an important role, very much like Shmuel, Samuel the Prophet had done before.

The modern town of Shiloh is located next to Tel Shiloh and many of the homes can see where the ancient Mishkan, Tabernacle stood.  Today Jews live where Biblical Jews ate of the sacrifices, because pottery chards from that time can be found.  That includes the town of Eli. Among the women who come to the monthly Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers are women from Eli who enjoy being able to see their homes from the site of the Mishkan.  You can watch and listen to Miryam Blum's explanation of the water system under Biblical Shiloh by clicking here.

On the Jewish Calendar, we're now in Kislev.  It will soon be Chanukah.  Here's the information about next month's Women's Prayers.  Following that are pictures from the recent prayers and tour of Tel Shiloh.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים

ראש חודש טבת בתל שילה

יום ג' 27-12 8:30

יהיה דבר תורה

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office. Email office@telshilo.org.il  or phone 02-994-4019.

Do "Katyushas Explode" All By Themselves?

One of my major "pet peeves" is inaccurate, watered down, wimpy headlines like this one:

Katyusha rockets explode in western Galilee

Now, do katyushas appear and explode spontaneously, independent of human handling?

Honestly, think about it.  This headline certainly gives the impression that all of a sudden some "katyusha rockets" mysteriously, magically were found to be exploding in Northern Israel.  Do they suddenly show up like mold on the basement wall?

How did those katyusha rockets end up in the western Galilee?  The subtitle "summary" in the Ynet news article states:

IDF confirms at least three Katyusha rockets explode in Western Galilee, search area for forth rocket; no injuries reported, but several structures sustain damage. IDF forces respond with artillery fire on Lebanon

I guess that means that somebody in Lebanon must have launched the missiles/weapons at Israel. Otherwise the IDF wouldn't have fired on Lebanon. A much more accurate title/headline would state that Lebanon fired katyushot at the western Galilee, Israel.  QassamCount's report is no better, since its source is the same ynet article.

Tel Shiloh, On Top of Ancient Reservoir

Here are three very short videos with explanations, mostly in Hebrew, by Miryam Blum, of Eli, about Ancient, Biblical Shiloh. 

Ancient Shiloh was a place of pilgrimage.  The Mishkan Tabernacle, House of Jewish Prayer stood here in Shiloh for 369 years.  Shiloh had few "permanent residents," besides the priests and Tabernacle staff, but they were always prepared for visitors, especially for the Jewish Holidays.  There was a need for water for all the visitors. In short, it has been discovered that there are many underground places at the Tel Shiloh that had held water.  You can also see it in the stones uncovered.







This was filmed during our monthly Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh.  Next Rosh Chodesh, during Chanuka, will be Rosh Chodesh Tevet, 5772, December 27, 2011.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים

ראש חודש טבת בתל שילה

יום ג' 27-12 8:30

יהיה דבר תורה

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office. Email office@telshilo.org.il  or phone 02-994-4019.

Building in The Land of Israel, If Not in Shiloh, Then Never in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the Israel Leftist Capitol of the State of Israel.  Especially the Israeli radical extremist Left choke over the fact that Ben Gurion chose traditional Biblical Jerusalem over the Modern Zionist invention, Tel Aviv.

Factually, actually today's Israeli radical extreme loony Leftists still refuse to believe that the true "parents" of their beloved Tel Aviv are Shiloh, Hebron and Jerusalem.  Three parents may seem a bit much, but we're talking history, not biology.  The modern State of Israel is descended from the Bible, and the Jewish Nation had its first capital in Shiloh.  After that for seven years, King David ruled from Hebron and after that he brought his government/monarchy to Jerusalem.  These three cities give the modern state legitimacy.  Three is an important number for stability.  Commentary Magazine has an interesting article about the Israeli Left, worth reading.

Appease aka Peace sic Now is upset that the Israeli Government has approved building homes for Jews in Shiloh.  These building plots were actually allocated for building a very long time ago, but actual building is recent. 

I see things rather simply, and from now on I think that our response to anybody who denies our Jewish right to be/live in places like Shiloh should be:

"So you believe in apartheid.  You believe in discriminating against Jews.  That's what you're promoting by banning Jews from living here.  You're a racist."

That's the truth.  All those Leftists, Liberals with a capital "L" are just racists and must be confronted with the plain and honest truth.

Here are a few pictures of some recent building here in Shiloh.  Enjoy!

Values, That Killer BLACK FRIDAY

I grew up in a different America.  We had blue laws which restricted store openings and protected what was then called "family values" and Sunday "sabbath" closing.  Social values stressed time off, not 7 day shopping, and certainly not the violence for a bargain that I keep hearing about re: Black Friday.  No surprise it's called BLACK FRIDAY.  I can't imagine anything blacker than being mobbed, trampled and killed to save money.

video hat tip: Lady-Light


I'm not a fan of shopping on the internet, but if that's an option, I'd use it as a safety shelter to get Black Friday prices. I've fled discount supermarkets because of crowds and hating to wait on line.

Let's get to chessed, values and middot and my neighbor's advice on how to greet someone sporting a cast. I must admit that I probably said all the wrong things to her.  And don't forget tzedakka.  The Rebbetzin's Husband blogs about giving.

Is the world economy getting worse?  Shirat Devorah posts about the endangered Euro.

It's time to think about Chanukah gifts.  Must they cost lots of money?  Do you have any good ideas?  Chodesh Tov!  I must get ready to go to Tel Shiloh for Women's Rosh Chodesh prayers.  Next month is Tevet, Tuesday December 27. Meet me at Tel Shiloh.

"Times They Are a-Changin'," Latma Style

Caroline Glick's Latma, Israel's premiere satire website brings you the Arab world's rendition of Bob Dylan's immortal Times They Are a-Changin' performed by Egyptian Minister of Conspiracy Theories Halil Majnoun, Libyan rebel leader Adel Herayme and Palestinian Minister of Uncontrollable Rage Tawil Fadiha... 

Enjoy, if that's the right word!

Hasn't The Time Come to Leave The UN?

The United Nations was never really an example of morality.  It has always been a monstrous money-wasting hypocritical and dangerous organization.  Its powerful bodies, like UNESCO, are filled with countries in which human and religious rights are unknown. like Syria.  And Libya is on the UN Human Rights Council.

Yes, all/most of its member nations are united, but they're united against Israel, not united to promote international justice and morality.

And please don't tell me that Israel should be grateful for the November 29, 1947 vote in the United Nations.  At the time, the United Nations was only two years (and one month) old, having been ratified in October 24, 1945.  It had no power.  It did nothing to support the State of Israel.  Basically, the Zionists were told they could make a state without being condemned by other countries.  Most of the countries that voted for the establishment of a Jewish State expected the Arab countries to defeat Israel.  So, by voting "yes," they made themselves "look good" but that was it.  They could then blame the Zionists for not being prepared and strong and viable enough to survive.

The truth is that Israel had no allies, just a worthless, powerless United Nations vote.

The proof was that in the spring of 1967, when Egypt's Nasser demanded that United Nations peace-keeping forces withdraw so Egypt could invade/destroy Israel, the UN quickly complied.

In 1967, no country came in as allies for Israel when it was clear that the Arabs planned our destruction.  Thank G-d, the most powerful ally, G-d Himself, gave us victory over Egypt, Jordan and Syria and facilitated the liberation of Judea, Samaria, the Golan, Jordan Valley and Sinai.  There's no need for the State of Israel to support an organization that doesn't support our existence.  All they do is condemn us. Let's behave like the proud nation we should be.

Thanksgiving, Reconsidered/Think Again

This post, under a different title, is cross-posted on me-ander.  It's one of those posts/articles/essays that "wrote itself" in a manner I hadn't planned at all.  I had been planning a very light, nostolgic post, like the one I had written a couple of years ago about my childhood memories of Thanksgiving, It's Not Thanksgiving If It's Not At Aunt Pauline's...  But all of a sudden I discovered I had written a totally and utterly different genre.  My facebook friends have been busy commenting on it, and bringing up very important points.  Some of you may find this post outrageous, upsetting and even "sacrilegious."  But as a Jew who lives in Shiloh the Biblical Homeland of the Jewish People, I think it's very important to differentiate between European invaders/colonialists who took over  what is today called the "Americas" and Jews returning to our historic and spiritual homeland.  Sorry, if I've ruined your appetite for the turkey and cranberry sauce.

Here it is:

Thanksgiving? Don't We Thank G-d Every Day?

I try to remind myself that every breath is a miracle.  Every morning when we wake up, we're supposed to thank G-d that He returned our soul.  Accidents happen, even fatal tragic ones, for "no logical reason."  I really do try to remember that G-d controls these "little things."

The United States has a holiday, Thanksgiving, when it's traditional to gather with family and friends for a large meal, to thank G-d for the survival of the pilgrims, colonizers, invaders.

As I remember learning, the early pilgrims were grateful to have survived the bitter conditions in the "new world" and established the holiday.  There's a myth that they feasted with local indians.  I don't know what's taught today in American schools, since there's more sensitivity to the fact that the European pilgrims, settlers were racist colonizers.  Don't choke on the turkey bones, but that's the truth.

Here in Shiloh, I feel totally at home, having returned to my, as a Jew, historic homeland.  Honestly, I find it rather offensive to celebrate that immoral/racist American holiday in the Jewish Holy Land.

Sorry, this isn't the post I had planned on writing.  The keys on the keyboard just kept pulling my fingers, and this is what came out.

Free Ride, Soon to End, Jerusalem Trolley Fare Warning

Yes, there's just one more week left to enjoy the free train rides in Jerusalem.  The screens at the station were playing the reminder/announcement today, and I guess they'll be playing the same tune for another week.

I'm one of those who has been enjoying my free rides, and yes, I do plan on continuing to take the train when it suits my itinerary and time schedule.  I was on the train again, today, twice even.

I'm among those in suspense concerning the bus route changes in Jerusalem.  We've been warned that areas serviced by the Jerusalem Lightrail won't get bus service on parallel or the same streets.  I wonder how that will work.  I also haven't filled my RavKav card with money.  On December 1st I'll need it "live;" at present it's "dead."

Changes like these are frightening, confusing and disorienting.  OK, yes, we can't expect things to stay the same forever, and they shouldn't stay the same forever.  But it would be nice to have some notice about exactly what the new bus routes will be.  Not everyone has the time and talents to relearn such vital information.

I think that many people will be happy to continue traveling by train, even if it costs money.  This morning, just after 7am I was very lucky to catch an empty train that went straight from the depot to the French Hill/Givat HaMivtar stop.  Usually at that time, the train if full (mostly of Arabs) by the time it gets there.

No doubt that I'll be among those screaming and complaining that the new routes are ridiculous, illogical, time-wasting etc.  But I'll have no choice other than to get used to them. That's human nature.

Here's the message on "video."

Real Life Here in The Middle-East

Living, in Shiloh, the eye of the storm, my perspective is rather different from those who write mainstream newspapers or "rule" from the spacious offices of the United Nations etc.  For the past year, I've been interacting with Arabs very frequently as an ordinary salesperson in Yafiz (Rami Levi's clothing store) in Sha'ar Binyamin, north of Jerusalem.  Jews and Arabs mingle, work and shop daily.  Tension is minimal, maybe because those who can't abide such a situation don't come.  But the truth is that the good prices seem to be the unifying factor.

Most of our Arab customers pay cash.  They not only come from the nearby villages but from Ramalla, Shechem, Jericho, Jordan and much further away.  Some Arab store owners use our sales to stock their own stores.  It doesn't surprise me to read that Arabs invest in Israel, more than in their own neighborhoods.  They're saavy shoppers on the whole.

I also wasn't surprised to read that Jordan's Hashemite King Abdullah has been meeting with Abbas to try to block Hamas.  His kingdom is in danger.  If the "Arab Spring storms" spread to Jordan, he may not survive.

For many of the local Arabs, living near Jews is life-saving.  You don't read about these things in your regular paper, do you?

"Spring" Anarchy This Winter

The Leftist and loonier press and politicians have been touting Arab "spring" uprisings as something great and encouraging these past few months.  No surprise to me at least; those "spring" uprisings have bloomed into anarchy and violence.  There's a limit to how long international Leftist mentors and trainers can keep the masses under control. 

Egypt, for example, is not an advanced, western, peaceful nation.  Just because Mubarak was ousted doesn't mean that his successors will be any better.  Egypt is now in turmoil; unrest reigns supreme.

Protesting and demonstrating can be a lot of fun.  Define "fun."  Each society, culture sees it differently.  The smoke in the Egyptian demonstrations (riots) is very different from the smoke seen in this Occupy Wall Street video (hat tip Heshy.)



Nu, some of you obviously think I don't get it about Brian Havig's video, but like in all great comedy, there's a lot of truth.  That's right.  Without touching on real issues, it's not funny.  That's why Dry Bones is so successful. 

Ya'akov takes the truth and presents it simply and clearly without too many distracting words.  I try not to elaborate too much when writing.  I've been describing the Israeli faux social justice demonstrations as Korach. 

The problem with that is that too few people know the significance of Korach in Biblical Jewish History. Just trying to google/find a link about Korach that uses terms that ordinary people can understand is difficult.  Ordinary people know virtually nothing about the Bible.  I was once such a person.  Only in recent years have I begun learning more seriously and be able to connect the various historic events and people.

I'll try to explain who Korach was and why he's considered a very dangerous leader.  During the forty year trek the Jewish People took from Egypt to the Promised/Holy Land, Moses was designated by G-d to lead.  The hierarchy of leadership, including religious, was also clearly assigned by G-d.  Korach was a cousin of Moses and protested his family's inferior status.  This only affected his immediate family, but to garner more supporters he embellished his protest.  It was very much like all the recent protest movements, whether in Cairo, Tel Aviv, Wall Street-NYC etc.  No matter what your gripe, you're invited!

That's anarchy.  Who's behind today's international protests?  Good question, shades of Korach  for sure.

Our Enemies Always Attack Us When We're Weak, Haughty and Overconfident

In my Tanach, Bible studies in Matan's Al HaPerek, we have just learned about Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon's reign.  I must admit that as I study the Bible, and this is the second year of the program, I'm always seeing parallels to modern politics and history.  I certainly agree with the refrain in King Solomon's most important IMHO book, Kohelet, Ecclesiastes,

ט מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה, הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, וּמַה-שֶּׁנַּעֲשָׂה, הוּא שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה; וְאֵין כָּל-חָדָשׁ, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ. 9 That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.

The more I learn, the more I agree what King Solomon wrote in Kohelet at some point after major failures and tragedy, when he finally repented, admitted his sins and mistakes.

King Solomon, Son of King David and Batsheva inherited the throne, the Kingdom, the united People of Israel, all twelve tribes and all the Land that David had conquered and unified.  There was peace, and Solomon's job, assigned by G-d, was to build the Holy Temple and rule according to G-d's Mitzvot Laws.

This was a time of great potential, very much like post-1967 Six Days War Israel euphoria, on the day that Egypt, Syria and Jordan surrendered. 1 Kings Chapter 8 מְלָכִים א

טז מִן-הַיּוֹם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶת-עַמִּי אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרַיִם, לֹא-בָחַרְתִּי בְעִיר מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לִבְנוֹת בַּיִת לִהְיוֹת שְׁמִי שָׁם; וָאֶבְחַר בְּדָוִד, לִהְיוֹת עַל-עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל. 16 Since the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.
יז וַיְהִי, עִם-לְבַב דָּוִד אָבִי--לִבְנוֹת בַּיִת, לְשֵׁם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. 17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
יח וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, אֶל-דָּוִד אָבִי, יַעַן אֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם-לְבָבְךָ, לִבְנוֹת בַּיִת לִשְׁמִי--הֱטִיבֹתָ, כִּי הָיָה עִם-לְבָבֶךָ. 18 But the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;
יט רַק אַתָּה, לֹא תִבְנֶה הַבָּיִת: כִּי אִם-בִּנְךָ הַיֹּצֵא מֵחֲלָצֶיךָ, הוּא-יִבְנֶה הַבַּיִת לִשְׁמִי. 19 nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for My name.
כ וַיָּקֶם יְהוָה, אֶת-דְּבָרוֹ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר; וָאָקֻם תַּחַת דָּוִד אָבִי וָאֵשֵׁב עַל-כִּסֵּא יִשְׂרָאֵל, כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה, וָאֶבְנֶה הַבַּיִת, לְשֵׁם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. 20 And the LORD hath established His word that He spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

After the Six Days War, signs were posted all over Israel thanking the IDF for the victory, even though, we only won because of G-d's help, G-d's miracles.

Unfortunately after all those beautiful words, King Solomon was haughty and overconfident.  He considered himself above G-d's Law and sinned.

טז דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲנִי עִם-לִבִּי, לֵאמֹר--אֲנִי הִנֵּה הִגְדַּלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי חָכְמָה, עַל כָּל-אֲשֶׁר-הָיָה לְפָנַי עַל-יְרוּשָׁלִָם; וְלִבִּי רָאָה הַרְבֵּה, חָכְמָה וָדָעַת. 16 I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Jerusalem'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

Not only did he take too many wives, but he took non-Jewish ones. He also purchased too many horses, and davka from Egypt, definitely against G-d's Laws, Deuteronomy Chapter 17 דְּבָרִים.

טז רַק, לֹא-יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ סוּסִים, וְלֹא-יָשִׁיב אֶת-הָעָם מִצְרַיְמָה, לְמַעַן הַרְבּוֹת סוּס; וַיהוָה, אָמַר לָכֶם, לֹא תֹסִפוּן לָשׁוּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה, עוֹד. 16 Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses; forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you: 'Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.'
יז וְלֹא יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ נָשִׁים, וְלֹא יָסוּר לְבָבוֹ; וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב, לֹא יַרְבֶּה-לּוֹ מְאֹד. 17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

King Solomon disobeyed both Laws. He bought horses from Egypt and married and made alliances with a total of a thousand women.

Even worse than that, just like then (1967) Prime Minister Levi Eshkol's Government, immediately after the Six Days War, gave the key to the Temple Mount to the Arabs, King Solomon soon gave away twenty cities to King Hiram, 1 Kings Chapter 9 מְלָכִים א. 

יא חִירָם מֶלֶךְ-צֹר נִשָּׂא אֶת-שְׁלֹמֹה בַּעֲצֵי אֲרָזִים וּבַעֲצֵי בְרוֹשִׁים, וּבַזָּהָב--לְכָל-חֶפְצוֹ; אָז יִתֵּן הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה לְחִירָם, עֶשְׂרִים עִיר, בְּאֶרֶץ, הַגָּלִיל. 11 now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar-trees and cypress-trees, and with gold, according to all his desire--that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

And just like all of the "peace gestures" Israel gives our enemies, Hiram wasn't pleased and just wanted more.

Read through the Bible and you'll see how G-d punished King Solomon and not only divided the Kingdom, he also sent in foreign enemies that had been biding their time, waiting for the Jewish King to weaken, 1 Kings Chapter 11 מְלָכִים א.

יד וַיָּקֶם יְהוָה שָׂטָן לִשְׁלֹמֹה, אֵת הֲדַד הָאֲדֹמִי: מִזֶּרַע הַמֶּלֶךְ הוּא, בֶּאֱדוֹם. 14 And the LORD raised up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of the king's seed in Edom.

And today, too, our enemies get strong, because we as a nation sin.  Our security is dependent on our obedience to G-d as a Nation.  We pray in the plural, not in singular.  It's not enough to say or think that just our personal Torah-Mitzvah observance is enough.  We're all on the same boat together.  We're all One People.  And when our leadership is faulty, we're all in danger.  Those Jews who think they're safer abroad, in Chutz la'Aretz, out of the HolyLand, are sadly mistaken.

Last night at Matan, David Sabato reminded us that the Jewish Nation hasn't been united since the days of King Solomon's rule.  G-d orchestrated the division as punishment for his sins.

We have a long way to go, so let's get started.

Blessed With Rain, Are We Doing Something Right?

HolyLand rainfall isn't something that just happens.  Chazal, our sages tell us that G-d gives us the rain according to our deeds, our behavior according to mitzvah observance.  The past few years have been cursed with drought.  This year the rain began "on time," when we add the prayer for rain a couple of weeks after Succot.

We can see that it's a real winter by looking at the morning sky.

The past few years have been terribly dry with first heavy rains months later than we need.    That's the reason for the tragic, deadly forest fire in the Carmel, northern Israel, last year.

If there had been sufficient rain, the forest wouldn't have had burnt so quickly and thoroughly.

I totally enjoy seeing the "green peach-fuzz" early grass weeds sprouting here in Shiloh.  It's a sign of blessing.

When it's raining, we must call it a beautiful day, because we do need every drop of water G-d is willing to give us.  The sun is always shining, even if it's hiding behind the clouds.

Let it rain!

Latma, Is Channel 10 Too Big to Fail? And Peace Now's Financial Woes

There's nothing better than Latma to tell us what is really going on.  It's the Right way to see Israel and the world.



Thank Caroline Glick!

Sweet "Revenge"

For many Holocaust survivors, marrying and having children was their revenge. The Nazis wanted to destroy the entire Jewish People, and the Nazis didn't succeed. People actually survived the death camps and made new lives for themselves.

In today's modern State of Israel our big physical enemy is terrorism. Not only do the Pseudostinian aka Palestinian sic leadership demand the destruction of the State of of Israel, but their followers attack to murder us.  Twenty years ago, in one of the first shooting attacks, my friend and neighbor Rachella Druk was murdered.  She was a young mother of seven; her eldest was in high school.

Yesterday, on a chilly overcast day, we met at the cemetery to honor her memory. The real honoring was done by her children, all married and parents, too.  The Arab terrorists murdered Rachella's body, but her essense, her faith in G-d and the Jewish People and Jewish Land are strong and enduring.

Two vibrant communities were established in her memory, Shvut Rachel and Rechallim.  Rachella was the first to be buried in our cemetery.

As I was walking down from my house to the cemetery I got a ride with a neighbor:

"Come in,  you're going to do chessed shel emmess, right."
"Right, you know what אמת emmess/emmett (truth) really means?" I asked him.  "It means אמות ammute I'll die, because the truth is that we'll all die."
"Thanks for the chiddush, new idea."

Yes, the truth is that our time in This World is limited.  We rarely have a clue as to the "expiration date."  So we must get in our mitzvot as efficiently as we can.

Shabbat Shalom
Have a Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath

L'Illui Nishmata shel Rachella

Almost Rosh Chodesh Kislev and Chanukah

It's said that the older we get, the more quickly time goes.  Is that why it's hard to believe that Chanukah is barely a month away. Yes, it's almost Rosh Chodesh Kislev.  So, I'd like to remind you that we're planning on having our monthly women's prayers at Tel Shiloh.  This isn't a women's minyan.  We're just women who pray at the same place and the same time.  And as long as there aren't any men in the area, we sing/pray the Hallel prayer outloud.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Sunday, November 27, 2011

8:30am

Shiur Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים

ראש חודש כסלו בתל שילה

יום א' 27-11 8:30

יהיה דבר תורה

נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the office.  Email office@telshilo.org.il  or phone 02-994-4019.

I go to Tel Shiloh, the actual site of the Mishkan, Tabernacle monthly, and every month there are changes.

So, even if you've been there before, it's worth going.

Hopelessy Hateful, Don't Value Life, Can't "Peace" With Them

You can only make peace with those who value human life.  Societies and cultures that worship "martyrs" for their deaths including "suicide bombers/terrorists" will never honor peace treaties, no matter what they sign to. 

Again, Dry Bones pictures it perfectly:

We're playing with the future of the world, with human life.  That's something the looney Leftists refuse to recognize.  They're infatuated with the Arabs and totally ignore the true situation.  There's more human rights discrimination within Arab society than any security restrictions Israel puts on the Arabs. 

Remember, we're still "counting qassams."  The Arab terrorists in Gaza are still attacking Israel with missiles.  Israelis are being killed and injured by the Arabs, and property destroyed or damaged by their attacks. 

If those extreme Leftists were really in favor of peace, freedom, religious and civil rights, they'd be protesting against the Arabs, not against Israel and Jews!

"Freedom Riders?" I'd Like to Ride Free From Arab Terrorism

Not for the first time, international Leftist agitators are making life Hell for innocent Israeli civilians.  Today, mid-afternoon, on my way home to Shiloh from Jerusalem I noticed some disturbances at the machsom military exit from Jerusalem.  I could see professional photographers and bits of a sign or two in Arabic.  Somehow I managed to get my camera out and shoot a couple of imperfect photos.  My photos obviously weren't staged.

When I saw this, I figured that the Extreme Leftist Machsom Watch had attacked with their disturbers of the peace, but apparently I had been wrong about it.  It had been the faux Freedom sic Riders.

Obviously, logically, if they were really in favor of true freedom, freedom from terrorism, they'd include our (Jewish) freedom in their demands.  Those Leftists don't care.  They keep looking for excuses to attack Jews and Israel in any way they possibly can.

All these extreme Leftists actually accomplished, besides their photo ops and publicity, was to cause a major traffic jam for Jews and Arabs on the road to Jerusalem. 

Both Jews and Arabs travel our roads.  Many of the Arabs live and work in Israel.  But since when do logic and facts influence those extreme Leftist anti-Israeli agitators?

The "News," Reliable or Not?

Dry Bones brings us back to the days when, no matter how hard we searched there really weren't too many options, choices for getting news.

Now Israel has lots of tv stations, and many people have access to foreign tv, including news programs, but it's still the same basic "approach" to the news.  The vast majority of the international media religiously subscribe to Leftist ideology.

Many of us try to find more reliable news information on the internet, like Caroline Glick's site or her fantastic Latma news programs.  There's also Arutz 7, which although no longer has an Israeli radio news show independent of internet, is still a good news source.  And since almost no news site cares about Israel being attacked, it's a good thing to sign up for QassamCount, which updates on the Arab missile attacks.

And of course for op-eds and editorials, nothing beats the blogs.  Many of us blog, because we got tired of seeing our articles rejected by the mainstream press.  Fewer newspapers even pay writers, so if we're going to do it for nothing, we may as well have full control.  I consider my blogs to be my personal magazines for which I'm editor-in-chief.  I've even invited others to blog on them to add more variety and viewpoints.

Which "alternative news" sources are your favorites?

Protection Against Airborne Torpedoes* aka Qassams?

My father was in the United States Navy during World War Two.  He was very lucky, having been transferred off of the USS Indianapolis a very short time before it was torpedoed.  There were very few survivors, especially because  the Navy didn't have contact with the ship and didn't know about the attack. 

Writing about the frequent Arab terrorist qassam attacks on Israel has all sorts of linguistic difficulties.  I never quite know what to call the weapons.  I absolutely hate the Israeli media favorite "rackettot," little rockets, which sounds just too cute and harmless. 

Onomatopoeia is a very effective linguistic tool. By giving a dangerous, potentially fatal weapon a cute, fun-sounding, child-like name, one is decreasing associative fear and terror.  When I hear the word "rocket," I think "rocket to the moon," a great, thrilling adventure and challenge.

The Israeli Government, more exactly successive Israeli Governments have been wasting time and money trying to invent protective devices, like the Iron Dome, instead of sending the IDF against to terrorists to destroy them and their missiles/weapons. 

Some of the "protective gear" have been rather low-tech, like the sewer pipes placed in southern neighborhoods housing Disengagement Gush Katif "DP's."

And some of the newer ideas remind me more of coffins or old now banned refrigerators in which people especially children got locked into.

This coming February the Home Front Command will stage a test in the Negev a variety of technologies for protecting civilians under rocket attack.

Lt. Col. Tzachi Zarko, Head of the Engineering Branch of the Home Front Command told IMRA that besides testing equipment designed by the Home Front Command itself – including a 'protected bed' that looks like a regular bed though can be transformed into a 'protected hut' during emergencies and a special closet that can be used as a safe room, the Home Front Command will make available whole “test rooms” that companies can outfit with protection equipment and technologies.

The metal closet as designed by the Home Front Command would cost around 10,000 NIS and is prohibitively heavy. The bed, as now designed, would also cost around NIS 10,000,

Let's just send in the heavy artillery to destroy the Arab terrorists!

*Doesn't "airborne torpedo" sound much more dangerous than raining or falling rockets?

Here We Go Again, Arab Terrorists Launch Missiles at Israeli South

The past few days, QassamCount had been quiet.  It's on my sidebar, so along with checking what my blog friends have posted I can see if there's anything new on QassamCount.  The longer it goes without being updated the more nervous again.  We don't have the sort of peace that can stop terrorism.

Arab terrorism is a simmering undercurrent in our daily lives here in Israel.  It's like a seething volcano, never totally silent.  There was just an erruption of Arab terrorist violence.

8:34pm: Qassam rocket fired from Gaza explodes in open area in Shaar Hanegev in Israel

Terrorism is not just some "natural phenomena." We shouldn't "be strong" and tolerate it. It must be stopped. Accepting it as inevitable is a weakness, not a sign of strength. It's the "philosopher's way" of wimping out.

Opting Out, The Yitzchak Rabin Memorial Hate-Fest

One of the best things about my recent work schedule, night shift, has been missing the Israeli television news.  This is the season when hate, sinat chinam, baseless hatred against other Jews, is celebrated by the media, politicians and public figures.

Yitzchak Rabin memorial at Jerusalem Municipality

There are so many theories based on fact and fiction about the killing of Yitzchak Rabin, it's hard to know exactly what happened.  There are more holes in the official judicial conviction of Yigal Amir than in Swiss Cheese a fishing net.

Rabin's killing has replaced Chaim Alosoroff's, Dir Yassin, King David Hotel bombing etc to incite Jew against Jew. 

I pray for true peace and the cessation of this hatred.  I demand that the Left do the חשבון נפש Cheshbon Nefesh, Accounting of the Soul, to see the true source of hatred, how David Ben-Gurion could have had no compunctions about ordering Yitzchak Rabin to lead the attack against the Jews bringing weapons on the Altalena to free Jerusalem from the Arabs.  Yes, Rabin attacked innocent Jews.  That his memory is being used to incite against Jews is a tragedy, because nothing was learned from the earlier tragedies brought to you/us by the Israel Left.

Latma, The Right Way! Israel's Judges, Bombing Iran and Other Topics

Caroline Glick's Latma keeps getting better and better.  Take a look:

"Mistaken Identity," Jew Killed by IDF, My Close Call

Early Friday morning Rabbi Daniel Merzbach, my neighbor's brother, was killed as a result of a very tragic "accident," when he was on his way to Ma'arat HaMachpela, Tomb of the Patriarchs, Hebron.  This isn't the first time the IDF has killed Jews, mistaking them for Arab terrorists.

The soldiers' excuse is frequently that the Israelis didn't stop, but one of the warnings we're given is that there are terrorists disguised as soldiers or Jews, and we should be wary about stopping.  As a frequent trempistit,  one who must get rides, I know how hard it is to recognize guess if it's a Jewish or Arab car.  That's why I don't hail cars.  I just stand waiting, hoping and praying that a safe car or bus will come by, stop and give me the needed ride.

Once when I was in a car, a safe car, a large white van with a friend/neighbor driving it, it almost became a nightmare.  As we turned off the main road at the Shiloh Junction, I noticed a few people waiting, so I asked the driver to stop and give them a ride.  Suddenly... like in the movies... within seconds there were solidiers on both sides of the van, at the windows, aiming rifles in our faces.  We looked at them, and they looked at us, and then... as quickly as they had come, they just disappeared.

My "miracle" happened before the 2003 IDF "accidental" killing of Yehuda Ben-Yosef and Yoav Doron.  I wonder how many other close calls there have been.

It's All In The Timing, More on The Obama Sarkozy Open Mic

I was certain that I had blogged the last about Obama's and Sarkozy's anti-Bibi loose lips, the open mic scandal here and here.  But this morning I saw what Caroline Glick wrote, which of course brings up additional and crucial points.

Location and timing really are everything.  It's not like United States President Obama and French President Sarkozy had met at a clothing store, restaurant or the opera.  This wasn't a cultural or occasion or a celebration in honor of the birth of Sarkozy's new baby daughter. 

The slurs against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu voiced by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and US President Barack Obama after last week's G20 summit were revealing as well as repugnant. (emphasis mine)

Of all the international leaders, our Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been the strongest and most consistent pushing and prodding and begging and warning the free world about the dangers of the Iranian nuclear weapons program.  None of the big shot G20 leaders take it seriously, and that includes Obama and Sarkozy.  Obama and Sarkozy haven't a clue.

To understand why this is the case it is necessary to first ask, when has Netanyahu ever lied to Sarkozy and Obama? This week the UN International Atomic Energy Agency's report about Iran's nuclear weapons program made clear that Israel - Netanyahu included - has been telling the truth about Iran and its nuclear ambitions all along. In contrast, world leaders have been lying and burying their heads in the sand.

Since Iran's nuclear weapons program was first revealed to the public in 2004, Israel has provided in-depth intelligence information proving Iran's malign intentions to the likes of Sarkozy, Obama and the UN. And for seven years, the US government - Obama included - has claimed that it lacked definitive proof of Iran's intentions.

Obama wasted the first two years of his administration attempting to charm the Iranians out of their nuclear weapons program. He stubbornly ignored the piles of evidence presented to him by Israel that Iran was not interested in cutting a deal.

What other topic could they have had been referring to? Could it have been the faux peace process?

Because the truth is that Israel never had a chance of achieving peace with the Palestinians.

And the reason this has always been the case has nothing to do with Netanyahu or Israel.

THERE WAS never any chance for peace because the Palestinians have no interest in making peace with Israel. As the West's favorite Palestinian "moderate," Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with Egypt's Dream TV on October 23, "I've said it before and I'll say it again. I will never recognize the 'Jewishness' of the State [of Israel] or a 'Jewish state.'" That is, Abbas will never make peace with Israel.

The PA depicts a world without Israel. They're neither shy nor discreet about saying so.

I thank Caroline Glick for putting it all in context.  I recommend reading her entire article.

Spin On, Obama and Sarkozy Aren't The First To Be Caught By An Open Mic

CNN lists ten biggies caught by an open microphone.

Obama and Sarkozy aren't the first and they won't be the last public figures whose "private words" are recorded for all to hear.

‘I have defended Netanyahu throughout my political life,’ French president tells Jewish leaders.

It doesn't matter what Obama or Sarkozy say now; that unguarded quip said it all.  But the story almost never got out.  Most of the reporters who heard the exchange agreed to keep it secret.  That brings me back to the days when the sex life of beloved politicians, such as U.S. President John F. Kennedy, were known by the press but kept under wrap.  No doubt that early in  Berlusconi's career he benefited from such "help."  Now his secret is out, too.

Today it may be harder for public figures to have secret lives, but is the public becoming immune to shock and outrage?

Iranian Nuclear Program/Weapons, Not Just an Israeli Problem

It's not that I want to ignore the ever increasing nuclear threat from Iran, I just think the rest of the world must take it seriously. 

The United States, United Nations, Europe etc always have the time to condemn and threaten Israel, so why can't they find the wherewithal to use their "big stick" on Iran?

When it comes to Israel, they're a bunch of manipulating bullies, but to Iran they are pathetic wimps.

It's really no secret as to why the disparity.  Israel quickly jumps and apologizes, even if we've done nothing wrong, while other countries, like Iran and Cuba, just thumb their noses at the bullies, who then leave them alone.

Who's Having The Last Laugh? Matriarch Sarah and The Modern State of Israel

It's the Torah Portion of the Week Vayeira, Genesis 18-22.  It includes the shocking and seemingly biologically impossible birth of Yitzchak, Issac to the very elderly and barren Sarah and her husband Avraham, Abraham.  They both laughed when they heard predictions that a child would be born to them.  It seemed so improbable, even though G-d had promised them previously.

Genesis Chapter 17 בְּרֵאשִׁית
א וַיְהִי אַבְרָם, בֶּן-תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים; וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה אֶל-אַבְרָם, וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֲנִי-אֵל שַׁדַּי--הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי, וֶהְיֵה תָמִים. 1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him: 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted.
ב וְאֶתְּנָה בְרִיתִי, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ; וְאַרְבֶּה אוֹתְךָ, בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.'
ג וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָם, עַל-פָּנָיו; וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים, לֵאמֹר. 3 And Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying:
ד אֲנִי, הִנֵּה בְרִיתִי אִתָּךְ; וְהָיִיתָ, לְאַב הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם. 4 'As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
ה וְלֹא-יִקָּרֵא עוֹד אֶת-שִׁמְךָ, אַבְרָם; וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם, כִּי אַב-הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם נְתַתִּיךָ. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.
ו וְהִפְרֵתִי אֹתְךָ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד, וּנְתַתִּיךָ לְגוֹיִם; וּמְלָכִים, מִמְּךָ יֵצֵאוּ. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
ז וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ, וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ לְדֹרֹתָם--לִבְרִית עוֹלָם: לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים, וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
ח וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ אֵת אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֶיךָ, אֵת כָּל-אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, לַאֲחֻזַּת, עוֹלָם; וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם, לֵאלֹהִים. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.'
ט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל-אַבְרָהָם, וְאַתָּה אֶת-בְּרִיתִי תִשְׁמֹר--אַתָּה וְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ, לְדֹרֹתָם. 9 And God said unto Abraham: 'And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.

Not only just when the Modern Zionist Movement began, but even as the State of Israel was being established most people thought it an impossible dream.  Although the Jewish People is an ancient one, it hadn't ruled its Land for thousands of years.  We were exiled and scattered all over the world.  Predictions, by the experts, were that the state couldn't survive between the military-Arab terrorists and demographics.

Well, G-d's in charge.  The gynecologists of Sarah and Abraham's day were as mistaken as the world leaders and thinkers of modern time.

The Jewish People and Jewish State are thriving in the Jewish HolyLand.  We're all having the last laugh.

Let's Move The Target and Put The Arab Terrorists in the BullsEye

Dry Bones scores again!

Let the Arab terrorists do their target practicing on some place else!

The latest QassamCount:

6:19pm: Rocket fired from Gaza to Israel